Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE CAREGIVER IDENTITY IN CONTEXT: CONSEQUENCES OF IDENTITY THREAT FROM SIBLINGS

Abstract We draw from theories of identity and stress to examine the impact that siblings have on caregivers’ psychological well-being. Using data collected from 404 caregivers nested in 231 families as part of the Within-Family Differences Study, we conduct mediation analyses to examine whether perceived sibling criticisms are associated with caregivers’ depressive symptoms (a) directly and/or (b) indirectly through sibling tension. Qualitative data from the same caregivers give insight into the processes underlying statistical associations. We found an indirect relationship whereby perceived sibling criticisms were associated with greater sibling tension, which in turn was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Qualitative interviews show that efforts to mitigate the negative impact of sibling criticisms can lead to caregiver strategies that fuel sibling tension. These findings demonstrate how identity processes, as well as the family networks in which caregiving takes place, shape the experiences and consequences of parent care.
Universal spectral profile and dynamic evolution of muscle activation: a hallmark of muscle type and physiological state.

PURPOSE The skeletal muscle is an integrated multi-component system with complex dynamics of continuous myoelectrical activation of various muscle types across timescales to facilitate muscle coordination among units and adaptation to physiological states. To understand the multi-scale dynamics of neuromuscular activity, we investigate spectral characteristics of different muscle types across timescales and their evolution with physiological states. We hypothesize that each muscle type is characterized by specific spectral profile, reflecting muscle function and composition, that remains invariant over timescales and is universal across subjects. Further, we hypothesize that the myoelectrical activation and corresponding spectral profile during certain movement exhibit an evolution path in time that is unique for each muscle type, and reflects response in muscle dynamics to exercise, fatigue, and aging. METHODS To probe the multi-scale mechanism of neuromuscular regulation, we develop a novel protocol of repeated squat exercise segments, each performed until exhaustion, and we analyze differentiated spectral power response in frequency bands for leg and back muscle in young and old subjects. RESULTS We find that leg and back muscle activation is characterized by muscle-specific spectral profiles, with differentiated frequency bands contribution, and muscle-specific evolution path in response to fatigue and aging. CONCLUSION The uncovered universality among subjects in the spectral profile of each muscle at a given physiological state, as well as the robustness in the evolution of these profiles over a range of timescales and states, reveals a previously unrecognized multi-scale mechanism underlying the differentiated response of distinct muscle types to exercise-induced fatigue and aging.
Relevance of Regulatory T Cells during Colorectal Cancer Development

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the study of own and foreign human factors favoring the development of different types of cancer, including genetic and environmental ones. However, the fact that the immune response plays a fundamental role in the development of immunity and susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) is much stronger. Among the many cell populations of the immune system that participate in restricting or favoring CRC development, regulatory T cells (Treg) play a major role in orchestrating immunomodulation during CRC. In this review, we established concrete evidence supporting the fact that Treg cells have an important role in the promotion of tumor development during CRC, mediating an increasing suppressive capacity which controls the effector immune response, and generating protection for tumors. Furthermore, Treg cells go through a process called “phenotypic plasticity”, where they co-express transcription factors that promote an inflammatory profile. We reunited evidence that describes the interaction between the different effector populations of the immune response and its modulation by Treg cells adapted to the tumor microenvironment, including the mechanisms used by Treg cells to suppress the protective immune response, as well as the different subpopulations of Treg cells participating in tumor progression, generating susceptibility during CRC development. Finally, we discussed whether Treg cells might or might not be a therapeutic target for an effective reduction in the morbidity and mortality caused by CRC.
Neuroimaging Appearance of Cerebral Malignant Epithelioid Glioneuronal Tumors in Children

SUMMARY: Malignant epithelioid glioneuronal tumor is a rare high-grade, aggressive brain tumor that shows both glial and neuronal differentiation on histopathology but is not included in the current World Health Organization classification. The neuroimaging appearance is variable but may be secondary to the size of the mass and/or location of the tumor. In our series, all epithelioid glioneuronal tumors were encountered in the supratentorial space and included pineal, temporal, and extratemporal lobar cerebral hemisphere locations. When large, the tumors demonstrate cystic degeneration and necrosis, hemorrhage, contrast enhancement, and regions of low apparent diffusion coefficient scalars consistent with patterns seen with other high-grade pediatric brain tumors. The tumors also have a propensity to spread into the meninges at presentation and for distant CSF spread on follow-up imaging.
Effects of High Soil Surface Temperature on Seedling Survival in Pearl Millet

