Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concurrent Presence of Thoracolumbar Scoliosis and Chiari Malformation: Is Operative Risk Magnified?

Study Design Retrospective review of Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID). Purpose: Identify the risks and complications associated with surgery in adolescents diagnosed with Chiari and scoliosis. Overview of Literature Scoliosis is frequently associated with Chiari malformation (CM). More specifically, reports have been made about this association with CM type I in the absence of syrinx status. Methods: The KID was used to identify all pediatric inpatients with CM and scoliosis. The patients were stratified into three groups: those with concomitant CM and scoliosis (CMS group), those with only CM (CM group), and those with only scoliosis (Sc group). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess association between surgical characteristics and diagnosis with complication rate. Results: A total of 90,707 spine patients were identified (61.8% Sc, 37% CM, 1.2% CMS). Sc patients were older, had a higher invasiveness score, and higher Charlson comorbidity index (all p<0.001). CMS patients had significantly higher rates of surgical decompression (36.7%). Sc patients had significantly higher rates of fusions (35.3%) and osteotomies (1.2%, all p<0.001). Controlling for age and invasiveness, postoperative complications were significantly associated with spine fusion surgery for Sc patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; p<0.05). Specifically, posterior spinal fusion in the thoracolumbar region had a greater risk of complications (OR, 4.9) than an anterior approach (OR, 3.6; all p<0.001). CM patients had a significant risk of complications when an osteotomy was performed as part of their surgery (OR, 2.9) and if a spinal fusion was concurrently performed (OR, 1.8; all p<0.05). Patients in the CMS cohort were significantly likely to develop postoperative complications if they underwent a spinal fusion from both anterior (OR, 2.5) and posterior approach (OR, 2.7; all p<0.001). Conclusions: Having concurrent scoliosis and CM increases operative risk for fusion surgeries despite approach. Being independently inflicted with scoliosis or Chiari leads to increased complication rate when paired with thoracolumbar fusion and osteotomies; respectively.
A novel microplate-based spectrophotometric method for the quantitative assessment of freshwater bacterial coaggregation kinetics

Abstract Coaggregation, the specific recognition and adhesion of genetically distinct bacteria, is proposed to contribute to the development of freshwater biofilms. This work aimed to develop a microplate-based system to measure and model the kinetics of freshwater bacterial coaggregation. Blastomonas natatoria 2.1 and Micrococcus luteus 2.13 were evaluated for coaggregation ability using 24-well microplates containing novel dome shaped wells (DSWs) and standard flat-bottom wells. Results were compared to a tube-based visual aggregation assay. The DSWs facilitated the reproducible detection of coaggregation via spectrophotometry and the estimation of coaggregation kinetics using a linked mathematical model. Quantitative analysis using DSWs was more sensitive than the visual tube aggregation assay and subject to substantially less variation than flat-bottom wells. Collectively these results demonstrate the utility of the DSW-based method and improve upon the current toolkit for studying freshwater bacterial coaggregation.
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A disease of significant importance for older patients.

BACKGROUND Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is clinically defined as a non-healing jawbone ulcerative-necrotic lesion appearing after dental therapy or minor trauma in patients treated previously with anti-resorptive, anti-angiogenic or immunomodulators. Older patients with osteoporosis and cancer receive these pharmacological agents regularly. As these patients are long-term survivors, efficient treatment is of paramount importance for their quality of life. METHODS Literature searches via PubMed were conducted to identify relevant MRONJ studies. Basic information on MRONJ classification, clinical features, and pathosphysiology is presented herein as well as various clinical studies dealing with MRONJ in patients with osteoporosis and cancer. Lastly, we discuss current managment of patients and new trends in treatment of MRONJ. RESULTS Although close follow-up and local hygiene have been advocated by some authors, severe forms of MRONJ are not responsive to conservative therapy. At present, there is no "gold standard" therapy for this condition. However, as the physiopathological basis of MRONJ is represented by the anti-angiogenic action of various pharmacological agents, new methods to increase and promote local angiogenesis and vascularization have recently been successfully tested in vitro, limited preclinical studies, and in a pilot clinical study. CONCLUSIONS It appears that the best method implies application on the lesion of endothelial progenitor cells as well as pro-angiogenic factors such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and other related molecules. More recently, scaffolds in which these factors have been incorporated have shown positive results in limited trials. However, these studies must be replicated to include a large number of cases before any official therapeutic protocol is adopted.
Transiting Back Home: Caregivers’ Lived Experiences in Caring for Loved Ones on the Nasogastric Tube in the Home-Setting in Singapore

