Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Should Catatonia Be Conceptualized as a Pathological Response to Trauma?

Abstract Although catatonia is related to several medical conditions, catatonia as a response to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is less clear. The aim of this review is to explore the small emerging body of preliminary evidence that suggests a possible correlation between psychological trauma and catatonia. Initial data suggests a correlation between episodes of intense fear associated with trauma and PTSD and some forms of catatonic responses. Although this relationship is still speculative to be causative, it can have important implications if confirmed. This is especially salient when it is examined alongside existing studies of the response to fear in animals and the phenomenon of tonic immobility, which bears a striking resemblance to catatonia in humans. If prospective studies further support the initial findings, it could change our conceptual understanding of the etiology of a subtype of catatonia substantially while pointing to likely targets of further research to understand the biological mechanisms that underlie the illness.
Cancer stem cell‐targeted therapeutic approaches for overcoming trastuzumab resistance in HER2‐positive breast cancer

Application of the anti‐HER2 drug trastuzumab has significantly improved the prognosis of patients with the HER2‐positive subtype of breast cancer. However, 50% of patients with HER2 amplification relapse due to trastuzumab resistance. Accumulating evidence indicates that breast cancer is driven by a small subset of cancer‐initiating cells or breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which have the capacity to self‐renew and differentiate to regenerate the tumor cell hierarchy. Increasing data suggest that BCSCs are resistant to conventional therapy, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy, which drives distant metastasis and breast cancer relapse. In recent years, the trastuzumab resistance of breast cancer has been closely related to the prevalence of BCSCs. Here, our primary focus is to discuss the role of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of BCSCs in the setting of trastuzumab resistance and approaches of reducing or eradicating BCSCs in HER2‐positive breast cancer.
Time–connectivity superposition and the gel/glass duality of weak colloidal gels

Significance Quantifying the viscoelastic properties of weak colloidal gels remains challenging due to the continuously aging nature of these pasty materials. Through time-resolved mechanical and structural spectroscopy and application of the time–connectivity superposition principle we construct the viscoelastic moduli of these gels over eight decades of effective material time. This protocol reveals the dual nature of the relaxation time spectrum with gel- and glass-like characteristics at large and small scales, respectively. The structure of the network at the critical gel point sets the underlying shape of the relaxation spectrum, which the aging material retains as a fixed skeleton. The observed nonergodic behavior suggests that the local arrest of clusters initiates from small scales and continuously evolves toward larger ones. Colloidal gels result from the aggregation of Brownian particles suspended in a solvent. Gelation is induced by attractive interactions between individual particles that drive the formation of clusters, which in turn aggregate to form a space-spanning structure. We study this process in aluminosilicate colloidal gels through time-resolved structural and mechanical spectroscopy. Using the time–connectivity superposition principle a series of rapidly acquired linear viscoelastic spectra, measured throughout the gelation process by applying an exponential chirp protocol, are rescaled onto a universal master curve that spans over eight orders of magnitude in reduced frequency. This analysis reveals that the underlying relaxation time spectrum of the colloidal gel is symmetric in time with power-law tails characterized by a single exponent that is set at the gel point. The microstructural mechanical network has a dual character; at short length scales and fast times it appears glassy, whereas at longer times and larger scales it is gel-like. These results can be captured by a simple three-parameter constitutive model and demonstrate that the microstructure of a mature colloidal gel bears the residual skeleton of the original sample-spanning network that is created at the gel point. Our conclusions are confirmed by applying the same technique to another well-known colloidal gel system composed of attractive silica nanoparticles. The results illustrate the power of the time–connectivity superposition principle for this class of soft glassy materials and provide a compact description for the dichotomous viscoelastic nature of weak colloidal gels.
Prognostic value of patient‐derived xenograft engraftment in pediatric sarcomas

The goals of this work were to identify factors favoring patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) engraftment and study the association between PDX engraftment and prognosis in pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. We used immunodeficient mice to establish 30 subcutaneous PDX from patient tumor biopsies, with a successful engraftment rate of 44%. Age greater than 12 years and relapsed disease were patient factors associated with higher engraftment rate. Tumor type and biopsy location did not associate with engraftment. PDX models retained histology markers and most chromosomal aberrations of patient samples during successive passages in mice. Model treatment with irinotecan resulted in significant activity in 20 of the PDXs and replicated the response of rhabdomyosarcoma patients. Successive generations of PDXs responded similarly to irinotecan, demonstrating functional stability of these models. Importantly, out of 68 tumor samples from 51 patients with a median follow‐up of 21.2 months, PDX engraftment from newly diagnosed patients was a prognostic factor significantly associated with poor outcome (p = 0.040). This association was not significant for relapsed patients. In the subgroup of patients with newly diagnosed Ewing sarcoma classified as standard risk, we found higher risk of relapse or refractory disease associated with those samples that produced stable PDX models (p = 0.0357). Overall, our study shows that PDX engraftment predicts worse outcome in newly diagnosed pediatric sarcoma patients.
Reference Ranges for Vermis Biometry on Prenatal Ultrasound: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Purpose To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published nomograms for fetal vermis biometry. Materials and Methods A structured literature search was conducted to identify studies that reported normal measurements of the fetal vermis. A customized quality assessment tool was used to review the selected articles. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate normal ranges for vermian craniocaudal diameter, anteroposterior diameter, and surface area. Results A total of 21 studies were included for qualitative review and 3 studies were included for quantitative synthesis. The 3 included articles comprised a total of 10 910 measurements from gestational ages 17–35 weeks. The quality assessment demonstrated that there was generally poor reporting regarding maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes. Except for one article with a large sample size, the mean number of fetuses per week of gestational age was 15.9, with the lowest number being 5. There was significant statistical heterogeneity. Non-visualization rates ranged from 0–35.4 %. The craniocaudal diameter (reported in 3 articles) increased from a mean of 7.90 mm (95 % confidence interval [CI] 7.42, 8.38) at 17 weeks to 21.90 mm (95 % CI 20.63, 23.16) at 35 weeks gestation. The anteroposterior diameter (reported in 2 articles) increased from 6.30 mm (95 % CI 5.42, 7.18) at 17 weeks to 15.85 (95 %CI 15.49, 16.21) at 32 weeks. Conclusion Reference ranges for vermis biometry across gestation based on meta-analysis of existing references are provided. However, because many of the underlying studies suffered from significant methodological issues, the ranges should be used with caution.
Prognostic impact of hospital‐acquired disability in elderly patients with heart failure

Functional decline is associated with worse outcomes in patients with elderly heart failure (HF), but little is known about the prognostic impact of hospital‐acquired disability (HAD) during hospital stay after acute HF. The present study examines the prognostic significance of HAD in the prediction of all‐cause mortality in elderly patients who admitted for acute HF.
Gender Differences in Treatment Allocation and Survival of Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer: A Population-Based Study

Abstract Background Biological sex and gender have been reported to affect incidence and overall survival (OS) of curatively treated gastroesophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare palliative treatment allocation and OS between women and men with advanced gastroesophageal cancer. Methods Patients with an unresectable or metastatic esophageal (including cardia) adenocarcinoma (EAC) or squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) or gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) diagnosed in 2015-2018 were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Treatment allocation was compared using χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses, and OS using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards analysis. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results Of patients with EAC (n = 3077), ESCC (n = 794), and GAC (n = 1836), 18.0%, 39.4%, and 39.1% were women, respectively. Women less often received systemic treatment compared with men for EAC (42.7% vs 47.4%, P = .045) and GAC (33.8% vs 38.8%, P = .03) but not for ESCC (33.2% vs 39.5%, P = .07). Women had a lower probability of receiving systemic treatment for GAC in multivariable analyses (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62 to 1.00) but not for EAC (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.69 to 1.06) and ESCC (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.14). Median OS was lower in women with EAC (4.4 vs 5.2 months, P = .04) but did not differ after adjustment for patient and tumor characteristics and systemic treatment administration. Conclusions We observed statistically significant and clinically relevant gender differences in systemic treatment administration and OS in advanced gastroesophageal cancer. Causes of these disparities may be sex based (ie, related to tumor biology) as well as gender based (eg, related to differences in treatment choices).
Comprehensive mutagenesis identifies the peptide repertoire of a p53 T-cell receptor mimic antibody that displays no toxicity in mice transgenic for human HLA-A*0201

T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibodies have expanded the repertoire of antigens targetable by monoclonal antibodies, to include peptides derived from intracellular proteins that are presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules on the cell surface. We have previously used this approach to target p53, which represents a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy because of the high frequency of its deregulation by mutation or other mechanisms. The T1-116C TCRm antibody targets the wild type p5365-73 peptide (RMPEAAPPV) presented by HLA-A*0201 (HLA-A2) and exhibited in vivo efficacy against triple receptor negative breast cancer xenografts. Here we report a comprehensive mutational analysis of the p53 RMPEAAPPV peptide to assess the T1-116C epitope and its peptide specificity. Antibody binding absolutely required the N-terminal arginine residue, while amino acids in the center of the peptide contributed little to specificity. Data mining the immune epitope database with the T1-116C binding consensus and validation of peptide recognition using the T2 stabilization assay identified additional tumor antigens targeted by T1-116C, including WT1, gp100, Tyrosinase and NY-ESO-1. Most peptides recognized by T1-116C were conserved in mice and human HLA-A2 transgenic mice showed no toxicity when treated with T1-116C in vivo. We conclude that comprehensive validation of TCRm antibody target specificity is critical for assessing their safety profile.
Initial validation of the Italian version of the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire (VEQ-I)

