Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative efficacy and safety of statin and fibrate monotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of head-to-head randomized controlled trials

Objective To assess whether in adults with dyslipidemia, statins reduce cardiovascular events, mortality, and adverse effects when compared to fibrates. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of head-to-head randomized trials of statin and fibrate monotherapy. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, WHO International Controlled Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through October 30, 2019. Trials that had a follow-up of at least 28 days, and reported mortality or a cardiovascular outcome of interest were eligible for inclusion. Efficacy outcomes were cardiovascular mortality and major cardiovascular events. Safety outcomes included myalgia, serious adverse effects, elevated serum creatinine, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Results We included 19 eligible trials that directly compared statin and fibrate monotherapy and reported mortality or a cardiovascular event. Studies had a limited duration of follow-up (range 10 weeks to 2 years). We did not find any evidence of a difference between statins and fibrates for cardiovascular mortality (OR 2.35, 95% CI 0.94–5.86, I2 = 0%; ten studies, n = 2657; low certainty), major cardiovascular events (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.80–1.65, I2 = 13%; 19 studies, n = 7619; low certainty), and myalgia (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.95–1.83, I2 = 0%; ten studies, n = 6090; low certainty). Statins had less serious adverse effects (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36–0.91, I2 = 0%; nine studies, n = 3749; moderate certainty), less elevations in serum creatinine (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.08–0.36, I2 = 0%; six studies, n = 2553; high certainty), and more elevations in alanine aminotransferase (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03–1.99, I2 = 44%; seven studies, n = 5225; low certainty). Conclusions The eligible randomized trials of statins versus fibrates were designed to assess short-term lipid outcomes, making it difficult to have certainty about the direct comparative effect on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. With the exception of myalgia, use of a statin appeared to have a lower incidence of adverse effects compared to use of a fibrate.
Immigrant–Native Disparities in Happiness among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Western European Countries: The Moderating Role of Social Capital

Objective: This study investigated native–immigrant disparities in happiness among middle-aged and older adults in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands and the moderating role of social capital associated with such disparities. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 2583 respondents aged 50 years or older from 10 origin countries from the 2015 wave of the Migrants’ Welfare State Attitudes survey were used to estimate linear regression models. Results: Older immigrants experienced different levels of happiness compared with native-born individuals. Immigrants’ socioeconomic status and other standard predictors accounted for much of the native–immigrant gap. Depending on origin countries, social capital had differential moderating roles compared to nonimmigrants. Conclusion: Immigrants were not always worse off than native-born residents; they showed a “happiness advantage” after controlling for socioeconomic status and related covariates. Social capital plays an important role in narrowing the immigrant–native gap in happiness.
A clinical characteristic analysis of five cases of rare bilateral cerebral peduncular infarction (BCPI) with the ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ sign

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, and prognosis of patients diagnosed with bilateral cerebral peduncular infarction (BCPI) with the ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ sign. Methods: This study, retrospectively summarized the clinical features, MRI and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) manifestations, and prognosis of 5 patients diagnosed with BCPI and with the ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ sign from our hospital. In the meantime, we also systematically analyzed and summarized the clinical and imaging features, and prognosis in combination with relevant cases from the national and international literature that had been reported. Results: In our study, five cases presented tetraplegia whereas 4 cases presented disturbance of consciousness. In all cases, the ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ sign was observed in the mid-brain level using a diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) cross-section. The MRA images showed thrombosis on either the basilar artery (BA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), or superior cerebellar artery (SCA). All the studied patients received standardized treatment for cerebral infarction. However, three patients died and the remaining two were left in a locked-in syndrome state. Conclusions: BCPI is a very rare stroke disease and its main clinical manifestations are locked-in syndrome and persistent vegetative states. However, the obtained imaging features on the brain-MRI of patients diagnosed with BCPI with the ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ sign can predict a bad prognosis.
Beliefs about medicines and adherence in women with breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy

The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) and Adherence Starts with Knowledge (ASK-12) questionnaire were originally developed and validated in Western populations to assess beliefs and barriers to medication adherence. The study aim is to validate the BMQ and ASK-12 questionnaire for use in a Singapore population with early stage breast cancer. English-speaking women on adjuvant endocrine therapy (n = 157) were recruited. The BMQ-Specific showed good internal consistency with structural validity. The internal consistency of BMQ-General and ASK-12 Behaviour scale improved with the new factor structure obtained from exploratory factor analysis. Further studies are needed to confirm these factor structures.
3D patient-specific spinal cord computational model for SCS management: potential clinical applications

