Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting Global Functional Outcomes Among Post-traumatic Epilepsy Patients After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Development of a Prognostic Model

Objective The development of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with unfavorable functional outcomes, and the global function of PTE patients might change dynamically overtime. Predicting the long-term functional outcomes of patients with PTE may help to develop accurate rehabilitation programs and improve their quality of life. Based on this, the objective of this study is to use clinical data to derive and validate a model for predicting the functional outcomes of patients with PTE after moderate-to-severe TBI. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 721 patients with PTE after moderate-to-severe TBI in the Epilepsy Centre, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, from January 2013 to December 2018. All patients had favorable global function as indicated by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) at the time of their first late post-traumatic seizure (PTS) onset, and the 5-year global function after the first late PTS onset was chosen as the principal outcome of interest. To identify possible predictors for the global functional outcomes, univariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques were used. A prognostic model was established using these identified predictors, the internal validation with the bootstrapping method was performed, and the model was then visualized as a graphical score chart. Results The 5-year global functional outcome of 98 (13.59%) patients was unfavorable, and the temporal lobe lesion was found as the strongest predictor of unfavorable outcomes. The final prognostic model also included the following other predictors: gender, age at TBI, multiple injuries, the severity of TBI, and latency of PTE. Discrimination was satisfactory with C-statistic of 0.754 (0.707 – 0.800), the goodness-of-fit test indicated good calibration (P = 0.137), and the C-statistic was 0.726 for internal validation. A graphical score chart was also constructed to provide the probability of an unfavorable 5-year global functional outcomes more readily. Conclusions Clearer treatment strategies are essential to help ameliorate the global functional outcomes of patients with PTE. Our proposed prognostic model has significant potential to be used in the clinic for predicting global functional outcomes among patients with PTE after moderate-to-severe TBI.
The Impact of Customer Experience and Customer Engagement on Behavioral Intentions: Does Competitive Choices Matters?

The study aims to analyze behavioral intentions influenced by customer engagement, experience, and identification moderated by competitive choices in the granite sector of Pakistan. The study has been carried out through primary data analysis of cross-sectional approach in the transition to a sustainable economy. In total, 400 questionnaires were distributed, for which only 216 were filled and usable with a response rate of 54%—collected data from the production managers and units. In contrast, missed mine holders and labor analyzed the data in SPSS and AMOS to run various tests, i.e., reliability, correlation analysis, regression, moderation regression, and confirmatory factor analysis. The study findings indicate a positive and significant relationship and effect among the variables. The reviews might contain some biases. Therefore, this study recommended adopting a probability sampling technique for future studies. The study results in a positive manner indicating customer service involvement as a significant factor in behavioral intention despite competitive options.
Evidence for a Prehypertensive Water Dysregulation Affecting the Development of Hypertension: Results of Very Early Treatment of Vasopressin V1 and V2 Antagonism in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

In addition to long-term regulation of blood pressure (BP), in the kidney resides the initial trigger for hypertension development due to an altered capacity to excrete sodium and water. Betaine is one of the major organic osmolytes, and its betaine/gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter (BGT-1) expression in the renal medulla relates to interstitial tonicity and urinary osmolality and volume. This study investigated altered water and sodium balance as well as changes in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) activity in female spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats from their 3–5 weeks of age (prehypertensive phase) to SHR’s 28–30 weeks of age (established hypertension-organ damage). Young prehypertensive SHRs showed a reduced daily urine output, an elevated urine osmolarity, and higher immunostaining of tubule BGT-1, alpha-1-Na-K ATPase in the outer medulla vs. age-matched WKY. ADH circulating levels were not different between young prehypertensive SHR and WKY, but the urine aquaporin2 (AQP2)/creatinine ratio and labeling of AQP2 in the collecting duct were increased. At 28–30 weeks, hypertensive SHR with moderate renal failure did not show any difference in urinary osmolarity, urine AQP2/creatinine ratio, tubule BGT-1, and alpha-1-Na-K ATPase as compared with WKY. These results suggest an increased sensitivity to ADH in prehypertensive female SHR. On this basis, a second series of experiments were set to study the role of ADH V1 and V2 receptors in the development of hypertension, and a group of female prehypertensive SHRs were treated from the 25th to 49th day of age with either V1 (OPC21268) or V2 (OPC 41061) receptor antagonists to evaluate the BP time course. OPC 41061-treated SHRs had a delayed development of hypertension for 5 weeks without effect in OPC 21268-treated SHRs. In prehypertensive female SHR, an increased renal ADH sensitivity is crucial for the development of hypertension by favoring a positive water balance. Early treatment with selective V2 antagonism delays future hypertension development in young SHRs.
Strength-Cognitive Training: A Systemic Review in Adults and Older Adults, and Guidelines to Promote “Strength Exergaming” Innovations