Summary A field technique to screen pearl millet genotypes for their emergence and survival at high soil surface temperatures is described. Genetic variation in seedling emergence and survival is shown and it is argued that this variation is largely due to tolerance of high temperatures rather than tolerance of soil moisture deficit, although some interaction occurred. An index for ‘thermotolerance’ is defined and genotypes are ranked accordingly for this trait, which is shown to be highly heritable. The technique is repeatable and allows a large number of genotypes to be screened at the same time.
Machine Invasion: Automation in Information Processing and the Cross Section of Stock Returns

We separate downloads on the SEC EDGAR database into human and machine actions by the intensity of information retrieval (Ryans, 2017). The split shows that the extent of machine downloads has risen 35 times since 2004, accounting for over 96% of total downloads as of 2016. We formally investigate the relationship of machine automation in information processing and the cross-section of stock returns. We find that stocks in the lowest quintile of machine coverage outperform those in the highest quintile by 6 to 7% annually after adjusting for risk. Our results are consistent with recent theoretical work on big data (Begenau, Farboodi, and Veldkamp, 2018) and are supported by a natural experiment on the implementation of XBRL tags that enabled machine readable financial disclosure.
Impact of enhanced recovery after surgery or fast track surgery pathways in minimally invasive radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and fast track surgery (FTS) protocols have been applied to a variety of surgeries and have been proven to reduce complications, accelerate rehabilitation, and reduce medical costs. However, the effectiveness of these protocols in minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (miRP) is still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of ERAS and FTS protocols in miRP. Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases to collect randomized and observational studies comparing ERAS/FTS versus conventional care in miRP up to July 1, 2019. After screening for inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment by two independent reviewers, the meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.3 and STATA 15.1 software. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results In total, 11 studies involving 1,207 patients were included. Pooled data showed that ERAS/FTS was associated with a significant reduction in length of stay (LOS) (WMD: –2.41 days, 95% CI: –4.00 to –0.82 days, P=0.003), time to first anus exhaust (WMD: –0.74 days, 95% CI: –1.14 to –0.34 days, P=0.0003), and lower incidence of postoperative complications (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.92, P=0.01). No significant differences were found between groups for operation time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain, blood transfusion rate, and readmission rate (P>0.01). Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that the ERAS/FTS protocol is safe and effective in miRP. However, more extensive, long-term, prospective, multicenter follow-up studies, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are required to validate our findings.
Exact Sum-Rate Analysis of MIMO Broadcast Channels with Random Unitary Beamforming

Random unitary beamforming (RUB) is an attractive transmission scheme for MIMO broadcast channels because of its ability to achieve high sum-rate capacity with limited feedback. In this letter, we derive the exact analytical expressions for the ergodic sum rate of MIMO broadcast channels with RUB. The analysis is facilitated by the development of the complete statistical characterization of ordered beam SINRs for a user, which can find their application in many related problems.
Genetic determinants of the humoral immune response in MS

Objective In this observational study, we investigated the impact of genetic factors at the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant locus on chromosome 14 and the major histocompatibility complex region on intrathecal immunoglobulin G, A, and M levels as well as on B cells and plasmablasts in the CSF and blood of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Using regression analyses, we tested genetic variants on chromosome 14 and imputed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles for associations with intrathecal immunoglobulins in 1,279 patients with MS or clinically isolated syndrome and with blood and CSF B cells and plasmablasts in 301 and 348 patients, respectively. Results The minor alleles of variants on chromosome 14 were associated with higher intrathecal immunoglobulin G levels (β = 0.58 [0.47 to 0.68], lowest adjusted p = 2.32 × 10−23), and lower intrathecal immunoglobulin M (β = −0.56 [−0.67 to −0.46], p = 2.06 × 10−24) and A (β = −0.42 [−0.54 to −0.31], p = 7.48 × 10−11) levels. Alleles from the HLA-B*07:02-DRB1*15:01-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*06:02 haplotype were associated with higher (lowest p = 2.14 × 10−7) and HLA-B*44:02 with lower (β = −0.35 [−0.54 to −0.17], p = 1.38 × 10−2) immunoglobulin G levels. Of interest, different HLA alleles were associated with lower intrathecal immunoglobulin M (HLA-C*02:02, β = −0.45 [−0.61 to −0.28], p = 1.01 × 10−5) and higher immunoglobulin A levels (HLA-DQA1*01:03-DQB1*06:03-DRB1*13:01 haplotype, β = 0.40 [0.21 to 0.60], p = 4.46 × 10−3). The impact of HLA alleles on intrathecal immunoglobulin G and M levels could mostly be explained by associations with CSF B cells and plasmablasts. Conclusion Although some HLA alleles seem to primarily drive the extent of humoral immune responses in the CNS by increasing CSF B cells and plasmablasts, genetic variants at the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant locus might regulate intrathecal immunoglobulins levels via different mechanisms.
The purinergic P2X7 receptor as a potential drug target to combat neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) represent a huge social burden, particularly in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in which all proposed treatments investigated in murine models have failed during clinical trials (CTs). Thus, novel therapeutic strategies remain crucial. Neuroinflammation is a common pathogenic feature of NDDs. As purinergic P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) are gatekeepers of inflammation, they could be developed as drug targets for NDDs. Herein, we review this challenging hypothesis and comment on the numerous studies that have investigated P2X7Rs, emphasizing their molecular structure and functions, as well as their role in inflammation. Then, we elaborate on research undertaken in the field of medicinal chemistry to determine potential P2X7R antagonists. Subsequently, we review the state of neuroinflammation and P2X7R expression in the brain, in animal models and patients suffering from AD, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and retinal degeneration. Next, we summarize the in vivo studies testing the hypothesis that by mitigating neuroinflammation, P2X7R blockers afford neuroprotection, increasing neuroplasticity and neuronal repair in animal models of NDDs. Finally, we reviewed previous and ongoing CTs investigating compounds directed toward targets associated with NDDs; we propose that CTs with P2X7R antagonists should be initiated. Despite the high expectations for putative P2X7Rs antagonists in various central nervous system diseases, the field is moving forward at a relatively slow pace, presumably due to the complexity of P2X7Rs. A better pharmacological approach to combat NDDs would be a dual strategy, combining P2X7R antagonism with drugs targeting a selective pathway in a given NDD.
Impairments in Dynamic Postural Control Across Concussion Clinical Milestones.

