Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opium of the people? National identification predicts well-being over time.

Social group membership and its social-relational corollaries, for example, social contact, trust, and support, are prophylactic for health. Research has tended to focus on how direct social interactions between members of small-scale groups (i.e., a local sports team or community group) are conducive to positive health outcomes. The current study provides evidence from a longitudinal cross-cultural sample (N = 6,748; 18 countries/societies) that the prophylactic effect of group membership is not isolated to small-scale groups, and that members of groups do not have to directly interact, or in fact know of each other to benefit from membership. Our longitudinal analyses suggest that national identification (strength of association with the country/society of which one is a citizen) predicts lower anxiety and improved health; national identification was in fact almost as positively predictive of health status as anxiety was negatively predictive. The findings indicate that identification with large-scale groups, like small-scale groups, is palliative, and are discussed in terms of globalization and banal nationalism.
An Artificial Neural Network Approach and a Data Augmentation Algorithm to Systematize the Diagnosis of Deep-Vein Thrombosis by Using Wells’ Criteria

The use of a back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) to systematize the reliability of a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) diagnostic by using Wells’ criteria is introduced herein. In this paper, a new ANN model is proposed to improve the Accuracy when dealing with a highly unbalanced dataset. To create the training dataset, a new data augmentation algorithm based on statistical data known as the prevalence of DVT of real cases reported in literature and from the public hospital is proposed. The above is used to generate one dataset of 10,000 synthetic cases. Each synthetic case has nine risk factors according to Wells’ criteria and also the use of two additional factors, such as gender and age, is proposed. According to interviews with medical specialists, a training scheme was established. In addition, a new algorithm is presented to improve the Accuracy and Sensitivity/Recall. According to the proposed algorithm, two thresholds of decision were found, the first one is 0.484, which is to improve Accuracy. The other one is 0.138 to improve Sensitivity/Recall. The Accuracy achieved is 90.99%, which is greater than that obtained with other related machine learning methods. The proposed ANN model was validated performing the k-fold cross validation technique using a dataset with 10,000 synthetic cases. The test was performed by using 59 real cases obtained from a regional hospital, achieving an Accuracy of 98.30%.
Boundary Seeking GANs

Generative adversarial networks are a learning framework that rely on training a discriminator to estimate a measure of difference between a target and generated distributions. GANs, as normally formulated, rely on the generated samples being completely differentiable w.r. t. the generative parameters, and thus do not work for discrete data. We introduce a method for training GANs with discrete data that uses the estimated difference measure from the discriminator to compute importance weights for generated samples, thus providing a policy gradient for training the generator. The importance weights have a strong connection to the decision boundary of the discriminator, and we call our method boundary-seeking GANs (BGANs). We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm with discrete image and character-based natural language generation. In addition, the boundary-seeking objective extends to continuous data, which can be used to improve stability of training, and we demonstrate this on Celeba, Large-scale Scene Understanding (LSUN) bedrooms, and Imagenet without conditioning.
Changing case fatality risk for COVID-19 over time in selected European countries

Objectives To illustrate the development of the case fatality risk (CFR) for COVID-19 over time using different assumptions for calculating the CFR. Design Observational study. Setting Selected European countries, 28 January to October 29 2020. Participants Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths due to COVID-19 Main outcome measure case fatality risk (CFR) Results We show that the CFR has considerably decreased over time. This seems to be driven not only by increased testing but also by a reduced CFR among cases older than 60 years. Our data also confirm a significantly higher fatality risk for men than for women. The decline in the CFR is even more pronounced when only cases and deaths occurring in a specified time window are considered. This alternative estimation method has the advantage that early data where the bias due to the incomplete ascertainment of cases was arguably largest do not affect CFR estimates later on. We find similar results for other European countries. Conclusion CFR estimates vary considerably depending on the underlying assumptions concerning their calculation. Reliable CFR estimates should not be based on cumulative numbers from the beginning of the pandemic but rather be based on more recent data only.
Serum eosinophilic cationic protein is correlated with food impaction and endoscopic severity in eosinophilic esophagitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of the present study was to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and the correlation of ECP with clinical, histopathological, laboratory, and endoscopic features of EoE. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen patients with EoE and 14 healthy controls were included in the study. Demographic parameters were recorded. EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS) was calculated according to endoscopic features, and esophageal biopsies were obtained by a single experienced endoscopist in a patient group. Serum ECP levels (μg/mL), absolute eosinophil count (U/mm3), and maximum peak of eosinophils/high-power field in esophageal biopsies were analyzed. RESULTS The median age of all participants was 33.0 (min-max: 18-46) years. There were 27 (93.1%) male patients. Serum ECP level was significantly higher in patients with EoE than in healthy volunteers (20.4 vs. 8.8, p<0.0001). According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, ECP had 80% sensitivity and 92.8% specificity to diagnose EoE with a cut-off value of 13.9 µg/mL (area under the ROC curve 0.895; p<0.0001; 95% CI: 0.725-0.978). EREFS (p<0.0001) and the presence of food impaction (p=0.04) were significantly correlated with ECP. CONCLUSION Serum ECP is an accurate non-invasive biomarker for EoE with high specificity and sensitivity. In addition, ECP is strongly correlated with EREFS and the symptom of food impaction.
The relationship between gastric microbiota and gastric disease

Abstract Traditionally, the stomach was believed to be a sterile organ unsuitable for microbiota growth. However, the discovery of H. pylori subverted this conception. With the development of molecular techniques, an abundance of microbiota of great diversity was found in the stomach. In addition, various lines of evidence suggest that the gastric microbiota plays a critical role in the development and progression of the gastric disease.The gastrointestinal microbiome plays an important role in various physiologic and pathologic processes.
Angiopoietin‐like protein 4 deficiency augments liver fibrosis in liver diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice through enhanced free cholesterol accumulation in hepatic stellate cells

We recently reported that lipoprotein lipase (LPL)‐mediated free cholesterol (FC) accumulation in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) augmented liver fibrosis in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of the present study was to explore the role of angiopoietin‐like protein 4 (Angptl4), an LPL inhibitor, in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in NASH.
Platelet Transfusion for PDA Closure in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In this RCT, we evaluated a liberal platelet-transfusion strategy as a novel therapeutic intervention for hs-PDA among thrombocytopenic preterm infants. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thrombocytopenia is associated with late closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). There are few studies evaluating platelet transfusions to treat PDA. We compared liberal platelet-transfusion criteria (to maintain a platelet count >100 000 per µL) versus standard criteria achieve earlier PDA closure among thrombocytopenic preterm neonates (<35 weeks’ gestation) with hemodynamically significant PDA (hs-PDA) presenting within the first 2 weeks of life. METHODS: Thrombocytopenic (<100 000 per µL) preterm neonates with hs-PDA were enrolled and randomly allocated to the liberal and standard transfusion groups: 22 in each arm. They underwent echocardiography daily until closure of PDA, completion of 120 hours follow-up, or death. All subjects received standard cotreatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Primary outcome of time to PDA closure was compared by survival analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression was performed with randomization group, baseline platelet count, gestational age, and age at enrollment as predictor variables. RESULTS: Median time to PDA closure was 72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.9–88.1) versus 72 (95% CI 45.5–98.4) hours in the liberal versus restrictive transfusion groups, respectively (unadjusted hazard ratio 0.88 [95% CI 0.4–1.9]; P = .697). Despite adjusting for potential confounders, there was no significant difference in time to PDA closure. In the liberal transfusion group, 40.9% of infants had any grade of intraventricular hemorrhage compared with 9.1% in the restrictive group (P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Attempting to maintain a platelet count >100 000 per µL by liberally transfusing platelets in preterm thrombocytopenic neonates with hs-PDA does not hasten PDA closure.
Combined laser assisted treatment for permanent hair removal for skin types I‐V with Alexandrite 755 nm and ND:YAG 1064 nm lasers

This retrospective cohort study regarding hair removal procedures considers all the data collected in three different clinical centers from 2017 to 2019. The device used to perform the treatments was composed of an Alexandrite 755 nm and an Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser, that delivered both wavelengths in a blended simultaneous emission (Thunder MT, Quanta System, Samarate, Italy). The improvement evaluated after five sessions of treatment by an external referee was: 83.0% for armpits, 82.1% for the bikini line, 82.2% for legs, 79.6% for thorax, and 81.6% for the back. The collected temporary skin reaction data reported in this study were all acceptable and transitory resolving in less than 1 week. The level of erythema and perifollicular edema were all signs of the reached treatment endpoint. First degree burns, hyper, and hypopigmentation were also reported in a few cases but these, all resolved before the follow‐up visit without any permanent skin effects. No adverse effects were thus reported to have happened. This retrospective study demonstrates the efficacy of combining Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers in a mixed modality with simultaneous emission. This technology permitted to treat patients with skin types I‐V without any reported permanent side effects and with a high pain tolerability compared to the use of Nd:YAG in single mode.
Psychostimulant Use and Fatal Stroke in Young Adults

