Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome is a Predisposing Factor for Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis

Objective Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) causes spinal ankylosis, which can result in patients suffering specific spinal fractures that lead to a reduction in the activities of daily life in older patients. Currently, DISH is associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease; however, the association between DISH and metabolic syndrome has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate a potential association between DISH and metabolic syndrome. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from consecutive subjects undergoing the musculoskeletal health medical checkups, and enrolled 327 subjects (174 men and 153 women; mean, 63.4 ± 13.7-years). Subjects who had spinal ankylosis at least 4 contiguous vertebral bodies were classified as the DISH group (n = 39) while the others were part of the non-DISH group (n = 288). The definition of the metabolic syndrome comes from diagnostic criteria used by the Japanese Society for Internal Medicine. Age, sex, body max index (BMI), hematological evaluation, blood pressure, presence of metabolic syndrome, the visceral fat area on abdominal computed tomography, and spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) on magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. Results Compared to the non-DISH group, in the DISH group, mean age (DISH group, 74.3 years; non-DISH group, 1.9 years; p < 0.001), male prevalence were higher (DISH group, 82.1%; non-DISH group, 49.3%; p < 0.001), and BMI was greater (DISH group, 24.8; non-DISH group, 23.0; p = 0.006). the metabolic syndrome was more frequently observed in DISH group (28.9%) than in the non-DISH group (16.0%) (p = 0.045). The visceral fat area was significantly larger in the DISH group than in the non-DISH group (DISH group, 130.7 ± 58.2 cm2; Non-DISH group, 89.0 ± 48.1 cm2; p < 0.001). The prevalence of SEL was similar between the 2 groups (10.3% in the DISH group vs. 8.7% in the nonDISH group; p = 0.464). Poisson regression analysis revealed that the metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with DISH with odds ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–3.7; p = 0.004). Conclusion Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with DISH. Our data showed metabolic syndrome is potentially related to DISH.
Treatment outcomes of a CBT-based group intervention for adolescents with Internet use disorders

Abstract Background and aims Instances of Internet use disorders (IUD) including Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and non-gaming pathological Internet use (ng-PIU) have the extent that they are now a growing mental health issue. Individuals suffering from IUD show a large range of symptoms, high comorbidities and impairments in different areas of life. To date there is a lack of efficient and evidence-based treatment programs for such adolescents. The present registered single-arm trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03582839) aimed to investigate the long-term effects of a brief manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for adolescents with IUD. Methods N = 54 patients (16.7% female), aged 9–19 years (M = 13.48, SD = 1.72) received the CBT group program PROTECT+. IUD symptom severity (primary outcome variable) as well as comorbid symptoms, risk-related variables and potentially protective skills (secondary outcome variables) were assessed at pretest, posttest, as well as 4 and 12 months after admission. Results Patients showed a significant reduction in IUD symptom severity at the 12-month follow-up. Effect sizes were medium to large depending on the measure. Beyond the statistical significance, the clinical significance was confirmed using the reliable change index. Secondary outcome variables showed a significant reduction in self-reported depression, social anxiety, performance anxiety and school anxiety as well as in parental-reported general psychopathology. Discussion and conclusions The present study shows long-term effects of a manual-based CBT treatment for adolescents suffering from IUD. The results indicate that even a 4-session brief intervention can achieve a medium to large effect over 12 months. Future work is needed to confirm the efficacy within a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Use of the patientMpower App With Home-Based Spirometry to Monitor the Symptoms and Impact of Fibrotic Lung Conditions: Longitudinal Observational Study

Background Daily home-based spirometry in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been shown to be feasible and clinically informative. The patientMpower app facilitates home-based spirometry along with home-based monitoring of IPF-related symptoms. The patientMpower app can be downloaded to the user’s mobile phone or tablet device, enabling the recording of objective and subjective data. Objective The aim of this paper is to report on the 1-year experience of using patientMpower with home-based spirometry by 36 participants with self-reported pulmonary fibrosis (PF) treated with usual care. Methods Self-selecting participants enrolled in this community-based participatory research program through a patient advocacy group in their country: Irish Lung Fibrosis Association in Ireland and PF Warriors in the United States. Disease severity was comparable with a baseline mean predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) of 64% and 62% in the Irish and US participants, respectively. Both groups of participants were allocated to identical, in-country, open-label, single-group observational studies and were provided with a Bluetooth-active Spirobank Smart spirometer integrated directly with patientMpower. Data collected via patientMpower included seated FVC (daily), breathlessness grade (modified Medical Research Council scale score), step count, medication adherence, and symptoms and impact of IPF on daily life, which were measured by a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scale that was specifically developed for IPF. Longitudinal patient-reported data on oximetry and oxygen consumption were also collected. Results A large majority of the 36 participants reported that their experience using patientMpower was positive, and they wanted to continue its use after the initial 6-week observation. Out of 36 participants, 21 (58%) recorded home-based spirometry without prompting for ≥180 days, and 9 (25%) participants continued with recording home-based spirometry for ≥360 days. Conclusions The patientMpower app with associated Bluetooth-connected devices (eg, spirometer and pulse oximeter) offers an acceptable and accessible approach to collecting patient-reported objective and subjective data in fibrotic lung conditions.
IGLV3-21R110 identifies an aggressive biological subtype of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with intermediate epigenetics.

