Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sperm microRNAs confer depression susceptibility to offspring

Depressive phenotypes induced by paternal stress can be transferred from one generation to the next via small RNAs in the sperm. Evidence that offspring traits can be shaped by parental life experiences in an epigenetically inherited manner paves a way for understanding the etiology of depression. Here, we show that F1 offspring born to F0 males of depression-like model are susceptible to depression-like symptoms at the molecular, neuronal, and behavioral levels. Sperm small RNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) in particular, exhibit distinct expression profiles in F0 males of depression-like model and recapitulate paternal depressive-like phenotypes in F1 offspring. Neutralization of the abnormal miRNAs in zygotes by antisense strands rescues the acquired depressive-like phenotypes in F1 offspring born to F0 males of depression-like model. Mechanistically, sperm miRNAs reshape early embryonic transcriptional profiles in the core neuronal circuits toward depression-like phenotypes. Overall, the findings reveal a causal role of sperm miRNAs in the inheritance of depression and provide insight into the mechanism underlying susceptibility to depression.
Reliability of Skeletal Muscle Area Measurement on CT with Different Parameters: A Phantom Study

Objective To evaluate the reliability of CT measurements of muscle quantity and quality using variable CT parameters. Materials and Methods A phantom, simulating the L2–4 vertebral levels, was used for this study. CT images were repeatedly acquired with modulation of tube voltage, tube current, slice thickness, and the image reconstruction algorithm. Reference standard muscle compartments were obtained from the reference maps of the phantom. Cross-sectional area based on the Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds of muscle and its components, and the mean density of the reference standard muscle compartment, were used to measure the muscle quantity and quality using different CT protocols. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated in the images acquired with different settings. Results The skeletal muscle area (threshold, −29 to 150 HU) was constant, regardless of the protocol, occupying at least 91.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. Conversely, normal attenuation muscle area (30–150 HU) was not constant in the different protocols, varying between 59.7% and 81.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. The mean density was lower than the target density stated by the manufacturer (45 HU) in all cases (range, 39.0–44.9 HU). The SNR decreased with low tube voltage, low tube current, and in sections with thin slices, whereas it increased when the iterative reconstruction algorithm was used. Conclusion Measurement of muscle quantity using HU threshold was reliable, regardless of the CT protocol used. Conversely, the measurement of muscle quality using the mean density and narrow HU thresholds were inconsistent and inaccurate across different CT protocols. Therefore, further studies are warranted in future to determine the optimal CT protocols for reliable measurements of muscle quality.
Medical Gender Affirmation and HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention in Transgender Youth: Results from the Survey of Today's Adolescent Relationships and Transitions, 2018.

Purpose: We assessed the association of receipt of medical gender affirmation services (e.g., hormones, surgery) with HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and knowledge indicators among transgender youth. Methods: A United States online sample of sexually experienced transgender youth ages 13-24 years (N = 1029) in 2018 completed a cross-sectional survey, including questions about sociodemographics, medical gender affirmation, and HIV and STD prevention outcomes (HIV testing, STD testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] awareness, and nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis [nPEP] awareness). Logistic regression models were fit to assess the association of medical gender affirmation with HIV and STD prevention outcomes. Interaction terms and stratified models assessed differences in the association between medical gender affirmation and outcomes by gender identity. Results: Participants' mean age was 19.1 (standard deviation = 2.7), 45% were transgender female, 29% transgender male, 26% nonbinary, 53% were youth of color, and 19% accessed medical gender affirmation services. Medical gender affirmation was associated with increased odds of STD testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33-2.73) with no significant interactions by gender identity. Associations between medical gender affirmation and awareness of PrEP and nPEP varied by gender identity. Among transgender male youth, medical gender affirmation was associated with awareness of PrEP (aOR = 2.65; 95% CI = 1.50-4.71) and nPEP (aOR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.12-3.71). Among nonbinary youth, medical gender affirmation was associated with awareness of PrEP (aOR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.26-11.27). Conclusion: Medical gender affirmation was associated with uptake and awareness of sexual health services. Bolstering medical gender affirmation for transgender youth may also bolster preventive health services broadly.
Localised laccase activity modulates distribution of lignin polymers in gymnosperm compression wood