Psychostimulant use is associated with increased stroke risk. To determine the proportion of psychostimulant users among fatal strokes in young adults (15–44 years), all cases were retrieved from the National Coronial Information System (1/1/2009–31/12/2016). A total of 279 cases were identified: hemorrhagic (259), ischemic (8), thrombotic (8), and mycotic (4). Fifty (17.9%) were identified as psychostimulant users. Psychostimulants in blood were detected in 37/45 where toxicology was available, predominantly methamphetamine (32/45). Hemorrhagic strokes in the psychostimulant group were more likely to be intraparenchymal (OR 2.33). Psychostimulant users were less likely to be obese (OR 0.31), but more likely to have a history of tobacco use (OR 2.64). No psychostimulant user had a previous stroke history, was gravid/postpartum, or diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis or endocarditis. The work illustrates the substantial role of psychostimulant use in fatal strokes among young adults. In cases of hemorrhagic stroke among young adults, psychostimulant use should be considered.
Cross-sectional study of patients with axial spondyloarthritis fulfilling imaging arm of ASAS classification criteria: baseline clinical characteristics and subset differences in a single-centre cohort

Objective This study compared demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between patients with radiographic and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods In this single-centre cross-sectional study, a total of 246 patients with axSpA fulfilling the imaging arm of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria were recruited. A total of 140 patients were diagnosed as non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), and 106 patients had ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Sociodemographic characteristics, disease manifestations, clinical and laboratory disease activity and their differences between subsets were analysed. P values below 0.05 with CI 95% were considered statistically significant. Results More nr-axSpA patients were women (61.4%) compared with 24.7% of AS patients. First symptoms developed earlier in AS patients compared with nr-axSpA (23.0 (IQR 17.5–30.0) vs 27.8 (IQR 21.0–33.7) years, p=0.001). Disease manifestations did not differ, but patients with nr-axSpA experienced peripheral arthritis more frequently (35.7% vs 17.0%, p=0.001) with less hip involvement (8.6% vs 18.9%, p=0.022) compared with patients with AS. Patients with AS exhibited worse spinal mobility and physical function compared with nr-axSpA. AS Disease Activity Scores and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with AS compared with nr-axSpA (2.4 (IQR 1.7–2.8) vs 2.0 (IQR 1.1–2.3), p=0.022 and 7.1 (IQR 2.6–14.9) vs 2.5 (IQR 0.8–8.2) mg/L, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions Our data demonstrated some known and also novel differences between the two imaging arm fulfilling axSpA subgroups. Non-radiographic patients were mostly women who had experienced shorter disease duration, milder disease activity and better functional status with less hip involvement but more peripheral arthritis compared with patients with AS.
Ocoxin Oral Solution Exerts an Antitumoral Effect in Pancreatic Cancer and Reduces the Stromal-Mediated Chemoresistance

Objectives Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most aggressive cancers overcoming chemoresistance. Thus, novel compounds to complement the current antitumor agents are in need. Ocoxin oral solution (OOS) has proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antistromagenic properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of OOS in an experimental pancreatic cancer model and its implication in stroma-related chemoresistance to paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Methods Murine pancreatic carcinoma 266-6 cells were treated with OOS to analyze cell cycle and to perform a mRNA comparative microarray study. Then the viability was assessed in combination with paclitaxel and/or gemcitabine. Chemoresistance induced by the medium taken from fibroblast cultures was also investigated on 6 human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, an experimental model of pancreatic cancer was carried out to study the effect of OOS in vivo. Results Ocoxin oral solution enhances the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel and gemcitabine, while it ameliorates the chemoresistance induced by fibroblast-derived soluble factors in human pancreatic cancer cells. The OOS also promotes the regulation of the expression of genes that are altered in pancreatic carcinoma and slows down 266-6 cell pancreatic tumor development in vivo. Conclusions Ocoxin oral solution could be a potential complement to the chemotherapeutic drugs for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Cx43 Expression Correlates with Breast Cancer Metastasis in MDA-MB-231 Cells In Vitro, In a Mouse Xenograft Model and in Human Breast Cancer Tissues

