Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
XPD Polymorphisms and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Cancer is associated with genetic variants of DNA repair genes that alter DNA repair capacity. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relations between the rs13181 and rs1799793 XPD gene polymorphisms and risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and gastric cancer. Methods: Relevant publications were systematically sought from Web of Science, Pubmed, and China Academic Journals Full-text Database. The selection of eligible studies was performed by 2 independent authors. A total of 32 case-control studies were included. Meta-analyses were undertaken in all study participants and each ethnic group. Results: The risk of HCC was significantly increased with the XPD rs13181 G allele (P = 0.028, pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.80) in all study participants. A subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that the association was significant in Chinese (P = 0.009, pooled OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.11-2.02), but not in Caucasians (P = 0.619, pooled OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.64-2.13). Meta-analysis of the XPD rs1799793 polymorphism and HCC showed an association between its variant T allele and increased HCC risk in all study participants (P = 0.017, pooled OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04-1.46, all Chinese). Our results showed no associations between the XPD rs13181 G allele and rs1799793 T allele and gastric cancer risk (rs13181: P = 0.298, pooled OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.92-1.31; rs1799793: P = 0.068, pooled OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.98-1.74). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that the XPD rs13181 G allele and rs1799793 T allele have significant associations with HCC and may be risk factors for HCC in the Chinese population. Current evidence indicated that they are not related to gastric cancer risk.
TauIQ: A Canonical Image Based Algorithm to Quantify Tau PET Scans

Visual Abstract Recently, AmyloidIQ was introduced as a new canonical image-based algorithm to quantify amyloid PET scans and demonstrated increased power over traditional SUV ratio (SUVR) approaches when assessed in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. We build further on this mathematical framework to develop a TauIQ algorithm for the quantitative analysis of the more complex spatial distribution displayed by tau PET radiotracers. Methods: Cross-sectional (n = 615) and longitudinal (n = 149) 18F-flortaucipir data were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative along with necessary adjunct amyloid PET and T1-weighted structural MRI data. A subset of these data were used to derive a chronological tau dataset, using AmyloidIQ analysis of associated amyloid PET data to calculate the subject’s temporal position in the canonical AD disease process, from which canonical images for the nonspecific and specific binding components of 18F-flortaucipir in AD were calculated. These 2 canonical images were incorporated into the TauIQ algorithm that enables the quantification of both global and local tau outcome measures using an image-based regression and statistical parametric analysis of the initial residual image. Performance of the TauIQ algorithm was compared with SUVR approaches for cross-sectional analyses, longitudinal analyses, and correlation with clinical measures (Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale [ADAS-Cog], Clinical Dementia Rating scale–sum of boxes [CDR-SB], and Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]). Results: TauIQ successfully calculated global tau load (TauL) in all 791 scans analyzed (range, −3.5% to 185.2%; mean ± SD, 23% ± 20.5%) with a nonzero additional local tau component being required in 31% of all scans (cognitively normal [CN], 22%; mild cognitive impairment [MCI], 35%; dementia, 72%). TauIQ was compared with the best SUVR approach in the cross-sectional analysis (TauL increase in effect size: CN− vs. CN+, +45%; CN− vs. MCI+, −5.6%; CN− vs. dementia+, +2.3%) (+/− indicates amyloid-positive or -negative) and correlation with clinical scores (TauL increase in r2: CDR-SB+, 7%; MMSE+, 38%; ADAS-Cog+, 0%). TauIQ substantially outperformed SUVR approaches in the longitudinal analysis (TauIQ increase in power: CN+, >3.2-fold; MCI+, >2.2-fold; dementia+, >2.9-fold). Conclusion: TauL as calculated by TauIQ provides a superior approach for the quantification of tau PET data. In particular, it provides a substantial improvement in power for longitudinal analyses and the early detection of tau deposition and thus should have significant value for clinical imaging trials in AD that are investigating the attenuation of tau deposition with novel therapies.
Latent Class Analysis of Multiple Health Risk Behaviors among Australian University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress

University students have high rates of health risk behaviors and psychological distress. This study explores patterns of health behaviors among a sample of Australian university students, and determines whether patterns of health behaviors are associated with psychological distress and demographic characteristics. Cross-sectional data from the University of Newcastle Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2019 were analyzed. Fruit and vegetable intake, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, alcohol intake, drug use, sleep and psychological distress were assessed. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of health risk behaviors, and latent class regression to explore associations between psychological distress and demographic characteristics with health behavior classes. Analysis included 1965 students (mean age 25.8 ± 8.6 years, 70.7% female). Three patterns of health behaviors were identified: healthier (48.6%), moderate (40.2%) and unhealthy (11.2%) lifestyle classes. Students in the moderate and unhealthy lifestyle classes had higher odds of moderate (OR 1.43 and 2.37) and high/very high psychological distress risk (OR 2.71 and 11.69). Students in the unhealthy and moderate lifestyle classes had a higher odds of being male, younger, enrolled in transition to university and English language courses, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and to report some financial difficulty. Study findings may be used to inform the design of mental health interventions for university students that target key health risk behaviors.
Determination of Organochloride and Triazine Pesticides in Natural Waters by Solvent Bar Microextraction

A new analytical methodology based on solvent bar microextraction has been developed to preconcentrate two triazine and two organochloride pesticides in natural waters prior to analysis by gas chromatography. The method was optimized for the organic solvent, sample pH, sample agitation, length of the fiber, extraction time, and salt concentration. The optimized methodology provides high enrichment factors, ranging between 40.2 (aldrin) to 107.0 (lindane). Since no salinity effects were observed, this method may be used to analyze fresh and salt water. Thus, three real samples with different salinities were analyzed with pesticide recoveries higher than 80%. As this methodology agreed with the principles of green analytical chemistry, it offers low solvent and sample consumption, simplicity, and compatibility with current analytical techniques.
Tracheitis hospital admissions are associated with Asia dust storm

ABSTRACT The risks of tracheitis have been widely studied, but no investigation has yet to assess the impact of air pollutants on tracheitis hospital admissions. This research explores the relationship between Asia dust storm (ADS) and tracheitis hospital admissions, by using a Poisson time-series model on the 2000–2012 National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRB) from Taiwan and linking air pollutants and temperature data. From a total of 126,013 tracheitis hospital admissions, the average number of daily tracheitis hospital admissions is 26.53 and increases 10% notably one day after ADS. The empirical result shows that ADS does significantly affect tracheitis hospital admissions 3 and 5 days after an event for the overall sample and 2–4 days after it for females. For the age group <45, the number significantly increases 3–4 days after ADS, revealing that ADS has a prolonged effect on tracheitis hospital admissions.
How Semiphysiological Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling Incorporating Active Hepatic Uptake Supports Phase II Dose Selection of RO7049389, A Novel Anti–Hepatitis B Virus Drug

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of RO7049389, a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein allosteric modulator of class I, and of its active metabolite M5 were studied in fasted and fed conditions after single and multiple once‐a‐day and twice‐a‐day doses in healthy subjects and patients with HBV. The nonlinearity of the pharmacokinetics, the large variability, the small sample size per dose arms, the higher plasma exposure in Asians, and the heterogeneity in patient baseline characteristics seen in phase I studies made the ethnic sensitivity assessment and the selection of the recommended phase II dose difficult. A population PK model, simultaneously modeling RO7049389 and M5, was developed to characterize the complex PK, quantify ethnicity (i.e., Asian vs. non‐Asian) and gender effects on the PK of RO7049389 and M5, and infer the quantity of RO7049389 in liver relative to plasma. Exposures in the liver are of particular importance for dose selection since the liver is the site of action of the compound. The model described and reproduced the population PK profiles as well as the between‐subject variability of RO7049389 and its metabolite. It could show that the PK is similar between healthy subjects and in HBV patients, once the ethnicity and gender effects are accounted for. The model predicts that, despite a large difference in the plasma exposure of RO7049389 between Asians and non‐Asians, the exposure in the liver is comparable, allowing the use of the same dose to treat Asian and non‐Asian patients. This model provides a valuable basis to develop this new anti‐HBV drug and to define optimal dosing.
Mesoporous molecular sieves MCM-41 with a hollow tubular morphology

