Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic liability for substance use associated with medical comorbidities in electronic health records of African‐ and European‐ancestry individuals

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) represent an individual's summed genetic risk for a trait and can serve as biomarkers for disease. Less is known about the utility of PRS as a means to quantify genetic risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) than for many other traits. Nonetheless, the growth of large, electronic health record‐based biobanks makes it possible to evaluate the association of SUD PRS with other traits. We calculated PRS for smoking initiation, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and opioid use disorder (OUD) using summary statistics from the Million Veteran Program sample. We then tested the association of each PRS with its primary phenotype in the Penn Medicine BioBank (PMBB) using all available genotyped participants of African or European ancestry (AFR and EUR, respectively) (N = 18,612). Finally, we conducted phenome‐wide association analyses (PheWAS) separately by ancestry and sex to test for associations across disease categories. Tobacco use disorder was the most common SUD in the PMBB, followed by AUD and OUD, consistent with the population prevalence of these disorders. All PRS were associated with their primary phenotype in both ancestry groups. PheWAS results yielded cross‐trait associations across multiple domains, including psychiatric disorders and medical conditions. SUD PRS were associated with their primary phenotypes; however, they are not yet predictive enough to be useful diagnostically. The cross‐trait associations of the SUD PRS are indicative of a broader genetic liability. Future work should extend findings to additional population groups and for other substances of abuse.
Evaluation of a novel, rapid antigen detection test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently finally determined in laboratory settings by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase-chain-reaction (rt-PCR). However, simple testing with immediately available results are crucial to gain control over COVID-19. The aim was to evaluate such a point-of-care antigen rapid test (AG-rt) device in its performance compared to laboratory-based rt-PCR testing in COVID-19 suspected, symptomatic patients. Methods. For this prospective study, two specimen each of 541 symptomatic female (54.7%) and male (45.3%) patients aged between 18 and 95 years tested at five emergency departments (ED, n=296) and four primary healthcare centres (PHC, n=245), were compared, using AG-rt (positive/negative/invalid) and rt-PCR (positive/negative and cycle threshold, Ct) to diagnose SARS-CoV-2. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratios (LR+/-) of the AG-rt were assessed. Results. Differences between ED and PHC were detected regarding gender, age, symptoms, disease prevalence, and diagnostic performance. Overall, 174 (32.2%) were tested positive on AG-rt and 213 (39.4%) on rt-PCR. AG correctly classified 91.7% of all rt-PCR positive cases with a sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 99.1%, PPV of 98.3, NPV of 88.6%, LR(+) of 87.8, and LR(-) of 0.20. The highest sensitivities and specificities of AG-rt were detected in PHC (sensitivity: 84.4%, specificity: 100.0%), when using Ct of 30 as cut-off (sensitivity: 92.5%, specificity: 97.8%), and when the symptom onset was within the first three days (sensitivity: 82.9%, specificity: 99.6%). Conclusions. The highest sensitivity was detected with a high viral load. Our findings suggest that AG-rt are comparable to rt-PCR to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 suspected symptomatic patients presenting both at emergency departments and primary health care centres.
The Electrical Constants of the Fibres from Two Leg Muscles of the Locust Schistocerca Gregaria

1. 1. The passive electrical properties of the fibres from the M. extensor tibiae and the M. retractor unguis in the hindleg of the locust Schistocerca gregaria were investigated using short cable theory. The dependence on various physicochemical parameters was determined. 2. 2. The sarcoplasmic resistivity (R1) was the same in the extensor and in the retractor muscle. R1 was ≊ 175 Ωcm at 20°C. 3. 3. The specific membrane resistance (Rm) was considerably lower in the retractor muscle (≊5100 Ωcm2) than in the extensor muscle (≊13 000 Ωcm2; [K+]o =; 10 mmoll−1; temperature = 20°C). Rm increased by more than 100 % if the external potassium concentration was lowered from 10 to 5 mmoll−1 and it decreased by approximately 75 % if the calcium concentration was lowered from 2 to 0.2 mmoll−1. 4. 4. The specific membrane capacity (Cm) increased with fibre diameter. The different mean values for Cm in the extensor (8.5 μF cm−2) and retractor muscle (6.3 μF cm−2) can be accounted for by the different mean fibre diameters. 5. 5. The temperature coefficients (Q10) of the electrical constants were 0.74 for Ri, 0.48 for Rm, 1.01 for Cm and 1.21 for the resting membrane potential (temperature, 16–27°C). 6. 6. There was close agreement between the membrane time constant (τm) derived from the decay of the excitatory junction potential (EJP) and that derived from injection of current pulses. Thus Rm and the length constant (λ) can be derived from the EJP and the fibre diameter if the sarcoplasmic resistivity and the specific membrane capacity are known. 7. 7. The temporospatial dependence of miniature EJPs in a fibre can be predicted satisfactorily from the electrical constants as is demonstrated by an example given in the Appendix. Note: Dedicated to the late Graham Hoyle
An updated safety review of the drug treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