Background Despite functional and cognitive benefits, few adults and older adults do strength training twice per week with sufficient intensity. Exercise-based active video games (exergaming) may amplify the cognitive benefits of exercise and increase adherence and motivation toward training. However, the benefits of a well-defined and monitored dose of strength training, executed simultaneously or sequentially with a cognitive element, has received little attention. In this study we have two aims: First, to systematically gather the available evidence; second, to suggest possible ways to promote strength exergaming innovations. Methods We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials using simultaneous or sequent combined strength and cognitive training or strength exergaming to improve cognitive or functional outcomes in adults and older adults. Results After screening 1,785 studies (Google Scholar, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore Library, PsycARTICLES, Scopus, Cochrane Library and PubMed) we found three eligible studies. Of the two studies using sequent strength and cognitive training, one showed improved functionality, but the other showed negative effects on cognition. The third study using simultaneous intervention, reported a positive influence on both cognition and function, when compared with either strength training alone or a control group. Moderate level of evidence was showed on GRADE analysis. Conclusion The existing little evidence suggests that strength and cognitive training improves cognition and function in adults and older adults. The following suggestions may help to promote further innovation: (1) ensure minimal dosage of strength training (30–60 min, 2 × /week), (2) use machine-based strength training devices to control volume and intensity (to prevent cognitive components from interfering with strength training), (3) include power training by using cognitive tasks requiring rapid reactions, and (4) add cognitive memory tasks (to extend the cognitive benefits of strength training per se), and (5) include motivational exergame elements to increase adherence.
The Efficacy of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Combined With Triamcinolone Acetonide Aqueous Nasal Spray for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Objective We aimed to investigate the efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) combined with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray (TAA AQ) for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods From December 2019 to June 2021, 109 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were classified into a control group (n = 50) and an experimental group (n = 59) according to the method of treatment. Subjects in the control group were treated with FESS while those in the experimental group were treated with FESS + TAA AQ. We then compared clinical indices, total effective rate, and the clinical symptoms of patients between the two groups. The pre- and postoperative serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were also determined. Before and 12 months after surgery, we analyzed the recovery of the nasal mucosa, olfactory function, and mucociliary transport rate of each patient. Postoperative complications were observed and recorded and the quality-of-life 12 months after surgery was ascertained. Results Clinical indices and total effective rate were higher in the experimental group. After treatment, the VAS score and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in the two groups both decreased, although the experimental group had lower VAS scores and inflammatory cytokine levels. Six months after treatment, olfactory function, and the recovery of nasal mucosa were improved, MTR had increased, and the total incidence of complications had reduced in the experimental group when compared with the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of quality-of-life (P > 0.05). Conclusion The combination of FESS and TAA AQ exerted a certain therapeutic effect on chronic rhinosinusitis.
Complement Deposition Predicts Worsening Kidney Function and Underlines the Clinical Significance of the 2010 Renal Pathology Society Classification of Diabetic Nephropathy

Objectives Converging evidence points towards a role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The classification system of diabetic kidney lesions devised by the Renal Pathology Society (RPS) in 2010 are based on the pathogenic process of DN. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between glomerular C3 deposits and RPS DN classification and the combined deleterious effects thereof on kidney function. Methods The study analyzed data from 217 diabetic patients who underwent renal biopsy between 2010 and 2021 and were found to have DN as the only glomerular disease. C3 deposition was considered positive if the glomerular C3 immunofluorescence intensity was at the trace or ≥1+ level. We divided DN into five glomerular lesion classes and separately evaluated the degree of interstitial and vascular involvement. The primary outcome was the composite of a ≥50% decline from the initial estimated glomerular filtration rate, end-stage renal disease, and death. Results None of the patients were classified into class I, and few were classified into classes IIa (7.8%) and IV (9.2%). Most patients were classified as IIb (30.9%) and III (52.1%). C3 deposition was detected in 53.9% of patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DN class was significantly correlated with C3 deposits [odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–2.36; p = 0.02). During a median follow-up of 22 months, 123 (56.7%) patients reached the composite outcome. The endpoints occurred more frequently in patients with C3 deposition (69.2 vs. 42%) compared with those without C3 deposition. Patients with C3 deposition in either class IIb [hazards ratio (HR), 3.9 (95% CI, 1.14–13.17) vs. 2.46 (95% CI, 0.68–8.89)] or III [HR, 4.98 (95% CI, 1.53–16.23) vs. 2.63 (95% CI, 0.77–9.0)] had a higher risk of adverse kidney outcomes than those without C3 deposition. The prognostic accuracy of the combination of DN class and C3 deposits at 1 and 3 years was higher than that for DN class only. Conclusions Complement deposition together with DN class predicts more rapid deterioration of kidney function in DN, which underlines the clinical significance of the DN phenotype according to the RPS classification.
Bridging the Gap Between Environmental Adversity and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: The Role of Transposable Elements