Connexins regulate multiple cellular functions and are considered tumor suppressors. Connexin43 (Cx43) is frequently down-regulated in breast tumors. However, Cx43 regulation during cancer onset and metastasis is complex and context-dependent. We investigated the effect of Cx43 over-expression or knock-down on the metastatic potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and in human breast cancer tissues. MDA-MB-231 cells over-expressing (Cx43D) or down-regulating Cx43 (shCx43) were generated and used in proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. The regulation of genes/proteins implicated in progression, invasion and metastasis was assessed in vitro and in immune-compromized mice injected with MDA-MB-231, Cx43D or shCx43 cells. Primary tumor onset/growth, metastasis and overall survival of these animals was monitored and evaluated. In addition, Cx43 expression in human breast carcinoma samples was assessed by qPCR. Cx43 over-expression increased protein levels of epithelial markers E-cadherin and zonula occludens 1 expression and resulted in the sequestration of β-catenin at the cell membrane, while Cx43 knock-down induced protein expression of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin and an increased invasive potential of shCx43 cells. In vivo, in mice xenografted with breast cancer cells, Cx43 over-expression decreased tumor volume, attenuated cell metastasis to lungs and liver and increased overall mice survival. Importantly, the expression of Cx43 in triple negative human breast cancer tissues is also down-regulated. Collectively, Cx43 over-expression induced an epithelial-like phenotype in MDA-MB-231 cells and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis to secondary organs in vivo. In contrast, Cx43 knock-down in MDA-MB-231 cells induced a mesenchymal phenotype with increased cell invasion leading to an enhanced metastatic phenotype. These data provide evidence for a pivotal role of Cx43 in breast cancer metastasis and support the potential targeting of connexins in breast cancer therapy.
Skin conductance responses in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) under mental arithmetic stress

Depressive symptoms are related to abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and physiological signals that can be used to measure and evaluate such abnormalities have previously been used as indicators for diagnosing mental disorder, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, we investigate the feasibility of developing an objective measure of depressive symptoms that is based on examining physiological abnormalities in individuals when they are experiencing mental stress. To perform this, we recruited 30 patients with MDD and 31 healthy controls. Then, skin conductance (SC) was measured during five 5-min experimental phases, comprising baseline, mental stress, recovery from the stress, relaxation, and recovery from the relaxation, respectively. For each phase, the mean amplitude of the skin conductance level (MSCL), standard deviations of the SCL (SDSCL), slope of the SCL (SSCL), mean amplitude of the non-specific skin conductance responses (MSCR), number of non-specific skin conductance responses (NSCR), and power spectral density (PSD) were evaluated from the SC signals, producing 30 parameters overall (six features for each phase). These features were used as input data for a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm designed to distinguish MDD patients from healthy controls based on their physiological responses. Statistical tests showed that the main effect of task was significant in all SC features, and the main effect of group was significant in MSCL, SDSCL, SSCL, and PSD. In addition, the proposed algorithm achieved 70% accuracy, 70% sensitivity, 71% specificity, 70% positive predictive value, 71% negative predictive value in classifying MDD patients and healthy controls. These results demonstrated that it is possible to extract meaningful features that reflect changes in ANS responses to various stimuli. Using these features, detection of MDD was feasible, suggesting that SC analysis has great potential for future diagnostics and prediction of depression based on objective interpretation of depressive states.
Clinically Significant Cognitive Dysfunction in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans: Prevalence and Clinical Associations

Objective: Cognitive performance in trauma-exposed populations, such as combat Veterans, has been shown to be worse than in nonexposed peers. However, cognitive performance has typically been within the normal range (within 1 SD of normative mean), and the prevalence of clinically significant cognitive dysfunction (i.e., performance more than 1 SD below the mean on multiple measures in a domain) in younger adults with trauma exposure remains unknown. The objective of our study was to measure this. Method: We applied Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5) cutoffs for clinically significant cognitive dysfunction (>1 SD below the mean in multiple measures within a domain) in the domains of memory, executive function, and attention to a sample of combat-exposed Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND; N = 368, mean age = 31.7 years, 90% men) Veterans. We then compared psychiatric, physiological, and neural measures, as well as functional outcomes, between those with and without cognitive dysfunction. Results: Veterans with cognitive dysfunction (n = 129, 35.1%) had lower premorbid reading ability and more severe psychological distress, including increased anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep difficulties, pain, and alcohol consumption. Those with cognitive dysfunction also had worse functional outcomes, with mild but significant disability. In contrast, we found associations between outcome and age, traumatic brain injury, physiological and neural measures to be weak or not significant. Conclusions: Together, this suggests that premorbid abilities and trauma-related psychological symptoms contribute significantly to cognitive dysfunction in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, and that neurological insult and aging may play less of a role. Cognitive dysfunction may be at least partially ameliorated by treating trauma-related symptoms.