Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The complex relationship of air pollution and neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation and their association with cognitive decline

Background: Air pollution and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) have been shown to affect cognitive decline in older adults. In previous studies, nSES acts as both a confounder and an effect modifier between air pollution and cognitive decline. Objectives: This study aims to examine the individual and joint effects of air pollution and nSES on cognitive decline on adults 50 years and older in Metro Atlanta, USA. Methods: Perceived memory and cognitive decline was assessed in 11,897 participants aged 50+ years from the Emory Healthy Aging Study (EHAS) using the cognitive function instrument (CFI). Three-year average air pollution concentrations for 12 pollutants and 16 nSES characteristics were matched to participants using census tracts. Individual exposure linear regression and LASSO models explore individual exposure effects. Environmental mixture modeling methods including, self-organizing maps (SOM), Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and quantile-based G-computation explore joint effects, and effect modification between air pollutants and nSES characteristics on cognitive decline. Results: Participants living in areas with higher air pollution concentrations and lower nSES experienced higher CFI scores (beta: 0.121; 95% CI: 0.076, 0.167) compared to participants living in areas with low air pollution and high nSES. Additionally, the BKMR model showed a significant overall mixture effect on cognitive decline, indicating synergy between air pollution and nSES. These joint effects explain protective effects observed in single-pollutant linear regression models, even after adjustment for confounding by nSES (e.g., an IQR increase in CO was associated with a 0.038-point decrease (95% CI: -0.06, -0.01) in CFI score). Discussion: Observed protective effects of single air pollutants on cognitive decline can be explained by joint effects and effect modification of air pollutants and nSES. Researchers must consider nSES as an effect modifier if not a co-exposure to better understand the complex relationships between air pollution and nSES in urban settings.
Effect of seizures on developmental trajectories in children with autism

The effect of seizures in 2 to 5-year-old children with ASD was investigated in the largest and the longest observational study to-date. Parents assessed the development of 8461 children quarterly for three years on five orthogonal subscales: combinatorial receptive language, expressive language, sociability, sensory awareness, and health. Seizures were reported in 11% of children. Children with no seizures developed faster compared to matched children with seizures in all subscales. On an annualized basis, participants with no seizures improved their receptive language 1.5-times faster than those with seizures; expressive language: 1.3-times faster; sociability: 2.3-times faster; sensory awareness: 6.2-times faster; and health: 20.0-times faster. This study confirms a high prevalence of seizures in ASD children and points to the need for more systematic approach to the development of treatment strategies.
Exome-wide association study to identify rare variants influencing COVID-19 outcomes: Results from the Host Genetics Initiative

Host genetics is a key determinant of COVID-19 outcomes. Previously, the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative genome-wide association study used common variants to identify multiple loci associated with COVID-19 outcomes. However, variants with the largest impact on COVID-19 outcomes are expected to be rare in the population. Hence, studying rare variants may provide additional insights into disease susceptibility and pathogenesis, thereby informing therapeutics development. Here, we combined whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing from 21 cohorts across 12 countries and performed rare variant exome-wide burden analyses for COVID-19 outcomes. In an analysis of 5,048 severe disease cases and 571,009 controls, we observed that carrying a rare deleterious variant in the SARS-CoV-2 sensor toll-like receptor TLR7 (on chromosome X) was associated with a 5.3-fold increase in severe disease (95% CI: 2.75-10.05, p=5.41x10-7). These results further support TLR7 as a genetic determinant of severe disease and suggest that larger studies on rare variants influencing COVID-19 outcomes could provide additional insights.
Nationwide Effectiveness of First and Second SARS-CoV2 Booster Vaccines During the Delta and Omicron Pandemic Waves in Hungary (HUN-VE 2 Study)