The purpose of this study was to assess gait initiation (GI) performance longitudinally across clinical concussion recovery milestones through return to participation (RTP). We recruited 54 collegiate student-athletes, 27 with concussions and 27 matched controls (15 Female and 12 Male per group). Participants performed 5 trials of GI at baseline and again at five post-concussion clinical milestones: 1) Acute, the day clinical tests achieved baseline values on the 2) Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), 3) ImPACT, 4) Asymptomatic, and 5) RTP day. GI performance on six outcome measures (A/P and M/L Center of Pressure displacements and velocities during the anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) phase and initial step length and velocity) with repeated measures mixed model and pairwise post-hoc. A reliable change index (RCI) was calculated and post-concussion participant's performance was compared to the RCI at milestones. There were significant interactions for APA posterior and lateral displacement, APA posterior velocity, step length, and step velocity. The post-hoc tests identified significant deficits across clinical milestones and at RTP for APA posterior and lateral displacement, step length, and step velocity. There were no post-hoc differences for any outcome measure in the control group. At RTP, 85.2 - 88.9% of concussion participants had at least one outcome measure which exceeded the 80% or 95% RCI. The primary finding of this study was persistent impairments in dynamic postural control suggesting ongoing neurophysiological impairment despite clinical recovery. These results suggest that collegiate student-athletes may be RTP prior to neurophysiological recovery and potentially exposing themselves to elevated risk of recurrent concussion or subsequent musculoskeletal injury.
Relationship between markers of disease activity and progression in skeletal muscle of GNE myopathy patients using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Background Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) is an objective and precise outcome measure for evaluating disease progression in neuromuscular disorders. We aimed to investigate predictive 'disease activity' NMR indices, including water T2 and 31P NMR spectroscopy (NMRS), and its relation to NMR markers of 'disease progression', such as the changes in fat fraction (ΔFat%) and contractile cross-sectional area (ΔcCSA), in GNE myopathy (GNEM) patients. Methods NMR was performed on a 3T clinical scanner, at baseline and at a 1-year interval, in 10 GNEM patients and 29 age-matched controls. Dixon-based fat-water imaging and water T2 mapping were acquired in legs and thighs, and in the dominant forearm. 31P NMRS was performed at the level of quadriceps and hamstring. Water T2 and 31P NMRS indices were determined for all muscle groups and visits. Correlations were performed with 'disease progression' indices ΔFat%, ΔcCSA and the muscle fat transformation rate (Rmuscle_transf). Results In quadriceps, known to be relatively preserved in GNEM, water T2 at baseline was significantly higher compared to controls, and correlated strongly with the one-year evolution of Fat% and cCSA and Rmuscle_transf. Various 31P NMRS indices showed significant differences in quadriceps and hamstring compared to controls and correlations existed between these indices and ΔFat%, ΔcCSA and Rmuscle_transf. Conclusions This study demonstrates that disease activity indices such as water T2 and 31P NMRS may predict disease progression in skeletal muscles of GNEM patients, and suggests that these measures may be considered to be valuable surrogate endpoints in the assessment of GNEM disease progression.
The Purinergic Receptor P2rx3 is Required for Spiral Ganglion Neuron Branch Refinement during Development

