Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separating the Causes of Listening Difficulties in Children

Auditory processing disorder, defined here as a deficit in the way sounds are analyzed by the brain, has remained a controversial topic within audiology for decades. Some of the controversy concerns what it is called. More substantively, even its existence has been questioned. That view has likely emerged because there has not been sufficient rigor in determining when difficulty in understanding speech has been the consequence of some type of auditory processing deficit, versus when it is the consequence of a cognitive deficit or a language deficit. This article suggests that the field use the term “listening difficulty” as an umbrella term to indicate a reported deficit in recognizing sounds or understanding speech, one possible cause of which is an auditory processing disorder. Other possible causes are hearing deficits, cognitive deficits, and language deficits. This article uses a plausible, and hopefully noncontroversial, model of speech understanding that comprises auditory processing, speech processing, and language processing, all potentially affected by the degree of attention applied and the listener’s memory ability. In a fresh approach to the construction of test batteries, the stages of the model are linked to tests designed to assess either all or selected parts of the processes involved. For two of the stages, a listener’s performance is quantified as the additional signal to noise ratio that he or she needs to function equivalently to his or her age peers. Subtraction of the deficits revealed by each test enables the contributions of each processing stage to a listening deficit to be quantified. As a further novel contribution, the impact of memory and attention on each test score is quantitatively allowed for, by an amount that depends on each test’s dependence on memory and attention. Attention displayed during the test is estimated from the fluctuations in performance during the test. The article concludes with a summary of the research that must be conducted before the structured tests can be used to quantify the extent to which different potential causes of listening difficulties are responsible for real-life difficulties in an individual child.
Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) characterization and use in metal exposure assessments

Environmental contamination as a result of anthropogenic activities has greatly increased the global availability and distribution of potentially toxic metals. Of these metals, the use of lead (Pb) by humans for millennia has resulted in Pb poisoning achieving the unfavorable distinction as the most common disease of toxic environmental origin in the United States today. Solely as a result of man’s actions, Pb has become the most widely dispersed toxic metal in the world. Methods intended to measure exposure and adverse effects of Pb have assessed the ability of living organisms to bioaccumulate the metal and to respond physiologically. Lead is a multitargeted toxicant, with hematotoxicity a primary effect, specifically inhibition of heme synthesis. ALAD is an enzyme of the heme synthesis pathway, whose inhibition in humans and animals has served as an important, and sensitive, biological marker for Pb exposure and injury. Blood samples from mammal, bird and reptile species were characterized for ALAD activity, median inhibitory Pb concentrations (IC50) and reactivation in Pbinhibited ALAD as a result of dilution in deer mice, Sprague-Dawley rats, American kestrels, prairie voles, European starlings, western diamondback rattlesnakes, Morelet’s crocodiles, Texas horned lizards and domestic pigs. Five avian and two small mammal species were collected from the Anaconda Smelter Superfund site (Deer Lodge County, MT) and assessed for ALAD activity as a biomarker of exposure to smelter-related metal contamination. Literature reviews describe blood ALAD response to environmental Pb contamination or from Pb dosing experiments in wild, captive or laboratory small mammals and birds. Results of ALAD assay development in multiple species described enzyme accuracy, hemolysate preparation, buffer selection, effect of changes in pH, blood dilution and incubation time on enzyme activity, analysis of kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km), IC50 determinations and blood dilution effects on reactivation of Pb-inhibited ALAD activity.
Transcription factors in neurodevelopmental and associated psychiatric disorders: A potential convergence for genetic and environmental risk factors

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a heterogeneous and highly prevalent group of psychiatric conditions marked by impairments in the nervous system. Their onset occurs during gestation, and the alterations are observed throughout the postnatal life. Although many genetic and environmental risk factors have been described in this context, the interactions between them challenge the understanding of the pathways associated with NDDs. Transcription factors (TFs)—a group of over 1,600 proteins that can interact with DNA, regulating gene expression through modulation of RNA synthesis—represent a point of convergence for different risk factors. In addition, TFs organize critical processes like angiogenesis, blood‐brain barrier formation, myelination, neuronal migration, immune activation, and many others in a time and location‐dependent way. In this review, we summarize important TF alterations in NDD and associated disorders, along with specific impairments observed in animal models, and, finally, establish hypotheses to explain how these proteins may be critical mediators in the context of genome‐environment interactions.
Etiology of Epiphora

