Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Efficacy Evaluation of Recombinant Topical Thrombin (RECOTHROM®) With A Gelatin Sponge Carrier Versus Topical Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose (TABOTAMP®/SURGICEL®) In A Porcine Liver Bleeding Model

Abstract Purpose Topical hemostatic agents can be classified as active or passive. This study compared the hemostatic efficacy of an active agent, recombinant thrombin (RECOTHROM® [rT]) plus gelatin sponge carrier versus a passive agent, oxidized regenerated cellulose (TABOTAMP®/SURGICEL® [ORC]), in a porcine liver abrasion model. Materials and Methods Eight pigs were used, four of them were heparinized. A total of 80 liver lesions were created, 40 of them in heparinized pigs. Lesions were treated with rT plus gelatin sponge or ORC. Bleeding rate was quantified before treatment by applying pre-weighed gauze. Time to hemostasis was assessed visually for 10 minutes. Results Seven of the 80 lesions were excluded for having initial bleeding rates exceeding the target of 10 g/min. Sixteen and 20 lesions were treated with rT plus gelatin sponge and 19 and 18 lesions were treated with ORC, in non-heparinized and heparinized animals, respectively. Time to hemostasis (median [IQR]) was significantly shorter with rT plus gelatin sponge (30 [30,30] seconds) in heparinized and non-heparinized animals versus ORC in non-heparinized (180 [120,210] seconds) and heparinized animals (215 [135,345] seconds); P < 0.0001 for both comparisons. In heparinized animals, ORC took longer to achieve hemostasis, with treatment failure in 2/18 lesions. Time to hemostasis with ORC was longer for lesions in heparinized animals with initial bleeding rates of >5–10 g/min (285 [225,394] seconds) versus ≤5 g/min (175 [108,290] seconds). Conclusions In this model, rT plus gelatin sponge carrier (active) was a more effective hemostat than ORC (passive) in both heparinized and non-heparinized animals.
Validation of Deep Convolutional Neural Network-based algorithm for detection of diabetic retinopathy – Artificial intelligence versus clinician for screening

Purpose: Deep learning is a newer and advanced subfield in artificial intelligence (AI). The aim of our study is to validate a machine-based algorithm developed based on deep convolutional neural networks as a tool for screening to detect referable diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: An AI algorithm to detect DR was validated at our hospital using an internal dataset consisting of 1,533 macula-centered fundus images collected retrospectively and an external validation set using Methods to Evaluate Segmentation and Indexing Techniques in the field of Retinal Ophthalmology (MESSIDOR) dataset. Images were graded by two retina specialists as any DR, prompt referral (moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or above or presence of macular edema) and sight-threatening DR/STDR (severe NPDR or above) and compared with AI results. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve (AUC) for both internal and external validation sets for any DR detection, prompt referral, and STDR were calculated. Interobserver agreement using kappa value was calculated for both the sets and two out of three agreements for DR grading was considered as ground truth to compare with AI results. Results: In the internal validation set, the overall sensitivity and specificity was 99.7% and 98.5% for Any DR detection and 98.9% and 94.84%for Prompt referral respectively. The AUC was 0.991 and 0.969 for any DR detection and prompt referral respectively. The agreement between two observers was 99.5% and 99.2% for any DR detection and prompt referral with a kappa value of 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. In the external validation set (MESSIDOR 1), the overall sensitivity and specificity was 90.4% and 91.0% for any DR detection and 94.7% and 97.4% for prompt referral, respectively. The AUC was. 907 and. 960 for any DR detection and prompt referral, respectively. The agreement between two observers was 98.5% and 97.8% for any DR detection and prompt referral with a kappa value of 0.971 and 0.980, respectively. Conclusion: With increasing diabetic population and growing demand supply gap in trained resources, AI is the future for early identification of DR and reducing blindness. This can revolutionize telescreening in ophthalmology, especially where people do not have access to specialized health care.
Factor Structure, Convergent, and Divergent Validity of the Prodromal Questionnaire–Negative Symptom Subscale

Negative symptoms such as anhedonia are associated with psychosis risk and poorer outcomes. The Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) is a self-report questionnaire used to screen for psychosis spectrum symptoms. However, the convergent and divergent validity and underlying factor structure of the PQ–negative symptom subscale (PQ-N) have yet to be examined. Undergraduates (N = 1,556) completed the PQ, Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale, and measures assessing anxiety, depression, and motivation. An exploratory factor analysis conducted on the PQ-N yielded a two-factor solution, reflecting subdimensions of social expression and dissociative–depressive experiences, contrary to previous research examining the factor structure of negative symptoms. Associations between the PQ-N, its two factors, and measures of negative symptoms and other psychopathology were examined. Results indicated that the PQ-N and its factors were more strongly correlated with measures of depression and anxiety than with measures of negative symptoms relating to motivation and pleasure, suggesting poor convergent and divergent validity.
Pan-cancer analysis of RNA methyltransferases identifies FTSJ3 as a potential regulator of breast cancer progression

