Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender diversity in microsurgery academic faculty across the United States

Gender diversity in plastic surgery lags behind many medical specialties among faculty members. (Chawla et al., 2021) It has been shown that an increased number of diversity among employees improves productivity and innovation. Despite significant evidence in favor of diversity in leadership, female presence in high-ranking positions in medicine is lacking across multiple specialties. Although the number of female plastic surgery residents rose in mid-2000s, the same phenomenon was not seen beyond the residency level. (Danko & Cheng, 2021; Keane et al., 2021) In 2020, a cross sectional analysis of academic plastic surgeons found that men were more likely to be professors and held more leadership positions than women. (Obeid et al., 2017) Similarly, a 2021 study on gender diversity among hand surgery faculty members revealed the lack of diversity among one of plastic surgery subspecialties, with only 15% of faculty members being women. (Grandizio et al., 2021) In this article, we aim to evaluate gender disparity among faculty across microsurgery fellowship programs in the United States by comparing the disparities among total number of faculty, program directors (PD's), years in practice and academic rank. In March 2022, gender representation in the field of microsurgery among faculty members was obtained from the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery website and the academic program's respective websites. Our sample included 185 subjects from 32 microsurgery fellowship programs in the United States from which we collected name, gender, position, and year of graduation for every faculty member. Nonphysician members were excluded. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-squared tests and continuous variables by Student's t-tests or ANOVA. All p-values were two-tailed, and analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.4. We identified 185 microsurgeons, 29 (15.7%) were classified as female and 156 (84.3%) as male (p < .0001). Among the 32 fellowship program directors, only 3 (9.4%) were identified as female. Faculty members were further subdivided by academic rank. A significant difference was found between the number of male and female faculty among all academic positions (p < .0001). A total of 61 professors were identified, from which 2 (3.3%) were female. Among 61 associate professors identified, 9 (14.8%) identified as female. Similarly, 63 assistant professors were identified, with 18 (28.6%) identified as female (Table 1). Years in practice after completion of terminal training was analyzed across the academic faculty. There was a significant difference in the number of male and female faculty members across all experience levels (p < .0001). Among faculty members with less than 10 years since completion of terminal training (55), 14 (25.5%) of them were classified as female. For faculty who have 10–20 years after graduation (80), 13 (16.3%) identified as female. Among faculty
Habitual intake of dietary methylglyoxal is associated with less low-grade inflammation: the Maastricht Study

ABSTRACT Background Dicarbonyls are major reactive precursors of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Dicarbonyls are formed endogenously and also during food processing. Circulating dicarbonyls and AGEs are associated with inflammation and microvascular complications of diabetes, but for dicarbonyls from the diet these associations are currently unknown. Objectives We sought to examine the associations of dietary dicarbonyl intake with low-grade inflammation and microvascular function. Methods In 2792 participants (mean ± SD age: 60 ± 8 y; 50% men; 26% type 2 diabetes) of the population-based cohort the Maastricht Study, we estimated the habitual intake of the dicarbonyls methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO), and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) by linking FFQ outcome data to our food composition database of the MGO, GO, and 3-DG content of >200 foods. Low-grade inflammation was assessed as six plasma biomarkers, which were compiled in a z score. Microvascular function was assessed as four plasma biomarkers, compiled in a zscore; as diameters and flicker light–induced dilation in retinal microvessels; as heat-induced skin hyperemic response; and as urinary albumin excretion. Cross-sectional associations of dietary dicarbonyls with low-grade inflammation and microvascular function were investigated using linear regression with adjustments for age, sex, potential confounders related to cardiometabolic risk factors, and lifestyle and dietary factors. Results Fully adjusted analyses revealed that higher intake of MGO was associated with a lower z score for inflammation [standardized β coefficient (STD β): −0.05; 95% CI: −0.09 to −0.01, with strongest inverse associations for hsCRP and TNF-α: both −0.05; −0.10 to −0.01]. In contrast, higher dietary MGO intake was associated with impaired retinal venular dilation after full adjustment (STD β: −0.07; 95% CI: −0.12 to −0.01), but not with the other features of microvascular function. GO and 3-DG intakes were not consistently associated with any of the outcomes. Conclusion Higher habitual intake of MGO was associated with less low-grade inflammation. This novel, presumably beneficial, association is the first observation of an association between MGO intake and health outcomes in humans and warrants further investigation.
Deep Learning-Based NOMA System for Enhancement of 5G Networks: A Review