Purpose This study aimed to analyze the common causes of epiphora in Korean patients and their response to subsequent management. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 180 patients who visited Kim’s Eye Hospital for epiphora between December 2017 and January 2019. This study included 320 eyes of 180 patients. Results In the 320 eyes of 180 patients, the most common etiology of epiphora was reflex tearing due to dry eye syndrome, which occurred in 167 eyes (52.19%). The other etiologies of epiphora included anatomical abnormality (68 eyes, 21.25%), multifactorial (60 eyes, 18.75%), functional epiphora (14 eyes, 4.38%), ocular surface disease (seven eyes, 2.19%), and eyelid abnormality (four eyes, 1.25%). Conclusions The most common etiology of epiphora in Korean patients was reflex tearing due to dry eye syndrome, followed by lacrimal passage abnormality, multifactorial, functional epiphora, anterior segment disease, and eyelid malposition. Most patients with reflex tearing reported improvement in their symptoms after lubrication.
Association of Geometric Characteristics of Knee Anatomy (Alpha Angle and Intercondylar Notch Type) With Noncontact ACL Injury

Background: The femoral intercondylar notch type and the alpha angle (the angle between the femoral notch roof and the long axis of the femur) are easily measured in clinical settings; however, their associations with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury remain unclear. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose was to determine if the alpha angle and the femoral notch type are associated with noncontact ACL injury univariately and in combination with previously identified knee geometric risk factors. We hypothesized that the alpha angle and the femoral notch type are associated with noncontact ACL injury and that the association differs between men and women. Study Design: Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The alpha angle and the femoral notch type were measured via 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquired from 61 women and 25 men with a first-time noncontact ACL injury. Each injured patient was matched with a control participant based on age, sex, and participation on the same sports team. A conditional logistic regression was used to assess univariate associations with ACL injury as well as multivariate associations using MRI-based risk factors of knee geometry identified in previous analyses: femoral intercondylar notch width at the anterior outlet, femoral intercondylar notch anteromedial ridge thickness, volume of the ACL, tibial plateau lateral compartment subchondral bone slope, lateral compartment middle articular cartilage slope, lateral compartment meniscus-cartilage height, lateral compartment meniscus-bone angle, and medial tibial spine volume. Results: For female athletes, the alpha angle (odds ratio, [OR], 1.82 per 1-degree increase; P = .001), the tibial lateral compartment articular cartilage slope (OR, 1.25 per 1-degree increase in the posterior-inferior directed slope; P = .022), and the femoral notch anteromedial ridge thickness (OR, 3.36 per 1-mm increase; P = .027) were independently associated with ACL disruption. For men, no other variables entered the models after the alpha angle was inputted as the first step (OR, 2.19 per 1-degree increase; P = .010). Conclusion: For women, ACL injury was most strongly associated with increased alpha angle, increased tibial plateau slope, and increased femoral notch ridge thickness. For men, increased alpha angle was the most significant factor associated with ACL injury. The mechanism of injury might be associated with a combination of impingement of the ACL against the bone and increased ligament loading.
Analytical sensitivity and specificity of four point of care rapid antigen diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time quantitative PCR, quantitative droplet digital PCR, and a mass spectrometric antigen assay as comparator methods.

BACKGROUND We evaluated the analytical sensitivity and specificity of four rapid antigen diagnostic tests (Ag RDTs) for SARS-CoV-2, using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) as the reference method; and further characterizing samples using droplet digital quantitative PCR (ddPCR) and a mass spectrometric antigen test. METHODS 350 (150 negative and 200 RT-qPCR positive) residual phosphate buffered saline (PBS) samples were tested for antigen using the BD Veritor lateral flow (LF), ACON LF, ACON fluorescence immunoassay (FIA), and LumiraDx FIA. ddPCR was performed on RT-qPCR positive samples to quantitate the viral load in copies/mL applied to each Ag RDT. Mass spectrometric antigen testing was performed on PBS samples to obtain a set of RT-qPCR positive, antigen positive samples for further analysis. RESULTS All Ag RDTs had nearly 100% specificity compared to RT-qPCR. Overall analytical sensitivity varied from 66.5% to 88.3%. All methods detected antigen in samples with viral load >1,500,000 copies/mL RNA, and detected ≥75% of samples with viral load of 500,000 to 1,500,000 copies/mL. The BD Veritor LF detected only 25% of samples with viral load between 50,000-500,000 copies/mL, compared to 75% for the ACON LF device and >80% for LumiraDx and ACON FIA. The ACON FIA detected significantly more samples with viral load <50,000 copies/mL compared to the BD Veritor. Among samples with detectable antigen and viral load <50,000 copies/mL, sensitivity of the Ag RDT varied between 13.0% (BD Veritor) and 78.3% (ACON FIA). CONCLUSIONS Ag RDTs differ significantly in analytical sensitivity, particularly at viral load <500,000 copies/mL.
Neural coding of human values is underpinned by brain areas representing the core self in the cortical midline region