The purpose of this study was to validate the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire in Italian language (VEQ-I). The translation and cultural adaptation of the VEQ-I was conducted using the forward-backward translation method. VEQ-I eighteen items correspond to the six-factors structure of the original version. The construct validity was verified by the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (CFI = 0.960; TLI = 0.943; RMSEA = 0.039; and SRMR = 0.040). The eighteen items were well distributed in six subscales and the six-factors structure of the questionnaire was supported. Internal Consistency value of the questionnaire was investigated for each subscale of the VEQ-I. Cronbach’s alpha and Omega values of the Reasons, Postponing Training, Unrelated Thoughts, Self-Confidence, Approval from Others and Coping with Failure subscales were 0.76 (α) and 0.76 (ω), 0.76 (α) and 0.76 (ω), 0.87 (α) and 0.88 (ω), 0.85 (α) and 0.85 (ω), 0.70 (α) and 0.72 (ω) and 0.74 (α) and 0.74 (ω), respectively. They were acceptable in all the six subscales. The concurrent validity was assessed using the correlation among the subscales of VEQ-I measures and those contained in two questionnaires: Psychobiosocial States in Physical Education (PBS-SPE) and Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2).
LINC01123 enhances osteosarcoma cell growth by activating the Hedgehog pathway via the miR‐516b‐5p/Gli1 axis

The lncRNA LINC01123 has been reported to act as an oncogene in many human cancers. Nevertheless, the function and underlying mechanism of LINC01123 in osteosarcoma (OS) remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of LINC01123 in OS progression. In this study, the expression of LINC01123 was significantly upregulated in OS cell lines than in a human osteoblast cell line. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that knockdown of LINC01123 suppressed cell progression. Mechanistically, LINC01123 acted as a competing endogenous RNA by sponging miR‐516b‐5p, thus, increasing Gli1 expression by directly targeting its 3ʹUTR. Taken together, LINC01123 enhances OS proliferation and metastasis via the miR‐516b‐5p/Gli1 axis. Therefore, LINC01123 may be a potential therapeutic target for OS treatment.
Pathophysiological roles of cell surface and extracellular protein disulfide isomerase and their molecular mechanisms

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is the prototypic member of the thiol isomerase family that catalyses disulfide bond rearrangement. Initially identified in the endoplasmic reticulum as folding catalysts, PDI and other members in its family have also been widely reported to reside on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Although how PDI is exported and retained on the cell surface remains a subject of debate, this unique pool of PDI is developing into an important mechanism underlying the redox regulation of protein sulfhydryls that are critical for the cellular activities under various disease conditions. This review aims to provide an overview of the pathophysiological roles of surface and extracellular PDI and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Understanding the involvement of extracellular PDI in these diseases will advance our knowledge in the molecular aetiology to facilitate the development of novel pharmacological strategies by specifically targeting PDI in extracellular compartments.
Second-generation laser balloon ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation assessed by continuous rhythm monitoring: the LIGHT-AF study

Aims Balloon-based technologies have been developed to simplify catheter ablation of atrial ﬁbrillation (AF), to improve the clinical outcome of the procedure and to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efﬁcacy of second-generation laser balloon (LB2) ablation in the treatment of AF using a continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring strategy. Atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATas) recurrences were assessed with implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) or devices. early a progressive long-standing
Cation exchange of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions on hardwood kraft pulp

The impact of metal ions is generally negative in closed cycle pulp mill operations and totally chlorine free bleaching. Sorption of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions from solution to unbleached birch kraft pulp was studied. Metal ions are mainly sorbed to carboxyl groups in pulp by ion exchange. The model developed in this work was applied to the following pairs of metal ions: Ca-Na, Mg-Na, Sr-Na, Ca-K, Mg-K, Sr-K and Na-K. Ion exchange constants were determined at 0.5mM and 5 mM concentrations in the pH range 4 to 10 at 25°C and expressed as concentration constants. For monovalent cations a 1:1 and for divalent cations a 1:2 stoichiometry satisfied the experimental results fairly well. Alkaline earth metal ions were clearly more strongly sorbed on hardwood pulp than were alkaline metal ions. The constants determined were used to calculate the amount of metal ions sorbed to pulp in a kraft pulping process.
COVID‐19 mortality needs age adjusting for international comparisons

