Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurosyphilis in China: A Systematic Review of Cases From 2009–2021

Considered the increased threaten of neurosyphilis in China, a review on cases reported in the literature to describe the clinical epidemiological characteristics of neurosyphilis cases, may be beneficial to the early detection and management strategies of neurosyphilis for clinicians. We searched the literature on Chinese neurosyphilis cases published from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2021, described their clinical epidemiological characteristics and calculated the prevalence of neurosyphilis amongst other associated diseases, according to the individual study criteria. A total of 284 studies including 7,486 neurosyphilis cases were included. No meta-analysis was performed due to the heterogeneity of the data. Among 149 case reports and 93 retrospective case series studies, the main clinical manifestation of 3,507 neurosyphilis cases was cerebral parenchymal syphilis (57.3%), followed by asymptomatic neurosyphilis (16.7%), meningovascular syphilis (13.6%), meningitis syphilis (7.7%) and ocular syphilis (2.8%), etc. In addition, the initial diagnosis was incorrect in 53.2% patients, and the most frequent misdiagnoses were mental disorders (31.0%), stroke (15.9%), cognitive impairment (9.0%), etc. The positive or abnormal rates of cerebrospinal fluid non-treponemal and treponemal tests, white blood cell counts and protein concentrations were 74.2%, 96.2%, 61.5%, and 60.9%, respectively. Aqueous penicillin was the first choice for treatment in 88.3% cases, and 81.7% and 50.0% patients had response in the improvement of symptoms and serological effective in CSF, respectively. Among 26 studies on neurosyphilis patients amongst other associated diseases, the prevalence of neurosyphilis amongst central nervous system infectious diseases, syphilis-associated neurological symptoms, serofast status, coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus were 10.6%–30.1%, 23.2%–35.5%, 9.8%–56.1%, and 8.9%, respectively. In summary, the lack of early detection of neurosyphilis cases remains a clinical challenge. The high rate of misdiagnosis and high prevalence of neurosyphilis amongst associated diseases strongly remind clinicians to focus on the early detection among suspected cases. Besides, the standard treatment regimen and long-term follow-up, which complied with guideline should be provided. Further prospective studies are urgent to better delineate the clinical epidemiological characteristics of neurosyphilis in China.
Light Intensity and Temperature Effect on Salvia yangii (B. T. Drew) Metabolic Profile in vitro

Plant in vitro culture is a feasible system for the testing influence of an environmental factor on the accumulation and chemodiversity of specialized metabolites, especially in medicinal plants. Light and temperature are among the most important factors affecting the physiology of plant organisms but their influence on specific metabolic pathways is not completely understood. Here, we examined the morphogenetic response, photosynthetic pigments content, lipid peroxidation level, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the production of volatile and non-volatile constituents in Salvia yangii B. T. Drew (syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth.) in vitro cultures kept under different light intensities (70, 130, and 220 μmol m−2 s−1) and at two selected temperatures (25 and 30°C). The experiment was continued for 7 months to monitor the changes in the treatment response in time. Phytochemical analysis was performed using chromatographic (GC-MS and UHLPC) and spectrophotometric techniques. The light intensity significantly influenced metabolic response in a non-linear manner, whereas temperature-induced adaptive modifications varied within the long cultivation. Significant differences were noted in the content of carnosic and rosmarinic acid, as well as in several sesquiterpenes (alloaromadendrene, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene). At elevated (30°C) temperature, a trend of differently modulated content of two major antioxidants—rosmarinic acid (RA, a phenylpropanoid pathway derived phenolic acid) and carnosic acid (CA, an abietane diterpenoid) was observed, where RA, but not CA, was depending on the light intensity. At 25°C, both compounds depended on light but in various ways. Among the volatile terpenoid compounds, the influence of light was pronounced, leading to modulation of proportions between individual mono- and sesquiterpenes as well as between hydrocarbon and oxygenated compounds. The study provided new information on the metabolic profile plasticity in S. yangii and added to the existing knowledge on the chemical adaptations in plant species from severe habitats.
Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus and Its Predictors Among Socially Marginalized Menja Communities in Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder marked by a persistently high blood glucose level over a prolonged period of time linked to either defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. It is responsible for 537 million adult cases and 6.7 million deaths in 2021. However, about half of the people with diabetes go undiagnosed. Low-income and socially disadvantaged communities are the most vulnerable to the disease. Despite this fact, nothing has been done among these communities, so this study aimed to assess the extent of undiagnosed diabetes and its predictors among the socially marginalized Menja communities of Southwest Ethiopia, 2021. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was done in the Menja communities from April 21/2021 to June 30/2021. The required sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula and systematic sampling techniques were employed to select the households. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews utilizing an interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics, and anthropometric measurements were taken from each participant. Diabetes was defined as participants who had an FBG ≥ 126 mg/dL or RBG > 200 mg/dL. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the predictors of diabetes; adjusted OR with a 95% CI was computed to assess the strength of associations. Results The prevalence of undiagnosed DM among the socially marginalized Menja communities was 14.7% [95% CI: (11.1–18.3)], and sex-specific prevalence was 16.8%, and 11.1% for men and women respectively. Factors like alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.49 to 6.05), family history of DM 4.4 (AOR = 4.37, 95% CI 2.04 to 9.35), lower vegetable consumption 3.5 (1.19–10.31) (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.19 to 10.31), and less physical exercise 3.3 (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI 1.61 to 6.90) were the independent predictors that increase the risk of diabetes among Menja communities. Conclusion and Recommendations Undiagnosed diabetes was high as compared to other settings. Alcohol use, family history of diabetes, vegetable consumption, and physical exercise were predictors of diabetes. Hence, the study suggests frequent screening and treatment for high-risk groups. Minimizing alcohol drinking, frequent vegetable consumption, and physical exercises were recommended measures for the prevention and control of DM among the population of Ethiopia.
Influence of Work Values on the Prescribing Behavioral Intentions Regarding Antibiotic Use Among Primary Physicians in Hubei, China

