Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelial cell-type-specific molecular requirements for angiogenesis drive fenestrated vessel development in the brain

Vascular endothelial cells (vECs) in the brain exhibit structural and functional heterogeneity. Fenestrated, permeable brain vasculature mediates neuroendocrine function, body-fluid regulation, and neural immune responses; however, its vascular formation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that specific combinations of vascular endothelial growth factors (Vegfs) are required to selectively drive fenestrated vessel formation in the zebrafish myelencephalic choroid plexus (mCP). We found that the combined, but not individual, loss of Vegfab, Vegfc, and Vegfd causes severely impaired mCP vascularization with little effect on neighboring non-fenestrated brain vessel formation, demonstrating fenestrated-vEC-specific angiogenic requirements. This Vegfs-mediated vessel-selective patterning also involves Ccbe1. Expression analyses, cell-type-specific ablation, and paracrine activity-deficient vegfc mutant characterization suggest that vEC-autonomous Vegfc and meningeal fibroblast-derived Vegfab and Vegfd are critical for mCP vascularization. These results define molecular cues and cell types critical for directing fenestrated CP vascularization and indicate that vECs’ distinct molecular requirements for angiogenesis underlie brain vessel heterogeneity.
Original experimental rat model of blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Objective Diagnosing blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is difficult due to minimal imaging findings. This study aimed to establish a rat model of behavioral abnormality caused by blast-induced mTBI and detect new findings for therapeutic intervention. Methods We used a bench-top blast wave generator with the blast wave exiting through a 20-mm I.D. nozzle aimed at the focused target. The blast wave was directed at the head of male Wistar rats under general anesthesia positioned prone 2.5 cm below the nozzle. Peak shock wave pressure was 646.2 ± 70.3 kPa. Results After blast injury, mTBI rats did not show the findings of brain hemorrhage or contusion macroscopically and on hematoxylin-eosin-stained frozen sections but did show anorexia and weight loss in the early post-injury phase. Behavioral experiments revealed short-term memory impairment at 2 weeks and depression-like behavior at 2 and 6 weeks. Diffusion-weighted ex vivo MRI showed high-intensity areas in layers of the bilateral hippocampus. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed accumulation of reactive microglia and GFAP-positive astrocytes in the same region and loss of NeuN-positive neurons in the hippocampal pyramidal cell layer. Conclusions This model can reflect the pathophysiology of blast-induced mTBI and could potentially be used to develop therapeutic interventions in the future.
Delayed cerebral thrombosis complicating bacterial meningitis

ABSTRACT Background Delayed cerebral thrombosis has been described as a potential cause of cerebrovascular complications in patients with bacterial meningitis. We report a case of delayed cerebral thrombosis in a 63-year-old woman admitted for pneumococcal meningitis. Initially, there was a good clinical evolution under treatment with steroids and antibiotics. On day 8 after admission, she was found with a decreased level of consciousness. Her neurological condition gradually worsened. Repeated brain imaging showed extensive ischemic lesions. Despite treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, the patient died. Methods A literature search was conducted. Data on patient characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome were collected. Results To date, 28 cases with delayed cerebral thrombosis following bacterial meningitis have been reported. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the pathogen in 89% of cases. Clinical deterioration occurred in all patients, with a duration varying from 5 to 40 days between admission and deterioration. Most common symptom was altered consciousness (83%), followed by hemiparesis (52%). Brain imaging typically shows new infarctions (96%). Fifty-six percent of patients were treated with corticosteroids after deterioration. Outcome was poor with mortality rate of 46%. Conclusion Delayed cerebral thrombosis presents as a clinical deterioration, typically a sudden decline in consciousness, more than 5 days after meningitis onset. Brain imaging shows new widespread ischemic lesions. Diagnosis should be made carefully, based on clinical findings and brain imaging, after excluding endocarditis. The underlying etiology remains unknown. When delayed cerebral thrombosis is suspected, high-dose corticosteroids should be started empirically. The prognosis remains poor with high mortality rates.
Intercomparison of three long-range trajectory models applied to Arctic haze

Trajectory analysis has been successfully applied as an analysis tool for atmospheric transport problems on scales ranging from 100’s to 1000’s of kilometers. A modeled trajectory is an estimate of the transport pathway of an infinitesimally small air parcel. This pathway represents an estimate of the centerline of an advected air mass subject to dispersion in the horizontal and vertical directions. These estimates are based on raw or analyzed data which have spatial and temporal gaps of up to several hundred kilometers and 12 hours, respectively. Trajectories corresponding to individual transport events thus provide, at best, an approximate indication of the mean motion of an advected air parcel.
Spray Drying of Yogurt: Optimization of Process Conditions for Improving Viability and Other Quality Attributes