Long regarded as “junk DNA,” transposable elements (TEs) have recently garnered much attention for their role in promoting genetic diversity and plasticity. While many processes involved in mammalian development require TE activity, deleterious TE insertions are a hallmark of several psychiatric disorders. Moreover, stressful events including exposure to gestational infection and trauma, are major risk factors for developing psychiatric illnesses. Here, we will provide evidence demonstrating the intersection of stressful events, atypical TE expression, and their epigenetic regulation, which may explain how neuropsychiatric phenotypes manifest. In this way, TEs may be the “bridge” between environmental perturbations and psychopathology.
Severe Symptoms of Mental Disorders Among Students Majoring in Foreign Languages in Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mental health disorders among university students have been a serious issue in many countries and can negatively affect academic performance and all aspects of daily living, relationships, and physical health. In this study, we aim to estimate the prevalence of severe symptoms of mental disorders and examine associated factors among students majoring in foreign languages in Vietnam. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) to detect severe symptoms of mental disorders in 1,788 students, including severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Financial-Study-Family-Friend (FSFF) scale was utilized to assess how much students worried about finance, academic, and social support from family and friends. Multiple logistic regressions were carried out to evaluate the relationship between severe symptoms of mental disorders and FSFF factors. The prevalence of severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were 21.1, 35.0, and 16.3%, respectively. While varying somewhat due to students' demographic characteristics, all four aspects of the FSFF scale were related to the severe symptoms of mental disorders of students. Concerns about study had the largest effects (ORs ranging from 2.84 to 3.72) while difficulty in finance had the smallest effects (ORs ranging from 1.23 to 1.37) on students' depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of severe symptoms of mental disorders in students was high in our study. Teachers and universities should focus more attention on students' mental health. Social support from family and friends also plays a crucial role in the mental health of students.
Development and Validation of Multi-Stage Prediction Models for Pre-eclampsia: A Retrospective Cohort Study on Chinese Women

Objective The aim of this study is to develop multistage prediction models for pre-eclampsia (PE) covering almost the entire pregnancy period based on routine antenatal measurements and to propose a risk screening strategy. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that included 20582 singleton pregnant women with the last menstruation between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2019. Of the 20582 women, 717 (3.48%) developed pre-eclampsia, including 46 (0.22%) with early-onset pre-eclampsia and 119 (0.58%) preterm pre-eclampsia. We randomly divided the dataset into the training set (N = 15665), the testing set (N = 3917), and the validation set (N = 1000). Least Absolute Shrinkage And Selection Operator (LASSO) was used to do variable selection from demographic characteristics, blood pressure, blood routine examination and biochemical tests. Logistic regression was used to develop prediction models at eight periods: 5–10 weeks, 11–13 weeks, 14–18 weeks, 19–23 weeks, 24–27 weeks, 28–31 weeks, 32–35 weeks, and 36–39 weeks of gestation. We calculated the AUROC (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve) on the test set and validated the screening strategy on the validation set. Results We found that uric acid tested from 5–10 weeks of gestation, platelets tested at 18–23 and 24–31 weeks of gestation, and alkaline phosphatase tested at 28–31, 32–35 and 36–39 weeks of gestation can further improve the prediction performance of models. The AUROC of the optimal prediction models on the test set gradually increased from 0.71 at 5–10 weeks to 0.80 at 24–27 weeks, and then gradually increased to 0.95 at 36–39 weeks of gestation. At sensitivity level of 0.98, our screening strategy can identify about 94.8% of women who will develop pre-eclampsia and reduce about 40% of the healthy women to be screened by 28–31 weeks of pregnancy. Conclusion We developed multistage prediction models and a risk screening strategy, biomarkers of which were part of routine test items and did not need extra costs. The prediction window has been advanced to 5–10 weeks, which has allowed time for aspirin intervention and other means for PE high-risk groups.
Current Concepts on Pathogenic Mechanisms and Histopathology in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is an interferon (IFN)-driven autoimmune disease that may be limited to the skin or can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CLE occurs in several morphologic subtypes ranging from isolated, disc-shaped plaques to disseminated skin lesions. The typical histopathologic pattern of skin lesions is named interface dermatitis and characterized by a lymphocytic infiltrate and necroptotic keratinocytes at the dermo-epidermal junction. Other histopathologic patterns primarily involve the dermis or subcutis, depending on the subtype. One critical mechanism in CLE is the chronic reactivation of innate and adaptive immune pathways. An important step in this process is the recognition of endogenous nucleic acids released from dying cells by various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and other cytosolic receptors. Crucial cells in CLE pathogenesis comprise plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as major producers of type I IFN, T cells exerting cytotoxic effects, and B cells, previously believed to contribute via secretion of autoantibodies. However, B cells are increasingly considered to have additional functions, supported by studies finding them to occur in highest numbers in chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE), a subtype in which autoantibodies are often absent. More precise knowledge of how CLE subtypes differ pathophysiologically may allow a tailored pharmacotherapy in the future, taking into account the specific molecular signature in relation to the morphologic subtype.
A Twitter-Based Economic Policy Uncertainty Index: Expert Opinion and Financial Market Dynamics in an Emerging Market Economy