ABSTRACT The impact of human values on our choices depends on their nature. Self-Transcendence values motivate us to act for the benefit of others and care for the environment. Self-Enhancement values motivate us to act for our benefit. The present study examines differences in the neural processes underlying these two value domains. Extending our previous research, we used fMRI to explore first of all neural correlates of Self-Transcendence vs Self-Enhancement values, with a particular focus on the putative role of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), which has been linked to a self-transcendent mind-set. Additionally, we investigated the neural basis of Openness to Change vs Conservation values. We asked participants to reflect on and rate values as guiding principles in their lives while undergoing fMRI. Mental processing of Self-Transcendence values was associated with higher brain activity in the dorsomedial (BA9, BA8) and ventromedial (BA10) prefrontal cortices, as compared to Self-Enhancement values. The former involved activation and the latter deactivation of those regions. We did not detect differences in brain activation between Openness to Change vs Conservation values. Self-Transcendence values thus shared brain regions with social processes that have previously been linked to a self-transcendent mind-set, and the “core self” representation.
Clinical and biochemical characteristics of postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus: A cross‐sectional study from the Danish nationwide DD2 cohort

Postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) is a common metabolic sequalae of acute and chronic pancreatitis. We conducted a cross‐sectional study to examine the proportion of PPDM among patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Denmark and their clinical and biochemical characteristics.
Comparisons of Intracranial Volume and Cephalic Index After Correction of Sagittal Craniosynostosis With Either Two or Three Springs

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract In this retrospective study, the authors determined changes in intracranial volume (ICV) and cephalic index (CI) in patients with sagittal craniosynostosis and operated with craniotomy combined with either 2 or 3 springs. The authors included patients (n = 112) with complete follow-up that had undergone surgical correction for isolated sagittal craniosynostosis with craniotomy combined with springs between 2008 and 2017. All patients underwent computed tomography examination preoperative, at the time of spring extraction, and at 3 years of age. Intracranial volume was measured using a semiautomatic MATLAB program, and CI was calculated as the width/length of the skull. The authors found that craniotomy combined with 2 springs increased the ICV from a preoperative value of 792 ± 113 mL (mean ± standard deviation) to 1298 ± 181 mL at 3 years of age and increased the CI from 72.1 ± 4.1 to 74.6 ± 4.3, whereas craniotomy combined with 3 springs increased the ICV from 779 ± 128 mL to 1283 ± 136 mL and the CI from 70.7 ± 4.3 to 74.8 ± 3.7. The relative increase in ICV was 65 ± 21% in the two-spring group and 68 ± 34% in the three-spring group (P value = 0.559), and the relative increase in CI was 3.6 ± 3.3% in the two-spring group as compared with 6.0 ± 5.0% in the three-spring group (P = 0.004). These findings demonstrated that use of 3 springs resulted in additional absolute and relative CI-specific effects as compared with 2 springs during the time when the springs were in place, with this effect maintained at 3 years of age.
Father involvement, maternal depression and child nutritional outcomes in Soweto, South Africa

Abstract Father involvement in South Africa is low, despite evidence that it can improve maternal and child health and wellbeing. Within a larger randomised controlled trial, we assessed whether father involvement during and after pregnancy increased birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding through improved maternal mental health. At 6‐week postnatal, mothers completed questionnaires on birth, feeding practices, social support, father involvement and postnatal depression. Father involvement during pregnancy was measured by their attendance at antenatal care and the study intervention, whereas postnatal involvement was measured by attendance at antenatal care and type of paternal support provided. Structural equation modelling was used to identify associations between father involvement, maternal depression, low birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding. Among the 212 mother–baby pairs, father involvement was very low with only 43%, 33% and 1% of partners attending early ultrasound, antenatal care and the birth of the child, respectively. Twenty‐nine percent of the mothers showed signs of depression during pregnancy, compared with 7% after birth. Eighteen percent of the infants were born low birth weight, and 57% of mothers reported exclusively breastfeeding at 6 weeks. Father involvement was directly associated with postnatal depression, but it did not directly or indirectly impact exclusive breastfeeding or low birth weight. We conclude that postnatal father involvement can improve postnatal maternal depression and that men would benefit from specific guidance on how they can support mothers during and after pregnancy.
Establishing realistic exposure estimates of solitary bee larvae via pollen for use in risk assessment

Bees foraging in agricultural habitats can be exposed to plant protection products. To limit the risk of adverse events, a robust risk assessment is needed, which requires reliable estimates for the expected exposure. The exposure pathways to developing solitary bees in particular are not well described and, in the currently proposed form, rely on limited information. To build a scaling model predicting the amount of protein developing solitary bees need based on adult body weight, we used published data on the volume of pollen solitary bees provide for their offspring. This model was tested against and ultimately updated with additional literature data on bee weight and protein content of emerged bees. We rescaled this model, based on the known pollen protein content of bee‐visited flowers, to predict the expected amount of pollen a generalist solitary bee would likely provide based on its adult body weight, and tested these predictions in the field. We found overall agreement between the models' predictions and the measured values in the field, but additional data are needed to confirm these initial results. Our study suggests that scaling models in the bee risk assessment could complement existing risk assessment approaches and facilitate the further development of accurate risk characterization for solitary bees; ultimately the models will help to protect them during their foraging activity in agricultural settings. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:308–313. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Sudden out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in pediatric patients in Kyushu area in Japan