Introduction: Little is understood about caregivers’ lived experiences when first caring for patients on the nasogastric tube at home in an Asian setting. To enhance understanding, our study aimed to chart these caregivers’ psycho-emotional evolutions felt during such caregiving experiences in Singapore. Method: Utilizing purposive sampling, a descriptive phenomenological study was performed, with semi-structured interviews of 10 caregivers of persons on nasogastric tube feeding conducted. Thematic analysis was utilized. Results: Our findings chart four psycho-emotional transitions of a caregiver’s journey in nasogastric tube feeding and the cultural dynamics involved—(a) Disruption of Caregivers’ Normality: Attempting to Grasp Reality, (b) Encountering Road-Blocks: Despondency Arises and Frustrations Abound, (c) Adjusting to the New Normal: Reclaiming Confidence and Positivity, (d) Thriving and Integrating into the New Normal, and (e) Cultural Dynamics At Play. Discussion: Our findings illuminate the understanding of caregivers’ varying needs, guiding delivery of culturally-congruent caregiver support targeted at each psycho-emotional evolution.
Sural communicating nerve for application as a vascularized nerve graft: A microneurovascular anatomic study in cadavers

Sural nerve harvest causes paraesthesia to the lateral heel of the foot, which can debilitate those with already compromised proprioception. To circumvent this, we investigated an alternative donor nerve, branch of the lateral sural nerve complex called the sural communicating nerve (SCoNe), for its harvest and use as a vascularized nerve graft, in cadaver.
Use of Perioperative Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation in Pulmonary Endarterectomy Cases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is known to be a curative intervention for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Its complications include endobronchial bleeding, persistent pulmonary arterial hypertension, right ventricular failure, and reperfusion lung injury. Extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) is a perioperative salvage method for PEA. Although risk factors and outcomes have been reported in several studies, overall trends remain unknown. We performed a systematic review and study-level meta-analysis to understand the outcomes of ECMO utilization in the perioperative period of PEA. Methods: We performed a literature search with PubMed and EMBASE on 11/18/2022. We included studies including patients who underwent perioperative ECMO in PEA. We collected data including baseline demographics, hemodynamic measurements, and outcomes such as mortality and weaning of ECMO and performed a study-level meta-analysis. Results: Eleven studies with 2632 patients were included in our review. ECMO insertion rate was 8.7% (225/2,625, 95% CI 5.9-12.5) in total, VV-ECMO was performed as the initial intervention in 1.1% (41/2,625, 95% CI 0.4-1.7) (Figure 3), and VA-ECMO was performed as an initial intervention in 7.1% (184/2,625, 95% CI 4.7-9.9). Preoperative hemodynamic measurements showed higher pulmonary vascular resistance, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and lower cardiac output in the ECMO group. Mortality rates were 2.8% (32/1238, 95% CI: 1.7-4.5) in the non-ECMO group and 43.5% (115/225, 95% CI: 30.8-56.2) in the ECMO group. The proportion of patients with successful weaning of ECMO was 72.6% (111/188, 95% CI: 53.4-91.7). Regarding complications of ECMO, the incidence of bleeding and multi-organ failure were 12.2% (16/79, 95% CI: 13.0-34.8) and 16.5% (15/99, 95% CI: 9.1-28.1), respectively. Conclusion: Our systematic review showed a higher baseline cardiopulmonary risk in patients with perioperative ECMO in PEA, and its insertion rate was 8.7%. Further studies that compare the use of ECMO in high-risk patients who undergo PEA are anticipated.
Sensory modulation and trauma-related symptoms during rocket attacks