In this paper, we construct a Twitter-based high-frequency Economic Policy Uncertainty (TEPU) index built on a select set of Twitter user accounts whose tweets are considered to reflect expert opinion on the topic. We study the relationship between the TEPU index and a set of key financial indicators for tracking financial developments in Turkey over the sample period 2013–2021. Based on the results from a vector autoregressive analysis, we find evidence that changes in expert opinion described by fluctuations in the TEPU index interact with fluctuations in financial indicators such as the exchange rate and the stock market index to capture information about high frequency events during our sample period. Second, fluctuations in the TEPU index emerge as a key indicator that helps to predict domestic assessments of the country risk premium measured by the CDS spread. We also find evidence that the conditional volatility of the different series reflects salient events that occurred over our sample period.
The Pathogenic R3052W BRCA2 Variant Disrupts Homology-Directed Repair by Failing to Localize to the Nucleus

The BRCA2 germline missense variant, R3052W, resides in the DNA binding domain and has been previously classified as a pathogenic allele. In this study, we sought to determine how R3052W alters the cellular functions of BRCA2 in the DNA damage response. The BRCA2 R3052W mutated protein exacerbates genome instability, is unable to rescue homology-directed repair, and fails to complement cell survival following exposure to PARP inhibitors and crosslinking drugs. Surprisingly, despite anticipated defects in DNA binding or RAD51-mediated DNA strand exchange, the BRCA2 R3052W protein mislocalizes to the cytoplasm precluding its ability to perform any DNA repair functions. Rather than acting as a simple loss-of-function mutation, R3052W behaves as a dominant negative allele, likely by sequestering RAD51 in the cytoplasm.
Speech Disfluencies in Consecutive Interpreting by Student Interpreters: The Role of Language Proficiency, Working Memory, and Anxiety

Growing research has revealed that interpreters’ individual cognitive differences impact interpreting. In this article, I examined how an interpreter’s language proficiency, working memory, and anxiety level impact speech disfluencies in target language delivery. Fifty-three student interpreters took part in three cognitive tests, respectively, of their proficiency in English (their non-native language), working memory, and anxiety level. Then they consecutively interpreted an English speech into Mandarin (their native language); their target language output was coded for different types of disfluencies (pauses, fillers, repetitions, and articulatory disfluency). It was found that anxiety level, but not language proficiency and working memory, impacted the occurrence of disfluencies in general. In particular, more anxious interpreters tended to have more fillers, such as er and um, and more repetitions of words and phrases. I discuss these findings in terms of how anxiety may impact the cognitive processes of interpreting and how to reduce student interpreters’ anxiety level in interpreting teaching and learning.
Orchid Phylotranscriptomics: The Prospects of Repurposing Multi-Tissue Transcriptomes for Phylogenetic Analysis and Beyond

The Orchidaceae is rivaled only by the Asteraceae as the largest plant family, with the estimated number of species exceeding 25,000 and encompassing more than 700 genera. To gain insights into the mechanisms driving species diversity across both global and local scales, well-supported phylogenies targeting different taxonomic groups and/or geographical regions will be crucial. High-throughput sequencing technologies have revolutionized the field of molecular phylogenetics by simplifying the process of obtaining genome-scale sequence data. Consequently, there has been an explosive growth of such data in public repositories. Here we took advantage of this unprecedented access to transcriptome data from predominantly non-phylogenetic studies to assess if it can be repurposed to gain rapid and accurate phylogenetic insights across the orchids. Exhaustive searches revealed transcriptomic data for more than 100 orchid species spanning 5 subfamilies, 13 tribes, 21 subtribes, and 50 genera that were amendable for exploratory phylotranscriptomic analysis. Next, we performed re-assembly of the transcriptomes before strategic selection of the final samples based on a gene completeness evaluation. Drawing on these data, we report phylogenetic analyses at both deep and shallow evolutionary scales via maximum likelihood and shortcut coalescent species tree methods. In this perspective, we discuss some key outcomes of this study and conclude by highlighting other complementary, albeit rarely explored, insights beyond phylogenetic analysis that repurposed multi-tissue transcriptome can offer.