Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease on Static and Dynamic Functional Network Connectivity in Subjects Along Alzheimer's Disease Continuum

BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder frequently accompanied by cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, the influence of CSVD on the brain functional connectivity in subjects along the AD continuum is still largely unknown. The current study combined the static and dynamic functional network connectivity (FNC) to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS In this study, we included 182 healthy controls (HC), 27 individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), 27 with SCD+CSVD, 104 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 123 with MCI+CSVD, 16 with AD, and 62 with AD+CSVD. We examined the static and dynamic FNC within the default mode (DM), salience (SA), and cognitive control (CC) domains. We also assessed the association between atypical FNC patterns and cognitive impairments, as well as the pathologies. RESULTS Static FNC results showed progressively increased within-domain connectivity and decreased between-domain connectivity along AD continuum, especially in CSVD subjects. Dynamic FNC in CSVD subjects showed more occurrences in a highly-modularized state and fewer occurrences in the diffusely connected state. Further analysis showed that neuropathology and CSVD burden divergently affect the FNC changes. CONCLUSIONS The overall results demonstrate divergent abnormalities of FNC in CSVD and non-CSVD individuals along the AD continuum, which were divergently affected by neuropathology and CSVD burden. Specifically, those with CSVD show more static and dynamic FNC impairments, associated with cognitive decline. These findings may advance our understanding of the effect of CSVD on AD onset and progression, and provide potential hints for clinical treatment.
Coagulation factor VIII, white matter hyperintensities and cognitive function: Results from the Cardiovascular Health Study

Objective To investigate the relationship between high FVIII clotting activity (FVIII:C), MRI-defined white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cognitive function over time. Methods Data from the population-based Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 5,888, aged ≥65) were used. FVIII:C was measured in blood samples taken at baseline. WMH burden was assessed on two cranial MRI scans taken roughly 5 years apart. Cognitive function was assessed annually using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MSE) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). We used ordinal logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular factors in cross-sectional and longitudinal WMH analyses, and adjusted linear regression and linear mixed models in the analyses of cognitive function. Results After adjustment for confounding, higher levels of FVIII:C were not strongly associated with the burden of WMH on the initial MRI scan (OR>p75 = 1.20, 95% CI 0.99–1.45; N = 2,735) nor with WMH burden worsening over time (OR>p75 = 1.18, 95% CI 0.87–1.59; N = 1,527). High FVIII:C showed no strong association with cognitive scores cross-sectionally (3MSE>p75 β = -0.06, 95%CI -0.45 to 0.32, N = 4,005; DSST>p75 β = -0.69, 95%CI -1.52 to 0.13, N = 3,954) or over time (3MSE>p75 β = -0.07,95% CI -0.58 to 0.44, N = 2,764; DSST>p75 β = -0.22, 95% CI -0.97 to 0.53, N = 2,306) after confounding adjustment. Interpretation The results from this cohort study of older adult participants indicate no strong relationships between higher FVIII:C levels and WMH burden or cognitive function in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
Significance of Viral Activity for Regulating Heterotrophic Prokaryote Community Dynamics along a Meridional Gradient of Stratification in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

How microbial populations interact influences the availability and flux of organic carbon in the ocean. Understanding how these interactions vary over broad spatial scales is therefore a fundamental aim of microbial oceanography. In this study, we assessed variations in the abundances, production, virus and grazing induced mortality of heterotrophic prokaryotes during summer along a meridional gradient in stratification in the North Atlantic Ocean. Heterotrophic prokaryote abundance and activity varied with phytoplankton biomass, while the relative distribution of prokaryotic subpopulations (ratio of high nucleic acid fluorescent (HNA) and low nucleic acid fluorescent (LNA) cells) was significantly correlated to phytoplankton mortality mode (i.e., viral lysis to grazing rate ratio). Virus-mediate morality was the primary loss process regulating the heterotrophic prokaryotic communities (average 55% of the total mortality), which may be attributed to the strong top-down regulation of the bacterivorous protozoans. Host availability, encounter rate, and HNA:LNA were important factors regulating viral dynamics. Conversely, the abundance and activity of bacterivorous protozoans were largely regulated by temperature and turbulence. The ratio of total microbial mediated mortality to total available prokaryote carbon reveals that over the latitudinal gradient the heterotrophic prokaryote community gradually moved from a near steady state system regulated by high turnover in subtropical region to net heterotrophic production in the temperate region.
Distribution and maternal transfer of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and selenium in Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica)

Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and selenium were determined in the muscles, brains, adrenal and thyroid glands, gonads, livers, kidneys and hair of pups and adult females of Baikal seals. Low concentrations of these five selected elements were found in Baikal seals in comparison with those published for other marine mammals, suggested low contamination of the selected elements in Lake Baikal. Results indicated that the main route of maternal transfer of Hg is via parturition, whereas that of Cd and Pb is via lactation. Further study is required on the investigation of element concentrations in plasma and milk. Due to the low concentrations of the elements in both adult females and pups, maternal transfer of the selected elements was found to constitute low potential risk for pups.
Effects of tDCS on Tactile Perception Depend on Tactile Expertise in Both Musicians and Non-Musicians

Brain plasticity in the somatosensory cortex and tactile performance can be facilitated by brain stimulation. Here, we investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tactile perception in musicians and non-musicians to elucidate how tDCS-effects might depend on tactile expertise. On three separate days, 17 semi-professional musicians (e.g., piano or violin players) and 16 non-musicians aged 18–27 years received 15 min of 1 mA anodal (a-tDCS), cathodal (c-tDCS) or sham tDCS in a pseudorandomized design. Pre and post tDCS, tactile sensitivity (Touch Detection Task; TDT) and discrimination performance (Grating Orientation Task; GOT) were assessed. For further analysis, the weekly hours of instrument-playing and computer-typing were combined into a “tactile experience” variable. For GOT, but not TDT, a significant group effect at baseline was revealed with musicians performing better than non-musicians. TDT thresholds were significantly reduced after a-tDCS but not c-tDCS or sham stimulation. While both musicians’ and non-musicians’ performance improved after anodal stimulation, neither musical nor tactile expertise was directly associated with the magnitude of this improvement. Low performers in TDT with high tactile experience profited most from a-tDCS. We conclude that tactile expertise may facilitate somatosensory cortical plasticity and tactile learning in low performers.
Taxonomic diversity pattern and composition of fish species in the upper reaches of Ganjiang River, Jiangxi, China

Maintaining fish diversity is essential for environmental protection. To characterize the fish composition of the tributaries and mainstream in the upper reaches of the Ganjiang River, we identified seventy-five species of 15 families in 14 sampling sites. These data were analyzed using the inclusion index at the taxonomic level (TINCLi), the importance value index (IVI), the taxonomic diversity indices (Δ+ and Λ+), cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS). The results showed that the most common and dominant order was the Cypriniformes, represented most frequently by Hemiculter leucisculus among the sample sites. Most fishes were omnivorous, mountain stream or settled fish that lay sinking or viscid eggs. Most sites showed a trend of more discrete distribution from high latitude to low latitude. According to the taxonomic diversity indices, the fish taxonomic composition in the upper reaches of Ganjiang River is uneven. The Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix and nMDS showed that the habitats of the Ganjiang River were divided into four areas. The results will provide information needed for freshwater fish resource protection in the upper reaches of the Ganjiang River.
Modeling durophagous predation and mortality rates from the fossil record of gastropods

Abstract. Gastropods often show signs of unsuccessful attacks by durophagous predators in the form of healed scars in their shells. As such, fossil gastropods can be taken as providing a record of predation through geological time. However, interpreting the number of such scars has proved to be problematic—Would a low number of scars mean a low rate of attack or a high rate of success, for example? Here we develop a model of population dynamics among individuals exposed to predation, including both lethal and nonlethal attacks. Using this model, we calculate the equilibrium distributions of ages and healed scars in the population and among fossilized specimens, based on the assumption that predation is independent of age or scar number. Based on these results, we formally show that the rates of attack and success cannot be disambiguated without further information about population structure. Nevertheless, by making the assumptions that the non-durophagous predatory death rate is both constant and low, we show that it is possible to use relatively small assemblages of gastropods to produce accurate estimates of both attack and success rates, if the overall death rate can be estimated. We consider likely violations of the assumptions in our model and what sort of information would be required to solve this problem in these more general cases. However, it is not easy to extract the relevant information from the fossil record: a variety of important biases are likely to intervene to obscure the data that gastropod assemblages may yield. Nonetheless, the model provides a theoretical framework for interpreting summary data, including for comparison between different assemblages.
Multimodal widefield fluorescence imaging with nonlinear optical microscopy workflow for noninvasive oral epithelial neoplasia detection: a preclinical study