ABSTRACT RNA methylation, catalysed by a set of RNA methyltransferases (RNMTs), modulates RNA structures, properties, and biological functions. RNMTs are increasingly documented to be dysregulated in various human diseases, particularly developmental disorders and cancer. However, the genomic and transcriptomic alterations of RNMTs, as well as their functional roles in human cancer, are limited. In this study, we utilized an unbiased approach to examine copy number alterations and mutation rates of 58 RNMTs in more than 10,000 clinical samples across 32 human cancer types. We also investigated these alterations and RNMT expression level as they related to clinical features such as tumour subtype, grade, and survival in a large cohort of tumour samples, focusing on breast cancer. Loss-of-function analysis was performed to examine RNMT candidates with important roles in growth and viability of breast cancer cells. We identified a subset of RNMTs, notably TRMT12, NSUN2, TARBP1, and FTSJ3, that were amplified or mutated in a subset of human cancers. Several RNMTs were significantly associated with breast cancer aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Loss-of-function analysis indicated FTSJ3, a 2ʹ-O-Me methyltransferase, as a candidate RNMT with functional roles in promoting cancer growth and survival. A subset of RNMTs, like FTSJ3, represents promising novel targets for anticancer drug discovery. Our findings provide a framework for further study of the functional consequences of RNMT alterations in human cancer and for developing therapies that target cancer-promoting RNMTs in the future.
HIV coinfections with tuberculosis among HIV-1 infected individuals in old cross river state, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) are two main global public health threats that dent development in low and middle-income countries. This study evaluated the HIV/TB co-infection rate among HIV-1 infected individuals in old Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 417 HIV-infected individuals participated in this study, 241 (57.8%) from Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria and 176 (42.2%) from Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The age range of the 417 HIV-1 positive individuals who participated in the study was 4–72 years with an average age of 39.1 years. Plasma samples were analyzed for HIV and TB using fourth-generation Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent Assay. The CD4 count was enumerated using the Partec CyFlow® Counter. Plasma viral loads (PVL) were determined using the Abbott Real-Time HIV-1 assay. Results showed that 230 (55.2%) of the participants were in the 31–45 years age range. The majority (67.4%) of the HIV-1 infected individuals were females and 32.6% were males. An overall prevalence of HIV/TB coinfection in Old Cross River State, Nigeria was 1.4%, with Akwa Ibom State (0.6%) and Cross River State (1.2%). A higher prevalence of HIV/TB coinfection was observed among females (1.8%) than in males (0.7%). Higher prevalences of HIV/TB coinfections was observed in patients above 45 years of age (2.2%), married (2.3%), tertiary education (1.8%) followed by those with secondary education (1.4%), traders and civil servants (3.1%), patients with CD4 counts 200–349 and ≥500 cells/μl (1.9%), and those with viral load <40 copies/mL (2.7%). This study confirmed the presence of HIV/TB co-infection in old Cross River State, Nigeria. Although the prevalence rate of HIV/TB coinfection was low, its presence alone among HIV-1 infected individuals makes it a major source of concern. This finding highlights the need for a well-structured approach to the management of co-infection, and this includes both the social and medical aspects of the problem.
Validation of the spanish version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is an instrument that assesses nine cognitive strategies to cope with negative situations. The aim of this study was to validate the CERQ for a sample of Spanish adolescents, to analyse reliability and validity, and to examine the factor structure by confirmatory factor analysis. METHOD The Spanish version of CERQ (CERQ-S) and other scales (gratitude, emotional intelligence, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety and stress) were completed by 835 adolescents aged 14-18 (455 girls) from the South of Spain. RESULTS The results showed that the CERQ-S in adolescents (CERQ-SA) has appropriate psychometric properties with indexes of reliability a = . 89 and w = . 96, and the original nine-factor structure was confirmed. There was also significant correlation between the CERQ-SA and the other scales, showing evidence of convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the CERQ-SA could be useful for appraising cognitive coping in adolescents. This will help to expand the study and understanding of these strategies, their influence and their consequences for adolescents' psychological functioning and health.
Cognitive behavioral intervention improves quality of life and perceived illness acceptance in patients after cardiac electrotherapy devices implantation.