Abstract The mammalian cochlea undergoes a highly dynamic process of growth and innervation during development. This process includes spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) branch refinement, a process whereby Type I SGNs undergo a phase of “debranching” before forming unramified synaptic contacts with inner hair cells. Using Sox2CreERT2 and R26RtdTomato as a strategy to genetically label individual SGNs in mice of both sexes, we report on both a time course of SGN branch refinement and a role for P2rx3 in this process. P2rx3 is an ionotropic ATP receptor that was recently implicated in outer hair cell spontaneous activity and Type II SGN synapse development (Ceriani et al., 2019), but its function in Type I SGN development is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that P2rx3 is expressed by Type I SGNs and hair cells during developmental periods that coincide with SGN branching refinement. P2rx3 null mice show SGNs with more complex branching patterns on their peripheral synaptic terminals and near their cell bodies around the time of birth. Loss of P2rx3 does not appear to confer general changes in axon outgrowth or hair cell formation, and alterations in branching complexity appear to mostly recover by postnatal day (P)6. However, when we examined the distribution of Type I SGN subtypes using antibodies that bind Calb2, Calb1, and Pou4f1, we found that P2rx3 null mice showed an increased proportion of SGNs that express Calb2. These data suggest P2rx3 may be necessary for normal Type I SGN differentiation in addition to serving a role in branch refinement.
Dry matter intake, nutrient selection and milk production of dairy cows grazing rainfed perennial pastures at different herbage allowances in spring

Summary. The effect of herbage allowance (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 kg DM/cow. day) on the consumption of nutrients from herbage and milk production by cows in early lactation, was examined. The experiment was conducted on rainfed perennial ryegrass pastures in September and October 1997 in south-eastern Victoria, Australia. The herbage on offer comprised 64% perennial ryegrass, 21% other grasses, 1% white clover, 5% weeds and 9% dead material on a dry matter (DM) basis. The average pregrazing herbage height was 13 cm, at an estimated pregrazing herbage mass of 3.6 t DM/ha. The herbage on offer was of high quality containing 11.6 MJ metabolisable energy/kg DM, 202 g crude protein/kg DM and 525 g neutral detergent fibre/kg DM. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and chloride were 4.4, 2.2, 4.4, 31.2, 3.5, 2.7 and 11.4 g/kg DM, respectively. As daily herbage allowance per cow increased, dry matter intake increased curvilinearly (P<0.01) from 11.2 to 18.7 kg DM/cow. day. This was associated with a decrease in utilisation of herbage from 54 to 26% and an increase in milk production from 25.9 to 29.1 kg/cow. day. The cows on all treatments grazed for less than 8.7 h/day. The increase in intake was achieved by an increase in the rate of herbage intake from 1.5 to 2.2 kg DM/h for herbage allowances of 20 and 70 kg/cow.day, respectively. Irrespective of herbage allowance, cows selected a diet that was approximately 10% higher in in vitro dry matter digestibility and 30% higher in crude protein than that in the herbage on offer. The neutral detergent fibre content of the herbage selected was lower (P<0.05) than that on offer. The herbage consumed contained more (P<0.05) magnesium, potassium and sulfur, the same amount of calcium and phosphorus and less (P<0.05) sodium and chloride than the herbage on offer. For rainfed perennial pastures in spring, herbage allowance is an important factor in determining voluntary feed intake and production of dairy cows. To achieve 30 L from herbage, without supplementation, high herbage allowances are required. The increase in herbage intake, with increasing herbage allowance, resulted from an increase in rate of dry matter intake and not an increase in grazing time. No relationship was evident between herbage allowance and the selection differentials for in vitro dry matter digestibility, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre. Selection differentials for rainfed perennial pastures in spring are similar to those reported for irrigated perennial pastures in northern Victoria in spring and autumn. When determining nutrient requirements it is important to consider the interaction between herbage intake and nutrient concentration in the herbage.
Growth and Relative Size of Calcified Structures of Fish

Abstract The relationship between size of calcified structures and the body of fish has been used widely in fisheries science to estimate body size at a younger age by “back-calculation. ” I labeled the calcified tissue of northern pike Esox lucius with tetracycline to examine the concurrent linear growth of calcified structures and the body. I also conducted comparisons of the sizes of one or more calcified structures with body sizes of northern pike, lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, and muskellunge Esox masquinongy. Over a broad size and age range (juveniles and older), growth of scales, cleithra, and otoliths is only transitorily isometric in relation to body growth. Although scale growth is more strongly allometric than bone growth, allometry in both structures is positive during rapid growth and negative during slow growth. Slower-growing individuals have relatively smaller scales and cleithra. Calcified structure-body relations indicate that in older fish, growth of the scales virtually ceases while .