Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Altered anterior cingulate cortex subregional connectivity associated with cognitions for distinguishing the spectrum of pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease

Background Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are considered part of the early progression continuum of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a hub of information processing and regulation in the brain, plays an essential role in AD pathophysiology. In the present study, we aimed to systematically identify changes in the functional connectivity (FC) of ACC subregions in patients with SCD and aMCI and evaluate the association of these changes with cognition. Materials and methods Functional connectivity (FC) analysis of ACC sub-regions was performed among 66 patients with SCD, 71 patients with aMCI, and 78 healthy controls (HCs). Correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between FC of altered ACC subnetworks and cognition. Results Compared to HCs, SCD patients showed increased FC of the bilateral precuneus (PCUN) and caudal ACC, left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and subgenual ACC, left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and dorsal ACC, left middle occipital gyrus (MOG) and dorsal ACC, and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and subgenual ACC, while aMCI patients showed increased FC of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and dorsal ACC and left medial frontal gyrus (MFG) and subgenual ACC. Compared to patients with SCD, patients with aMCI showed increased FC of the right MFG and dorsal ACC and left ACC and subgenual ACC, while the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) showed decreased FC with the caudal ACC. Moreover, some FC values among the altered ACC subnetworks were significantly correlated with episodic memory and executive function. Conclusion SCD and aMCI, part of the spectrum of pre-clinical AD, share some convergent and divergent altered intrinsic connectivity of ACC subregions. These results may serve as neuroimaging biomarkers of the preclinical phase of AD and provide new insights into the design of preclinical interventions.
CYP2C19 genotype and platelet aggregation test-guided dual antiplatelet therapy after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: A retrospective cohort study

Background Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB). Clopidogrel is less effective among patients with loss-of-function (LoF) of CYP2C19 alleles, while ticagrelor has direct effects on P2Y12 receptor. Whether a CYP2C19 genotype plus platelet aggregation test (PAgT)-guided DAPT after CABG could improve clinical outcomes remain uncertain. Materials and methods From August 2019 to December 2020, 1,134 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB received DAPT for 1 year after surgery in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. According to the actual treatment they received in real-world, 382 (33.7%) of them received a traditional DAPT: aspirin 100 mg qd + clopidogrel 75 mg qd, no matter the CYP2C19 genotype and response in platelet aggregation test (PAgT). The other 752 (66.3%) patients received an individual DAPT based on CYP2C19 genotype and PAgT: aspirin 100 mg qd + clopidogrel 75 mg qd if CYP2C19 was extensive metabolizer, or moderate metabolizer but normal response in PAgT; aspirin 100 mg qd + ticagrelor 90 mg bid if CYP2C19 was poor metabolizer, or moderate metabolizer but no or low response in PAgT. One-year follow-up was achieved for all patients. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The safety outcome was thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) criteria major bleeding. Results Compared with the traditional DAPT group, the risk of MACE in the individual DAPT group was significantly lower (5.5 vs. 9.2%, HR 0.583; 95% CI, 0.371–0.915; P = 0.019), mainly due to the decreased risk of MI (1.7 vs. 4.2%, HR 0.407; 95% CI, 0.196–0.846; P = 0.016). The risk of TIMI major bleeding events was similar between the two groups (5.3 vs. 6.0%, RR 0.883; 95% CI, 0.537–1.453; P = 0.626). Conclusion For patients who underwent OPCAB, individual DAPT (CYP2C19 genotype plus PAgT-guided strategy) was associated with a lower risk of MACE and a similar risk of major bleeding.
QTL mapping of yield components and kernel traits in wheat cultivars TAM 112 and Duster