Background In Hungary, the pandemic waves in late 2021 and early 2022 were dominated by the Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants, respectively. Booster vaccines were offered with one or two doses for the vulnerable population during these periods. Methods and Findings The nationwide HUN-VE 2 study examined the effectiveness of primary immunization, single booster, and double booster vaccination in the prevention of Covid-19 related mortality during the Delta and Omicron waves, compared to an unvaccinated control population without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection during the same study periods. The risk of Covid-19 related death was 55% lower during the Omicron vs. Delta wave in the whole study population (n=9,569,648 and n=9,581,927, respectively; rate ratio [RR]: 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44–0.48). During the Delta wave, the risk of Covid-19 related death was 74% lower in the primary immunized population (RR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.25–0.28) and 96% lower in the booster immunized population (RR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.04–0.05), vs. the unvaccinated control group. During the Omicron wave, the risk of Covid-19 related death was 40% lower in the primary immunized population (RR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.55–0.65) and 82% lower in the booster immunized population (RR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.16–0.2) vs. the unvaccinated control group. The double booster immunized population had a 93% lower risk of Covid-19 related death compared to those with only one booster dose (RR: 0.07; 95% CI. 0.01–0.46). The benefit of the second booster was slightly more pronounced in older age groups. Conclusions The HUN-VE 2 study demonstrated the significantly lower risk of Covid-19 related mortality associated with the Omicron vs. Delta variant and confirmed the benefit of single and double booster vaccination against Covid-19 related death. Furthermore, the results showed the additional benefit of a second booster dose in terms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covid-19 related mortality.
Influence of User Posture and Virtual Exercise on Impression of Locomotion During VR Observation

A seated user watching his avatar walking in Virtual Reality (VR) may have an impression of walking. In this paper, we show that such an impression can be extended to other postures and other locomotion exercises. We present two user studies in which participants wore a VR headset and observed a first-person avatar performing virtual exercises. In the first experiment, the avatar walked and the participants (n=36) tested the simulation in 3 different postures (standing, sitting and Fowler’s posture). In the second experiment, other participants (n=18) were sitting and observed the avatar walking, jogging or stepping over virtual obstacles. We evaluated the impression of locomotion by measuring the impression of walking (respectively jogging or stepping) and embodiment in both experiments. The results show that participants had the impression of locomotion in either sitting, standing and Fowler’s posture. However, Fowler’s posture significantly decreased both the level of embodiment and the impression of locomotion. The sitting posture seems to decrease the sense of agency compared to standing posture. Results also show that the majority of the participants experienced an impression of locomotion during the virtual walking, jogging, and stepping exercises. The embodiment was not influenced by the type of virtual exercise. Overall, our results suggest that an impression of locomotion can be elicited in different users’ postures and during different virtual locomotion exercises. They provide valuable insight for numerous VR applications in which the user observes a self-avatar moving, such as video games, gait rehabilitation, training, etc.
We're on mute! Exclusion of nurses' voices in national decisions and responses to COVID‐19: An international perspective

Nurses are the largest healthcare workforce and have had direct, intense and sustained contact with COVID19 patients throughout the pandemic playing an essential and frontline role in the COVID19 response. Nurses have worked tirelessly and undertaken multiple roles during the pandemic including education, treatment, prevention, vaccination and research often in uncertain situations and to the detriment of their physical and mental health. They have also managed and cared for distressed patients and their families, and many have been redeployed to other roles often outside of their usual duties, all factors which have affected their wellbeing. They have publicly been lauded as ‘heroes’. Yet, their voices and perspectives are seldom heard or included in COVID19 decisionmaking and in the development of interventions and responses at all levels from individual health services to national policymaking. Indeed, it has felt like these voices have been muted and excluded. Nurses’ unique knowledge, expertise, needs and lived experiences are vital to the COVID19 response. Without their inclusion, COVID19 decisionmaking and initiatives are unlikely to be successful and patient outcomes poorer.
miRNA signatures associated with vulnerability to food addiction in mice and humans

Food addiction is characterized by a loss of behavioral control over food intake and is associated with obesity and other eating disorders. The mechanisms underlying this behavioral disorder are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the changes in miRNA expression promoted by food addiction in animals and humans and their involvement in the mechanisms underlying the behavioral hallmarks of this disorder. We found sharp similitudes between miRNA signatures in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of our animal cohort and circulating miRNA levels in our human cohort, which allowed us to identify several miRNAs of potential interest in the development of this disorder. Tough decoy (TuD) inhibition of miRNA-29c-3p in the mouse mPFC promoted persistence of the response and enhanced vulnerability to developing food addiction, whereas miRNA-665-3p inhibition promoted compulsion-like behavior and also enhanced food addiction vulnerability. In contrast, we found that miRNA-137-3p inhibition in the mPFC did not lead to the development of food addiction. Therefore, miRNA-29c-3p and miRNA-665-3p could be acting as protective factors with regard to food addiction. We believe the elucidation of these epigenetic mechanisms will lead to advances toward identifying innovative biomarkers and possible future interventions for food addiction and related disorders based on the strategies now available to modify miRNA activity and expression.
Prevalence and diversity of intestinal parasites in household and temple pigeons (Columba livia) in central Nepal