ABSTRACT Background: War is a highly traumatogenic experience that may result in trauma-related symptoms during exposure. Although most individuals exhibit recovery after the trauma ends, symptomatology during exposure may serve as an initial indicator underlying symptomatology at the posttraumatic phase, hence the imperative to identify risk factors for trauma-related symptoms during the peritraumatic phase. While research has uncovered several factors associated with peritraumatic distress, such as age, gender, history of mental disorder, perceived threat, and perceived social support, the role of sensory modulation has not been explored. Method: To address this gap, 488 Israeli citizens were assessed using an online survey for sensory modulation and trauma-related symptoms during rocket attacks. Results: Analyses revealed that while the association between high sensory responsiveness and elevated levels of specific trauma-related symptoms is somewhat weak (0.19<r<.0.22), it serves as a major risk factor for developing trauma-related symptoms during the peritraumatic phase in general. Specifically, the risk for elevated symptoms was doubled (OR = 2.11) for each increase in the high sensory-responsiveness score, after controlling for age, gender, history of mental disorder, perceived threat, and perceived social support. Limitations: This study relied on convenience sampling and a cross-sectional design. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that sensory modulation evaluation may serve as an important screening tool for identifying individuals who are vulnerable to trauma-related symptoms during the peritraumatic phase, and that implementing sensory modulation strategies as part of preventative interventions for PTSD might be effective. HIGHLIGHTS High sensory responsiveness was related to trauma-related symptoms. Low sensory responsiveness was unrelated to trauma-related symptoms. The risk for elevated trauma-related symptoms during exposure was doubled for each increase in high sensory-responsiveness score.
A Generic Calibration Concept : Theory and Algorithms

We present a theory and algorithms for a generic calibration concept that is based on the following recently introduced general imaging model. An image is considered as a collection of pixels, and each pixel measures the light traveling along a (half-) ray in 3-space associated with that pixel. Calibration is the determination, in some common coordinate system, of the coordinates of all pixels' rays. This model encompasses most projection models used in computer vision or photogrammetry, including perspective and affine models, optical distortion models, stereo systems, or catadioptric systems, central (single viewpoint) as well as non-central ones. We propose a concept for calibrating this general imaging model, based on several views of objects with known structure, but which are acquired from unknown viewpoints. It allows to calibrate cameras of any of the types contained in the general imaging model using one and the same algorithm. We first develop the theory and an algorithm for the most general case: a non-central camera that observes 3D calibration objects. This is then specialized to the case of central cameras and to the use of planar calibration objects. For calibrated images, we have also demonstrated the applications in perspective view synthesis, epipolar curve analysis and structure from motion algorithms. The validity of the concept is shown by experiments with synthetic and real data.
Prognosis of primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma after surgical resection in small‐breed dogs: 52 cases (2005‐2021)

Abstract Background Tumor size is an important prognostic factor in lung cancer in dogs, and the canine lung carcinoma stage classification (CLCSC) recently has been proposed to subdivide tumor sizes. It is unclear if the same classification scheme can be used for small‐breed dogs. Objectives To investigate whether the tumor size classification of CLCS is prognostic for survival and progression outcomes in small‐breed dogs with surgically resected pulmonary adenocarcinomas (PACs). Animals Fifty‐two client‐owned small‐breed dogs with PAC. Methods Single‐center retrospective cohort study conducted between 2005 and 2021. Medical records of dogs weighing <15 kg with surgically resected lung masses histologically diagnosed as PAC were examined. Results The numbers of dogs with tumor size ≤3 cm, >3 cm to ≤5 cm, >5 cm to ≤7 cm, or >7 cm were 15, 18, 14, and 5, respectively. The median progression‐free interval (PFI) and overall survival time (OST) were 754 and 716 days, respectively. In univariable analysis, clinical signs, lymph node metastasis, margin, and histologic grade were associated with PFI, and age, clinical signs, margin, and lymph node metastasis were associated with OST. Tumor size classification of CLCS was associated with PFI in all categories, and tumor size >7 cm was associated with OST. In multivariable analysis, tumor size >5 cm to ≤7 cm and margin were associated with PFI, and age was associated with OST. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The tumor size classification of CLCS would be an important prognostic factor in small‐breed dogs with surgically resected PACs.
A new perspective on the role of the frontoparietal regions in Stroop‐like conflicts

Humans are goal‐directed; however, goal‐unrelated information still affects us, but how? The Stroop task is often used to answer this question, relying on conflict (incongruency) between attributes, one targeted by the task and another irrelevant to the task. The frontal regions of the brain are known to play a crucial role in processing such conflict, as they show increased activity when we encounter incongruent stimuli. Notably, the Stroop stimuli also consist of conceptual dimensions, such as semantic or emotional content, that are independent of the attributes that define the conflict. Since the non‐targeted attribute usually refers to the same conceptual dimension as the targeted‐attribute, it is relevant to the task at hand. For example, when naming the emotion of an emotional face superimposed by an emotional word, both the targeted‐attribute and the non‐targeted attribute refer to the conceptual dimension “emotion”. We designed an fMRI paradigm to investigate how conflicts between different conceptual dimensions impact us. Even though the conflict was task‐irrelevant, incongruent stimuli resulted in longer reaction times, indicating a behavioral congruency effect. When examining the neural mechanisms that underlie this effect, we found that the frontal regions exhibited repetition suppression, while the bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) showed a congruency effect linked to the behavioral effect. Taken together, these findings suggest that individuals are unable to completely ignore task‐irrelevant information, and that the IPS plays a crucial role in processing such information.
Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of influenza A viral variants in study participants treated with pimodivir in the phase 2b TOPAZ study

Background Pimodivir is a first-in-class polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) subunit inhibitor of the influenza A polymerase complex. The randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled phase 2b TOPAZ study demonstrated antiviral activity and safety of twice daily pimodivir alone (300 mg, 600 mg) or in combination with oseltamivir (pimodivir 600 mg, oseltamivir 75 mg) in adult study participants with acute uncomplicated influenza A. The detailed genotypic and phenotypic characterization of viral variants observed in this study are reported. Methods Population sequencing of PB2 and neuraminidase genes, and phenotypic susceptibility testing, were performed using baseline and last virus-positive post-baseline nasal swab samples. Results Sequencing of baseline samples in 206 of 223 (92.4%) randomized study participants with confirmed influenza A infection identified no polymorphisms at any predefined PB2 positions of interest for pimodivir and no phenotypic reduced susceptibility to pimodivir was observed. Post-baseline sequencing data for 105/223 (47.1%) participants identified emergence of PB2 mutations at amino acid positions of interest in 10 (9.5%) participants (pimodivir 300 mg: n = 3; 600 mg: n = 6; combination: n = 1; placebo: n = 0) and included positions S324, F325, S337, K376, T378, and N510. These emerging mutations were typically associated with decreased pimodivir susceptibility, but not viral breakthrough. No reduced phenotypic susceptibility was observed in the one (1.8%) participant with emerging PB2 mutations from the pimodivir plus oseltamivir group. Conclusions Participants with acute uncomplicated influenza A treated with pimodivir in the TOPAZ study infrequently developed reduced susceptibility to pimodivir and combining pimodivir with oseltamivir further decreased the risk of reduced susceptibility development.
The covering factor of warm dust in quasars: a view from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer All-Sky Data Release

By combining the newly infrared photometric data from the All-Sky Data Release of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with the spectroscopic data from the Seventh Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we study the covering factor of warm dust ($\CF$) for a large quasar sample, as well as the relations between $\CF$ and other physical parameters of quasars. We find a strong correlation between the flux ratio of mid-infrared to near-ultraviolet and the slope of near-ultraviolet spectra, which is interpreted as the dust extinction effect. After correcting for the dust extinction utilizing the above correlation, we examine the relations between $\CF$ and AGN properties: bolometric luminosity ($\Lbol$), black hole mass ($\MBH$) and Eddington ratio ($L/L_{\rm Edd}$). We confirm the anti-correlation between $\CF$ and $\Lbol$. Further we find that $\CF$ is anti-correlated with $\MBH$, but is independent of $L/L_{\rm Edd}$. Radio-loud quasars are found to follow the same correlations as for radio-quiet quasars. Monte Carlo simulations show that the anisotropy of UV-optical continuum of the accretion disc can significantly affect, but is less likely to dominate the $\CF$--$\Lbol$ correlation.
Integration of dietary nutrition and TRIB3 action into diabetes mellitus

Abstract Despite intensive studies for decades, the common mechanistic correlations among the underlying pathology of diabetes mellitus (DM), its complications, and effective clinical treatments remain poorly characterized. High-quality diets and nutrition therapy have played an indispensable role in the management of DM. More importantly, tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3), a nutrient-sensing and glucose-responsive regulator, might be an important stress-regulatory switch, linking glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. Therefore, this review aimed to introduce the latest research progress on the crosstalk between dietary nutrition intervention and TRIB3 in the development and treatment of DM. This study also summarized the possible mechanisms involved in the signaling pathways of TRIB3 action in DM, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of dietary nutrition intervention and TRIB3 in the pathogenesis of DM at the organism level.
Classification and management strategies for paediatric chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis and chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis

ABSTRACT Introduction Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory bone disease that most commonly affects children and adolescents causing significant pain and damage to bones. The absence of diagnostic criteria and biomarkers, an incomplete understanding of the molecular pathophysiology, and lack of evidence from randomized and controlled trials make the diagnosis and care challenging. Areas covered This review provides an overview of the clinical and epidemiological features of CNO and displays diagnostic challenges and how they can be addressed following strategies used internationally and by the authors. It summarizes the molecular pathophysiology, including pathological activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1 secretion, and how these observations can inform future treatment strategies. Finally, it provides a summary of ongoing initiatives aiming at classification criteria (ACR/EULAR) and outcome measures (OMERACT) that will enable the generation of evidence through clinical trials. Expert opinion Scientific efforts have linked molecular mechanisms to cytokine dysregulation in CNO, thereby delivering arguments for cytokine blocking strategies. Recent and ongoing collaborative international efforts are providing the basis to move toward clinical trials and target directed treatments for CNO that find approval by regulatory agencies.
Effect of Different Types of Sequence Data on Palaeognath Phylogeny

Abstract Palaeognathae consists of five groups of extant species: flighted tinamous (1) and four flightless groups: kiwi (2), cassowaries and emu (3), rheas (4), and ostriches (5). Molecular studies supported the groupings of extinct moas with tinamous and elephant birds with kiwi as well as ostriches as the group that diverged first among the five groups. However, phylogenetic relationships among the five groups are still controversial. Previous studies showed extensive heterogeneity in estimated gene tree topologies from conserved nonexonic elements, introns, and ultraconserved elements. Using the noncoding loci together with protein-coding loci, this study investigated the factors that affected gene tree estimation error and the relationships among the five groups. Using closely related ostrich rather than distantly related chicken as the outgroup, concatenated and gene tree–based approaches supported rheas as the group that diverged first among groups (1)–(4). Whereas gene tree estimation error increased using loci with low sequence divergence and short length, topological bias in estimated trees occurred using loci with high sequence divergence and/or nucleotide composition bias and heterogeneity, which more occurred in trees estimated from coding loci than noncoding loci. Regarding the relationships of (1)–(4), the site patterns by parsimony criterion appeared less susceptible to the bias than tree construction assuming stationary time-homogeneous model and suggested the clustering of kiwi and cassowaries and emu the most likely with ∼40% support rather than the clustering of kiwi and rheas and that of kiwi and tinamous with 30% support each.