The fresh and rising demands for high-reliability and ultrahigh-capacity wireless communication have led to extensive research into 5G communications. The wide progress in deep learning (DL) and nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technologies provides countless benefits to communication systems. This survey provides the broad scope of DL-based NOMA for the augmentation of 5G networks. It explores various works conducted on NOMA, DL, and their applications in 5G communication. This article further explains the prominence of DL in NOMA and reviews various DL-supported NOMA models exploited for distinct tasks including resource allotment, power allotment, subchannel/channel allotment, signal detection, user detection, and other purposes. It explains the advantages and shortcomings of applying DL to resolve NOMA challenges and also presents the cardinal use cases of NOMA. It then presents a tabulated comparison of diverse DL techniques adopted by available studies for performing heterogeneous operations in NOMA. Finally, this article investigates diverse, significant technical hindrances prevailing in DL-based NOMA systems and in the application of such systems toward 5G enhancement along with future directions for shedding light on paramount developments required in existing systems for invigorating more research and supporting the emerging applications in this field.
Multiple endocrine factors regulate nutrient mobilization and storage in Aedes aegypti during a gonadotrophic cycle

Anautogenous mosquitoes must blood feed on a vertebrate host to produce eggs. Each gonadotrophic cycle is subdivided into a sugar‐feeding previtellogenic phase that produces primary follicles and a blood meal‐activated vitellogenic phase in which large numbers of eggs synchronously mature and are laid. Multiple endocrine factors including juvenile hormone (JH), insulin‐like peptides (ILPs), ovary ecdysteroidogenic hormone (OEH), and 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) coordinate each gonadotrophic cycle. Egg formation also requires nutrients from feeding that are stored in the fat body. Regulation of egg formation is best understood in Aedes aegypti but the role different endocrine factors play in regulating nutrient mobilization and storage remains unclear. In this study, we report that adult female Ae. aegypti maintained triacylglycerol (TAG) stores during the previtellogenic phase of the first gonadotrophic cycle while glycogen stores declined. In contrast, TAG and glycogen stores were rapidly mobilized during the vitellogenic phase and then replenishment. Several genes encoding enzymes with functions in TAG and glycogen metabolism were differentially expressed in the fat body, which suggested regulation was mediated in part at the transcriptional level. Gain of function assays indicated that stored nutrients were primarily mobilized by adipokinetic hormone (AKH) while juvenoids and OEH regulated replenishment. ILP3 further showed evidence of negatively regulating certain lipolytic enzymes. Loss of function assays indicated AKH depends on the AKH receptor (AKHR) for function. Altogether, our results indicate that the opposing activities of different hormones regulate nutrient stores during a gonadotrophic cycle in Ae. aegypti.
Computational biomechanics of human knee joint in stair ascent: Muscle‐ligament‐contact forces and comparison with level walking

About a third of knee joint disorders originate from the patellofemoral (PF) site that makes stair ascent a difficult activity for patients. A detailed finite element model of the knee joint is coupled to a lower extremity musculoskeletal model to simulate the stance phase of stair ascent. It is driven by the mean of measurements on the hip‐knee‐ankle moments‐angles as well as ground reaction forces reported in healthy individuals. Predicted muscle activities compare well to the recorded electromyography data. Peak forces in quadriceps (3.87 BW, body weight, at 20% instance in our 607 N subject), medial hamstrings (0.77 BW at 20%), and gastrocnemii (1.21 BW at 80%) are estimated. Due to much greater flexion angles‐moments in the first half of stance, large PF contact forces (peak of 3.1 BW at 20% stance) and stresses (peak of 4.83 MPa at 20% stance) are estimated that exceed their peaks in level walking by fourfold and twofold, respectively. Compared with level walking, ACL forces diminish in the first half of stance but substantially increase later in the second half (peak of 0.76 BW at 75% stance). Under nearly similar contact forces at 20% of stance, the contact stress on the tibiofemoral (TF) medial plateau reaches a peak (9.68 MPa) twice that on the PF joint suggesting the vulnerability of both joints. Compared with walking, stair ascent increases peak ACL force and both peak TF and PF contact stresses. Reductions in the knee flexion moment and/or angle appear as a viable strategy to mitigate internal loads and pain.
Dietary acrylamide and human cancer; even after 20 years of research an open question

discovery of acrylamide in food. acrylamide was discovered in common foods, as potato crisps and chips, cookies, and several other and potato-based foods at high ( > 120 ◦ C) under low-moisture acrylamide was classified as a probable human carcinogen International for on Cancer it was known to cause genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity in
The Combined Effects of Aspartame and Acesulfame-K Blends on Appetite: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

