Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinct metabolic hallmarks of WHO classified adult glioma subtypes

Abstract Background Gliomas are complex tumors with several genetic aberrations and diverse metabolic programs contributing to their aggressive phenotypes and poor prognoses. This study defines key metabolic features that can be used to differentiate between glioma subtypes, with potential for improved diagnostics and subtype targeted therapy. Methods Cross-platform global metabolomic profiling coupled with clinical, genetic, and pathological analysis of glioma tissue from 224 tumors—oligodendroglioma (n = 31), astrocytoma (n = 31) and glioblastoma (n = 162)—were performed. Identified metabolic phenotypes were evaluated in accordance with the WHO classification, IDH-mutation, 1p/19q-codeletion, WHO-grading 2–4, and MGMT promoter methylation. Results Distinct metabolic phenotypes separate all six analyzed glioma subtypes. IDH-mutated subtypes, expressing 2-hydroxyglutaric acid, were clearly distinguished from IDH-wildtype subtypes. Considerable metabolic heterogeneity outside of the mutated IDH pathway were also evident, with key metabolites being high expression of glycerophosphates, inositols, monosaccharides, and sugar alcohols and low levels of sphingosine and lysoglycerophospholipids in IDH-mutants. Among the IDH-mutated subtypes, we observed high levels of amino acids, especially glycine and 2-aminoadipic acid, in grade 4 glioma, and N-acetyl aspartic acid in low-grade astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma. Both IDH-wildtype and mutated oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma were characterized by high levels of acylcarnitines, likely driven by rapid cell growth and hypoxic features. We found elevated levels of 5-HIAA in gliosarcoma and a subtype of oligodendroglioma not yet defined as a specific entity, indicating a previously not described role for the serotonin pathway linked to glioma with bimorphic tissue. Conclusion Key metabolic differences exist across adult glioma subtypes.
Simulation of Tile Flow for a Flat Tile Drained Watershed in East Central Illinois

The 48,900 ha Little Vermillion River (LVR) watershed located in East Central Illinois is predominantly tile drained by random tile drainage systems. The entire watershed drains into the Georgetown Reservoir which is a source of water supply to its population of 10,000. Sub-surface tile flow and crop management data have been collected during last seven years from different tile-drained fields located in various parts of this watershed. DRAINMOD and Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) were used to simulate the tile flow at six of these fields under different tillage and cropping management practices, for years 1993-1998. Most sensitive parameters of each of these models were calibrated for different fields using measured data for two successive crop years consisting of corn and soybeans respectively. The calibrated parameters were then used to simulate tile flow for remaining years for each field. Results indicate that both model simulate tile flow within an acceptable range. However, DRAINMOD simulated results are closer to the actual observed values. Detailed results are presented in this paper.
Exploring the Psychological Characteristics and Risk-related Cognitions of Individuals Who Own Sex Dolls

ABSTRACT The ownership of sex dolls has become an increasingly controversial social issue over the last five to ten years, with many in society (and academia) calling for the criminalization of such dolls. At the root of these calls is the implicit (and often explicit) assumption that sex doll ownership contributes to increases in negative social attitudes toward women, and sexual offense risk among doll owners. However, there are yet to be any empirical examinations of these claims. In this work we compared the psychological characteristics and comparative sexual aggression proclivities of sex doll owners (n = 158) and a non-owner comparison group (n = 135). We found no substantive differences in most psychological traits. Doll owners scored lower than comparators in relation to sexual aggression proclivity. They were, however, more likely to see women as unknowable, the world as dangerous, and have lower sexual self-esteem. They also had more obsessive and emotionally stable personality styles. We conclude that there is no evidence that sex doll owners pose a greater sexual risk than a non-owning comparison group, before highlighting the need for more evidence-informed social debates about the use of sex dolls in modern society.
An exploration of New Zealand mental health nurses’ personal physical activities