In the Southern Great Plains, wheat cultivars have been selected for a combination of outstanding yield and drought tolerance as a long-term breeding goal. To understand the underlying genetic mechanisms, this study aimed to dissect the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with yield components and kernel traits in two wheat cultivars `TAM 112' and `Duster' under both irrigated and dryland environments. A set of 182 recombined inbred lines (RIL) derived from the cross of TAM 112/Duster were planted in 13 diverse environments for evaluation of 18 yield and kernel related traits. High-density genetic linkage map was constructed using 5,081 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). QTL mapping analysis detected 134 QTL regions on all 21 wheat chromosomes, including 30 pleiotropic QTL regions and 21 consistent QTL regions, with 10 QTL regions in common. Three major pleiotropic QTL on the short arms of chromosomes 2B (57.5 - 61.6 Mbps), 2D (37.1 - 38.7 Mbps), and 7D (66.0 - 69.2 Mbps) colocalized with genes Ppd-B1, Ppd-D1, and FT-D1, respectively. And four consistent QTL associated with kernel length (KLEN), thousand kernel weight (TKW), plot grain yield (YLD), and kernel spike-1 (KPS) (Qklen.tamu.1A.325, Qtkw.tamu.2B.137, Qyld.tamu.2D.3, and Qkps.tamu.6A.113) explained more than 5% of the phenotypic variation. QTL Qklen.tamu. 1A.325 is a novel QTL with consistent effects under all tested environments. Marker haplotype analysis indicated the QTL combinations significantly increased yield and kernel traits. QTL and the linked markers identified in this study will facilitate future marker-assisted selection (MAS) for pyramiding the favorable alleles and QTL map-based cloning.
Association of homocysteine and polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase with early-onset post stroke depression

Background Homocysteine (Hcy) has been indicated to be involved in pathophysiology of post stroke depression (PSD). There is a lack of research to study the relationship between Hcy metabolism genes and PSD. Our study aims to investigate the relationship among Hcy metabolism genes, Hcy, and early-onset PSD. Materials and methods We recruited 212 patients with stroke and collected their peripheral blood sample, clinical data, and laboratory test on admission. 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR), and methionine synthase (MTR) genes were genotyped by high-resolution melt analysis. PSD was diagnosed by DSM-V at 2 weeks after stroke. Binary logistic regression and haplotype analysis were used to examine the association between Hcy metabolism genes and PSD. Mediation analysis was performed to clarify whether the SNPs exerted their effect on PSD by affecting the Hcy level. Results 81 patients were diagnosed with PSD, and the incidence rate was 38.2%. Hcy level in PSD group was significantly higher than it in non-PSD group (p = 0.019). MTHFR rs1801133 AA genotype an A allele were associated with an elevated risk of PSD after adjustment for some confounding factors (OR = 4.021, 95% CI: 1.459∼11.080, p = 0.007 for AA genotype; OR = 1.808, 95% CI: 1.172∼2.788, p = 0.007 for A allele). Furthermore, the effect of MTHFR rs1801133 AA genotype on PSD was mediated by Hcy (OR = 1.569, 95% CI: 0.013∼3.350, p < 0.05). Conclusion MTHFR rs1801133 and Hcy were associated with PSD, and MTHFR rs1801133 may exert an effect on PSD via mediating Hcy level. This offers a new perspective for treating PSD and understanding the mechanism of PSD.
Circulating fibroblast activation protein α is reduced in acute ischemic stroke