B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is crucial for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) biology. IGLV3-21-expressing B-cells may acquire a single point mutation (R110) that triggers autonomous BCR signaling conferring aggressive behavior. Epigenetic studies have defined three CLL subtypes based on methylation signatures reminiscent of naïve-like (n-CLL), intermediate (i-CLL) and memory-like B-cells (m-CLL) with different biological features. i-CLL carry a borderline IGHV mutational load and a significant higher usage of IGHV3-21/IGLV3-21. To determine the clinical and biological features of IGLV3-21R110 CLL and its relationship to these epigenetic subtypes we have characterized the immunoglobulin gene of 584 CLL cases using whole-genome/exome and RNA sequencing. IGLV3-21R110 was detected in 6.5% of cases, being 30/79 (38%) i-CLL, 5/291 (1.7%) m-CLL and 1/189 (0.5%) n-CLL. All stereotype subset #2 cases carried IGLV3-21R110 while 62% of IGLV3-21R110 i-CLL had non-stereotyped B-cell receptor immunoglobulins. IGLV3-21R110 i-CLL had significantly higher number of SF3B1 and ATM mutations, and total number of driver alterations. Nonetheless, the R110 mutation was the sole alteration in one i-CLL and accompanied only by del(13q) in three. Although composite regarding IGHV mutational status, IGLV3-21R110 i-CLL transcriptomically resembled naïve-like/unmutated IGHV CLL with a specific signature including WNT5A/B overexpression. Contrarily, i-CLL lacking the IGLV3-21R110 mirrored memory-like/mutated IGHV cases. IGLV3-21R110 i-CLL had a short time to first treatment and overall survival similar to n-CLL/unmutated IGHV cases whereas non-IGLV3-21R110 i-CLL had a good prognosis similar to memory-like/mutated IGHV. Altogether, IGLV3-21R110 defines a CLL subgroup with specific biological features and an unfavorable prognosis independent of the IGHV mutational status and epigenetic subtypes.
Impact of Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Rules on Admission, Cranial Computed Tomography and Skull X-ray Rates in a Central European Hospital

Objectives Mild head injury is a common cause of pediatric emergency department visits. Cranial computed tomography (CCT) is the diagnostic standard, although it involves inherent radiation risks. Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) clinical prediction rules were developed to reduce the number of CCT scans. They provide a guideline for CCT use in mild head injuries, based on clinical parameters. Our study aims to evaluate the impact of PECARN rules on hospital admission and CCT rate in children with mild head injury. Methods In this retrospective study, we investigated 729 children with mild head injury presenting in the pediatric emergency department between 2012 and 2016. We compared 2 groups, before and after implementation of PECARN criteria in clinical routine. Results Of 729 included patients (417 male; 5.6 ± 4.8 years;) 380 were seen prior to implementation of the PECARN rules, compared to 349 patients afterwards. Overall admissions to the ward decreased significantly from 83.9% (n = 319) to 71.3% (n = 249) (P < 0.001), a 31.3% reduction. Calculated from all pediatric admissions, the rate of patients with mild head injury fell from 6.0% to 4.3% (P < 0.001). We recorded a nonsignificant decrease in the CCT rate, from 14.7% to 13.2% (P = 0.555). No readmissions were recorded. Conclusions Our results show a significant reduction in the rate of hospital admission following implementation of the PECARN rules in our hospital. Already low, the CCT rate did not change after implementation. The PECARN rules appear to be safe because no readmissions were recorded.
Effects and molecular mechanism of pachymic acid on ferroptosis in renal ischemia reperfusion injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical disease. Ferropotosis, a new type of regulatory cell death, serves an important regulatory role in AKI. Pachymic acid (PA), a lanostane-type triterpenoid from Poria cocos, has been reported to be protective against AKI. However, the protective mechanism of PA in AKI is not yet fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of PA on ferroptosis in renal ischemia reperfusion injury in vivo. A total of 30 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg PA for 3 days. A bilateral renal pedicle clip was used for 40 min to induce renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and establish the model. The results demonstrated that treatment with PA decreased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and ameliorated renal pathological damage. Transmission electron microscopy revealed no characteristic changes in ferroptosis in the mitochondria of the renal tissue in the high-dose PA group, and only mild edema. Furthermore, treatment with PA increased glutathione expression, and decreased the expression levels of malondialdehyde and cyclooxygenase 2. Treatment with PA enhanced the protein and mRNA expression levels of the ferroptosis related proteins, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), solute carrier family 7 (cationic amino acid transporter, y+ system) member 11 (SLC7A11) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the kidney, and increased the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway members. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that PA has a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney injury in mice, which may be associated with the inhibition of ferroptosis in the kidneys through direct or indirect activation of NRF2, and upregulation of the expression of the downstream ferroptosis related proteins, GPX4, SLC7A11 and HO-1.
Transcriptional Landscape of Staphylococcus aureus Kayvirus Bacteriophage vB_SauM-515A1