OBJECTIVES This study is an attempt to provide an analysis of the influence of implementation of cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) in patients after cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation on the quality of life following the procedure as well as the level of illness acceptance. METHODS The study group consisted of patients who underwent standard medical care related to CIED implantation and who additionally received CBI. Patients who received only standard medical care related to CIED implantation constituted a control group. CBI consisted of four sessions conducted over 30 (±3) days after the implantation. Demographic, clinicaland psychological factors were assessed.The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were applied. RESULTS In total, 128 patients (women: 36.7%, mean age 64.5 ± 8.9) were included in the study. The proposed cycle of four structured CBI meetings was well accepted by the patients, which is confirmed by their high turnout for these meetings. After six months, quality of life indices were significantly improved in cardiac electrotherapy recipients assigned to CBI, including: Visual Analogue Scale EQ-5D (80.2 ± 11.8 vs. 64.9 ± 14.3; p < 0.0001) and better acceptance of illness (AIS: 35.6 ± 4.3 vs. 28.7 ± 6.1; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of CBI in patients after CIED implantation significantly improved indices of quality of life as well as illness acceptance, when compared to the control group of patients in standard care following electrotherapy. CBI showed multiple benefits in this population, as well as ensures the fulfilment of its expected therapeutic effect, while short duration of the intervention did not prolong the hospitalization itself.
Psychophysiological response in night and instrument helicopter flights

Abstract Instrument and night flights are sources of mishaps: they produce stressful contexts to aircrews in which operability can be affected. This study aimed to analyse the effect of night and instrument flights in cortical arousal, autonomic modulation, muscle strength, and stress perception. 23 people were analysed (8 helicopter pilots, 4 helicopter mechanics – Spanish Air Forces – and 11 controls) before and after instrument and night flight exposition. Lactate and perceived exertion rose after flights. Anxiety was higher in instrument than in night flights. Pilots had a higher sense of anxiety before a flight compared to mechanics, although mechanics experienced a higher raise of heart rate during flight, with lower heart rate variability. Breath capacity was affected in pilots. Cortical arousal was more affected in unexperienced than in experienced aircrew during flights. These data suggest differences in their previous training. Practitioner summary: Night and instrument helicopter flights produced a different psychophysiological response of aircrew. These results could help to design specific training for aircrew that usually face instrument and night manoeuvres. Specific training based on high-intensity interval training integrated with reverse periodisation could improve their preparation. Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; BOS: blood oxygen saturation; BT: body temperature; CA: cognitive anxiety; CFFT: critical flicker fusion threshold; ES: effect size; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC: forced vital capacity; HF: high frequency; HR: heart rate; HRV: heart rate variability; HIS: isometric handgrip strength; LF: low frequency; NVG: night vision googles; PEF: peak expiratory flow; pNN50: proportion of differences between R-R intervals higher than 50 ms; RMSSD: square root of the mean of the sum of the squared differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals; RPE: rated of perceived exertion; SA: somatic anxiety; SC: self confidence; STAI: state trait anxiety inventory
CSF SerpinA1 in Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration

SerpinA1 (alpha‐1 antitrypsin) is an acute inflammatory protein, which seems to play a role in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. In Alzheimer’s disease and synucleinopathies, SerpinA1 is overexpressed in the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showing abnormal patterns of its charge isoforms. To date, no comprehensive studies explored SerpinA1 CSF isoforms in Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).
Genetic and epigenetic regulation of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are focal dilations of the aorta that develop from degenerative changes in the media and adventitia of the vessel. Ruptured AAAs have a mortality of up to 85%, thus it is important to identify patients with AAA at increased risk for rupture who would benefit from increased surveillance and/or surgical repair. Although the exact genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulating AAA formation are not completely understood, Mendelian cases of AAA, which result from pathologic variants in a single gene, have helped provide a basic understanding of AAA pathophysiology. More recently, genome wide associated studies (GWAS) have identified additional variants, termed single nucleotide polymorphisms, in humans that may be associated with AAAs. While some variants may be associated with AAAs and play causal roles in aneurysm pathogenesis, it should be emphasized that the majority of SNPs do not actually cause disease. In addition to GWAS, other studies have uncovered epigenetic causes of disease that regulate expression of genes known to be important in AAA pathogenesis. This review describes many of these genetic and epigenetic contributors of AAAs, which altogether provide a deeper insight into AAA pathogenesis.
MiR-204-5p Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-β1-Induced Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Production of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells by Regulating Six1 in Asthma