Summary The woody stems of coniferous gymnosperms produce specialised compression wood to adjust the stem growth orientation in response to gravitropic stimulation. During this process, tracheids develop a compression‐wood‐specific S2L cell wall layer with lignins highly enriched with p‐hydroxyphenyl (H)‐type units derived from H‐type monolignol, whereas lignins produced in the cell walls of normal wood tracheids are exclusively composed of guaiacyl (G)‐type units from G‐type monolignol with a trace amount of H‐type units. We show that laccases, a class of lignin polymerisation enzymes, play a crucial role in the spatially organised polymerisation of H‐type and G‐type monolignols during compression wood formation in Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). We performed a series of chemical‐probe‐aided imaging analysis on C. obtusa compression wood cell walls, together with gene expression, protein localisation and enzymatic assays of C. obtusa laccases. Our data indicated that CoLac1 and CoLac3 with differential oxidation activities towards H‐type and G‐type monolignols were precisely localised to distinct cell wall layers in which H‐type and G‐type lignin units were preferentially produced during the development of compression wood tracheids. We propose that, not only the spatial localisation of laccases, but also their biochemical characteristics dictate the spatial patterning of lignin polymerisation in gymnosperm compression wood.
Transcranial direct current stimulation for empathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been used to modulate empathy, but no studies have meta-analyzed the evidence base for its efficacy. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of tDCS at modulating empathy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving anodal or cathodal versus sham tDCS to modulate empathy in healthy adults and clinical populations. Random-effects modelling was applied to pooling overall efficacy estimates using standardized mean differences (Hedge’s g) and 95% confidence intervals. Outcome measures for tasks designed to measure empathy were reaction time and accuracy. Anodal tDCS appears to improve lab-based computerized measures of cognitive empathy in healthy adult volunteers. While the evidence provided by this review may be of relevance to individuals with impaired empathic capabilities, the generalizability of our findings is geared towards nonclinical populations given the preponderance of healthy volunteers in our review. Hence, it is not clear if moderate improvements in speed and accuracy on lab-based computerized empathy measures would lead to meaningful clinical improvements. Future studies should consider the use of tDCS to modulate empathy in clinical populations.
Brown syndrome: clinical features and results of superior oblique tenotomy.

PURPOSE This study was conducted to further define the specific clinical characteristics of patients with Brown syndrome and evaluate the outcomes of superior oblique tenotomy in its surgical management. METHODS A retrospective analysis of the medical charts of 45 patients with Brown syndrome was performed, which revealed that 11 patients underwent superior oblique tenotomy due to abnormal head posture and/or hypotropia and 1 patient underwent bilateral superior oblique tendon elongation with a silicone band due to abnormal head posture. In the last patient, silicone bands were removed at the postoperative 3rd month due to the lack of improvement in the abnormal head posture and the limitation of elevation in adduction. Simultaneous horizontal rectus muscle surgery was performed in four patients. RESULTS There was a predominance of female gender, right eye, congenital form, unilaterality, A-pattern, and an abnormal head posture type with a combination of chin up and head tilting. Bilateral form was observed only in female patients. Amblyopia was detected in two patients. Among patients aged >5 years, 40% had reduced stereopsis. Abnormal head posture was found in 60% of patients. More than half of them were diagnosed with a vertical and/or horizontal deviation. Tenotomy procedure eliminated the abnormal head posture in all patients and significantly improved the mean limitation of elevation in adduction and hypotropia (p=0.001, p=0.012). Two patients developed inferior oblique overaction in the operated eye. There was complete spontaneous resolution in two patients. CONCLUSIONS The clinical features of patients with Brown syndrome in our study are considerably consistent with those of previous reports. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of superior oblique tenotomy with less overcorrection in the surgical treatment of Brown syndrome.
Phonon density-of-states in bcc and hcp Eu metal under high pressure measured by 151Eu nuclear inelastic scattering of synchrotron radiation

We present the first study of the phonon density-of-states (DOS) of mixed-valent (m.v.) Eu metal in the bcc-phase at 10 GPa and in the hcp-phase at 17 GPa using 151Eu nuclear inelastic scattering of synchrotron radiation. In both cases, features in the phonon-DOS exhibit shifts to lower energies when compared with stable divalent or trivalent rare-earth metals with larger molar volumes. These anomalous properties are caused by the strong m.v. state of Eu in both phases, determined independently by 151Eu nuclear forward scattering, and are discussed in conjunction with a recent study of the Sm phonon-DOS in divalent and m.v. SmS.
Trends in conditional overall survival of esophageal cancer: a population-based study

Background This study aims to investigate the causes of death in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) and report reliable and accurate estimates of adjusted conditional overall survival (COS). Methods We retrieved data on patients aged 18 years or older who were diagnosed with EC between 1975 and 2016 from the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) registry. We estimated COS by using an inverse probability weighting method to adjust for the available covariates. Linear trends were analyzed via a weighted linear regression. Results A total of 40,142 confirmed patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 20,971 were diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 19,171 were diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma. EC was the leading cause of death, followed by heart disease (5.2%), stomach cancer (3.2%), and other diseases (2.9%). Five-year adjusted COS, given that patients had already survived 36 months was improved from 0.50 to 0.87 (PDifference<0.001) in comparison with the 5-year conventional overall survival. As the survival time increased from 0 to 48 months, the 5-year adjusted COS improved significantly. The adjusted conditional EC-specific survival also showed similar trends. Conclusions For patients with EC who had survived over time, the 5-year adjusted COS and the conditional EC-specific survival improved dramatically. Other causes of death in EC patients should also be considered.
The Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Cascade in At-Risk Transgender Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States.