Background Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP), a membrane glycoprotein with dipeptidyl-peptidase and collagenase properties, is expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and remodeling of the extracellular matrix based on fibrosis. Fibrosis is a main contributor of atrial cardiomyopathies. In acute MI, circulating FAP is associated with outcome. Here, we investigated the correlation of circulating FAP to echocardiographic parameters of atrial remodeling and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke. Methods Circulating FAP plasma concentrations were determined by ELISA in 47 patients with acute stroke and 22 control patients without stroke. Echocardiography was performed in all participants. Laboratory analysis, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scoring and prolonged Holter-ECG-monitoring were performed in all stroke patients. Results Patients with acute stroke had lower circulating FAP concentrations than the control cohort (92 ± 24 vs. 106 ± 22 ng/mL, P < 0.001). There was no difference between the circulating FAP concentration comparing stroke due to atrial fibrillation, embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) or atherosclerotic origin. Septal atrial conduction time (sPA-TDI) and left atrial (LA) volume index to tissue Doppler velocity (LAVI/a‘) representing echocardiographic parameters of LA remodeling did not correlate with FAP concentrations (sPA-TDI: r = 0.123, p = 0.31; LAVI/a‘: r = 0.183, p = 0.132). Stroke severity as assessed by NIHSS inversely correlated with circulating FAP (r = −0.318, p = 0.04). FAP concentration had a fair accuracy for identifying stroke in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (AUC = 0.710, 95% CI: 0.577–0.843). A FAP concentration of 101 ng/mL discriminated between presence and absence of stroke with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 77%. Lower circulating FAP concentration was associated with cardio-cerebro-vascular events within 12 months after admission. Conclusions Our study is the first to associate FAP with echocardiographic parameters of LA-remodeling and function. FAP did not correlate with sPA-TDI and LAVI/a‘. However, FAP was associated with stroke, neurological impairment, and cardio-cerebral events within 12 months. Therefore, FAP might enable individualized risk stratification in ischemic stroke.
Cage egg producers' perspectives on the adoption of cage-free systems in China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand

Asia is responsible for ~60% of global egg production. As in most of the world, nearly all of the egg-laying hens are housed in cages. While there is growing demand for cage-free eggs in many regions of the world, challenges have been reported when transitioning to these systems, which may affect the willingness of producers to transition. The aim of this research was to investigate the views of Asian egg producers on the feasibility of cage-free systems and what they perceive to be the main challenges and proposed solutions in adopting cage-free systems. A total of 224 egg producers (165 cage egg producers) completed questionnaires containing a mix of free-form, Likert scale and demographic items. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative analysis and descriptive quantitative statistics. Responses indicated that cages are primarily used for their efficiency and ease of management. The most common reasons to consider adopting cage-free systems included improved animal welfare, increased market access, and increased product quality. A majority of producers (65%) responded “yes” or “maybe” when asked if they consider cage-free systems to be feasible in their country. Perceived challenges in adopting cage-free systems included reduced profitability, higher costs, and biosecurity and disease. Potential solutions included the development of the cage-free industry and market development. Most producers (72%) said more support is needed to establish cage-free farms, mostly pertaining to technical advice, training and resources. The findings of this study provide an enhanced understanding of the egg industry in these countries and potential areas for producer support in transitioning to cage-free systems.
The impact of digital transformation on corporate total factor productivity

Introduction Corporates need to break through the dilemma of system and efficiency with the help of digital transformation in the digital economy era. This paper aims to examine the influence of digital transformation on corporate total factor productivity by investigating whether and how corporate technical cooperation and ESG performance mediate and moderate the relationship between them. Methods This study choose Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms from 2016–2020 as the research sample and use the FGLS regression model to test the proposed hypotheses. Results Results show that digital transformation has a positive effect on corporate total factor productivity, and this positive impact is more pronounced when corporates have higher ESG performance. Corporate technical cooperation plays a mediating role between digital transformation and total factor productivity. ESG performance also plays a positive moderating role in the relationship between digital transformation and corporate technical cooperation. Discussion Our results contribute to the literature on digital transformation and corporate total factor productivity at the micro-corporate level. Further, our findings offer insights to decision-makers and regulatory bodies regarding the current practices of digital transformation and its potential economic impact.
SIRT1 haplo-insufficiency results in reduced cortical bone thickness, increased porosity and decreased estrogen receptor alpha in bone in adult 129/Sv female mice