Objective. Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established therapy for treating neuropathic chronic pain, in tonic stimulation, postural changes, electrode migration or badly-positioned electrodes can produce annoying stimulation (intercostal neuralgia) in about 35% of the patients. SCS models are used to study the effect of electrical stimulation to better manage the stimulation parameters and electrode position. The goal of this work was to develop a realistic 3D patient-specific spinal cord model from a real patient and develop a future clinical application that would help physicians to optimize paresthesia coverage in SCS therapy. Approach. We developed two 3D patient-specific models from a high-resolution MRI of two patients undergoing SCS treatment. The model consisted of a finite element model of the spinal cord and a sensory myelinated nerve fiber model. The same simulations were performed with a generalized spinal cord model and we compared the results with the clinical data to evaluate the advantages of a patient-specific model. To identify the geometrical parameters that most influence the stimulation predictions, a sensitivity analysis was conducted. We used the patient-specific model to perform a clinical application involving the pre-implantation selection of electrode polarity and study the effect of electrode offset. Main results. The patient-specific model correlated better with clinical data than the generalized model. Electrode-dura mater distance, dorsal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) thickness, and CSF diameter are the geometrical parameters that caused significant changes in the stimulation predictions. Electrode polarity could be planned and optimized to stimulate the patient’s painful dermatomes. The addition of offset in parallel electrodes would not have been beneficial for one of the patients of this study because they reduce neural activation displacement. Significance. This is the first study to relate the activation area model prediction in dorsal columns with the clinical effect on paresthesia coverage. The outcomes show that 3D patient-specific models would help physicians to choose the best stimulation parameters to optimize neural activation and SCS therapy in tonic stimulation.
Developing Soybean Protein Gel-Based Foods from Okara Using the Wet-Type Grinder Method

Okara, a by-product of tofu or soymilk, is rich in dietary fibers (DFs) that are mostly insoluble. A wet-type grinder (WG) system was used to produce nanocellulose (NC). We hypothesized that the WG system would increase the dispersion performance and viscosity of okara. These properties of WG-treated okara improve the gel-forming ability of soybean proteins. Here, the suspensions of 2 wt% okara were treated with WG for different passages (1, 3, and 5 times). The particle size distribution (PSD) and viscosity of WG-treated okara decreased and increased, respectively, with different passages. The five-time WG-treated okara homogeneously dispersed in water after 24 h, whereas untreated okara did not. The breaking stress, strain, and water holding capacity of soybean protein isolate (SPI) gels increased upon the addition of WG-treated okara. This effect increased as the number of WG treatments increased. The breaking stress and strain of SPI gels to which different concentrations of the five-time WG-treated okara were added also increased with increasing concentrations of WG-treated okara. These results suggest that NC technology can improve the physicochemical properties of okara and are useful in the development of protein gel-based foods.
Gas transport properties of biphenol polysulfones

Gas sorption and transport properties at 35 o C are reported for the polysulfone based on 4,4'-biphenol (BIPSF) and corresponding polysulfones with methyl ring substitutions, tetramethylbiphenol polysulfone (TMBIPSF) and hexamethylbiphenol polysulfone (HMBIPSF). Comparisons are made to bisphenol A polysulfone (PSF) and tetramethylbisphenol A polysulfone (TMPSF). BIPSF and PSF have very similar transport characteristics. This is attributed to the similar packing behavior of these polymers. Permeability values are discussed in terms of chain packing, fractional free volume and sub-T g relaxation behavior
Dynamics of Interfacial Electron Transfer from Photoexcited Quinizarin (Qz) into the Conduction Band of TiO2 and Surface States of ZrO2 Nanoparticles

Electron injection and back-electron-transfer (BET) dynamics of quinizarin (Qz) adsorbed on TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles has been studied by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in the visible and near-IR region. A good fraction of Qz forms a charge-transfer (CT) complex while being adsorbed on the TiO2 or ZrO2 nanoparticles surface. Following photoexcitation of Qz/TiO2 and Qz/ZrO2 systems, electron injection into the nanoparticles has been confirmed for both the systems by direct detection of electron in the nanoparticle and cation radical of Qz (Qz.+). The dynamics of BET from TiO2 and ZrO2 to the parent cation has been measured by monitoring the decay kinetics of Qz•+ and electron in the nanoparticles and it is found to be multiexponential. As S1 state of Qz lies below the conduction band edge of ZrO2 so electron injection from S1 state into the nanoparticle is not thermodynamically possible. However, the detection of Qz•+ as well as injected electrons in the case of Qz/ZrO2 system confirms tha.
High-resolution pediatric reference intervals for 15 biochemical analytes described using fractional polynomials