Objective Primary physicians have been an important cause of global antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study is to identify the influence of primary physicians' work values on prescribing behavioral intentions regarding antibiotic use (behavioral intentions). Methods A total of 656 primary physicians' work values and behavioral intentions were collected by a stratified cluster sampling from 67 primary care facilities in Hubei Province of China. Work values included 5 dimensions, namely intrinsic values, extrinsic values, reward values, social values and altruistic values. Behavioral intentions included 2 dimensions of the intentions to reduce antibiotic prescriptions and the intentions to prescribe antibiotics. A Likert five-point scale was used and higher scores meant greater intentions to prescribe antibiotics. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed to model the influence of work values on behavioral intentions. Results Primary physicians' behavioral intention was 2.01 averagely. Intrinsic values negatively influenced overall intentions to prescribe more antibiotics (β = −0.098, P = 0.010). Whereas lower social values perception (β = 0.248, P < 0.001), less pursuit of reward values (β = 0.194, P < 0.001), and less emphasis on altruistic values (β = 0.180, P < 0.001) positively influenced lower overall intentions to prescribe antibiotic prescriptions. Besides, extrinsic values were not found influencing the behavioral intentions (β = 0.001, P = 0.961). Conclusions Primary physicians' work values influenced their behavioral intentions regarding antibiotic use. Training and education of work values may be an entry point for intervention on improving antibiotic prescribing.
Inverse Association Between Resting-State Putamen Activity and Iowa Gambling Task Performance in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Control Subjects

Background Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been conceptualized as manifestations of decision-making deficits. Patients with OCD exhibit impairment during the decision-making process, as assessed by the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). This impairment is independent of clinical severity and disease progression. However, the association between the decision-making deficit and resting-state brain activity of patients with OCD has not been examined. Methods Fifty unmedicated patients with OCD and 55 matched control subjects completed IGT. Resting-state brain activity was examined using the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFFs). fALFF analysis focused on the slow-4 and 5 bands. Group comparisons were performed to determine the association between IGT performance and fALFFs. Results There was a significant group difference in the association between the IGT total net score and slow-4 fALFFs in the left putamen (voxel height threshold of p < 0.001; cluster size threshold of p < 0.05; family wise error-corrected). Higher putamen slow-4 fALFFs were correlated with lower IGT scores for OCD patients (r = −0.485; p < 0.0005) and higher IGT scores for control subjects (r = 0.402; p < 0.005). There was no group difference in the association between the IGT total net score and slow-5 fALFFs. Conclusions These findings in unmedicated patients demonstrate the importance of resting-state putamen activity for decision-making deficit associated with OCD, as measured by IGT. The inverse correlation may be explained by the hypersensitive response of the putamen in patients with OCD.
Omics Technology for the Promotion of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

The influence of nutrition and environment on human health has been known for ages. Phytonutrients (7,000 flavonoids and phenolic compounds; 600 carotenoids) and pro-health nutrients—nutraceuticals positively add to human health and may prevent disorders such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. Plant-derived bioactive metabolites have acquired an imperative function in human diet and nutrition. Natural phytochemicals affect genome expression (nutrigenomics and transcriptomics) and signaling pathways and act as epigenetic modulators of the epigenome (nutri epigenomics). Transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, miRNomics, and metabolomics are some of the main platforms of complete omics analyses, finding use in functional food and nutraceuticals. Now the recent advancement in the integrated omics approach, which is an amalgamation of multiple omics platforms, is practiced comprehensively to comprehend food functionality in food science.
Increased Risk for Dementia in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Studies

Background Mounting evidence suggests that there may be a causal relationship or common pathogenic pathway between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and dementia. However, inconsistent results have emerged from epidemiological studies. We therefore conducted this review to clarify the relationship between IBD and dementia. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library to identify all studies exploring the relationship between IBD and dementia published as of September 2021. Risk estimates were pooled using both fixed and random-effects models. Results Six studies involving 2,334,472 subjects were included. Pooled results suggested that the risk of developing dementia significantly increased after IBD diagnosis (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10–1.47, P = 0.001), which did not vary by age, gender, dementia subtype, or IBD subtype. Whereas, the dementia incidence before IBD diagnosis and the comorbidity rate of dementia in IBD patients were similar to those without IBD (HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.68–1.25; 0.82, 95% CI: 0.64–1.06, respectively). However, current evidence was insufficient to establish a causal relationship. Conclusion This study shows an unidirectional association between IBD and dementia; patients with IBD have an increased risk of dementia, and it may be beneficial to develop individualized dementia screening strategies for this population. Future research needs to further investigate whether effective therapies of IBD can reduce this risk and pathophysiological mechanisms of the association.
Metabolomics Analysis Across Multiple Biofluids Reveals the Metabolic Responses of Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows to Fermented Soybean Meal Replacement

This experiment was performed to reveal the metabolic responses of dairy cows to the replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with fermented soybean meal (FSBM). Twenty-four lactating Chinese Holstein dairy cattle were assigned to either the SBM group [the basal total mixed ration (TMR) diet containing 5.77% SBM] or the FSBM group (the experimental TMR diet containing 5.55% FSBM), in a completely randomized design. The entire period of this trial consisted of 14 days for the adjustment and 40 days for data and sample collection, and sampling for rumen liquid, blood, milk, and urine was conducted on the 34th and 54th day, respectively. When SBM was completely replaced by FSBM, the levels of several medium-chain FA in milk (i.e., C13:0, C14:1, and C16:0) rose significantly (p < 0.05), while the concentrations of a few milk long-chain FA (i.e., C17:0, C18:0, C18:1n9c, and C20:0) declined significantly (p < 0.05). Besides, the densities of urea nitrogen and lactic acid were significantly (p < 0.05) higher, while the glucose concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the blood of the FSBM-fed cows than in the SBM-fed cows. Based on the metabolomics analysis simultaneously targeting the rumen liquid, plasma, milk, and urine, it was noticed that substituting FSBM for SBM altered the metabolic profiles of all the four biofluids. According to the identified significantly different metabolites, 3 and 2 amino acid-relevant metabolic pathways were identified as the significantly different pathways between the two treatments in the rumen fluid and urine, respectively. Furthermore, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism were the three key integrated different pathways identified in this study. Results mainly implied that the FSBM replacement could enhance nitrogen utilization and possibly influence the inflammatory reactions and antioxidative functions of dairy cattle. The differential metabolites and relevant pathways discovered in this experiment could serve as biomarkers for the alterations in protein feed and nitrogen utilization efficiency of dairy cows, and further investigations are needed to elucidate the definite roles and correlations of the differential metabolites and pathways.
A Biodiversity Boost From the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) in Germany’s Oldest National Park

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Beavers are important engineers in freshwater ecosystems and reintroduction programs have enabled the recovery of beaver populations in several European countries, but the impact on biodiversity conservation is still unclear. We studied the effects of beavers on the terrestrial biodiversity of eight taxonomic groups by comparing beaver ponds with river and forest habitats in a mountain forest ecosystem in Central Europe. Among the 1,166 collected species, 196 occurred exclusively at beaver ponds, 192 in plots at the river, and 156 in the forest plots. More species of conservation concern were found at the beaver ponds (76) than on the river (67) and forest (63) plots. Abundances of bats and birds were higher at the beaver ponds than at the river or forest sites. The number of bird species at the beaver ponds was higher than at the river. The community composition of birds, beetles, and true bugs differed significantly between the beaver ponds and river plots, and for seven taxonomic groups it differed significantly between the beaver ponds and forest plots. An indicator species analysis revealed eight indicator species for the beaver pond but none for the river and forest plots. Our results demonstrate that beavers, as ecological engineers, increase habitat heterogeneity in mountain forests and thereby promote biodiversity. The expansion of beaver populations into these ecosystems should thus be supported, as it may serve as a biotic restoration tool.
Melatonin Improves Quality of Repeated-Poor and Frozen-Thawed Embryos in Human, a Prospective Clinical Trial

Objective In this study, two experiments were performed to assess the effect and the role of melatonin on human in vitro embryo quality. Methods Experiment I: A total of 42 repeated-poor-quality-embryo patients were enrolled, with a total of 181 oocytes retrieval cycles. After IVF, for the same patient, the MT cycles group (10-7 M melatonin added to the culture medium; n=48) were compared with the previous non-MT cycles group (n=133), following by in vitro culture to blastocyst stage and embryo transfer. 31 patients were transplanted with 65 embryo transfer, including 24 MT embryo transfer, 41 non-MT embryo transfer. Cycle outcomes were compared between the two groups. Experiment II:A total of 143 supernumerary human cleavage-stage embryos (from non-repeated-poor-quality-embryo patients) vitrified on Day 3 after IVF were warmed and randomized into two groups: melatonin group (10-7 M melatonin added to the culture medium; n=71) and control group (n=72), and then cultured for 72 h. Rate of blastocyst and high-quality blastocyst, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of culture media as well as embryonic GPX1, CAT, Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, BCL-2, BAX gene expression levels were analyzed. Results Experiment I: Results showed that the rate of Day 3 high-quality embryos (29.6% vs.19.5%) in the MT cycles group was significantly higher than that in the non-MT cycles group (P<0.05). The rate of available blastocysts (17.1% vs.12.7%) and clinical pregnancy rate (25.0% vs.17.1%) were in tendency higher in the group treated with melatonin (P>0.05). Experiment II:Results showed that the blastocyst rates in the melatonin administered group were significantly higher than in control group (42.25% vs.26.38%, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in high-quality blastocyst rates. In addition, quantitative PCR showed that the expression of CAT was significantly upregulated by melatonin treatment (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the expression of GPX1, Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, BAX and BCL-2 gene as well as the levels of ROS. Conclusion These data showed that melatonin supplement in the culture medium will improve Day 3 high-quality embryos rate of repeated-poor-quality-embryo patients and improve blastocyst rate of vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryos, suggesting that melatonin intervention may provide a potential rescue strategy for IVF failures. Clinical Trial Registration identifier [ChiCTR2200059773].
Robot Voices in Daily Life: Vocal Human-Likeness and Application Context as Determinants of User Acceptance

The growing popularity of speech interfaces goes hand in hand with the creation of synthetic voices that sound ever more human. Previous research has been inconclusive about whether anthropomorphic design features of machines are more likely to be associated with positive user responses or, conversely, with uncanny experiences. To avoid detrimental effects of synthetic voice design, it is therefore crucial to explore what level of human realism human interactors prefer and whether their evaluations may vary across different domains of application. In a randomized laboratory experiment, 165 participants listened to one of five female-sounding robot voices, each with a different degree of human realism. We assessed how much participants anthropomorphized the voice (by subjective human-likeness ratings, a name-giving task and an imagination task), how pleasant and how eerie they found it, and to what extent they would accept its use in various domains. Additionally, participants completed Big Five personality measures and a tolerance of ambiguity scale. Our results indicate a positive relationship between human-likeness and user acceptance, with the most realistic sounding voice scoring highest in pleasantness and lowest in eeriness. Participants were also more likely to assign real human names to the voice (e.g., “Julia” instead of “T380”) if it sounded more realistic. In terms of application context, participants overall indicated lower acceptance of the use of speech interfaces in social domains (care, companionship) than in others (e.g., information & navigation), though the most human-like voice was rated significantly more acceptable in social applications than the remaining four. While most personality factors did not prove influential, openness to experience was found to moderate the relationship between voice type and user acceptance such that individuals with higher openness scores rated the most human-like voice even more positively. Study results are discussed in the light of the presented theory and in relation to open research questions in the field of synthetic voice design.