The Twort-like myoviruses (Kayvirus genus) of S. aureus are promising agents for bacteriophage therapy due to a broad host range and high killing activity against clinical isolates. This work improves the current understanding of the phage infection physiology by transcriptome analysis. The expression profiles of a typical member of the Kayvirus genus (vB_SauM-515A1) were obtained at three time-points post-infection using RNA sequencing. A total of 35 transcription units comprising 238 ORFs were established. The sequences for 58 early and 12 late promoters were identified in the phage genome. The early promoters represent the strong sigma-70 promoters consensus sequence and control the host-dependent expression of 26 transcription units (81% of genes). The late promoters exclusively controlled the expression of four transcription units, while the transcription of the other five units was directed by both types of promoters. The characteristic features of late promoters were long -10 box of TGTTATATTA consensus sequence and the absence of -35 boxes. The data obtained are also of general interest, demonstrating a strategy of the phage genome expression with a broad overlap of the early and late transcription phases without any middle transcription, which is unusual for the large phage genomes (>100 kbp).
Phenotypic Plasticity Contributes to Maize Adaptation and Heterosis

Abstract Plant phenotypic plasticity describes altered phenotypic performance of an individual when grown in different environments. Exploring genetic architecture underlying plant plasticity variation may help mitigate the detrimental effects of a rapidly changing climate on agriculture, but little research has been done in this area to date. In the present study, we established a population of 976 maize F1 hybrids by crossing 488 diverse inbred lines with two elite testers. Genome-wide association study identified hundreds of quantitative trait loci associated with phenotypic plasticity variation across diverse F1 hybrids, the majority of which contributed very little variance, in accordance with the polygenic nature of these traits. We identified several quantitative trait locus regions that may have been selected during the tropical-temperate adaptation process. We also observed heterosis in terms of phenotypic plasticity, in addition to the traditional genetic value differences measured between hybrid and inbred lines, and the pattern of which was affected by genetic background. Our results demonstrate a landscape of phenotypic plasticity in maize, which will aid in the understanding of its genetic architecture, its contribution to adaptation and heterosis, and how it may be exploited for future maize breeding in a rapidly changing environment.
Orthodontic force induces nerve injury-like transcriptomic changes driven by TRPV1-expressing afferents in mouse trigeminal ganglia

Orthodontic force produces mechanical irritation and localized inflammation in the periodontium, which causes pain in most patients. Nocifensive behaviors resulting from orthodontic force in mice can be substantially attenuated by intraganglionic injection of resiniferatoxin (RTX), a neurotoxin that specifically ablates a subset of neurons expressing transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). In the current study, we determined changes in the transcriptomic profiles in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) following the application of orthodontic force, and assessed the roles of TRPV1-expressing afferents in these transcriptomic changes. RTX or vehicle was injected into the TG of mice a week before the placement of an orthodontic spring exerting 10 g of force. After 2 days, the TG were collected for RNA sequencing. The application of orthodontic force resulted in 1279 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the TG. Gene ontology analysis showed downregulation of gliogenesis and ion channel activities, especially of voltage-gated potassium channels. DEGs produced by orthodontic force correlated more strongly with DEGs resulting from nerve injury than from inflammation. Orthodontic force resulted in the differential expression of multiple genes involved in pain regulation, including upregulation of Atf3, Adcyap1, Bdnf, and Csf1, and downregulation of Scn10a, Kcna2, Kcnj10, and P2ry1. Orthodontic force-induced DEGs correlated with DEGs specific to multiple neuronal and non-neuronal subtypes following nerve injury. These transcriptomic changes were abolished in the mice that received the RTX injection. These results suggest that orthodontic force produces transcriptomic changes resembling nerve injury in the TG and that nociceptive inputs through TRPV1-expressing afferents leads to subsequent changes in gene expression not only in TRPV1-positive neurons, but also in TRPV1-negative neurons and non-neuronal cells throughout the ganglia. Orthodontic force-induced transcriptomic changes might be an active regenerative program of trigeminal ganglia in response to axonal injury following orthodontic force.
Radiation-Induced Imaging Changes and Cerebral Edema following Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain AVMs