Abstract Objectives Assessment of children’s laboratory test results requires consideration of the extensive changes that occur during physiological development and result in pronounced sex- and age-specific dynamics in many biochemical analytes. Pediatric reference intervals have to account for these dynamics, but ethical and practical challenges limit the availability of appropriate pediatric reference intervals that cover children from birth to adulthood. We have therefore initiated the multi-center data-driven PEDREF project (Next-Generation Pediatric Reference Intervals) to create pediatric reference intervals using data from laboratory information systems. Methods We analyzed laboratory test results from 638,683 patients (217,883–982,548 samples per analyte, a median of 603,745 test results per analyte, and 10,298,067 test results in total) performed during patient care in 13 German centers. Test results from children with repeat measurements were discarded, and we estimated the distribution of physiological test results using a validated statistical approach (kosmic). Results We report continuous pediatric reference intervals and percentile charts for alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl-transferase, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, anorganic phosphate, and magnesium. Reference intervals are provided as tables and fractional polynomial functions (i.e., mathematical equations) that can be integrated into laboratory information systems. Additionally, Z-scores and percentiles enable the normalization of test results by age and sex to facilitate their interpretation across age groups. Conclusions The provided reference intervals and percentile charts enable precise assessment of laboratory test results in children from birth to adulthood. Our findings highlight the pronounced dynamics in many biochemical analytes in neonates, which require particular consideration in reference intervals to support clinical decision making most effectively.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Distress of Medical Students in Japan: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, little data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. Objective This study aimed to provide details on how medical students have been affected by the pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The survey included questions about how the participants’ mental status had changed from before to after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). Results Out of 717 medical students, 473 (66.0%) participated in the study. In total, 29.8% (141/473) of the students reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education would be ineffective compared with in-person learning. The participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (P<.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.19-3.28) as did those who said they would request food aid (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.44) and mental health care resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07-6.15). Conclusions Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend that educators inform learners that online learning is not inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.
Caregivers use gesture contingently to support word learning.

Children learn words in environments where there is considerable variability, both in terms of the number of possible referents for novel words, and the availability of cues to support word-referent mappings. How caregivers adapt their gestural cues to referential uncertainty has not yet been explored. We tested a computational model of cross-situational word learning that examined the value of a variable gesture cue during training across conditions of varying referential uncertainty. We found that gesture had a greater benefit for referential uncertainty, but unexpectedly also found that learning was best when there was variability in both the environment (number of referents) and gestural cue use. We demonstrated that these results are reflected behaviourally in an experimental word learning study involving children aged 18-24-month-olds and their caregivers. Under similar conditions to the computational model, caregivers not only used gesture more when there were more potential referents for novel words, but children also learned best when there was some referential ambiguity for words. Thus, caregivers are sensitive to referential uncertainty in the environment and adapt their gestures accordingly, and children are able to respond to environmental variability to learn more robustly. These results imply that training under variable circumstances may actually benefit learning, rather than hinder it.
Synthesis of Bis{meso-Tetrakis(4-N-alkylpyridiniumyl)porphyrinato}cerium and Its Redox Switching Behavior †

A novel double-decker porphyrin complex, bis{meso-tetrakis(4-N-alkylpyridiniumyl)porphyrinato}cerium, was prepared. Electrochemical measurements revealed that this complex exhibited reversible redox waves corresponding to a 1e– redox reaction of the cerium center. Treating the complex alternately with an oxidant and a reductant resulted in the reversible redox switching between the oxidized and reduced states in an organic solvent.
Elucidating the Importance of DOT1L Recruitment in MLL-AF9 Leukemia and Hematopoiesis