The synthesis of the MCM-41 materials with novel hollow tubular morphology in high alkaline condition was studied in detail. The tubular structure can be obtained in a narrow range of water/C16TMAB molar ratio, in which lamellar membranes consisting of the hexagonal arrangement of rod micelles exist. Tubular structures result from a membrane-to-tubules transformation. Adding a proper amount of salts into the synthesis gel of higher water/C16TMAB molar ratio can help forming tubular structure. Temperature of the reaction system has to be controlled near 30 °C in order to obtain the tubular MCM-41. Incorporation of aluminum into the framework affects the morphology and crystallinity of resultant MCM-41 products. But the stirring rate does not have an appreciable effect on the formation of tubular morphology. The sample synthesized with the C16TMACl−silicate system with a suitable water content leads to about 70% in tubular morphology, and the hexagonal structure of MCM-41 channels was formed from a lamellar.
What We Have Learned from Two Decades of Epidemics and Pandemics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Psychological Burden of Frontline Healthcare Workers

In light of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and potential future infectious disease outbreaks, a comprehensive understanding of the negative effects of epidemics and pandemics on healthcare workers’ mental health could inform appropriate support interventions. Thus, we aimed to synthesize and quantify the psychological and psychosomatic symptoms among frontline medical staff. We searched four databases up to March 19, 2020 and additional literature, with daily search alerts set up until October 26, 2020. Studies reporting psychological and/or psychosomatic symptoms of healthcare workers caring for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome, H1N1, Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome, or COVID-19 were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently conducted the search, study selection, quality appraisal, data extraction, and synthesis and involved a third reviewer in case of disagreement. We used random effects modeling to estimate the overall prevalence rates of psychological/psychosomatic symptoms and the I2 statistic. We included 86 studies, reporting data from 75,991 participants. Frontline staff showed a wide range of symptoms, including concern about transmitting the virus to the family (60.39%, 95% CI 42.53–76.96), perceived stress (56.77%, 95% CI 34.21–77.95), concerns about own health (45.97%, 95% CI 31.08–61.23), sleeping difficulties (39.88%, 95% CI 27.70–52.72), burnout (31.81%, 95% CI 13.32–53.89), symptoms of depression (25.72%, 95% CI 18.34–33.86), symptoms of anxiety (25.36%, 95% CI 17.90–33.64), symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (24.51%, 95% CI 18.16–31.46), mental health issues (23.11%, 95% CI 15.98–31.10), and symptoms of somatization (14.68%, 95% CI 10.67–19.18). We found consistent evidence for the pervasive and profound impact of large-scale outbreaks on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers. As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, guaranteeing easy access to support structures for the entire healthcare workforce is vitally important.
Stent-assisted coiling of cerebral aneurysms: Head to head comparison between the Neuroform Atlas and EZ stents

Background The Neuroform Atlas stent is thought to have features allowing for an improved stent delivery system. We aimed to provide a comparison of the Atlas and Neuroform EZ stents in patients treated with stent-assisted coiling. Methods Seventy-seven aneurysms treated with the Atlas stent and 77 aneurysms with similar characteristics treated with the EZ stent were retrospectively compared. Outcomes included angiographic occlusion per the Raymond–Roy (RR) scale, recanalization, retreatment and procedural complications. Results With the Atlas stent, technical success was 100% and immediate RR1 occlusion was 81.8%. Follow-up RR1 was achieved in 83.7%. The recanalization rate was 7% and the retreatment rate was 4.6%. The complication rate was 6.5% (new neurological deficit in 1.3%). With the EZ stent, technical success was 96%, immediate RR1 occlusion was 67.6% and follow-up RR1 was 67.6%. The recanalization rate was 12.7% and the retreatment rate was 14.1%. The complication rate was 10.4% (new neurological deficit in 2.6%). The rate of immediate RR1 occlusion was significantly higher with the Atlas stent (p = 0.03), and the rate of follow-up RR1 was nonsignificantly higher with the Atlas stent (p = 0.08). The retreatment rate was significantly lower with the Atlas stent (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences in the rates of recanalization (p = 0.5) and complications (p = 0.6). Conclusions Stent-assisted coiling with the Atlas stent is safe and effective and shows better immediate results as compared to the EZ stent, with improved overall follow-up outcomes.
Maternal Factors Associated with Levels of Fatty Acids, Specifically n-3 PUFA during Pregnancy: ECLIPSES Study

An optimal fatty acid (FA) profile during pregnancy, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is essential for the health of the mother and child. Our aim was to identify the socioeconomic and maternal lifestyle factors associated with serum FA concentration in pregnant women. A longitudinal study was conducted on 479 pregnant women, who were assessed during the first (T1) and third (T3) trimesters of pregnancy. Data on maternal characteristics, food consumption, and lifestyle were collected. Serum FA concentrations were analysed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combination. The multiple linear regression showed that high educational level and older age were significantly associated with higher EPA and DHA concentrations and lower values of n-6/n-3 and arachidonic acid (AA)/EPA in T1 and/or T3. Regarding diet—fish and seafood consumption increased EPA concentration and reduced n-6/n-3 and AA/EPA values in both trimesters, whereas its consumption increased DHA concentration only in T1. Smoking was associated with lower DHA concentration in T1 and higher values of n-6/n-3 ratio in both trimester. Overweight and obesity were associated with higher values of n-6/n-3 ratio and AA/EPA ratio in T1. A statistically non-significant association was observed with saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In conclusion, high educational levels, older age, fish, seafood consumption, and/or non-smoking, are factors that influence better omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) profile in both trimesters of pregnancy. Further research is needed to go in-depth into these findings and their health consequences.
Genetic Diversities and Historical Dynamics of Native Ethiopian Horse Populations (Equus caballus) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Polymorphisms

Matrilineal genetic diversity and relationship were investigated among eight morphologically identified native Ethiopian horse populations using polymorphisms in 46 mtDNA D-loop sequences (454 base pairs). The horse populations identified were Abyssinian, Bale, Borana, Horro, Kafa, Kundido feral horses, Ogaden and Selale. Mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences were characterized by 15 variable sites that defined five different haplotypes. All genetic diversity estimates, including Reynolds’ linearized genetic distance, genetic differentiation (FST) and nucleotide sequence divergence (DA), revealed a low genetic differentiation in native Ethiopian horse populations. However, Kundido feral and Borana domestic horses were slightly diverged from the rest of the Ethiopian horse populations. We also tried to shed some light on the matrilineal genetic root of native Ethiopian horses from a network constructed by combining newly generated haplotypes and reference haplotypes deposited in the GenBank for Eurasian type Turkish Anatolian horses that were used as a genetic conduit between Eurasian and African horse populations. Ninety-two haplotypes were generated from the combined Ethio-Eurasian mtDNA D-loop sequences. A network reconstructed from the combined haplotypes using Median-Joining algorithm showed that haplotypes generated from native Ethiopian horses formed separate clusters. The present result encourages further investigation of the genetic origin of native African horses by retrieving additional mtDNA sequences deposited in the GenBank for African and Eurasian type horses.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID‐19 in people living with HIV in Belgium: A multicenter, retrospective cohort

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Belgium. We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort analysis of PLWH with either laboratory‐confirmed, radiologically diagnosed, or clinically suspected COVID‐19 between February 15, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The primary endpoint was outcome of COVID‐19. Secondary endpoints included rate of hospitalization and length of hospital stay and rate of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation. One hundred and one patients were included in this study. Patients were categorized as having either laboratory‐confirmed (n = 65), radiologically‐diagnosed (n = 3), or clinically suspected COVID‐19 (n = 33). The median age was 51.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 41.3–57.3) and 44% were female. Ninety‐four percent of patients were virologically suppressed and 67% had a CD4+ cell count more than or equal to 500 cells/µl. Overall, 46% of patients required hospitalization and the median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR 3–15). Age more than or equal to 50 years, Black Sub‐Saharan African patients, and being on an integrase strand transfer inhibitor‐based regimen were associated with being hospitalized. ICU admission and mechanical ventilation was required for 15% and 10% of all patients respectively. Overall, 9% of patients died while 78 (77%) patients made a full recovery. HIV patients with COVID‐19 experienced a high degree of hospitalization despite having elevated CD4+ cell counts and a high rate of virologic suppression. Matched case‐control studies are warranted to measure the impact that HIV may have on patients with COVID‐19.
Identification and stratification of systemic lupus erythematosus patients into two transcriptionally distinct clusters based on IFN-I signature

Objective Despite the significant advancement in the understanding of the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) variable clinical response to newer therapies remain a major concern, especially for patients with lupus nephritis and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). We performed this study with an objective to comprehensively characterize Indian SLE patients with renal and neuropsychiatric manifestation with respect to their gene signature, cytokine profile and immune cell phenotypes. Methods We characterized 68 Indian SLE subjects with diverse clinical profiles and disease activity and tried to identify differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways. To understand the temporal profile, same patients were followed at 6 and 12-months intervals. Additionally, auto-antibody profile, levels of various chemokines, cytokines and the proportion of different immune cells and their activation status were captured in these subjects. Results Multiple IFN-related pathways were enriched with significant increase in IFN-I gene signature in SLE patients as compared to normal healthy volunteers (NHV). We identified two transcriptionally distinct clusters within the same cohort of SLE patients with differential immune cell activation status, auto-antibody as well as plasma chemokines and cytokines profile. Conclusions Identification of two distinct clusters of patients based on IFN-I signature provided new insights into the heterogeneity of underlying disease pathogenesis of Indian SLE cohort. Importantly, patient within those clusters retain their distinct expression dynamics of IFN-I signature over the time course of one year despite change in disease activity. This study will guide clinicians and researchers while designing future clinical trials on Indian SLE cohort.
No change in neurodevelopment at 11 years after extremely preterm birth

Objective To determine whether improvements in school age outcomes had occurred between two cohorts of births at 22–25 weeks of gestation to women residents in England in 1995 and 2006. Design Longitudinal national cohort studies. Setting School-based or home-based assessments at 11 years of age. Participants EPICure2 cohort of births at 22–26 weeks of gestation in England during 2006: a sample of 200 of 1031 survivors were evaluated; outcomes for 112 children born at 22–25 weeks of gestation were compared with those of 176 born in England during 1995 from the EPICure cohort. Classroom controls for each group acted as a reference population. Main outcome measures Standardised measures of cognition and academic attainment were combined with parent report of other impairments to estimate overall neurodevelopmental status. Results At 11 years in EPICure2, 18% had severe and 20% moderate impairments. Comparing births at 22–25 weeks in EPICure2 (n=112), 26% had severe and 21% moderate impairment compared with 18% and 32%, respectively, in EPICure. After adjustment, the OR of moderate or severe neurodevelopmental impairment in 2006 compared with 1995 was 0.76 (95% CI 0.45 to 1.31, p=0.32). IQ scores were similar in 1995 (mean 82.7, SD 18.4) and 2006 (81.4, SD 19.2), adjusted difference in mean z-scores 0.2 SD (95% CI −0.2 to 0.6), as were attainment test scores. The use of multiple imputation did not alter these findings. Conclusion Improvements in care and survival between 1995 and 2006 are not paralleled by improved cognitive or educational outcomes or a reduced rate of neurodevelopmental impairment.