Radiation-induced imaging changes are common following linear particle accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs, appear to peak at 12 months, and are significantly associated with new neurologic findings. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: T2 signal and FLAIR changes in patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs may occur posttreatment and could result in adverse radiation effects. We aimed to evaluate outcomes in patients with these imaging changes, the frequency and degree of this response, and factors associated with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through this retrospective cohort study, consecutive patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs who had at least 1 year of follow-up MR imaging were identified. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: One-hundred-sixty AVMs were treated in 148 patients (mean, 35.6 years of age), including 42 (26.2%) pediatric AVMs. The mean MR imaging follow-up was 56.5 months. The median Spetzler-Martin grade was III. The mean maximal AVM diameter was 2.8 cm, and the mean AVM target volume was 7.4 mL. The median radiation dose was 16.5 Gy. New T2 signal and FLAIR hyperintensity were noted in 40% of AVMs. T2 FLAIR volumes at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were, respectively, 4.04, 55.47, 56.42, 48.06, and 29.38 mL Radiation-induced neurologic symptoms were encountered in 34.4%. In patients with radiation-induced imaging changes, 69.2% had new neurologic symptoms versus 9.5% of patients with no imaging changes (P = .0001). Imaging changes were significantly associated with new neurologic findings (P < .001). Larger AVM maximal diameter (P = .04) and the presence of multiple feeding arteries (P = .01) were associated with radiation-induced imaging changes. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation-induced imaging changes are common following linear particle accelerator–based stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs, appear to peak at 12 months, and are significantly associated with new neurologic findings.
Feeling Stressed and Ugly? Leave the City and Visit Nature! An Experiment on Self- and Other-Perceived Stress and Attractiveness Levels

Natural environments, compared to urban environments, usually lead to reduced stress and positive body appreciation. We assumed that walks through nature and urban environments affect self- and other-perceived stress and attractiveness levels. Therefore, we collected questionnaire data and took photographs of male participants’ faces before and after they took walks. In a second step, female participants rated the photographs. As expected, participants felt more restored and attractive, and less stressed after they walked in nature compared to an urban environment. A significant interaction of environment (nature, urban) and time (pre, post) indicated that the men were rated by the women as being more stressed after the urban walk. Other-rated attractiveness levels, however, were similar for both walks and time points. In sum, we showed that the rather stressful experience of a short-term urban walk mirrors in the face of men and is detectable by women.
Estimating the capacity of Chamaecrista fasciculata for adaptation to change in precipitation

Adaptation through natural selection may be the only means by which small and fragmented plant populations will persist through present day environmental change. A population's additive genetic variance for fitness (VA(W)) represents its immediate capacity to adapt to the environment in which it exists. We evaluated this property for a population of the annual legume Chamaecrista fasciculata through a quantitative genetic experiment in the tallgrass prairie region of the Midwestern United States, where changing climate is predicted to include more variability in rainfall. To reduce incident rainfall, relative to controls receiving ambient rain, we deployed rain exclusion shelters. We found significant VA(W) in both treatments. We also detected a significant genotype‐by‐treatment interaction for fitness, which suggests that the genetic basis of the response to natural selection will differ depending on precipitation. For the trait‐specific leaf area, we detected maladaptive phenotypic plasticity and an interaction between genotype and environment. Selection for thicker leaves was detected with increased precipitation. These results indicate capacity of this population of C. fasciculata to adapt in situ to environmental change.
Alpha-Synuclein in the Gastrointestinal Tract as a Potential Biomarker for Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease

The primary pathogenesis associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs in peripheral tissues several years before the onset of typical motor symptoms. Early and reliable diagnosis of PD could provide new treatment options for PD patients and improve their quality of life. At present, however, diagnosis relies mainly on clinical symptoms, and definitive diagnosis is still based on postmortem pathological confirmation of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration. In addition, the similarity of the clinical, cognitive, and neuropathological features of PD with other neurodegenerative diseases calls for new biomarkers, suitable for differential diagnosis. Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is a potential PD biomarker, due to its close connection with the pathogenesis of the disease. Here we summarize the currently available information on the possible use of α-Syn as a biomarker of early stages of PD in gastrointestinal (GI) tissues, highlight its potential to distinguish PD and other neurodegenerative diseases, and suggest alternative methods (primarily developed for other tissue analysis) that could improve α-Syn detection procedures or diagnostic methods in general.