ABSTRACT Aspartame (Asp) and acesulfame-K (Ace-K) are nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) commonly used in combination to replace added sugars in reduced- or low-calorie foods and beverages. Despite Asp/Ace-K blends having negligible calories, their effects on appetite have not been reviewed systematically. We therefore undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of the metabolic effects of Asp/Ace-K blends on energy intake (EI), subjective appetite scores, blood glucose, and the incretin hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide and glucagon-like peptide. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases (Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL) were searched (May 2021) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Human RCTs using Asp/Ace-K blends compared with sugar and water controls were included, whereas isolated cell and animal studies were excluded. An overall 4829 publications were identified and 8 studies, including 274 participants, were retrieved for review. The Asp/Ace-K group's EI was significantly reduced compared with sugar [mean difference (MD): –196.56 kcal/meal; 95% CI: –332.01, –61.11 kcal/meal; P = 0.004] and water (MD: –213.42 kcal/meal; 95% CI: –345.4, –81.44 kcal/meal; P = 0.002). Meta-analysis of subjective appetite scores and incretins could not be undertaken due to inconsistencies in data reporting and insufficient data, respectively, but of the 4 studies identified, no differences were observed between Asp/Ace-K blends and controls. The Asp/Ace-K group's blood glucose was nonsignificantly reduced compared with sugar (MD: –1.48 mmol/L; 95% CI: –3.26, 0.3 mmol/L; P = 0.1) and water (MD: –0.08 mmol/L; 95% CI: –0.62, 0.47 mmol/L; P = 0.78). Lower EI in participants who were predominantly healthy and assigned to Asp/Ace-K blends could not be reliably attributed to changes in subjective appetite scores. Blood glucose and incretins were also generally not affected by Asp/Ace-K blends when compared with controls. Additional short- and long-term RCTs using NNSs and sugars at dietarily relevant levels are needed. This trial was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42017061015).
Epidemic Spreading in Metapopulation Networks Coupled With Awareness Propagation

Understanding the feedback loop that links the spatiotemporal spread of infectious diseases and human behavior is an open problem. To study this problem, we develop a multiplex framework that couples epidemic spreading across subpopulations in a metapopulation network (i.e., physical layer) with the spreading of awareness about the epidemic in a communication network (i.e., virtual layer). We explicitly study the interactions between the mobility patterns across subpopulations and the awareness propagation among individuals. We analyze the coupled dynamics using microscopic Markov chains (MMCs) equations and validate the theoretical results via Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. We find that with the spreading of awareness, reducing human mobility becomes more effective in mitigating the large-scale epidemic. We also investigate the influence of varying topological features of the physical and virtual layers and the correlation between the connectivity and local population size per subpopulation. Overall the proposed modeling framework and findings contribute to the growing literature investigating the interplay between the spatiotemporal spread of epidemics and human behavior.
Herbs and Spices Modulate Gut Bacterial Composition in Adults at Risk for CVD: Results of a Prespecified Exploratory Analysis from a Randomized, Crossover, Controlled-Feeding Study

ABSTRACT Background Herbs and spices are rich in polyphenolic compounds that may influence gut bacterial composition. The effect of culinary doses of herbs and spices consumed as part of a well-defined dietary pattern on gut bacterial composition has not been previously studied. Objectives The aim of this prespecified exploratory analysis was to examine gut bacterial composition following an average American diet (carbohydrate: 50% kcal; protein: 17%; total fat: 33%; saturated fat: 11%) containing herbs and spices at 0.5, 3.3, and 6.6 g.d–1.2100 kcal–1 [low-, moderate-, and high-spice diets, respectively (LSD, MSD, and HSD)] in adults at risk for CVD. Methods Fifty-four adults (57% female; mean ± SD age: 45 ± 11 y; BMI: 29.8 ± 2.9 kg/m2; waist circumference: 102.8 ± 7.1 cm) were included in this 3-period, randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding study. Each diet was provided for 4 wk with a minimum 2-wk washout period. At baseline and the end of each diet period, participants provided a fecal sample for 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) sequencing. QIIME2 was used for data filtration, sequence clustering, taxonomy assignment, and statistical analysis. Results α-diversity assessed by the observed features metric ( P = 0.046) was significantly greater following the MSD as compared with the LSD; no other between-diet differences in α-diversity were detected. Differences in β-diversity were not observed between the diets ( P = 0.45). Compared with baseline, β-diversity differed following all diets ( P < .02). Enrichment of the Ruminococcaceae family was observed following the HSD as compared with the MSD (relative abundance = 22.14%, linear discriminant analysis = 4.22, P = 0.03) and the LSD (relative abundance = 24.90%, linear discriminant analysis = 4.47, P = 0.004). Conclusions The addition of herbs and spices to an average American diet induced shifts in gut bacterial composition after 4 wk in adults at risk for CVD. The metabolic implications of these changes merit further investigation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03064932.
A shared mucosal gut microbiota signature in primary sclerosing cholangitis before and after liver transplantation

Background and Aims: Several characteristic features of the fecal microbiota have been described in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), whereas data on mucosal microbiota are less consistent. We aimed to use a large colonoscopy cohort to investigate key knowledge gaps, including the role of gut microbiota in PSC with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the effect of liver transplantation (LT), and whether recurrent PSC (rPSC) may be used to define consistent microbiota features in PSC irrespective of LT. Approach and Results: We included 84 PSC and 51 liver transplanted PSC patients (PSC‐LT) and 40 healthy controls (HCs) and performed sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V3–V4) from ileocolonic biopsies. Intraindividual microbial diversity was reduced in both PSC and PSC‐LT versus HCs. An expansion of Proteobacteria was more pronounced in PSC‐LT (up to 19% relative abundance) than in PSC (up to 11%) and HCs (up to 8%; QFDR < 0.05). When investigating PSC before (PSC vs. HC) and after LT (rPSC vs. no‐rPSC), increased variability (dispersion) in the PSC group was found. Five genera were associated with PSC before and after LT. A dysbiosis index calculated from the five genera, and the presence of the potential pathobiont, Klebsiella, were associated with reduced LT‐free survival. Concomitant IBD was associated with reduced Akkermansia. Conclusions: Consistent mucosal microbiota features associated with PSC, PSC‐IBD, and disease severity, irrespective of LT status, highlight the usefulness of investigating PSC and rPSC in parallel, and suggest that the impact of gut microbiota on posttransplant liver health should be investigated further.
Asprosin promotes steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis with improved glucose metabolism in adult mice testis

Asprosin is an orexigenic adipokine that regulates appetite and glucose homeostasis in mammals. To date, only fragmentary findings are reported regarding its role in testicular activities. In the current investigation, immunolocalization and direct action of asprosin in adult mice testis was evaluated. Immunohistochemical and immunoblot studies were performed to analyse the testicular expression of asprosin. Intratesticular treatment of asprosin (0.1 μg and 1.0 μg per testis) was given to evaluate its direct action on testicular functions. Sertoli and Leydig cells were found to be immuno‐positive for asprosin. Intratesticular administration of asprosin resulted into a significant increase in glucose and lactate levels along with enhanced expression of asprosin receptor OLFR734, insulin receptor (IR), glucose transporter 8 (GLUT 8), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and monocorboxylate transporters (MCT2 and 4). In addition, asprosin administration increased the testicular expression of cell proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen: PCNA), cell survival (B cell lymphoma 2: Bcl2) and decreased germ cell apoptosis (Cysteine aspartic acid protease 3: Caspase 3) leading to increased sperm counts. Further, asprosin treatment resulted into increased level of total cholesterol, testosterone and steroidogenic markers (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein: StAR; 3beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases: 3β HSD and 17beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases: 17β HSD). Asprosin treatment promotes testicular glucose uptake and lactate synthesis to provide energy for steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. The significant correlation between the asprosin‐induced increased IR expression and increased testosterone, glucose and lactate levels suggests its role in increased survival and proliferation but decrease in germ cell apoptosis. This study proposed asprosin's role as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of testicular functions in adult mice.
Retinoic acid induces the osteogenic differentiation of cat adipose tissue‐derived stromal cells from distinct anatomical sites

Mesenchymal stromal cells‐based regenerative orthopedic therapies have been used in cats as a promising and innovative therapeutic approach to enhance the repair of bone defects. Adipose tissue‐derived stromal cells (ADSCs) can be obtained from two main sites—subcutaneous and visceral—with established differences regarding structure, composition, cell content, and functionality. However, in cats, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have been conducted to compare the functional activity of the ADSCs isolated from the two sites, and the impact of these differences on the induced osteogenic potential. Additionally, retinoic acid has been recently regarded as a new osteogenic inducer within cells of distinct species, with undisclosed functionality on cat‐derived cell populations. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the functional activity of ADSCs isolated from the subcutaneous and visceral adipose sites (SCAT and VAT, respectively) of the cat, as well as the effects of two osteogenic‐inducing conditions—the classic dexamethasone, β‐glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid‐supplemented media (Dex + β + AAM), and Retinoic Acid‐supplemented media (RAM). The adipose tissue of subcutaneous and visceral origin was isolated, characterized, and ADSCs were isolated and grown in the presence of the two osteogenic‐inducing conditions, and characterized in terms of proliferation, metabolic activity, morphology, and osteogenic activity. Our results demonstrated a distinct biological profile of the two adipose tissue sites regarding cell size, vascularization, and morphology. Further, osteogenic‐induced ADSCs from both sites presented an increased expression of alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and cytochemical staining, as compared with control. Overall, RAM induced higher levels of ALP activity than Dex + β + AAM, supporting an increased osteogenic activation. Additionally, VAT was the tissue with the best osteogenic potential, showing higher levels of ALP expression, particularly with RAM. In conclusion, different characteristics were found between the two adipose tissue sites—SCAT and VAT, which probably reflect the differences found in the functionality of isolated ADSCs from both tissues. Furthermore, for cat, VAT shows a greater osteogenic‐inductive capacity than SCAT, particularly with RAM, which can be of therapeutic relevance for regenerative medicine applications.