Background: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells plays critical roles in the development of airway remodeling. Six1 (sine oculis homeobox homolog 1) has been demonstrated to be involved in airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice. Objectives: The aim of this work was to investigate the potential role of miR-204-5p in the proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of airway smooth muscle cells in asthma. Methods: Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of miR-204-5p in asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected to evaluate the effect of miR-204-5p on airway smooth muscle cells. Dual-luciferase reporter experiments were applied to identify the target genes of miR-204-5p. Results: MiR-204-5p was downregulated notably in asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells as well as cells stimulated with TGF-β1. Overexpression of miR-204-5p markedly suppressed the TGF-β1-induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and the deposition of ECM, whereas the inhibition of miR-204-5p significantly enhanced the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and upregulated the level of fibronectin and collagen III. Furthermore, subsequent analyses demonstrated that Six1 was a direct target of miR-204-5p, and Western blot further indicated that miR-204-5p negatively regulated the expression of Six1. Most importantly, the restoration of Six1 expression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-204-5p on TGF-β1-induced proliferation and ECM production. Conclusions: MiR-204-5p inhibits TGF-β1-induced proliferation and ECM production of airway smooth muscle cells by regulating Six1, identifying a potential therapeutic target for preventing airway remodeling in asthma.
Daily Stressors Facilitate Giving and Receiving of Emotional Support in Adulthood.

The aims of the present study were to examine whether daily stressors are associated with engagement in emotional support and whether these associations differ by gender. Analyses were conducted using Wave 2 of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS II) data and its subproject, National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE). The sample consisted of adults aged 33 to 84 (N = 1,622). Using multinomial multilevel analysis, we looked at the associations between lagged and concurrent daily stressors with engagement in emotional support. For concurrent associations, people who experienced stressors were more likely to both give and receive, solely give, and solely receive emotional support compared to those who did not have any stressors. Women were more likely to engage in both giving and receiving of emotional support compared to men when they experienced stressors during the same day. In terms of the lagged associations, both men and women who experienced stressors during the previous day were more likely to both give and receive emotional support the next day compared to those who did not experience any stressors during the previous day. These results suggest that experiencing daily stressors facilitates giving and receiving of emotional support at daily level in adulthood. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Birth seasonality of childhood central nervous system tumors: Analysis of primary data from 16 Southern‐Eastern European population‐based registries

Season of birth, a surrogate of seasonal variation of environmental exposures, has been associated with increased risk of several cancers. In the context of a Southern‐Eastern Europe (SEE) consortium, we explored the potential association of birth seasonality with childhood (0–14 years) central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Primary CNS tumor cases (n = 6,014) were retrieved from 16 population‐based SEE registries (1983–2015). Poisson regression and meta‐analyses on birth season were performed in nine countries with available live birth data (n = 4,987). Subanalyses by birth month, age, gender and principal histology were also conducted. Children born during winter were at a slightly increased risk of developing a CNS tumor overall [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.06, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.99–1.14], and of embryonal histology specifically (IRR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.27). The winter peak of embryonal tumors was higher among boys (IRR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05–1.46), especially during the first 4 years of life (IRR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03–1.71). In contrast, boys <5 years born during summer seemed to be at a lower risk of embryonal tumors (IRR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54–0.99). A clustering of astrocytomas was also found among girls (0–14 years) born during spring (IRR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03–1.46). Although the present exploratory results are by no means definitive, they provide some indications for age‐, gender‐ and histology‐related seasonal variations of CNS tumors. Expansion of registration and linkage with cytogenetic reports could refine if birth seasonality is causally associated with CNS tumors and shed light into the complex pathophysiology of this lethal disease.
Accounting for multiple ecosystem services in a simulation of land‐use decisions: Does it reduce tropical deforestation?

Conversion of tropical forests is among the primary causes of global environmental change. The loss of their important environmental services has prompted calls to integrate ecosystem services (ES) in addition to socio‐economic objectives in decision‐making. To test the effect of accounting for both ES and socio‐economic objectives in land‐use decisions, we develop a new dynamic approach to model deforestation scenarios for tropical mountain forests. We integrate multi‐objective optimization of land allocation with an innovative approach to consider uncertainty spaces for each objective. These uncertainty spaces account for potential variability among decision‐makers, who may have different expectations about the future. When optimizing only socio‐economic objectives, the model continues the past trend in deforestation (1975–2015) in the projected land‐use allocation (2015–2070). Based on indicators for biomass production, carbon storage, climate and water regulation, and soil quality, we show that considering multiple ES in addition to the socio‐economic objectives has heterogeneous effects on land‐use allocation. It saves some natural forest if the natural forest share is below 38%, and can stop deforestation once the natural forest share drops below 10%. For landscapes with high shares of forest (38%–80% in our study), accounting for multiple ES under high uncertainty of their indicators may, however, accelerate deforestation. For such multifunctional landscapes, two main effects prevail: (a) accelerated expansion of diversified non‐natural areas to elevate the levels of the indicators and (b) increased landscape diversification to maintain multiple ES, reducing the proportion of natural forest. Only when accounting for vascular plant species richness as an explicit objective in the optimization, deforestation was consistently reduced. Aiming for multifunctional landscapes may therefore conflict with the aim of reducing deforestation, which we can quantify here for the first time. Our findings are relevant for identifying types of landscapes where this conflict may arise and to better align respective policies.