ABSTRACT Introduction The approval of antifibrotic agents nintedanib and pirfenidone revolutionized the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). These treatments showed acceptable tolerability in randomized-clinical trials; however, they have been associated with a spectrum of potential side effects which require careful assessment of risks and benefits in the individual patient before commencing and during antifibrotic therapy. Areas covered The accrued evidence on safety of nintedanib and pirfenidone is summarized, from the first randomized clinical trials to the open-label extension studies and post-marketing clinical experiences which helped clarify the long-term tolerability of these drugs. Expert opinion The data collected over the last years confirmed the comparable tolerability profile of nintedanib and pirfenidone. The physician’s assessment of expected side effects may help decide the optimal first-line therapy for the individual patient. Patient’s counseling during treatment remains essential to manage emerging adverse events and eventually inform the decision of drug discontinuation.
Cortical Cell Diameter Is Key To Energy Costs of Root Growth in Wheat1[OPEN]

Genotypic diversity and phenotypic plasticity in root cortical cell diameter play key roles in reducing energy costs of root growth under high soil penetration resistance. Root growth requires substantial amounts of energy and thus carbohydrates. The energy costs of root growth are particularly high in both dry and compacted soil, due to high soil penetration resistance. Consequently, more carbon must be allocated from aboveground plant tissue to roots, which limits crop productivity. In this study, we tested the utility of root cortical cell diameter as a potential selection target to reduce the energy costs of root growth. Isothermal calorimetry was adopted for in situ quantification of the energy costs of root growth of 16 wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes under three levels of penetration resistance. We show that cortical cell diameter is a pivotal and heritable trait, which is strongly related to the energy costs of root growth. Genotypic diversity was found for cortical cell diameter and the energy costs of root growth. A large root cortical cell diameter correlated with reduced energy costs of root growth, particularly under high soil penetration resistance. Moreover, significant correlations were found between the ability to radially enlarge cortical cells upon greater penetration resistance (i.e. phenotypic plasticity) and the responsiveness in the energy costs of root growth. A higher degree of phenotypic plasticity in cortical cell diameter was associated with reduced energy costs of root growth as soil penetration resistance increased. We therefore suggest that genotypic diversity and phenotypic plasticity in cortical cell diameter should be harnessed to adapt crops to dry and compacted soils.
Proposals for Antimicrobial Testing Guidelines Applied on Ajowan and Spanish Lavender Essential Oils

Abstract To fight the rising resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics, a strategy followed by several researchers is to focus on natural compounds, such as essential oils, as a source of potent antibacterial compounds. These last decades, hundreds of original papers have been written about microbiological assays that prove the antibacterial activity of essential oils and their use in the medical field. But can we really compare all the data available in the literature when the raw material, the microbiological assays, and/or the strains are different from one article to another? This review will point out the differences and the inadequate practices found in published articles that tested 2 lesser-studied essential oils–Spanish lavender and the ajowan–by the broth dilution method against Staphylococcus aureus, a human pathogenic bacterium. Many pitfalls were found in the literature, for example, a variable chemical composition rarely underlined by the authors, unidentified strains or clinical strains used without a related antibiogram, a lack of quality controls, and the assertion of questionable positive results. At last, some general guidelines that should be followed by every scientific researcher will be discussed.
Perceptual Inference, Learning, and Attention in a Multisensory World.

Adaptive behavior in a complex, dynamic, and multisensory world poses some of the most fundamental computational challenges for the brain, notably inference, decision-making, learning, binding, and attention. We first discuss how the brain integrates sensory signals from the same source to support perceptual inference and decision-making by weighting them according to their momentary sensory uncertainties. We then show how observers solve the binding or causal inference problem-deciding whether signals come from common causes and should hence be integrated or else be treated independently. Next, we describe the multifarious interplay between multisensory processing and attention. We argue that attentional mechanisms are crucial to compute approximate solutions to the binding problem in naturalistic environments when complex time-varying signals arise from myriad causes. Finally, we review how the brain dynamically adapts multisensory processing to a changing world across multiple timescales. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Neuroscience, Volume 44 is July 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Venoarterial Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Blood Component Usage in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Single Centre Experience