Abstract. Significance: Early detection of epithelial cancers and precancers/neoplasia in the presence of benign lesions is challenging due to the lack of robust in vivo imaging and biopsy guidance techniques. Label-free nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) has shown promise for optical biopsy through the detection of cellular and extracellular signatures of neoplasia. Although in vivo microscopy techniques continue to be developed, the surface area imaged in microscopy is limited by the field of view. FDA-approved widefield fluorescence (WF) imaging systems that capture autofluorescence signatures of neoplasia provide molecular information at large fields of view, which may complement the cytologic and architectural information provided by NLOM. Aim: A multimodal imaging approach with high-sensitivity WF and high-resolution NLOM was investigated to identify and distinguish image-based features of neoplasia from normal and benign lesions. Approach: In vivo label-free WF imaging and NLOM was performed in preclinical hamster models of oral neoplasia and inflammation. Analyses of WF imaging, NLOM imaging, and dual modality (WF combined with NLOM) were performed. Results: WF imaging showed increased red-to-green autofluorescence ratio in neoplasia compared to inflammation and normal oral mucosa (p < 0.01). In vivo assessment of the mucosal tissue with NLOM revealed subsurface cytologic (nuclear pleomorphism) and architectural (remodeling of extracellular matrix) atypia in histologically confirmed neoplastic tissue, which were not observed in inflammation or normal mucosa. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of macroscopic and microscopic image-based features indicated improved performance (94% sensitivity and 97% specificity) of a multiscale approach over WF alone, even in the presence of benign lesions (inflammation), a common confounding factor in diagnostics. Conclusions: A multimodal imaging approach integrating strengths from WF and NLOM may be beneficial in identifying oral neoplasia. Our study could guide future studies on human oral neoplasia to further evaluate merits and limitations of multimodal workflows and inform the development of multiscale clinical imaging systems.
Evaluating the Impact of Surgeon Self-awareness by Comparing Self Versus Peer Ratings of Surgical Skill and Outcomes for Bariatric Surgery

Objective: To evaluate variation in self versus peer-assessments of surgical skill using surgical videos and compare surgeon-specific outcomes with bariatric surgery. Summary Background Data: Prior studies have demonstrated that surgeons with lower peer-reviewed ratings of surgical skill had higher complication rates after bariatric surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 25 surgeons who voluntarily submitted a video of a typical laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between 2015 and 2016. Videos were self and peer-rated using a validated instrument based on a 5-point Likert scale (5= “master surgeon” and 1= “surgeon-in-training”). Risk adjusted 30-day complication rates were compared between surgeons who over-rated and under-rated their skill based on data from 24,186 SG cases and 12,888 gastric bypass (GBP) cases. Results: individual overall self-rating of surgical skill varied between 2.5 and 5. Surgeons in the top quartile for self:peer ratings (n = 6, ratio 1.58) had lower overall mean peer-scores (2.98 vs 3.79, P = 0.0150) than surgeons in the lowest quartile (n = 6, ratio 0.94). Complication rates between top and bottom quartiles were similar after SG, however leak rates were higher with gastric bypass among surgeons who over-rated their skill with SG (0.65 vs 0.27, P = 0.0181). Surgeon experience was similar between comparison groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Self-perceptions of surgical skill varied widely. Surgeons who over-rated their skill had higher leak rates for more complex procedures. Video assessments can help identify surgeons with poor self-awareness who may benefit from a surgical coaching program.
Who Will Continuously Depend on Compression to Control Persistent or Progressive Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Despite 2 Years of Conservative Care?

Background: When a patient with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) depends on continuous compression management, that is, when interstitial fluid accumulation is continuously ongoing, surgical treatment should be considered. Physiologic surgery is considered more effective for early-stage lymphedema. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of patients with BCRL who will be compression-dependent despite 2 years of conservative care. Methods: This study included patients with BCRL who followed up for 2 years. Patients were classified into two groups (compression-dependent vs. compression-free). We identified the proportion of compression-dependent patients and predictors of compression dependence. Results: Among 208 patients, 125 (60.1%) were classified into the compression-dependent group. Compression dependence was higher in patients with direct radiotherapy to the lymph nodes (LNs), those with five or more LNs resections, and those with BCRL occurring at least 1 year after surgery. Conclusions: BCRL patients with direct radiotherapy to the LNs, extensive LN dissection, and delayed onset may be compression-dependent despite 2 years of conservative care. Initially moderate to severe BCRL and a history of cellulitis also seem to be strongly associated with compression dependence. Our results allow for the early prediction of compression-dependent patients who should be considered for physiologic surgery.
The Role of Neutrophils in Hypertension

It is well accepted that the immune system and some cells from adaptive and innate immunity are necessary for the initiation/perpetuation of arterial hypertension (AH). However, whether neutrophils are part of this group remains debatable. There is evidence showing that the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio correlates with AH and is higher in non-dipper patients. On the other hand, the experimental neutrophil depletion in mice reduces basal blood pressure. Nevertheless, their participation in AH is still controversial. Apparently, neutrophils may modulate the microenvironment in blood vessels by increasing oxidative stress, favoring endothelial disfunction. In addition, neutrophils may contribute to the tissue infiltration of immune cells, secreting chemoattractant chemokines/cytokines and promoting the proinflammatory phenotype, leading to AH development. In this work, we discuss the potential role of neutrophils in AH by analyzing different mechanisms proposed from clinical and basic studies, with a perspective on cardiovascular and renal damages relating to the hypertensive phenotype.
Effects of dexmedetomidine used to supplement analgesia with sufentanil on stress response and inflammatory response after cardiac valve replacement with CPB

Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine used to supplement analgesia with sufentanil on the stress response and inflammatory response after cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods Forty-four patients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ (New York Heart Association Ⅱ or Ⅲ), scheduled for elective cardiac valve replacement with CPB, were randomly divided into sufentanil analgesia group (group S, n=20) and dexmedetomidine supplementing sufentanil analgesia group (group DS, n=24) using a random number table.After induction of general anesthesia, the patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated.Combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia was used to maintain anesthesia.Dexmedetomidine was infused at 0.3 μg·kg-1·h-1 from closure of the chest to the end of surgery in group DS, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group S. The patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used for postoperative analgesia.PCIA solution contained sufentanil 2 μg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline in group S, or sufentanil 2 μg/kg plus dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline in group DS.The PCIA pump was set up with a 0.5 ml bolus dose, a 5 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 1.5 ml/h.Visual analogue scale score was maintained≤3.When visual analogue scale score≥4, morphine 0.1 mg/kg was injected intravenously.The occurrence of analgesics-related respiratory depression, bradycardia and hypotension was recorded.At the end of surgery (T0), and 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery (T1-4), blood samples were collected from the central vein for determination of serum cortisol, β-endorphin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-6 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results No analgesics-related adverse events were detected in the two groups.Compared with group S, the requirement for morphine was significantly decreased, the serum cortisol concentration was decreased at T2-4 and the serum β-endorphin, C-reactive protein concentrations were decreased at T1-4, the serum IL-2 concentrations were increased at T1-4, and the serum IL-6 concentrations were increased at T3 in group DS (P<0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine used to supplement analgesia with sufentanil can alleviate the stress response and inflammatory response after cardiac valve replacement with CPB. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Sufentanil; Pain, postoperative; Oxidative stress; Inflammation; Cardiopulmonary bypass; Heart valve prosthesis implantation
Biological Factors Moderate Trace Element Accumulation in Fish along an Environmental Concentration Gradient

Trace elements can accumulate in aquatic food webs, becoming potentially hazardous to wildlife and human health. Whereas many studies have examined mercury dynamics in freshwater environments, evidence for the bioaccumulative potential of other trace elements (e.g., arsenic) is conflicting. Trace element concentrations found in surface water of the Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada, have raised concern for potential accumulation in aquatic biota. We investigated fish from this river to better understand the influence of biological and environmental factors in trace element bioaccumulation. We analyzed 20 trace elements, and stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotopes, in the muscle tissue of 8 species. Zinc, selenium, arsenic, chromium, and nickel were detected in the majority of fish at low concentrations. However, mercury was detected in all fish and often exceeded criteria for the protection of consumers. Body size was often positively correlated with trace element concentrations. In addition, δ15N and δ13C were correlated to mercury and arsenic concentrations, indicating that mercury biomagnifies whereas arsenic biodiminishes. Spatial patterns of fish trace element concentrations did not reflect differences in surface water concentrations. These findings indicate that fish trace element concentrations are primarily moderated by biological factors, such as trophic position and body size, and are not locally restricted to areas of relatively high environmental concentrations in the Red Deer River. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:422–434. © 2020 SETAC
Health provider perspectives of electronic medication monitoring in outpatient asthma care: a qualitative investigation using the consolidated framework for implementation research

Abstract Objective Little is known about the implementation challenges health providers might face with the use of digital health in outpatient asthma care. To qualitatively explore the experience of health providers with electronic medication monitoring (EMM) using an implementation science framework. Methods Using the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR), we conducted interviews (n = 10) exploring health providers’ experience with EMM with asthma patients from 5 primary care or specialty clinics. The EMM tracked albuterol and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use, and health providers called parents whenever ICS adherence waned, or albuterol use increased. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and deductively analyzed using directed content analysis. Results Health providers reported the intervention’s primary advantage, compared with current asthma care, was the ability to monitor medication use at-home. Most felt the intervention improved care delivery. Nurses and medical assistants described a process of phone calls and checking alerts, that had varying levels of administrative burden and complexity. Health providers felt that sustained implementation of the intervention model would require additional employees to handle the administrative and clinical workload. Half of the interviewed providers were unsure if patient needs were met by the intervention, while some cited technology syncing issues, others liked the enhanced interactions for asthma education. Conclusion Health providers reported positive experiences supporting parents and children with asthma using EMM but also highlighted intervention components that needed improvement or refinement to yield successful implementation in outpatient pediatric clinics. Recommendations for enhancing the intervention for a scaled-up implementation were discussed.