Plain yogurt was subjected to spray drying to determine the optimum processing conditions that yield maximum survival ratio of lactic acid bacteria, maximum overall sensory attributes, minimum color change, and acceptable moisture content. The inlet (150–180°C) and outlet air temperatures (60–90°C) and the feed temperature (4–30°C) were the independent factors. A pilot-scale spray dryer was used to conduct a set of drying experiments where the process conditions were selected according to central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The resulting yogurt powder at each condition was also subjected to the measurement of some physical properties (water activity, titratable acidity [lactic acid, %] and pH) to determine the effects of spray-drying conditions. The morphological structure of the powder was inspected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Optimization by the application of the desirability function method resulted in air inlet temperature of 171°C, air outlet temperature of 60.5°C, and feed temperature of 15°C as the optimum processing condition. The mathematical optimum condition was experimentally verified.
Effect of solvent extraction on the gelatinisation properties of flour and starch of five cassava varieties

The gelatinisation properties of native and solvent-extracted (petroleum ether and ethanol) flour and starch processed from five cassava varieties grown in India were studied using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a Brabender amylograph. Varieties varied in their DSC peaks but these remained unaffected by solvent extraction, indicating that the DSC profiles are characteristic of these starches. In general, the gelatinisation temperatures of the flours were significantly higher than those of the starches but the enthalpy of gelatinisation was less for flour. Varietal differences were also observed in the gelatinisation profiles of starch and flour samples obtained using the Brabender amylograph. Lower viscosity values were obtained for the flour samples but values remained more stable throughout the temperature programme. In most varieties, solvent extraction of the samples caused only slight modification of the gelatinisation patterns. There was no apparent relationship between the gelatinisation properties of the starch derived from the different varieties and the size and amylose content of the starch granules. Results of these experiments indicate that differences in gelatinisation values obtained, between starch and flour samples for the same variety, are not due to the presence of sugars and fats which were removed by ethanol and petroleum ether extraction, respectively. The significant differences observed in some varieties are therefore due to the presence of other root constituents.
Variations ignored in routine wrist MRI reports: prevalence of the median nerve anatomical variations and persistent median artery

Background It is vital to know the anatomical variations of the wrist to avoid iatrogenic injuries during carpal tunnel (CT) surgery. Purpose To determine the anatomical variations of the median nerve (MN) and the prevalence of persistent median artery (PMA) on wrist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods A total of 300 wrists evaluated by MRI during 2013–2015 were retrospectively identified. While branching of the MN distal to the CT is accepted as the normal anatomy, proximal to the tunnel and within the tunnel were considered as variations. The prevalence of PMA was also evaluated. The patients were assigned to groups according to age, gender, and wrist side and compared to determine whether there was any significant difference in terms of these variations. All evaluations were assessed with the shared decision of a musculoskeletal radiologist and a radiology resident. Results Of the 300 wrists, 38 (12.7%) and 34 (11.3%) had a bifid MN proximal to the CT and within the CT, respectively. Only one nerve trifurcation was seen within the CT. The MN exhibited branching distal to the CT in 227 (76%) patients. PMA was observed in 44 (14.7%) patients. Of the 44 PMA cases, 28 (63.6%) also had a coexisting MN variation. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of MN variations and PMA in the subgroups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Nearly one in four patients (24.4%) have MN variations and 14.8% had PMA. Preoperative evaluation of these common anatomical variations with MRI will be protective against postoperative complications of CT surgery.
Glancing angle deposition: Fabrication, properties, and applications of micro- and nanostructured thin films

Physical vapor deposition under conditions of obliquely incident flux and limited adatom diffusion results in a film with a columnar microstructure. These columns will be oriented toward the vapor source and substrate rotation can be used to sculpt the columns into various morphologies. This is the basis for glancing angle deposition (GLAD), a technique for fabricating porous thin films with engineered structures. The origin of the columnar structure characteristic of GLAD films is discussed in terms of nucleation processes and structure zone models. As deposition continues, the columnar structures are influenced by atomic-scale ballistic shadowing and surface diffusion. Competitive growth is observed where the tallest columns grow at the expense of smaller features. The column shape evolves during growth, and power-law scaling behavior is observed as shown in both experimental results and theoretical simulations. Due to the porous nature of the films and the increased surface area, a variety of chemical .
Sleep, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Interventions for Sleep Improvement: An Integrative Review