Background: Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a well-known tool for providing life-saving support in patients developing post cardiotomy cardiogenic shock in post cardiac surgeries. The current study was designed to evaluate blood transfusion requirements and its relation to mortality in neonate and pediatric cardiac patients requiring venoarterial cardiac ECMO during post-operative period following cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: Overall 24 pediatric patients (including neonates) who underwent VA ECMO in post cardiac surgery at our institute from January 2016 to October 2017 were included in the study. The details of demographics, blood transfusion, ECMO, and morbidity and mortality were collected for all the patients. Objective of the Study: The primary objective of our study was to assess the outcome of patients on ECMO in post pediatric cardiac surgery. The secondary objective of the study was to assess the effect of blood transfusion on the outcome of the patients. Results: Overall mortality rate was 50% (n = 12). The overall transfusion rate of packed red blood cells was higher in patients who did not survive even after institution of VA ECMO. The transfusion of other blood products like platelets, cryoprecipitate, and fresh frozen plasma were also higher in this group of patients though it was statistically non-significant except for packed red cell transfusion. Though statistically non-significant, the patients who didn't survive even after institution of VA ECMO post-surgery had relatively higher mean age (703.88 ± 998.94 days) as compared to their counterparts (510.63 ± 384.36 days). Conclusion: The use of ECMO is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Packed red cell transfusion is definitely higher in expired patients, indicative of deteriorated status of the patient. However, considering non-significant association of other blood components, except packed red cell it is recommended that patients' overall clinical condition should be taken into consideration for transfusion of blood products and not only targeting the transfusion triggers.
β-cell function in black South African women: exploratory associations with insulin clearance, visceral and ectopic fat

The role of ectopic fat, insulin secretion and clearance in the preservation ofβ-cell function in black African women with obesity who typically present with hyperinsulinaemia is not clear. We aim to examine the associations between disposition index (DI, an estimate of β-cell function), insulin secretion and clearance and ectopic fat deposition. This is a cross-sectional study of 43 black South African women (age 20–35 years) with obesity (BMI 30–40 kg/m2) and without type 2 diabetes that measured the following: DI, insulin sensitivity (SI), acute insulin response (AIRg), insulin secretion rate (ISR), hepatic insulin extraction and peripheral insulin clearance (frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test); pancreatic and hepatic fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal s.c. adipose tissue (aSAT) volume (MRI), intra-myocellular (IMCL) and extra-myocellular fat content (EMCL) (magnetic resonance spectroscopy). DI correlated positively with peripheral insulin clearance (β 55.80, P = 0.002). Higher DI was associated with lower VAT, pancreatic fat and soleus fat, but VAT explained most of the variance in DI (32%). Additionally, higher first phase ISR (P = 0.033) and lower hepatic insulin extraction (P = 0.022) were associated with lower VAT, independent from SI, rather than with ectopic fat. In conclusion, peripheral insulin clearance emerged as an important correlate of DI. However, VAT was the main determinant of a lower DI above ectopic fat depots. Importantly, VAT, but not ectopic fat, is associated with both lower insulin secretion and higher hepatic insulin extraction. Prevention of VAT accumulation in young black African women should, therefore, be an important target for beta cell preservation.
Selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 using Mn-based catalysts supported by Ukrainian clinoptiolite and lightweight expanded clay aggregate

ABSTRACT In this study, Mn-based multicomponent catalysts supported by two different carriers (lightweight expanded clay aggregate and the Ukrainian clinoptiolite) were prepared by electroless metal deposition method and tested for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia (NH3-SCR de-NO). Prior to the activity test, all the catalysts prepared were characterized by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, H2-TPR and NH3-TPD techniques. The particular interest of the present study was focused on the investigation of the carrier’s role in the NO catalytic reduction and the promoting effect provided by the incorporation of the small amount of Pt (0.1 wt.%) in the Mn-based catalytic layer. The results revealed that the carrier’s role in the NO catalytic conversion can be considered as a factor determining the effectiveness of the conversion process. Ukrainian clinoptiolite was proved to be a more attractive carrier for the preparation of the effective SCR de-NO catalysts due to its intrinsic sorption capacity, surface acidity and the redox potential. The high NO conversion efficiency provided by the Mn-based clinoptiolite-supported catalysts can be explained by the synergistic effect between the carrier and the active species deposited. It was shown that both the Mn97.6Cu2. 4/clinoptiolite and the Mn97.5Co2. 5/clinoptiolite catalysts can be successfully applied as the low-temperature (100–300°C) catalysts for NH3-SCR de-NO. When the NO removal efficiency varies in the range of 86–91%, the additional incorporation of Pt in the active layer in the amount of 0.1 wt. % can enhance the NO reduction by about 5% on average. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The Association of Vision, Hearing, and Dual-Sensory Loss with Walking Speed and Incident Slow Walking: Longitudinal and Time to Event Analyses in the Health and Retirement Study