Simple Summary MLL-rearranged leukemia, driven by MLL-fusion proteins, is an aggressive, therapy-resistant leukemia found in >60% of infant leukemia and ~10% of adult leukemia. Studies have shown that inhibiting DOT1L enzymatic activity blocks leukemogenesis. However, DOT1L is critical for various normal cellular functions, including hematopoiesis. This study aimed to show that targeting the interaction between the MLL-AF9 fusion and DOT1L would inhibit leukemogenesis while sparing non-leukemic hematopoiesis. We found that disrupting the AF9-DOT1L interaction with a single point mutation was sufficient to impair leukemogenesis. We also demonstrate that genetic interventions that result in loss of DOT1L enzymatic activity in non-leukemic cells rapidly depletes hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within 7–10 days; however, hematopoiesis was preserved when the AF9-DOT1L interaction was disrupted, leaving the enzymatic function intact. These studies are a proof of concept demonstrating the potential therapeutic advantage of inhibiting the AF9-DOT1L interaction and disrupting the integrity of the MLL-fusion complex. Abstract MLL1 (KMT2a) gene rearrangements underlie the pathogenesis of aggressive MLL-driven acute leukemia. AF9, one of the most common MLL-fusion partners, recruits the histone H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L to MLL target genes, constitutively activating transcription of pro-leukemic targets. DOT1L has emerged as a therapeutic target in patients with MLL-driven leukemia. However, global DOT1L enzymatic inhibition may lead to off-target toxicities in non-leukemic cells that could decrease the therapeutic index of DOT1L inhibitors. To bypass this problem, we developed a novel approach targeting specific protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that mediate DOT1L recruitment to MLL target genes, and compared the effects of enzymatic and PPIs inhibition on leukemic and non-leukemic hematopoiesis. MLL-AF9 cell lines were engineered to carry mutant DOT1L constructs with a defective AF9 interaction site or lacking enzymatic activity. In cell lines expressing a DOT1L mutant with defective AF9 binding, we observed complete disruption of DOT1L recruitment to critical target genes and inhibition of leukemic cell growth. To evaluate the overall impact of DOT1L loss in non-leukemic hematopoiesis, we first assessed the impact of acute Dot1l inactivation in adult mouse bone marrow. We observed a rapid reduction in myeloid progenitor cell numbers within 7 days, followed by a loss of long-term hematopoietic stem cells. Furthermore, WT and PPI-deficient DOT1L mutants but not an enzymatically inactive DOT1L mutant were able to rescue sustained hematopoiesis. These data show that the AF9-DOT1L interaction is dispensable in non-leukemic hematopoiesis. Our findings support targeting of the MLL-AF9–DOT1L interaction as a promising therapeutic strategy that is selectively toxic to MLL-driven leukemic cells.
Força de tração e mobilização do solo por hastes sulcadoras de semadoras-adubadoras

No tillage implies keeping the soil surface covered with crops or crop residues, which might influence planter performance. Using fixed shanks as furrow openers to place fertiliser is an alternative to minimize compaction, as it mobilizes the soil in the sowing line. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different amounts of winter cover crop residues evenly distributed on the soil, the effect of the shanks working depth and quantity of planter lines on power demand, cross sectional furrow area and total volume of soil mobilized in the lines and corresponding wheel slippage in distrophic red Argisol. During winter, black oats and black oats plus turnip were used as cover crops before maize and beans, respectively. Increasing the working depth showed an increase in power demand, as measured directly at the shanks (three lines for maize and five for beans). There was also an effect of residue, increasing power demand on the shanks, but only measurable with the planter operating with three lines in maize sowing. Soil mobilization in the sowing lines was influenced by the amount of residues, the working depths of shank and the quantity of planter lines. Wheel slippage was higher with larger amounts of soil cover residues and when power demand was higher.
Alveolar Ridge Preservation using Autogenous Whole-Tooth versus Demineralized Dentin Grafts: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the radiographic changes and histologic healing following alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) using autogenous whole tooth (AWTG), test group versus demineralised dentin (ADDG), control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS 20 non-molar teeth indicated for extraction were randomized into two groups (n=10/group). Extracted teeth were prepared into AWTG or ADDG (0.6N HCl; 30 minutes), inserted into extraction sockets and covered by collagen membranes. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans at baseline and six months were compared to assess ridge dimensional changes. At six months, bone biopsies of engrafted sites were harvested and analyzed histomorphometrically. RESULTS All sites healed uneventfully. Reduction was 0.85±0.38mm and 1.02±0.45mm in ridge width, 0.61±0.20mm and 0.72±0.27mm in buccal and 0.66±0.31mm and 0.56±0.24mm in lingual ridge height for the AWTG- and ADDG-group respectively (p>0.05). Histologically, no inflammatory reactions were noticeable and all samples showed new bone formation. Qualitatively, graft-bone amalgamations were more pronounced in ADDG samples. Histomorphometrically, new bone, graft remnants and soft tissue occupied 37.55±8.94%, 17.05±5.58% and 45.4±4.06% of the areas in the AWTG-group, and 48.4±11.56%, 11.45±4.13% and 40.15±7.73% in the ADDG-group of the examined areas respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS ATWG and ADDG are similarly effective in ARP. Yet, histologically ADDG seems to demonstrate better graft remodeling, integration and osteoinductive properties.