Abstract Background Intestinal infection, caused by various protozoans and helminths, represents one of the significant health concerns in pigeons around the world. Objectives The present study aimed to determine the diversity and prevalence of the intestinal parasites in pigeons found in Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan, in central Nepal. Methods The fresh faecal samples (n = 155) were non‐invasively collected from different households and temples pigeons The individual samples were immediately preserved in the 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and transported to the research laboratory. Following direct wet mount and concentration methods, the samples were observed under a compound microscope. Results The results showed 87.1% prevalence rate with 16 parasite species that included 8 protozoan and 8 helminth faunae. The faecal samples of temple pigeons contained a higher prevalence rate with higher parasitic richness (95.6%; 16 species) than household pigeons (75.4%; 12 species). Mixed infection up to four different species was recorded in both types of sampling populations. Conclusions Pigeons harbour a greater prevalence and wider diversity of intestinal parasites and the parasitism varies based on the habitats. Proper management and effective deworming practices are recommended to control intestinal parasitic infection in these avian hosts.
Management of pancreatic walled-off necrosis using an ultrasonic pneumatic lithotripsy system and double-catheter aspirated lavage performed through drainage tract: a case report

Patients with pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON) treated by minimally invasive approaches often require repeated necrosectomy instead of conventional open necrosectomy. A 55-year-old woman with lateral infected pancreatic WON was successfully treated by an infrequently used technique involving an ultrasonic pneumatic lithotripsy system (UPLS) and double-catheter aspirated lavage through a percutaneous drainage tract. No perioperative complications occurred. The mean operating time of the repeated procedures was 35 minutes (range, 25–48 minutes). The total hospitalization stay was 46 days, and no recurrence of the fluid collection was observed during the 15-month follow-up period. UPLS-assisted necrosectomy and double-catheter aspirated lavage is an alternative technique for lateral WON that fails to improve by percutaneous drainage. It efficiently combines disintegration and aspiration procedures and can be safely repeated under total intravenous anesthesia through sinus tracts.
Analysis of synthetic magnetic resonance images by multi-channel segmentation increases accuracy of volumetry in the putamen and decreases mis-segmentation in the dural sinuses

Background Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using magnetic resonance imaging (MR) has been used to estimate cortical atrophy associated with various diseases. However, there are mis-segmentations of segmented gray matter image in VBM. Purpose To study a twofold evaluation of single- and multi-channel segmentation using synthetic MR images: (1) mis-segmentation of segmented gray matter images in transverse and cavernous sinuses; and (2) accuracy and repeatability of segmented gray matter images. Material and Methods A total of 13 healthy individuals were scanned with 3D quantification using an interleaved Look–Locker acquisition sequence with a T2 preparation pulse (3D-QALAS) sequence on a 1.5-T scanner. Three of the 13 healthy participants were scanned five consecutive times for evaluation of repeatability. We used SyMRI software to create images with three contrasts: T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), and proton density-weighted (PDW) images. Manual regions of interest (ROI) on T1W imaging were individually set as the gold standard in the transverse sinus, cavernous sinus, and putamen. Single-channel (T1W) and multi-channel (T1W + T2W, T1W + PDW, and T1W + T2W + PDW imaging) segmentations were performed with statistical parametric mapping 12 software. Results We found that mis-segmentations in both the transverse and cavernous sinuses were large in single-channel segmentation compared with multi-channel segmentations. Furthermore, the accuracy of segmented gray matter images in the putamen was high in both multi-channel T1W + PDW and T1W + T2W + PDW segmentations compared with other segmentations. Finally, the highest repeatability of left putamen volumetry was found with multi-channel segmentation T1WI + PDWI. Conclusion Multi-channel segmentation with T1WI + PDWI provides good results for VBM compared with single-channel and other multi-channel segmentations.
Lung ultrasound in premature infants as an early predictor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a widely used technique in neonates to diagnose a lot of acute diseases. However, its role in the diagnosis of chronic lung conditions is still to be evaluated. We aimed to describe the changes in ultrasound images as well as the appearance of lung consolidations (LC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Effects of Polyester Fibers and Car Tire Particles on Freshwater Invertebrates

Microplastic ingestion has been shown for various organisms, but knowledge of the potential adverse effects on freshwater invertebrates remains limited. We assessed the ingestion capacity and the associated effects of polyester fibers (26–5761 µm) and car tire particles (25–75 µm) on freshwater invertebrates under acute and chronic exposure conditions. A range of microplastic concentrations was tested on Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca, Asellus aquaticus, and Lumbriculus variegatus using water only (up to 0.15 g/L) or spiked sediment (up to 2 g/kg dry wt), depending on the habitat of the species. