Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of diabetic macular edema patients with serous retinal detachment

Abstract To determine characteristics of diabetic macular edema patients with serous retinal detachment (SRD). We classified naïve diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with or without SRD, and compared their baseline characteristics; intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) responsiveness; aqueous concentrations of IL (interleukin)-1β, -2, -8, -10, -17, placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In addition, factors associated with the existence of SRD were identified. Of the 64 DME patients, 14 had SRD. The average levels of aqueous VEGF and PlGF were significantly higher in the SRD group than in the control group (P = .022 and P = .041, respectively). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups at baseline or after 3 consecutive monthly IVBs. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the level of aqueous VEGF was the only factor associated with the existence of SRD (odds ratio: 1.03; P = .038). Rather than aqueous inflammatory cytokines, levels of aqueous VEGFs were associated with the occurrence of SRD in DME patients. In terms of prognosis, the existence of SRD was not related with BCVA or CST changes.
Effect of Divergent Selection for Intramuscular Fat Content on Muscle Lipid Metabolism in Chickens

Simple Summary Intramuscular fat is an important factor affecting meat quality and consumer acceptance. Appropriate increases in the intramuscular fat content contribute to the improvement of meat quality, and genetic selection is an effective method to increase the intramuscular fat content in chickens. In this study, chicken lines divergently selected for their intramuscular fat content were used to investigate the mechanisms behind differential intramuscular fat deposition. These results found in this study may contribute to the improvement of meat quality in chickens. Abstract Intramuscular fat (IMF)—an important factor affecting meat quality—can be appropriately increased by genetic selection. Chicken lines divergently selected for IMF content were used in this study to investigate the mechanisms behind differential IMF deposition. Sixty 15th generation chickens were genotyped using the IASCHICK 55K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. After quality control, 59 chickens and 36,893 SNPs were available for subsequent analysis. Population structure assessment indicated that the lines were genetically differentiated. Based on the top 1% paired fixation index values, three pathways were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched, and nine genes were considered candidate genes for differential IMF deposition. Differences between the lines in the expressions of representative genes involved in the above pathways were detected in 16th generation chickens. This study suggests that genetic selection for increased IMF in the pectoralis major muscle may enhance fatty acid synthesis, transport, and esterification, and reduce triglyceride hydrolysis. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, glycerolipid metabolism, and fatty acid degradation pathway may have contributed to the differences in IMF deposition between the lines. These results contribute to the understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind IMF deposition, and the improvement of chicken meat quality.
Syntaxin 16’s Newly Deciphered Roles in Autophagy

Syntaxin 16, a Qa-SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor activating protein receptor), is involved in a number of membrane-trafficking activities, particularly transport processes at the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Recent works have now implicated syntaxin 16 in the autophagy process. In fact, syntaxin 16 appears to have dual roles, firstly in facilitating the transport of ATG9a-containing vesicles to growing autophagosomes, and secondly in autolysosome formation. The former involves a putative SNARE complex between syntaxin 16, VAMP7 and SNAP-47. The latter occurs via syntaxin 16’s recruitment by Atg8/LC3/GABARAP family proteins to autophagosomes and endo-lysosomes, where syntaxin 16 may act in a manner that bears functional redundancy with the canonical autophagosome Qa-SNARE syntaxin 17. Here, I discuss these recent findings and speculate on the mechanistic aspects of syntaxin 16’s newly found role in autophagy.
The Effect of Longwave Ultraviolet Light Radiation on Dendrolimus tabulaeformis Antioxidant and Detoxifying Enzymes

Longwave ultraviolet (UVA) light, in the range of 315–400 nm, has been widely used as a light source in the light trapping of insect pests. Previous studies have demonstrated the oxidative stress and lethal effect of UV radiation on insects. In this study, we evaluated the influence of UVA radiation on the antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes of Dendrolimus tabulaeformis. We tested the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroxyl radical (·OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSH) following different exposure time periods of UVA light irradiation on D. tabulaeformis adults. In addition, we investigated how the activities of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes responded to UVA radiation by determining the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CarE), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP). Adults were exposed to UVA light for different time periods (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min). We found that exposure to UVA light for 5 min resulted in rapid variation in the activities of the antioxidant and detoxification enzyme systems. However, the antioxidant capacity of females was incongruous with that of males following UVA irradiation. Our results confirmed that UVA light irradiation increased the level of oxidative stress and disturbed physiological detoxification in D. tabulaeformis adults. Based on the above results, we anticipated that further research of the mechanism of UVA irradiation on the antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes of D. tabulaeformis would gain more importance, allowing to develop and use new, less toxic and environmentally friendly pesticides.
Effects of Encircled Abdominal Compression Device in Colonoscopy: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Aim: The efficacy of encircling abdominal compression devices in colonoscopies is inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which encircling abdominal compression devices were compared with control in colonoscopies. Methods: We systematically searched RCTs published in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and the Igaku-Chuo-Zasshi database. The data from the eligible RCTs were combined using the random-effects model. The weighted mean differences (WMDs), pooled odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Five RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to the control group, encircling abdominal compression devices significantly reduced the caecal intubation time (WMD: −1.31, 95% CI: −2.40 to −0.23, p = 0.02). Compared to the control group, encircling abdominal compression devices significantly decreased the frequency of postural change (OR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.41, p < 0.00001). Compared to the control group, the use of encircling abdominal compression devices significantly reduced the need for abdominal compression (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.70, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Encircling abdominal compression devices in colonoscopies was found to reduce the caecal intubation time and the frequency of abdominal compression.
Effects of B-Wave Ultraviolet Supplementation Using Light-Emitting Diodes on Caged Laying Hens during the Later Phase of the Laying Cycle

Simple Summary So far, traditional cages are still the dominant housing systems for laying hens all over the world. However, during the later phase of the laying cycle, laying hens in conventional cages are highly susceptible to osteoporosis due to a calcium deficiency, which is accompanied by a decrease in production performance and egg quality, and an increase in mortality. B-wave ultraviolet (UVB) radiation (290–315 nm) can penetrate the skin and converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to previtamin D3, which is rapidly converted to vitamin D3, which promotes the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus, as well as bone metabolism. Hence, we hypothesize that UVB exposure using light-emitting diode (LED) lights on laying hens during the later phase of the laying cycle can promote health and welfare of layers. This study aims to improve bone quality and egg quality by utilizing light environment regulation, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the application of UVB-LED lights for laying hens during the later phase of the laying cycle. Abstract Caged laying hens are prone to calcium deficiencies, resulting in osteoporosis and egg quality deterioration during the later phase of the laying cycle. Fluorescent light and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are widely used in poultry houses now, are both deficient in ultraviolet (UV) light, the lack of which is detrimental to chickens’ welfare and health. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of UVB light supplementation using LEDs on the bone traits, blood parameters, laying performance, and egg quality for caged laying hens at 68–75 weeks. In total, 120 Jingfen laying hens were randomly assigned to four different groups, with three replicates in each group (10 hens in each cage as a replicate). UVB-LED lamps installed under the feed troughs were used to provide UVB light (296–316 nm) for the birds in the three treatment groups (1 h, 2 h, and 3 h UVB supplementation per day, respectively), while the control group was not exposed to UVB-LED light. Bone traits, egg quality, and amounts of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in both the serum and egg yolks were tested during the experiment. The results demonstrated that UVB-LED exposure significantly increased the bone mineral density (BMD), egg production, and yolk 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations (p < 0.05), and reduced the content of serum 7-DHC (p < 0.05), especially in the 2 h/day group; however, it did not improve egg quality, vitamin D metabolites, or photoproducts in the serum and yolk 25(OH)2D3 concentrations (p > 0.05). This study concluded that UVB supplementation using LEDs had a positive effect on caged laying hens during the later phase of the laying cycle.
Elastic Asymmetry of PLA Material in FDM-Printed Parts: Considerations Concerning Experimental Characterisation for Use in Numerical Simulations

The objective of this research is to characterise the material poly lactic acid (PLA), printed by fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology, under three loading conditions—tension, compression and bending—in order to get data that will allow to simulate structural components. In the absence of specific standards for materials manufactured in FDM technology, characterisation is carried out based on ASTM International standards D638, D695 and D790, respectively. Samples manufactured with the same printing parameters have been built and tested; and the tensile, compressive and flexural properties have been determined. The influences of the cross-sectional shape and the specimen length on the strength and elastic modulus of compression are addressed. By analysing the mechanical properties obtained in this way, the conclusion is that they are different, are not coherent with each other, and do not reflect the bimodular nature (different behaviour of material in tension and compression) of this material. A finite element (FE) model is used to verify these differences, including geometric non-linearity, to realistically reproduce conditions during physical tests. The main conclusion is that the test methods currently used do not guarantee a coherent set of mechanical properties useful for numerical simulation, which highlights the need to define new characterisation methods better adapted to the behaviour of FDM-printed PLA.
Complexity Measures of Voice Recordings as a Discriminative Tool for Parkinson’s Disease

In this paper, we have investigated the differences in the voices of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and age-matched control (CO) subjects when uttering three phonemes using two complexity measures: fractal dimension (FD) and normalised mutual information (NMI). Three sustained phonetic voice recordings, /a/, /u/ and /m/, from 22 CO (mean age = 66.91) and 24 PD (mean age = 71.83) participants were analysed. FD was first computed for PD and CO voice recordings, followed by the computation of NMI between the test groups: PD–CO, PD–PD and CO–CO. Four features reported in the literature—normalised pitch period entropy (Norm. PPE), glottal-to-noise excitation ratio (GNE), detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and glottal closing quotient (ClQ)—were also computed for comparison with the proposed complexity measures. The statistical significance of the features was tested using a one-way ANOVA test. Support vector machine (SVM) with a linear kernel was used to classify the test groups, using a leave-one-out validation method. The results showed that PD voice recordings had lower FD compared to CO (p < 0.008). It was also observed that the average NMI between CO voice recordings was significantly lower compared with the CO–PD and PD–PD groups (p < 0.036) for the three phonetic sounds. The average NMI and FD demonstrated higher accuracy (>80%) in differentiating the test groups compared with other speech feature-based classifications. This study has demonstrated that the voices of PD patients has reduced FD, and NMI between voice recordings of PD–CO and PD–PD is higher compared with CO–CO. This suggests that the use of NMI obtained from the sample voice, when paired with known groups of CO and PD, can be used to identify PD voices. These findings could have applications for population screening.
Extension of the "cheap" composite approach to non-covalent interactions: the jun-ChS scheme.

A new variant of the so-called "cheap composite scheme" has been purposely developed for the evaluation of the interaction energy of non-covalent molecular complexes, with its various contributions being tested for a set of 15 systems using the accurate interaction energies reported in ref. [Rezac, J.; Dubecky, M. ; Jurecka, P.; Hobza, P. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2015, 17, 19268-19277] as reference values. The modified scheme, starting from the CCSD(T) method in conjunction with a triple-zeta-quality basis set augmented by diffuse functions, includes two additional terms computed at the MP2 level: (i) the extrapolation to the complete basis set (CBS) limit; (ii) the contribution of core-valence correlation effects (CV term). Various families of basis sets including diffuse functions have been tested for the CCSD(T) model as well as for the extrapolation to the CBS limit, with a mean absolute error of about 1% (below 0.2 kJ·mol-1 in absolute terms) obtained with the jun-cc-pVnZ and the jul-cc-pVnZ families. As far as the CV term is concerned, the cc-pCVTZ and cc-pwCVTZ basis sets provide comparable contributions, which are non-negligible in several cases. While the benchmark analysis has been carried out using accurate structures available in the literature, geometrical effects due to the use of reference B2PLYP(-D3BJ) geometries, optimized in conjunction with a triple-ζ-quality basis set, have been investigated, thus pointing out their suitability. Finally, the modified scheme has been applied to a number of test cases for which interaction energies were already available in the literature; among these, a number of molecular complexes bearing second-row atoms have been considered.
Elderly as a Predictor for Perioperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Multi-level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Regression Modeling Study.

STUDY DESIGN This was a single-institute retrospective study OBJECTIVE. : To describe perioperative and postoperative complications in elderly who underwent multi-level MIS TLIF while identifying predictors of complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The number of elderly patients undergoing spinal fusion is rising. Spinal surgery in the elderly is considered high risk with high rates of complications. However, perioperative and postoperative complications in elderly undergoing multi-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) is not known. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 467 consecutive patients who underwent multi-level MIS TLIF at a single institution from 2013 to 2017. Two cohorts, 70 years or older and 50-69 years old were analyzed. Multiple logistic regressions with minor and major complication rates as the dependent variables were performed to identify predictors for complication based on previously sited risk factors. A p-value of ≤0.025 was considered significant. RESULTS One-hundred-fifty-two elderly and 315 non-elderly patients underwent multi-level MIS TLIFs. The average age was 76.4 years and 60.4 years for the elderly and non-elderly cohorts. We observed 13 major (8.44%) and 72 minor (47.4%) complications in the elderly. No difference was noted in complication between the cohorts, except for UTI (p = .004) and urinary retention (p = .014). There were no myocardial infarctions, hardware complications, visceral, vascular, neural injuries, or death. Length of stay, comorbidity, and length of surgery of were predictive of major and minor complications. CONCLUSIONS Elderly may undergo multi-level MIS TLIF with comparable complication rates. Age was not a predictor of complications. Rather, attention should focus on evaluation of comorbidity and limiting operative times. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Acute kidney injury – A frequent and serious complication after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors and long-term prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (primary PCI). Method A large-scale, retrospective cohort study based on procedure-related variables, biochemical and mortality data collected between 2009 and 2014 at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of 25% during the first 72 hours after the index procedure. Results A total of 4239 patients were treated with primary PCI of whom 4002 had available creatinine measurements allowing for assessment of AKI and inclusion in this study. The mean creatinine value upon presentation for all patients was 84 μmol/l (standard deviation (SD) ±40) and 97 μmol/l (SD ±53) at peak. AKI occurred in a total of 765 (19.1%) patients. Independent risk factors for the occurrence of AKI were age, time from symptom onset to procedure, peak value of troponin-T, female sex and the contrast volume to eGFR ratio. In a multivariable adjusted analysis AKI was independently associated with a higher mortality rate at 5 years follow-up (hazard ratio 1.39 [95%-confidence interval 1.03–1.88]). Conclusion In STEMI patients treated with primary PCI one in five experiences acute kidney injury, which was associated with a substantial increase in both short- and long-term mortality.
Nucleus accumbens shell dopamine mediates outcome value, but not predicted value, in a magnitude decision‐making task

Effective decision‐making depends on an animal's ability to predict and select the outcome of greatest value, and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and its dopaminergic input play a key role in this process. We previously reported that rapid dopamine release in the NAc shell preferentially tracks the “preferred” (i.e., large reward) option during cues that predict the ability to respond for rewards of different sizes, as well as during reward delivery itself. The present study assessed whether shell dopamine release at these discrete times selectively mediated choice behavior for rewards of different magnitudes using optogenetics. Here, using Long Evans TH:Cre± rats we employed selective optogenetic stimulation of dopamine terminals in the NAc shell during either reward‐predictive cues (experiment 1) or reward delivery (experiment 2) in a magnitude‐based decision‐making task. We found that in TH:Cre± rats, but not littermate controls, optical stimulation during low‐magnitude reward delivery during forced choice trials was sufficient to bias preference for this option when given a choice. In contrast, optical stimulation of shell dopamine terminals during low‐magnitude reward‐predictive cues in forced choice trials did not shift free choice behavior in TH:Cre± rats or controls. The findings indicate that preferential dopamine signaling in the NAc shell during reward outcome (delivery), but not reward‐predictive cues are sufficient to influence choice behavior in our task supporting a causal role of dopamine in the NAc shell in reward outcome value, but not value‐based predictive strategies.
Experimental Determination of the Threshold Dose for Bifidogenic Activity of Dietary 1-Kestose in Rats

1-Kestose is a non-digestible oligosaccharide consisting of glucose linked to two fructose units. While 1-kestose is not digested in the small intestine of mammals, it is fermented in the ceca and colon, where the growth of bifidobacteria is promoted. In the present study, we assessed the threshold dose of dietary 1-kestose that increased cecal bifidobacterial levels in rats. Rats were fed experimental diets containing 0% to 0.3% 1-kestose for four weeks. The levels of the genus Bifidobacterium and total gut bacteria were significantly increased in cecal samples of rats fed the 0.3% 1-kestose diet. Further, a significant correlation between the dose of 1-kestose and the levels of cecal Bifidobacterium and total gut bacteria was observed. The minimum dose of dietary 1-kestose to induce significant bifidogenic activity in rats was 0.3% by weight in the diet.
Effects of Dietary Chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) and Probiotic Blend as Natural Feed Additives on Performance Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of different levels of chicory (Chicorium intybus L.) powder and a probiotic blend (PrimaLac®) on productive performance, blood biochemical parameters, and ileal microbiota in broiler chickens. A total of 225 one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with five experimental diets as follows: 1—basal-diet without supplements (control-group); 2—basal-diet including probiotic blend; 3— basal-diet including 0.10% chicory; 4—basal-diet including 0.15% chicory; 5—basal-diet including 0.20% chicory. At 42 days of age, representative birds per replicate were randomly selected for blood samples and carcass measurements. Results showed that the body weight gain of broilers fed the probiotic blend or 0.10% chicory was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed on the other treatments. The abdominal fat pad was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in birds fed diets including chicory compared with control or probiotic. Blood triglycerides and LDL levels were reduced (P < 0.05) and HDL increased (P < 0.05) when fed probiotic or chicory whereas no significant effect on the other serum parameters was found. Broiler ileal microflora from the control group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher count of E. coli and lower Lactobacillus than those from the other groups. From findings, it is possible to conclude that dietary chicory powder supported positively growth performance and improved gut microbiota in broiler chickens. However, more research is needed on this subject to better understand the mode of action of feed additives used.