Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of neurofeedback on the self-concept of children with learning disorders

Children with learning disorders (LDs) often have a lower self-concept than their typically developing peers. Neurofeedback (NFB) treatments seem to improve the cognitive and academic performance of these children, but the effects on self-concept have not been studied. In this exploratory study, 34 right-handed children (8–11 y.o.) with LD and delayed electroencephalographic maturation responded to the Piers–Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale. One group received NFB (n = 20), and another group (n = 14) served as control, which included 9 children treated with sham-NFB and 5 on a waiting-list. A nonparametric permutation approach was used to compare the academic performance and self-concept difference (postscores – prescores) between the NFB and control groups. Given the smaller size of the control subgroups, a comparison of the percent changes between sham-NFB and the waiting-list was performed with the non-overlap of all pairs (NAP) technique. In the NFB group, the scores of reading, math, and global self-concept increased significantly, highlighting the self-concept subdomains of physical appearance, nonanxiety, popularity, and happiness. Additionally, the sham-NFB subgroup showed better outcomes than the waiting-list subgroup, perhaps due to noncontrolled factors. We found improved academic performance and self-concept in children with LDs who received NFB treatment. This study is an important exploratory step in studying a relevant treatment that seems to ameliorate symptoms of LDs such as anxiety and low self-concept.
Determination of phytoplankton community structure and biomass with HPLC-CHEMTAX and microscopic methods during winter and summer in the Qinzhou Bay of the Beibu Gulf

The Qinzhou Bay, a typical semi-enclosed bay, is facing environmental pressure from local fast-growing industrial and aquacultural development. Dominant species of phytoplankton community (based on microscopic examination) show a trend of miniaturization, while pico-phytoplankton (based on CHEMTAX analysis) is widely distributed in Qinzhou Bay. However, most previous investigations of phytoplankton community based on microscopic method that undetected small-sized cell (< 3 μm), and limited by scarce studies on CHEMTAX analysis, the long-term dynamic data of small-size phytoplankton are lacking in Qinzhou Bay. It is recognized that combining microscopic examination with CHEMTAX analysis could provide a good taxonomic reliability for large cells and valuable information about small-size groups. In this study, microscopic examination and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-CHEMTAX analysis were employed to characterize the spatiotemporal variability of the phytoplankton community structure in Qinzhou Bay in winter and summer of 2021. The results of microscopic observations showed that the phytoplankton community was characterized by diatoms and dinoflagellates mainly. Diatoms dominated in both seasons, of which Skeletonema costatum bloom occurred in the summer. CHEMTAX analysis not only agreed well with microscopy data for diatoms and dinoflagellates, but also helped identification of other small-sized flagellates and cyanobacteria that hard to observe by microscope. The results of CHEMTAX analysis found that diatoms, prasinophytes and cryptophytes co-dominated the total chlorophyll a in winter while diatoms became the dominant group in summer. In addition, our results indicate that the proportion of small-sized flagellates has increased in the past decade in Qinzhou Bay, especially for cryptophytes. Temperature, nutrient availability, and selective grazing of oyster affected the succession of phytoplankton community from co-dominance of diatoms and flagellates in winter to absolute diatoms dominance in summer. The distribution of prasinophytes and cryptophytes on a spatial scale were related to the location of shellfish culture area and estuary, respectively, rather than by nutrients. Eutrophication, selective grazing of oyster and warming were the driving factors of long-term changes in phytoplankton composition in Qinzhou Bay. This study enhanced our understanding of entire phytoplankton community dynamics and its relationship with environmental factors in Qinzhou Bay.
Analysis of congenital hearing loss after neonatal hearing screening

Introduction Neonates undergo neonatal hearing screening to detect congenital hearing loss at an early stage. Once confirmed, it is necessary to perform an etiological workup to start appropriate treatment. The study objective was to assess the different etiologies, risk factors, and hearing results of infants with permanent hearing loss and to evaluate the efficacy and consequences of the different screening devices over the last 21 years. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort analysis for all neonatal hearing screening program referrals and performed an etiological workup in case of confirmed hearing loss. We analyzed the evolution of the etiological protocols based on these results. Results The governmental neonatal hearing screening program referred 545 infants to our center. Hearing loss was confirmed in 362 (66.4%) infants and an audiological workup was performed in 458 (84%) cases. 133 (24.4%) infants were diagnosed with permanent hearing loss. Ninety infants (56 bilateral and 34 unilateral) had sensorineural hearing loss, and the degree was predominantly moderate or profound. The most common etiology in bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was a genetic etiology (32.1%), and in unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, an anatomical abnormality (26.5%). Familial history of hearing loss was the most frequently encountered risk factor. Conclusion There is a significant number of false positives after the neonatal hearing screening. Permanent hearing loss is found only in a limited number of infants. During the 21 years of this study, we noticed an increase in etiological diagnoses, especially genetic causes, due to more advanced techniques. Genetic causes and anatomical abnormalities are the most common etiology of bilateral and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, respectively, but a portion remains unknown after extensive examinations.
Evaluating gifted students’ perceptions of the characteristics of their effective teachers