Purpose: This analysis was designed to characterize the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cascade in a U.S. national sample of transgender men and trans masculine adults who have sex with cisgender men (trans MSM) at-risk for HIV acquisition. Methods: From November to December 2017, 843 HIV-negative trans MSM self-reporting past-6-month receptive sex with a cisgender man were recruited via peer referrals, dating apps, listservs, and social media. A computer-assisted self-interview assessed demographics, health care, and the PrEP cascade. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models evaluated factors associated with PrEP uptake and persistence. Results: Mean age was 28.1 years (standard deviation = 7.1); 4.8% were Black, 21.7% Latinx, and 25.6% another race/ethnicity. A total of 84.1% had heard of PrEP, with 67.3% reporting interest. More than half (55.2%) were PrEP indicated, of which 50.8% were PrEP naive. Approximately 1/4 (28.0%) reported PrEP use, of which 65.3% were PrEP persistent. PrEP modality preferences were injectable (51.2%), daily oral pill (22.1%), and anal gel/lube (14.6%). Reasons for PrEP noninterest were no HIV risk (68.5%), cost (24.2%), and side effects (20.1%). Surgical gender affirmation, no health care discrimination, and social media as a primary health information source were associated with increased odds of PrEP uptake and persistence (all p < 0.05). PrEP adherence difficulties were reported by 52.6%, due to busy/inconsistent schedule (53.1%), side effects (27.4%), and too many medical visits (11.6%). Conclusion: PrEP uptake was modest among the trans MSM sampled, given prevalent HIV risk behaviors. The limited PrEP uptake in at-risk trans MSM suggests the need to develop culturally tailored community education and interventions.
Accuracy of Digital Impressions Obtained Using Six Intraoral Scanners in Partially Edentulous Dentitions and the Effect of Scanning Sequence.

PURPOSE To compare the accuracy of six intraoral scanners in two different partially edentulous maxillary models and to evaluate the effect of scanning sequence on accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Maxillary Kennedy Class I and Class IV situations were used as reference models. The reference datasets were obtained by scanning the models using a highly accurate industrial scanner (ATOS Core 80, GOM). The following six intraoral scanners were evaluated: Trios 3 (3Shape), iTero Element 2 (Align Technology), Emerald (Planmeca), CEREC Omnicam (Dentsply Sirona), CEREC Primescan (Dentsply Sirona), and Virtuo Vivo (Dental Wings). A total of 120 scans from both models were obtained using the six intraoral scanners and divided into two groups based on scanning sequence. Accuracy was evaluated by deviation analysis using 3D image processing software (Geomagic Studio 12, 3D Systems). Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed (P ≤ .05) for statistical analysis. RESULTS There were significant differences in the accuracy of digital impressions among intraoral scanners and scanning sequences. The trueness of the Trios scanner and the precision of the Trios, Primescan, and iTero scanners were significantly higher than for the other scanners. The Emerald had the lowest accuracy among the six intraoral scanners tested. Accuracy was affected by scanning sequence when using the Virtuo Vivo, Emerald, Primescan, and iTero. CONCLUSION In Kennedy Class I and Class IV partially edentulous cases, it is useful to consider that the intraoral scanner used may affect the accuracy of the digital impression.
Prediction in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence

According to a recent influential proposal, several phenotypic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be accounted for by differences in predictive skills between individuals with ASD and neurotypical individuals. In this systematic review, we describe results from 47 studies that have empirically tested this hypothesis. We assess the results based on two observable aspects of prediction: learning a pairing between an antecedent and a consequence and responding to an antecedent in a predictive manner. Taken together, these studies suggest distinct differences in both predictive learning and predictive response. Studies documenting differences in learning predictive pairings indicate challenges in detecting such relationships especially when predictive features of an antecedent have low salience or consistency, and studies showing differences in habituation and perceptual adaptation suggest low‐level predictive processing differences in ASD. These challenges may account for the observed differences in the influence of predictive priors, in spontaneous predictive movement or gaze, and in social prediction. An important goal for future research will be to better define and constrain the broad domain‐general hypothesis by testing multiple types of prediction within the same individuals. Additional promising avenues include studying prediction within naturalistic contexts and assessing the effect of prediction‐based intervention on supporting functional outcomes for individuals with ASD.
Optimization of Drum Drying Parameters for Low Amylose Rice (KDML105) Starch and Flour