Covid-19 had caused more than 1,4 million deaths worldwide by November 26th, 2020. Age is a strong predictor of Covid-19 mortality. Crude death rates have been used to compare the response of countries, however, this measure does not account for age structure. We report age-adjusted mortality and rates at similar timeframes, ~100 days from the 50th confirmed case, for 51 countries, as well as 50 states in the US and the District of Columbia. We found age-adjusted mortality rate at ~ 100 days is 18 times greater in New Jersey (largest mortality in the U.S.), compared to Maine (lowest mortality in the U.S). Similar patterns were present in world countries. In Japan, the age-adjusted mortality rate was 0.1; while in Peru was 47.6 at ~ 100 days of Covid-19 transmission (476 times higher). Europe, Latin America, and the US, resulted in highest age-adjusted mortality rates worldwide during the first 100 days of transmission. The data suggest that measures taken by different territories might be a factor for the different mortality rates across regions and countries worldwide. Age-adjustments are needed to compare mortality between populations with different age-structures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Pocket Rocket: An electrothermal plasma micro-thruster

Recently, an increase in use of micro-satellites constructed from commercial off the shelf (COTS) components has developed, to address the large costs associated with designing, testing and launching satellites. One particular type of micro-satellite of interest are CubeSats, which are modular 10 cm cubic satellites with total weight less than 1.33 kg. To assist with orbit boosting and attitude control of CubeSats, micro-propulsion systems are required, but are currently limited. A potential electrothermal plasma micro-thruster for use with CubeSats or other micro-satellites is under development at The Australian National University and forms the basis for this work. The thruster, known as ‘Pocket Rocket’, utilises neutral gas heating from ion-neutral collisions within a weakly ionised asymmetric plasma discharge, increasing the exhaust thermal velocity of the propellant gas, thereby producing higher thrust than if the propellant was emitted cold. In this work, neutral gas temperature of the Pocket Rocket discharge is studied in depth using rovibrational spectroscopy of the nitrogen (N2) second positive system (CΠu → BΠg), using both pure N2 and argon/N2 mixtures as the operating gas. Volume averaged steady state gas temperatures are measured for a range of operating conditions, with an analytical collisional model developed to verify experimental results. Results show that neutral gas heating is occurring with volume averaged steady state temperatures reaching 430 K in N2 and 1060 K for argon with 1% N2 at standard operating conditions of 1.5 Torr pressure and 10 W power input, demonstrating proof of concept for the Pocket Rocket thruster. Spatiotemporal profiles of gas temperature identify that the dominant heating mechanisms are ionneutral collisions within the discharge and wall heating from ion bombardment of the thruster walls. To complement the experimental results, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the commercial CFD-ACE+ package are performed. Simulation
Changes in surgical revascularization strategy after fractional flow reserve

In the randomized GRAFFITI trial, surgeons drew their strategy based on coronary angiography. When patients were randomized to fractional flow reserve (FFR)‐guidance, surgeons were informed of the FFR values and asked to redraw their strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes induced by FFR knowledge.
Radiofrequency Versus Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Durability of Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Effect on Atrial Fibrillation Burden

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation is presumably caused by failure to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The primary methods of PVI are radiofrequency catheter ablation (RF) and cryoballoon catheter ablation (CRYO), but these methods have not been directly compared with respect to PVI durability and the effect thereof on AF burden (% of time in AF). Methods: Accordingly, we performed a randomized trial including 98 patients (68% male, 61 [55–67] years) with paroxysmal AF assigned 1:1 to PVI by contact-force sensing, irrigated radiofrequency catheter, or second-generation cryoballoon catheter. Implantable cardiac monitors were inserted ≥1 month before PVI for assessment of AF burden and recurrence, and all patients, irrespective of AF recurrence, underwent a second procedure 4 to 6 months after PVI to determine PVI durability. Results: In the second procedure, 152 out of 199 (76%) pulmonary veins (PVs) were found durably isolated after RF and 161 out of 200 (81%) after CRYO (P=0.32), corresponding to durable isolation of all veins in 47% of patients in both groups (P=1.0). Median AF burden before PVI was 5.4% (interquartile range, 0.5%–13.0%) versus 4.0% (0.6%–18.1%), RF versus CRYO (P=0.71), and reduced to 0.0% (0.0%–0.1%) and 0.0% (0.0%–0.5%), respectively (P=0.58)—a reduction of 99.9% (92.9%–100.0%) and 99.3% (85.9%–100.0%; P=0.36). AF burden after PVI significantly correlated to the number of durably isolated PVs (P<0.01), but 9 out of 45 (20%) patients with durable isolation of all veins had recurrence of AF within 4 to 6 months after PVI (excluding a 3-month blanking period). Conclusions: PVI by RF and CRYO produce similar moderate to high PVI durability. Both treatments lead to marked reductions in AF burden, which is related to the number of durably isolated PVs. However, for one-fifth of paroxysmal AF patients, complete and durable PVI was not sufficient to prevent even short-term AF recurrence. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov; Unique identifier: NCT03805555.