Sleep disturbance in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with progression to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), more severe AD symptoms, and worse health outcomes. The aim of this review was to examine the relationship between sleep and MCI, and the effectiveness of sleep improvement interventions for older adults with MCI or AD. An integrative review was conducted using four databases, and findings were analyzed using an iterative process. Findings from 24 studies showed that alterations in sleep increased the risk of MCI and that the sleep quality of individuals with MCI or AD was poorer than healthy controls. Changes in brain anatomy were also observed in healthy older adults with sleep disturbances. Examined interventions were shown to be effective in improving sleep. Screening for sleep disturbances in individuals with MCI/AD is crucial to mitigate neurodegenerative or neurobehavioral risks in this population.
Immunotyping in tubo‐ovarian high‐grade serous carcinoma by PD‐L1 and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes predicts disease‐free survival

PD‐L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor expression was evaluated in high‐grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) ovary in the context of the overall immune landscape to determine its prognostic value. Consecutive cases of HGSC, 50 who underwent upfront surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (HGSC‐U) and 50 who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (HGSC‐PC) were selected. In HGSC‐PC cases, the pre‐NACT ascitic fluid cell blocks were included. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were scored, hotspots chosen for tissue microarray construction and immunohistochemistry performed and scored for CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets, CD68+ tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), PD‐1 and PD‐L1 expression. HGSC‐post‐chemotherapy showed increased TILs, predominantly CD8+T‐lymphocytes, compared to HGSC‐U. HGSC showed PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells and/or TAMs in 60% cases with a linear correlation to CD4+, CD8+ TIL levels. Concordant PD‐L1 expression was seen in matched pre‐ and post‐NACT tumor cells. HGSC‐PC showed higher expression of PD‐L1. There was no association of PD‐L1 cumulative proportion score or tumor cell score with outcome. Taking a cutoff for PD‐L1 CPS at 10%, immunotype I (PD‐L1+/CD‐8+), corresponding to tumors with adaptive immune evasion, showed worst disease‐free survival compared to all other immunotypes (p = 0.03) and was more significant (p = 0.01) when compared to immunotype III (PD‐L1+/CD8−). Immunotyping based on PD‐L1/CD8+ expression correlates to prognosis and outcome.
The dynamic diffusion behaviors of 2D small Fe clusters on a Fe(110) surface

In this paper, the diffusion behaviors of Fe clusters on a Fe(110) surface have been investigated using molecular dynamics simulations based on a modified analytic embedded-atom method. The stable configurations of Fe clusters are predicted to be close-packed islands configuration for Fe clusters up to nine atoms or even larger in size. The activation energy of surface diffusion exhibits an interesting, oscillatory behavior as a function of cluster size. As compared to the structures with extra atoms at the periphery, compact geometric configurations of Fe clusters (four- and seven-atom clusters) have an obviously higher activation energy. The reason is that for clusters of more than two atoms the diffusion mechanisms of 2D small clusters are achieved by the migration of extra atoms at the periphery.
Self‐rated physical fitness and measured cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition

The purpose was to examine the correlation and association between a single‐item question of self‐rated physical fitness and objective measures of fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors in a large population‐based study. Participants were 3441 men and women aged 18‐85 years who filled in a questionnaire and participated in a clinical health examination in the Danish Health Examination Survey 2007‐2008. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by an indirect maximal exercise test. Muscle strength was measured by (a) sit‐to‐stand test, (b) handgrip strength, and (c) bent arm strength. Body mass index and fat percentage were used as measures for body composition. Associations were derived from regression analyses, correlations were calculated using Spearman's correlation test, and agreement was tested by kappa statistics. Within categories of self‐rated physical fitness moving from lowest to highest, objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness increased. Self‐rated physical fitness was strongly correlated to cardiorespiratory fitness (rmen = 0.69 and rwomen = 0.65) and moderately correlated to the sit‐to‐stand test (rmen = 0.49 and rwomen = 0.48), bent arm strength (r = 0.45) and fat percentage (r = 0.46) among men, and handgrip strength among women (r =0.41). Mutually adjusted analysis showed a significant association between self‐reported physical fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness for men and women and bent arm strength for women. The single‐item question of physical fitness was correlated to cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition. However, this study suggests that it mainly captures cardiorespiratory fitness. At the population level, the single‐item question could be a useful tool to identify and monitor variation in fitness levels.
Tooth chipping prevalence and patterns in extant primates.