It is well‐known that a neurologically favorable outcome of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with the presence of bystander‐initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (bystander CPR) and use of an automated external defibrillator. However, little is known about the effect of the presence of pre‐existing conditions, prior activity, and locations on the outcome of pediatric OHCA.
The effect of pH on the lability of lead and cadmium sorbed on humic acid particles

AbstractSorption of lead(II) or cadmium(II) ions on humic acid particles (at pH 3.5) yields surface complexes which are sparingly soluble in the pH 3.55 region. Interaction of these species with acetic acid or dilute nitric acid released ASV labile metal species (mainly hydrated metal ion). When the pH was adjusted between 4 and 7, increasing amounts of the metal humate species (and humic acid substrate) dissolved and low levels of ASV labile species were detected. Overnight interaction with an excess of acetate ions (0.01 M) led to higher lability values (attributed to acetate/humate ligand exchange). The percentage of labile metal ion detected in acetate solutions varied with the amount of metal ion initially sorbed (range 100 to 500 mmol g−1). With the lower loadings, the ASV labile levels peaked in the pH 6–7 region (at around 12% of total sorbed cadmium, and 4% of total lead). In alkaline solutions, the percentage of labile Cd fell to about half of the peak value, but with Pb, lability values increas.
Effect of increasing levels of threonine relative to lysine on the performance and meat quality of finishing pigs

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying standardized ileal digestible lysine:threonine (SID Lys:Thr) ratio in the diet on the performance and meat quality of finishing pigs. Methods In total 192 crossbred pigs ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc, 17 weeks old), with an initial body weight (BW) of 70.6±3.9 kg were used in an 8-wk trial. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments based on their initial BW and sex (8 replications; 4 pigs per pen, 2 barrows and 2 gilts). The pigs in the 6 treatments were fed diets having different SID Lys:Thr ratios such as 1:0.65, 1:0.66, 1:0.67, 1:0.68, 1:0.69, and 1:0.70. Results A linear increment (p<0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and trends in reduction in feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed during day 29 to 56 of the experiment and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter tended to increase linearly (p = 0.094) at the end of the experiment (day 56) with the increase in the dietary SID Lys:Thr ratios. The backfat thickness and lean percentage increased (linear effect, p<0.05) on day 28. In addition, at day 56, a linear (p<0.05) increment in lean percentage was observed. Significant quadratic responses (p = 0.02) for pH and drip loss at day 7 (p = 0.02), a linear increase (p<0.05) in cooking loss and drip loss at day 7, and a trend in quadratic response (p = 0.07) in the lightness of meat color (L*) were observed, whereas other meat quality indices were unaffected by varying the SID Lys:Thr ratios. Conclusion The SID Lys:Thr ratio for maximum ADG, minimum FCR and enhanced digestibility was found to be 0.70. However, for carcass trait and meat quality, the SID Lys:Thr ratio of 0.65 was enough.
COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients in Spain Throughout 2020: Catching the Wave?

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background. Few studies have analyzed differences in clinical presentation and outcomes in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across different pandemic waves. Methods. In this multicenter, nationwide, prospective study, we compared demographics and clinical features, therapeutic management, and outcomes in SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Spain before (first wave) or after (second wave) 13 July 2020. Results. Of 1634 SOT recipients, 690 (42.2%) and 944 (57.8%) were diagnosed during the first and second periods, respectively. Compared with the first wave, recipients in the second were younger (median: 63 y [interquartile range, IQR: 53–71] versus 59 y [IQR: 49–68]; P < 0.001) and less likely to receive anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 drugs (81.8% versus 8.1%; P < 0.001), with no differences in immunomodulatory therapies (46.8% versus 47.0%; P = 0.931). Adjustment of immunosuppression was less common during the second period (76.4% versus 53.6%; P < 0.001). Hospital admission (86.7% versus 58.1%; P < 0.001), occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (34.1% versus 21.0%; P < 0.001), and case-fatality rate (25.8% versus 16.7%; P < 0.001) were lower in the second period. In multivariate analysis, acquiring COVID-19 during the first wave was associated with an increased risk of death (OR: 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.93; P = 0.005), although this impact was lost in the subgroup of patients requiring hospital (OR: 0.97; 95% CI, 0.73-1.29; P = 0.873) or intensive care unit admission (OR: 0.65; 95% CI, 0.35-1.18; P = 0.157). Conclusions. We observed meaningful changes in demographics, therapeutic approaches, level of care, and outcomes between the first and second pandemic waves. However, outcomes have not improved in the more severe cases of posttransplant COVID-19.