Abstract This study assessed the physical activities of Mental Health Nurses (MHN) in New Zealand against the 2018 World Health Organization recommended minimum levels of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. The research design was exploratory and descriptive as there were no previous studies about physical activity levels of MHNs in New Zealand. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, Long Version) which included options for free‐text responses. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 266 participants returned the survey, a response rate of 4%, and a limitation of the study. More than 50% of MHNs reported <150 min of moderate‐to‐vigorous exercise per week for each of the four physical activity domains. When individual physical activity domains were combined, only 10% spent <150 min on moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. Work‐related physical activities were higher for those working in the inpatient area than in community settings. Transport‐related physical activities were higher for those working in community settings. Participants registered from 6 to 20 years had more time sitting than other groups. Nurses aged 55 years and above showed the highest total physical activity levels. Moreover, healthcare organizations and nurse leaders need to promote physical activity and provide wellness intervention for their staff. Nurses who are physically active may be more effective in supporting their patients to increase their physical activity.
The Associations between Member of Parliament Characteristics and Child Malnutrition and Mortality in India

Abstract Child health outcomes vary between Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) in India. There are a total of 543 PCs in India, each of which is a geographical unit represented by a Member of Parliament (MP). MP characteristics, such as age, gender, education, the number of terms they have served, and whether they belong to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, might be associated with indicators of child malnutrition and child mortality. The purpose of this paper was to examine the associations between MP characteristics and measures of child malnutrition and mortality. We did not find any meaningful associations between MP characteristics and child anthropometry, anemia, and mortality. Future research should consider the size of a constituency served by an MP along with MP party affiliations as these factors might help explain between-PC variations in child health outcomes. Our findings also underscore the need to better support female MPs and MPs from marginalized caste and tribal groups.
IP3 receptor orchestrates maladaptive vascular responses in heart failure

Patients with heart failure (HF) have augmented vascular tone, which increases cardiac workload, impairing ventricular output and promoting further myocardial dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maladaptive vascular responses observed in HF are not fully understood. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) control vasoconstriction via a Ca2+-dependent process, in which the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) plays a major role. To dissect the mechanistic contribution of intracellular Ca2+ release to the increased vascular tone observed in HF, we analyzed the remodeling of IP3R1 in aortic tissues from patients with HF and from controls. VSMC IP3R1 channels from patients with HF and HF mice were hyperphosphorylated by both serine and tyrosine kinases. VSMCs isolated from IP3R1VSMC–/– mice exhibited blunted Ca2+ responses to angiotensin II (ATII) and norepinephrine compared with control VSMCs. IP3R1VSMC–/– mice displayed significantly reduced responses to ATII, both in vivo and ex vivo. HF IP3R1VSMC–/– mice developed significantly less afterload compared with HF IP3R1fl/fl mice and exhibited significantly attenuated progression toward decompensated HF and reduced interstitial fibrosis. Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of the MLC by MLCK activated VSMC contraction. MLC phosphorylation was markedly increased in VSMCs from patients with HF and HF mice but reduced in VSMCs from HF IP3R1VSMC–/– mice and HF WT mice treated with ML-7. Taken together, our data indicate that VSMC IP3R1 is a major effector of increased vascular tone, which contributes to increased cardiac afterload and decompensation in HF.
Accuracy and Safety of Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Adults with Diabetes

Background: We evaluated the accuracy and safety of a seventh generation (G7) Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during 10.5 days of use in adults with diabetes. Methods: Adults with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (on intensive insulin therapy or not) participated at 12 investigational sites in the United States. In-clinic visits were conducted on days 1 or 2, 4 or 7, and on the second half of day 10 or the first half of day 11 for frequent comparisons with comparator blood glucose measurements obtained with the YSI 2300 Stat Plus glucose analyzer. Participants wore sensors concurrently on the upper arm and abdomen. Accuracy evaluation included the proportion of CGM values within 15% of comparator glucose levels >100 mg/dL or within 15 mg/dL of comparator levels ≤100 mg/dL (%15/15), along with the %20/20 and %30/30 agreement rates. The mean absolute relative difference (MARD) between temporally matched CGM and comparator values was also calculated. Results: Data from 316 participants (619 sensors, 77,774 matched pairs) were analyzed. For arm- and abdomen-placed sensors, overall MARDs were 8.2% and 9.1%, respectively. Overall %15/15, %20/20, and %30/30 agreement rates were 89.6%, 95.3%, and 98.8% for arm-placed sensors and were 85.5%, 93.2%, and 98.1% for abdomen-placed sensors. Across days of wear, glucose concentration ranges, and rates of change, %20/20 agreement rates varied by no more than 9% from the overall %20/20. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The G7 CGM provides accurate glucose readings with single-digit MARD with arm or abdomen placement in adults with diabetes. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04794478
Rv0500A is a transcription factor that links Mycobacterium tuberculosis environmental response with division and impacts host colonization

For Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to successfully infect a host, it must be able to adapt to changes in its microenvironment, including variations in ionic signals such as pH and chloride (Cl−), and link these responses to its growth. Transcriptional changes are a key mechanism for Mtb environmental adaptation, and we identify here Rv0500A as a novel transcriptional regulator that links Mtb environmental response and division processes. Global transcriptional profiling revealed that Rv0500A acts as a repressor and influences the expression of genes related to division, with the magnitude of its effect modulated by pH and Cl−. Rv0500A can directly bind the promoters of several of these target genes, and we identify key residues required for its DNA‐binding ability and biological effect. Overexpression of rv0500A disrupted Mtb growth morphology, resulting in filamentation that was exacerbated by high environmental Cl− levels and acidic pH. Finally, we show that perturbation of rv0500A leads to attenuation of the ability of Mtb to colonize its host in vivo. Our work highlights the important link between Mtb environmental response and growth characteristics, and uncovers a new transcription factor involved in this critical facet of Mtb biology.
Multiplexed Optical Fiber Sensors for Coal Fired Advanced Fossil Energy Systems

This report summarizes technical progress on the program Multiplexed Optical Fiber Sensors for Coal Fired Advanced Fossil Energy Systems funded by the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, and performed jointly by the Center for Photonics Technology of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech. This three-year project started on October 1, 2008. In the project, a fiber optical sensing system based on intrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer (IFPI) was developed for strain and temperature measurements for Ultra Supercritical boiler condition assessment. Investigations were focused on sensor design, fabrication, attachment techniques and novel materials for high temperature and strain measurements. At the start of the project, the technical requirements for the sensing technology were determined together with our industrial partner Alstom Power. As is demonstrated in Chapter 4, all the technical requirements are successfully met. The success of the technology extended beyond laboratory test; its capability was further validated through the field test at DOE NETL, in which the sensors yielded distributed temperature mapping of a testing coupon installed in the turbine test rig. The measurement results agreed well with prior results generated with thermocouples. Inmore » this project, significant improvements were made to the IFPI sensor technology by splicing condition optimization, transmission loss reduction, sensor signal demodulation and sensor system design. « less
Use of the Quality of Interactions Schedule (QuIS) in assessing negative staff-patient interactions in acute care settings for older people: A content validation study.

INTRODUCTION The Quality of Interactions Schedule (QuIS) is an observational tool to assess the quality of staff-patient interactions in a healthcare context. QuIS is a promising measure for the evaluation of compassionate care, particularly where care is being delivered to patient populations, such as older people, who may be excluded from self-completion data collection methods. This study investigates the content validity of QuIS in identification of negative staff-patient interactions in acute care. METHODS Staff-patient interactions (n = 1598) on adult inpatient units with a high proportion of older patients in two UK National Health Service hospitals were observed and rated using QuIS. When rating interactions as negative quality, observers recorded brief field notes to explain the rating. Content analysis was used to develop categories of negative interaction type. These categories were compared with the QuIS negative interaction definitions. RESULTS Eighty-eight negative ratings were accompanied by a field note that could be used in the analysis. Five interaction categories were identified: Patient calls for help, call not acknowledged; Staff focused on task and appear to ignore/not hear patient; Patient-led interactions appear dismissed or ignored; Patient prevented from doing something without explanation; Staff interact with each other or talk to relatives, not including patient. There was clear association between the derived categories and QuIS guidance for negative ratings. CONCLUSION These findings support the validity of QuIS data in relation to measurement of interaction quality in acute care settings. Extending the research to a wider range of settings would be useful.
The association between proton pump inhibitor use and systemic anti‐tumour therapy on survival outcomes in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed to prevent or treat gastrointestinal disease. Whether the combination of systemic anti‐tumour therapy and PPIs leads to poor outcomes in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. This systematic review explored the relationship between PPIs and survival outcomes of patients with advanced NSCLC who are receiving systemic anti‐tumour therapy.
XGBoost Regression of the Most Significant Photoplethysmogram Features for Assessing Vascular Aging

The purpose of this study was to confirm the potential of XGBoost as a vascular aging assessment model based on the photoplethysmogram (PPG) features suggested in previous studies, and to explore the key PPG features for vascular aging assessment through an explainable artificial intelligence method. The PPG waveforms obtained from 752 volunteers aged 19–87 years were analyzed and a total of 78 features were derived that were proposed in previous studies. Age was estimated through an XGBoost regression model, and estimation error was calculated in terms of mean absolute error and root-mean-squared error. To evaluate feature importance, gain, coverage, weight, and SHAP value was calculated. The vascular aging assessment model developed using XGBoost has 8.1 years of mean-absolute error and 9.9 years of root-mean-squared error, a correlation coefficient of 0.63 with actual age, and a coefficient of determination of 0.39. Feature importance analysis using the SHAP value confirmed that features, such as systolic and diastolic peak amplitude, risetime, skewness, and pulse area, play a key role in vascular aging assessment. The XGBoost regression model showed an equal level of performance to the existing PPG-based vascular aging assessment models. Moreover, the result of feature importance analysis using explainable artificial intelligence verified that the features proposed in previous vascular aging assessment studies, such as reflective index and risetime, were more important in vascular aging assessment than other PPG features.
The value of clinical-ultrasonographic feature model to predict the severity of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Objectives To analyze conventional ultrasound (CUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and to evaluate the clinical-ultrasonographic feature based model for predicting the severity of SHPT. Methods From February 2016 to March 2021, a total of 59 patients (age 51.3 ± 11.7 years, seCr 797.8 ± 431.7 μmol/L, iPTH 1535.1 ± 1063.9 ng/L) with SHPT (including 181 parathyroid glands (PTGs)) without the history of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH)-reducing drugs using were enrolled. The patients were divided into the mild SHPT group (mSHPT, iPTH <800 ng/L) and the severe SHPT group (sSHPT, iPTH ≥ 800 ng/L) according to the serum iPTH level. The clinical test data of patients were collected and CUS and CEUS examinations were performed for every patient. Multivariable logistic regression model according to clinical-ultrasonographic features was adopted to establish a nomogram. We performed K-fold cross-validation on this nomogram model and nomogram performance was determined by its discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Results There were 19 patients in the mSHPT group and 40 patients in the sSHPT group. Multivariable logistic regression indicated serum calcium, serum phosphorus and total volume of PTGs were independent predictors related with serum iPTH level. Even though CEUS score of wash-in and wash-out were showed related to severity of SHPT in univariate logistic regression analysis, they were not predictors of SHPT severity (p = 0.539, 0.474 respectively). The nomogram developed by clinical and ultrasonographic features showed good calibration and discrimination. The accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of this model were 0.888, 92.5%, 63.2% and 83.1%, respectively. When applied to internal validation, the score revealed good discrimination with stratified fivefold cross-validation in the cohort (mean AUC = 0.833). Conclusions The clinical-ultrasonographic features model has good performance for predicting the severity of SHPT.
Antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of three generations of beta-adrenergic blockers: an historical perspective

ABSTRACT There are currently three generations of beta-adrenergic blockers for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The 1st generation caused vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction due to β1 + β2 receptor blockade and unopposed α1 receptors. The 2nd generation of beta-blockers has lesser adverse effects than the 1st generation with the 3rd generation beta-blockers having much lesser effects than the other two generations. Current US and International guidelines do not recommend beta-blockers as first-line therapy of hypertension, but only in the presence of coronary artery disease or heart failure due to their lesser antihypertensive effect. These recommendations are disputed by several older and recent studies which have shown that the beta-blockers are effective and safe for the treatment of hypertension and could be used as first-line therapy. To clarify this issue a Medline search of the English language literature was conducted between 2012 and 2021 and 30 pertinent papers were selected. The data from these studies show that the beta-blockers have inferior antihypertensive and stroke protective effect compared with the other classes of antihypertensive drugs and should be used as first line therapy only in patients with hypertension associated with coronary artery disease or heart failure. The information from these papers and collateral literature will be discussed in this perspective.