OBJECTIVES A tooth chip occurs when a hard object forcefully contacts the surface of the tooth, typically removing enamel from the occlusal edge. In this study, chipping patterns in extant primates were compared, and hard-object-feeding assessed alongside other factors (e.g., grit mastication and dental properties), to elucidate dietary and behavioral inferences in archeological and paleontological samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen species of extant primates were studied, including eight species within the Cercopithecidae, two within the Ceboidea, and three within the Hominoidea. Four additional species were also incorporated from the literature for some of the analyses. The severity (Grade 1-3), position (buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal) and number of tooth fractures were recorded for each specimen. RESULTS Species considered hard-object-feeding specialists presented higher rates of chipping, with sakis, mandrills, sooty mangabeys and Raffles' banded langurs having high chipping rates (28.3%, 36.7%, 48.4%, and 34.7% of teeth, respectively). Species that seasonally eat harder foods had intermediate chipping frequencies (e.g., brown woolly monkeys: 18.5%), and those that less commonly consume hard food items had the lowest chipping frequencies (e.g., Kloss gibbon: 7.3%; chimpanzees: 4.4%). DISCUSSION The results suggest hard food mastication influences differences in chipping prevalence among the species studied. Although Homo fossil samples show high rates of chipping comparable to hard-object-feeding extant primates, they display a different pattern of chipping, supporting the hypothesis that these fractures are mostly non-food related (e.g., grit mastication in Homo naledi; non-masticatory tooth use in Neanderthals).
Life is about “constant evolution”: the experience of living with an acquired brain injury in individuals who report higher or lower posttraumatic growth

Abstract Objective To explore the experience of living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in individuals who report higher or lower posttraumatic growth (PTG). Method A multi-method design was employed. Participant scores on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used to identify groups for qualitative comparative analysis. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with fourteen individuals with ABI. Data were analysed thematically. Results Four themes emerged. The first two themes: “In my mind I was fine” surviving in aftermath of acquiring a brain injury and The everyday as “derailing” capture the transition process from an initial rehabilitation state characterised by neuropsychological and avoidance coping, towards active rebuilding for PTG. Internal building blocks for PTG and Growing in the social world: “you need to have that social connection” elaborate on the internal (e.g., acceptance, integration of the pre and post-injury self) and external (e.g., social relationships) factors seen to facilitate or obstruct PTG. Conclusions Under certain conditions, individuals living with ABI may construe positive growth from their experiences. Practitioners can support PTG development by providing individual and family-based supports aimed at increasing acceptance, the integration of self, and social connection throughout all stages of ABI rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Internal factors such as having a flexible and positive mindset and external factors such as one’s social environment can affect how individuals living with an ABI construe positive growth. Individuals with ABI and their families require access to individualised longitudinal support for neuropsychological and social challenges that can result in increased distress and obstruct the development of PTG. Efforts to facilitate acceptance and support the integration of the pre and post-injury self through recognition of continuity of self and processing of new schematic beliefs can benefit PTG development. Rehabilitation providers should support individuals with ABI to develop or maintain a positive social identity within new or existing social groups.
Antagonism between germ cell-less and Torso receptor regulates transcriptional quiescence underlying germline/soma distinction

Transcriptional quiescence, an evolutionarily conserved trait, distinguishes the embryonic primordial germ cells (PGCs) from their somatic neighbors. In Drosophila melanogaster, PGCs from embryos maternally compromised for germ cell-less (gcl) misexpress somatic genes, possibly resulting in PGC loss. Recent studies documented a requirement for Gcl during proteolytic degradation of the terminal patterning determinant, Torso receptor. Here we demonstrate that the somatic determinant of female fate, Sex-lethal (Sxl), is a biologically relevant transcriptional target of Gcl. Underscoring the significance of transcriptional silencing mediated by Gcl, ectopic expression of a degradation-resistant form of Torso (torsoDeg) can activate Sxl transcription in PGCs, whereas simultaneous loss of torso-like (tsl) reinstates the quiescent status of gcl PGCs. Intriguingly, like gcl mutants, embryos derived from mothers expressing torsoDeg in the germline display aberrant spreading of pole plasm RNAs, suggesting that mutual antagonism between Gcl and Torso ensures the controlled release of germ-plasm underlying the germline/soma distinction.
Self-reported hearing handicap in adults aged 55 to 81 years is modulated by hearing abilities, frailty, mental health, and willingness to use hearing aids

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to predict outcomes of the HHI questionnaire (Hearing Handicap Inventory) using individual variables beyond pure-tone hearing thresholds. Design An extensive health-related test battery was applied including a general anamnesis, questionnaires, audiological measures, examination of visual acuity, balance, and cognition, as well as tactile- and motor skills. Based on the self-assessment of health variables and different sensory and cognitive performance measures, a frailty index was calculated to describe the health status of the participants. A stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted to predict HHI scores. Study sample A mixed sample (N = 212) of 55- to 81-year-old, participants with different hearing and aiding status completed the test battery. Results The regression analysis showed statistically significant contributions of pure-tone hearing thresholds, speech recognition in noise, age, frailty, mental health, and the willingness to use hearing aids on HHIE outcomes. Conclusions Self-reported hearing handicap assessed with the HHI questionnaire reflects various individual variables additionally to pure-tone hearing loss and speech recognition in noise. It is necessary to be aware of the influences of age and health-related variables on HHI scores when using it in research as well as in clinical settings.