Abstract An attempt was made to study and model the effects of drum drying process variables on the physico–chemical properties of low amylose rice (KDML105) flour and starch. Drum surface temperature, holding time and solid content of the slurry were varied at three levels: 115–135°C, 14–84 s and 20–40%, w/w, respectively. The dependent variables were moisture content (MC), degree of gelatinization (DG), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI) and pasting property. High solid content led to a decrease in DG, WAI and initial peak viscosity (IPV) and increase in WSI of dried samples. Longer holding time resulted in increased DG while surface temperature had no significant effect on all characteristics. Predictive correlations were developed using stepwise multiple linear regression to predict MC, DG, WAI, WSI, and IPV of dried products from drum drying variables.
Pulmonary vein stenosis after lung transplantation: a case report and literature review

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare event following lung transplantation which increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Early detection and rapid treatment of this condition is crucial for its management. Although several reports on PVS have been published, there is little consensus regarding its diagnosis and the methods of management. Here we present our experience with PVS. A 31-year-old man received a left lung transplant for chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. One year after his single-lung transplant, he began to develop persistent progressive hypoxemia. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed left pleural effusion and thickening of the interlobular septa. The results of bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsies excluded the possibility of acute rejection or infection. The pleural effusion was transudative with lymphocyte predominance. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the left atrium and pulmonary veins demonstrated obvious stenosis of both the upper and lower left pulmonary veins (LLPVs) at the transplant anastomotic site. The patient underwent a catheter-guide stent implantation into the stenotic segment of the upper left pulmonary vein (ULPV), and his pleural effusion and hypoxemia problems were ameliorated. Ten months after the intervention, the patient was in excellent clinical condition. In a literature review, we discuss the importance of identifying PVS early after transplantation, the utility of CTA for diagnosis and the use of pulmonary vein stenting intervention. This review provides a basis for further diagnostic strategies and treatments for PVS following lung transplantation.
Kidney organoids: Research in developmental biology and emerging applications

Kidney organoids generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have drastically changed the field of stem cell research on human kidneys within a few years. They are self‐organizing multicellular structures that contain nephron components such as glomeruli and renal tubules in most cases, but hPSC‐derived ureteric buds, the progenitors of collecting ducts and ureters, can also form three‐dimensional organoids. Today's challenges facing human kidney organoids are further maturation and anatomical integrity in order to achieve a complete model of the developing kidneys and ultimately a complete adult organ. Since chronic kidney disease (CKD) and impaired kidney function are an increasing burden on public health worldwide, there is an urgent need to develop effective treatments for various renal conditions. In this regard, hPSC‐derived kidney organoids may impact medicine by providing new translational approaches. The unique ability of kidney organoids derived from disease‐specific hPSCs to reproduce human diseases caused by genetic alterations may help provide the next generation of kidney disease models. Recent advances in the field of kidney organoid research have been generally accompanied by progress in developmental biology and other technological breakthroughs. In this review, we consider the current trends in kidney organoid technology, especially focusing on the relationship to the study of human kidney development, and discuss the remaining hurdles and prospects in regenerating human kidney structures beyond organoids.
Values of Baseline Posterior Circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score for Treatment Decision of Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background and Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the impact of baseline posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS) on the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy (EVT) for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion. Methods: The BASILAR was a nationwide prospective registry of consecutive patients with a symptomatic and radiologically confirmed acute basilar artery occlusion within 24 hours of symptom onset. We estimated the effect of standard medical therapy alone (SMT group) versus SMT plus EVT (EVT group) for patients with documented pc-ASPECTS on noncontrast CT, both as a categorical (0–4 versus 5–7 versus 8–10) and as a continuous variable. The primary outcomes included favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale ≤3) at 90 days and mortality within 90 days. Results: In total, 823 cases were included: 468 with pc-ASPECTS 8 to 10 (SMT: 71; EVT: 397), 317 with pc-ASPECTS 5 to 7 (SMT: 85; EVT: 232), and 38 with pc-ASPECTS 0 to 4 (SMT: 13; EVT: 25). EVT was associated with higher rate of favorable outcomes (adjusted relative risk with 95% CI, 4.35 [1.30–14.48] and 3.20 [1.68–6.09]; respectively) and lower mortality (60.8% versus 77.6%, P=0.005 and 35.0% versus 66.2%, P<0.001; respectively) than SMT in the pc-ASPECTS 5 to 7 and 8 to 10 subgroups. Continuous benefit curves also showed the superior efficacy and safety of EVT over SMT in patients with pc-ASPECTS ≥5. Furthermore, the prognostic effect of onset to puncture time on favorable outcome with EVT was not significant after adjustment for pc-ASPECTS (adjusted odds ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.94–1.02]). Conclusions: Patients of basilar artery occlusion with pc-ASPECTS ≥5 could benefit from EVT. The baseline pc-ASPECTS appears more important for decision making and predicting prognosis than time to EVT. Registration: URL: http://www.chictr. org.cn. Unique identifier: ChiCTR1800014759.