Abstract With the aging of the population, vision (VL), hearing (HL), and dual-sensory (DSL, concurrent VL and HL) loss will likely constitute important public health challenges. Walking speed is an indicator of functional status and is associated with mortality. Using the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative U.S. cohort, we analyzed the longitudinal relationship between sensory loss and walking speed. In multivariable mixed effects linear models, baseline walking speed was slower by 0.05 m/s (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.04–0.07) for VL, 0.02 (95% CI = 0.003–0.03) for HL, and 0.07 (95% CI = 0.05–0.08) for DSL compared with those without sensory loss. Similar annual declines in walking speeds occurred in all groups. In time-to-event analyses, the risk of incident slow walking speed (walking speed < 0.6 m/s) was 43% (95% CI = 25–65%), 29% (95% CI = 13–48%), and 35% (95% CI = 13–61%) higher among those with VL, HL, and DSL respectively, relative to those without sensory loss. The risk of incident very slow walking speed (walking speed < 0.4 m/s) was significantly higher among those with HL and DSL relative to those without sensory loss, and significantly higher among those with DSL relative to those with VL or HL alone. Addressing sensory loss and teaching compensatory strategies may help mitigate the effect of sensory loss on walking speed.
User Perspectives of Diet-Tracking Apps: Reviews Content Analysis and Topic Modeling

Background The availability and use of mobile apps in health and nutrition management are increasing. Ease of access and user friendliness make diet-tracking apps an important ally in their users’ efforts to lose and manage weight. To foster motivation for long-term use and to achieve goals, it is necessary to better understand users’ opinions and needs for dietary self-monitoring. Objective The aim of this study was to identify the key topics and issues that users highlight in their reviews of diet-tracking apps on Google Play Store. Identifying the topics that users frequently mention in their reviews of these apps, along with the user ratings for each of these apps, allowed us to identify areas where further improvement of the apps could facilitate app use, and support users’ weight loss and intake management efforts. Methods We collected 72,084 user reviews from Google Play Store for 15 diet-tracking apps that allow users to track and count calories. After a series of text processing operations, two text-mining techniques (topic modeling and topical n-grams) were applied to the corpus of user reviews of diet-tracking apps. Results Using the topic modeling technique, 11 separate topics were extracted from the pool of user reviews. Most of the users providing feedback were generally satisfied with the apps they use (average rating of 4.4 out of 5 for the 15 apps). Most topics referred to the positive evaluation of the apps and their functions. Negatively rated topics mostly referred to app charges and technical difficulties encountered. We identified the positive and negative topic trigrams (3-word combinations) among the most frequently mentioned topics. Usability and functionality (tracking options) of apps were rated positively on average. Negative ratings were associated with trigrams related to adding new foods, technical issues, and app charges. Conclusions Motivating users to use an app over time could help them better achieve their nutrition goals. Although user reviews generally showed positive opinions and ratings of the apps, developers should pay more attention to users’ technical problems and inform users about expected payments, along with their refund and cancellation policies, to increase user loyalty.
Remineralization efficacy of nonfluoride versus herbal-based pediatric dentifrice in demineralized primary teeth

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent posteruptive bacterial infections worldwide, characterized by a progressive demineralization process that affects the mineralized dental tissues. Although the decline of dental caries prevalence can be attributed to the widespread use of dentifrices that contain fluoride, yet there is a need for an advanced alternative nonfluoride remineralizing dentifrice. Yet, there is a need for an advanced alternative nonfluoride remineralizing dentifrice. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the remineralizing effect of nonfluoride-based and herbal-based pediatric dentifrice in demineralized primary teeth with an ideal in vitro method of pH cycling and evaluating the values under Polarized Light Microscope (Olympus BX43) using image analysis software (ProgRes, Speed XT core3). Materials and Methods: A total of 30 tooth samples were collected and placed in the demineralizing solution for 96 h to produce a demineralized lesion of approximately 100 μm, and then cut longitudinally into 60 sections that were randomly assigned to two groups with 27 samples each, Group A – nonfluoride-based dentifrice (Mee Mee®), Group B – herbal-based dentifrice (Mamaearth™), after which they were subjected to pH cycling for 7 days along with dentifrice slurry preparation. The sections were evaluated under the polarizing light microscopy for remineralizing efficacy. The lesion depth was measured and tabulated to be sent for statistical analysis. Results: The mean demineralization value for nonfluoride and herbal-based dentifrice groups were 7.8730 μm and 28.3174 μm, respectively. Hence, it can be inferred that since lesion depth measured was lesser in nonfluoride than herbal-based dentifrice, remineralization has occurred in the nonfluoride-based dentifrice group. Conclusion: Nonfluoride-based dentifrice showed significant results in remineralizing the demineralized lesion, while herbal-based dentifrice showed poor efficiency in remineralizing the demineralized lesion.