Due to the special needs of gifted students, it is crucial that their teachers are carefully selected in order to give gifted students the greatest educational experience. The study involved 120 teachers from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates along with 300 gifted students, both males (n = 144) and females (n = 156). Teachers of gifted students involved in the study were asked to complete the Preferred Teacher Characteristics Scale (PICS); additionally, teachers filled out a background questionnaire. While gifted students responded to three open-ended questions, The findings corroborated the idea that gifted students perform better in an environment where their teachers’ personalities are evident. This finding was in line with the preferences of teachers as measured by the PCIS scale, which revealed that students tended to value teachers more for their personal characteristics than for their professional ones. Many personal characteristics were highly regarded by the gifted students, who in this study believed they contributed to a teacher’s effectiveness. Personal integrity, tolerance, tenderness, friendliness, a sense of humor, and an openness to new experiences were among these characteristics.
γ-Aminobutyric acid as a biomarker of the lateralizing and monitoring drug effect in patients with magnetic resonance imaging-negative temporal lobe epilepsy

Introduction Despite verifying proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for focal localization in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), it is necessary to illustrate metabolic changes and screen for effective biomarkers for monitoring therapeutic effect. We used 1H-MRS to investigate the role of metabolic levels in MRI-negative TLE. Materials and methods Thirty-seven patients (n = 37, 14 women) and 20 healthy controls (n = 20, 11 women) were investigated by 1H-MRS. We compared the metabolite level changes in the epileptic and contralateral sides on the mesial temporal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices and analyzed their association with clinical symptoms. Results γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were significantly lower on the epileptic side (2.292 ± 0.890) than in the contralateral side (2.662 ± 0.742, p = 0.029*) in patients on the mesial temporal lobe. N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels were significantly lower on the epileptic side (7.284 ± 1.314) than on the contralateral side (7.655 ± 1.549, p = 0.034*). NAA + N-acetylaspartylglutamate levels were significantly lower on the epileptic side (7.668 ± 1.406) than on the contralateral side (8.086 ± 1.675, p = 0.032*). Glutamate levels were significantly lower on the epileptic side (7.773 ± 1.428) than on the contralateral side (8.245 ± 1.616, p = 0.040*). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was found between GABA levels in the epileptic mesial temporal lobe and tonic–clonic seizure frequency (r = −0.338, p = 0.046*). Conclusion γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a potential biomarker for lateralization and monitoring seizure frequency in MRI-negative TLE.
Chinese families' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding seizure management for children with epilepsy: a mixed-methods study

Objective This study aimed to examine Chinese families' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the management of acute seizures (AS) that occur outside the hospital in children with epilepsy (CWE) and factors that influence AS. Design A mixed-methods sequential explanatory study was conducted, which was integrated at the design and methods levels. In phase 1, a questionnaire was developed for this study, and a family functioning assessment was administered from Nov 2021 to Apr 2022. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and factors that influence AS. In phase 2, family caregivers (FCGs) were recruited from Jul to Aug 2022 to participate in a qualitative exploration, using semi-structured interviews and a combination of inductive and deductive methods. Setting The setting was five children's specialty hospitals in different regions of China. Participants The participants were FCGs of CWE. A total of 645 participants were included in the quantitative phase, and 15 FCGs (eight parents, five grandparents, and two others) were recruited for the qualitative phase. Results The FCGs' average total KAP score for AS management was 66.23 ± 15.12, with 45.42% of FCGs having a low level. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed that demographic factors, disease characteristics, and family function significantly predicted family management of AS. The three most salient themes and eight sub-themes from phase 2 were explored. The quantitative and qualitative databases were analyzed separately and combined through integration, and a conceptual model was constructed based on the individual and family self-management theory (IFSMT); the model consisted of context, knowledge, self-regulation, and promotion factors. Conclusion Chinese families have a positive attitude toward the management of out-of-hospital AS in CWE, but lack practice and related knowledge. AS management for CWE families was associated with the demographic characteristics of FCGs, epilepsy, and family characteristics. The research findings expand the existing application requirements of an Acute Seizure Action Plan and patient safety. Our results also indicate a pressing need for localized development of AS emergency medicine in family medicine, the establishment of auxiliary information systems, the utilization of caregivers' positive psychological resources, and improvements in family function for intergenerational care.
Association of early immune-related adverse events with treatment efficacy of neoadjuvant Toripalimab in resectable advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background Neoadjuvant immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 was proved promising in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been preliminarily implicated their association with treatment efficacy. Here we elucidated the early onset of irAEs associated with better clinical outcomes in a prospective study (Renaissance study). Methods We conducted the prospective study of NSCLC patients treated by neoadjuvant Toripalimab (240mg, every 3 weeks) plus double platinum-based chemotherapy from December 2020 to March 2022 at Peking University Cancer Hospital. Patients were enrolled if they have resectable IIB-IIIB NSCLC without EGFR/ALK mutation. Data were analyzed to explore the relationship between clinical outcome and irAEs after neoadjuvant treatment. A multidisciplinary team including physicians, surgeons, and radiologists, confirmed the irAEs according to the clinical manifestation. The relationship between irAEs and pathological outcomes was analyzed. The Renaissance study was approved by the Peking University Ethic board (2020YJZ58) and registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ as NCT04606303. Results Fifty-five consecutive patients were enrolled with a male-to-female ratio of 10:1, the median age was 62 years old (IQR: 45-76), of which 44 patients (80%) were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Forty-eight of 55 patients finally received thoracic surgery with a median preoperative waiting time of 67 days (IQR 39-113 days). Pathological results demonstrated that 31 (64.6%) patients achieved major pathological response (MPR) and 24 (50.0%) achieved complete pathological response (pCR). Among 48 patients who received R0 resection, immunotherapy-related thyroid dysfunction, rash/pruritus and enteritis occurred in 11 patients (22.9%), 7 patients (14.6%), and 1 patient (2.1%), respectively. Six patients (54.5%) with thyroid dysfunction achieved MPR with 5 (45.5%) achieved pCR, and a median time to onset was 45 days (IQR 21-91 days). Six patients (85.7%) with rash or pruritus achieved MPR and 5 patients (71.4%) achieved pCR, with median time to onset being 8 days (IQR 6-29 days). Furthermore, irAEs had no significant influence on operation time (170.6 min vs 165.7 min, P=0.775), intraoperative blood loss (67.4 mL vs 64.3 mL, P=0.831) and preoperative waiting time (93 days vs 97 days, P=0.630) when comparing with patients without irAEs ( Figure 1 ). Figure 1 Comparison of operation time (A), intraoperative blood loss (B), and preoperative waiting time (C) between “with irAEs” and “without irAEs”. Conclusion The immunotherapy-related rash is potentially associated with pathological outcomes in NSCLC patients after neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy, suggesting easy-to-find irAEs, such as rash, can be used as indicators to predict response to neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. Clinical trial registration clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT04606303.
Heterogeneity of resilience and the curvilinear relationship between childhood trauma and resilience among people with schizophrenia

Background As a group with a high incidence of childhood trauma, the differential characteristics of resilience in schizophrenia and its relationship with childhood trauma are still unclear. Methods A total of 626 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were selected from four psychiatric hospitals in northern China. Childhood trauma and resilience were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-short form (CTQ-SF) and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), respectively. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify the potential classes of resilience. A generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to explore and determine the shape of the relationship between childhood trauma and resilience. Results Model fits of LPA showed three heterogeneous classes of resilience: moderate resilience levels (n = 312; 49.06%); high resilience levels (n = 171; 26.89%) and low resilience levels (n = 153; 24.06%). Resilience scores fluctuated depending on amount of exposure to childhood trauma. The GAMM results verified the non-linear relationship between resilience and childhood trauma, with an estimated degree of freedom higher than 1 (4.573) and p = 0.003. RCS fitted for ordinary least square (OLS) regression models determined a smooth continuous cubic curve of resilience across childhood trauma levels, and the two turning points of the curve line were 41.04 and 54.74 for childhood trauma. Discussion Our findings confirm the people-specific differences in the level of resilience in schizophrenia and describe the cubic curvilinear relationship between childhood trauma and resilience, which provides data support for mechanistic research and intervention in related fields.
Metabolic drivers of dysglycemia in pregnancy: ethnic-specific GWAS of 146 metabolites and 1-sample Mendelian randomization analyses in a UK multi-ethnic birth cohort

Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common pregnancy complication worldwide and is associated with short- and long-term health implications for both mother and child. Prevalence of GDM varies between ethnicities, with South Asians (SAs) experiencing up to three times the risk compared to white Europeans (WEs). Recent evidence suggests that underlying metabolic difference contribute to this disparity, but an investigation of causality is required. Methods To address this, we paired metabolite and genomic data to evaluate the causal effect of 146 distinct metabolic characteristics on gestational dysglycemia in SAs and WEs. First, we performed 292 GWASs to identify ethnic-specific genetic variants associated with each metabolite (P ≤ 1 x 10-5) in the Born and Bradford cohort (3688 SA and 3354 WE women). Following this, a one-sample Mendelian Randomisation (MR) approach was applied for each metabolite against fasting glucose and 2-hr post glucose at 26-28 weeks gestation. Additional GWAS and MR on 22 composite measures of metabolite classes were also conducted. Results This study identified 15 novel genome-wide significant (GWS) SNPs associated with tyrosine in the FOXN and SLC13A2 genes and 1 novel GWS SNP (currently in no known gene) associated with acetate in SAs. Using MR approach, 14 metabolites were found to be associated with postprandial glucose in WEs, while in SAs a distinct panel of 11 metabolites were identified. Interestingly, in WEs, cholesterols were the dominant metabolite class driving with dysglycemia, while in SAs saturated fatty acids and total fatty acids were most commonly associated with dysglycemia. Discussion In summary, we confirm and demonstrate the presence of ethnic-specific causal relationships between metabolites and dysglycemia in mid-pregnancy in a UK population of SA and WE pregnant women. Future work will aim to investigate their biological mechanisms on dysglycemia and translating this work towards ethnically tailored GDM prevention strategies.
Gut microbiota derived bile acid metabolites maintain the homeostasis of gut and systemic immunity

Bile acids (BAs) as cholesterol-derived molecules play an essential role in some physiological processes such as nutrient absorption, glucose homeostasis and regulation of energy expenditure. They are synthesized in the liver as primary BAs such as cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and conjugated forms. A variety of secondary BAs such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) and their derivatives is synthesized in the intestine through the involvement of various microorganisms. In addition to essential physiological functions, BAs and their metabolites are also involved in the differentiation and functions of innate and adaptive immune cells such as macrophages (Macs), dendritic cells (DCs), myeloid derived suppressive cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Treg), Breg cells, T helper (Th)17 cells, CD4 Th1 and Th2 cells, CD8 cells, B cells and NKT cells. Dysregulation of the BAs and their metabolites also affects development of some diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. We here summarize recent advances in how BAs and their metabolites maintain gut and systemic homeostasis, including the metabolism of the BAs and their derivatives, the role of BAs and their metabolites in the differentiation and function of immune cells, and the effects of BAs and their metabolites on immune-associated disorders.
Activation effects on the physical characteristics of T lymphocytes

The deformability of leukocytes is relevant to a wide array of physiological and pathophysiological behaviors. The goal of this study is to provide a detailed, quantitative characterization of the mechanical properties of T cells and how those properties change with activation. We tested T cells and CD8+ cells isolated from peripheral blood samples of healthy donors either immediately (naïve population) or after 7 days of activation in vitro. Single-cell micropipette aspiration was used to test the mechanical properties. T cells exhibit the general characteristics of a highly viscous liquid drop with a cortical “surface” tension, T cort . The time course of each cell entry into the micropipette was measured at two different aspiration pressures to test for shear thinning behavior. The data were analyzed in the framework of an approximate mechanical model of the cell deformation to determine the cortical tension, the cell volume, the magnitude of the initial cell entry, the characteristic viscosity μ o , and the shear thinning coefficient, b. Activation generally caused increases in cellular resistance to deformation and a broadening of the distribution of cell properties. The cell volume increased substantially upon cell activation from ∼200 μm3 to ∼650 μm3. Naive and activated T cells had similar mean cortical tension (∼150 pN/μm). However, compared to naïve CD8+ cells, the cortical tension of activated CD8+ cells increased significantly to ∼250 pN/μm. Dynamic resistance of naive CD8+ T cells, as reflected in their characteristic viscosity, was ∼870 Pa and significantly increased to 1,180 Pa after in vitro activation. The magnitude of the instantaneous projection length as the cell enters the pipette (L init ) was more than doubled for activated vs. naive cells. All cell types exhibited shear thinning behavior with coefficients b in the range 0.5–0.65. Increased cell size, cortical tension, and characteristic viscosity all point to increased resistance of activated T cells to passage through the microvasculature, likely contributing to cell trapping. The increased initial elastic response of cells after activation was unexpected and could point to instability in the cell that might contribute to spontaneous cell motility.