Introduction Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a key player in aging and metabolism and regulates bone mass and architecture. Sexual dimorphism in skeletal effects of SIRT1 has been reported, with an unfavorable phenotype primarily in female mice. Methods To investigate the mechanisms of gender differences in SIRT1 skeletal effect, we investigated femoral and vertebral cortical and cancellous bone in global Sirt1 haplo-insufficient 129/Sv mice aged 2,7,12 months lacking Sirt1 exons 5,6,7 (Sirt1+/Δ ) and their wild type (WT) counterparts. Results In females, femoral bone mineral content, peak cortical thickness, and trabecular bone volume (BV/TV%), number and thickness were significantly lower in Sirt1+/Δ compared to WT mice. Increased femoral cortical porosity was observed in 7-month-old Sirt1+/Δ compared to WT female mice, accompanied by reduced biomechanical strength. No difference in vertebral indices was detected between Sirt1+/Δ and WT female mice. SIRT1 decreased with aging in WT female mice and was lower in vertebrae and femur in 18- and 30- versus 3-month-old 129/Sv and C57BL/6J female mice, respectively. Decreased bone estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was observed in Sirt1+/Δ compared to WT female mice and was significantly higher in Sirt1 over-expressing C3HT101/2 murine mesenchymal stem cells. In males no difference in femoral indices was detected in Sirt1+/Δ versus WT mice, however vertebral BV/TV%, trabecular number and thickness were higher in Sirt1+/Δ vs. WT mice. No difference in androgen receptor (AR) was detected in bone in Sirt1+/Δ vs. WT male mice. Bone SIRT1 was significantly lower in male compared to female WT mice, suggesting that SIRT1 maybe more significant in female than male skeleton. Discussion These findings demonstrate that 50% reduction in SIRT1 is sufficient to induce the hallmarks of skeletal aging namely, decreased cortical thickness and increased porosity in female mice, highlighting the role of SIRT1 as a regulator of cortical bone quantity and quality. The effects of SIRT1 in cortical bone are likely mediated in part by its regulation of ERα. The age-associated decline in bone SIRT1 positions SIRT1 as a potential therapeutic target to ameliorate age-related cortical bone deterioration in females. The crosstalk between ERα, AR and SIRT1 in the bone microenvironment remains to be further investigated.
Hand hygiene compliance and associated factor among nurses working in public hospitals of Hararghe zones, Oromia region, eastern Ethiopia

Background Healthcare workers are in constant contact with a wide variety of materials and surfaces, including waste, body fluids, mucous membranes, food, their own bodies, and the skin of patients. As a result, their hands are colonized by different groups of pathogens. Hand hygiene of healthcare workers is recognized to be the main factor in reducing healthcare-associated infections. Therefore, this study aimed to assess hand hygiene adherence and related factors among nurses working in public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. Methods An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hospital, Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia from July 1 to 30, 2021. A total of 451 study participants were randomly selected, after the proportional allocation of study participants to each selected hospital. The data was collected using self-administered questionnaire and observation checklist. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. Bivariable and multivariable analysis were employed to assess the association between outcome and independent variables. Finally, a p-value of < 0.05 was used as a cutoff point for statistical significance. Results Out of 436 eligible nurses, the overall hand hygiene compliance was 37.4% [95% CI (0.33, 0.42)]. The overall compliance among those working in medical, surgical, OR ward, OPD, Gynecology/obstetrics, emergency ward, Intensive care units, Pediatrics, and other wards/departments was 46.8, 44.8, 35.7, 28.2, 20.7, 45.1, 23.1, 40.5, and 29.4%, respectively. The mean knowledge score was 21.6% (SD: 2.08). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association between hand hygiene compliance and gender, work experience, training in hand hygiene, availability of running water, and knowledge of hand hygiene. Conclusion The current study found overall compliance with hand hygiene accounted for 34.7%. Therefore, an exemplary worker may initiate others to do so, and strong managerial and leadership commitment may also help the workers stick to the rules and regulations to follow the multimodal hand hygiene practice as per WHO recommendation.
A Three-Dimensional Numerical Model of an Isolated Deep Convective Cloud: Preliminary Results

Abstract The development of an isolated convective storm in a sheared environment is studied with an anelastic three-dimensional numerical model. Each grid cell has horizontal dimensions of Δx=Δy=3.2 km and a vertical dimension of Δs=0.7 km. Although it is ultimately planned to use at least a 31×31×20 grid with turbulence and liquid precipitation included, the present study uses an 11×11×8 trial grid with both of these processes suppressed, simulating only early cloud growth. Comparative experiments are run for three vertical profiles of ambient wind: no ambient wind, positive speed shear but no directional shear, and positive speed shear with veering. The cases are compared in regard to airflow, pressure and thermal patterns. It is found that: A vortex doublet develops at middle levels when ambient shear is present. A contributing factor may be tilting of horizontal vorticity into the vertical by differential vortex-tube lifting. Shear introduces asymmetry, with upshear dominance of perturbation outflow .
Distinct neurofunctional alterations during motivational and hedonic processing of natural and monetary rewards in depression - a neuroimaging meta-analysis

Reward processing alterations have been suggested as candidate mechanism underlying anhedonia and apathy in depression. Neuroimaging studies have documented that neurofunctional alterations in mesocorticolimbic circuits may neurally mediate reward processing deficits in depression. However, common and distinct neurofunctional alterations during motivational and hedonic evaluation of monetary (extrinsic) and natural (intrinsic) rewards in depression have not been systematically examined. Here we capitalized on a series of pre-registered neuroimaging meta-analyses to (1) establish general reward-related neural alterations in depression, (2) determine common and distinct alterations during anticipation of monetary rewards, receipt of monetary rewards, and receipt of natural rewards, and, (3) characterize the differences on the behavioral, network and molecular level. The coordinate-based meta-analysis included a total of 633 depressed patients and 644 healthy controls and revealed generally decreased subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) and striatal reactivity towards rewards in depression. Subsequent quantitative comparison analysis indicated that monetary rewards led to decreased hedonic reactivity in the right ventral caudate while natural rewards led to decreased reactivity in the bilateral putamen. These regions exhibited distinguishable profiles on the behavioral, network and receptor level. Further analyses demonstrated that the right thalamus and left putamen showed decreased activation during the anticipation of monetary reward. The present results indicate that distinguishable neurofunctional alterations may neurally mediate reward-processing alterations in depression in particular with respect to monetary and natural rewards. Given that natural rewards prevail in everyday life, our findings suggest that reward-type specific interventions are warranted and challenge the generalizability of experimental tasks employing monetary incentives to capture reward dysregulations in everyday life.
Assessing the Impacts of COVID-19 on K-12 Public School Educators and Administrators on their Practices and Autonomy in East Gainesville

The impacts of the pandemic have rippled through every aspect of daily life; for students and teachers, this manifests predominantly in education. This qualitative case study aimed to evaluate educator opinions on the current state of public education. Data collection consisted of interviewing seven K-12 educators from East Gainesville, a low-income and historically segregated region in Florida, about their experiences teaching during the pandemic. Seven questions captured the largest challenges for educators and students amidst the pandemic. 13 common major themes (nodes) and minor themes (nodes) were identified from these responses. It was found that COVID-19 has had generally negative impacts on the quality of student education and educator morale. Both are partially rooted in the switch from traditional to virtual/HyFlex classrooms, in which educators need to expend much more effort to achieve the same or sometimes worse results. Conversely, there were some benefits of this new education format, including increased versatility, collaboration, and accessibility. Other drawbacks include feelings of isolation for students and inequity for students with less access to technology. Still, educators reported feelings of support from administration and the community and expectations that addressing these challenges would lead to positive changes for education in the future. Ultimately, this study will elucidate the challenges educators face when integrating curricula into virtual platforms, an increasingly popular phenomenon. These findings may serve as guidance for future implementations to promote higher quality, more versatile, and virtual-friendly learning environments.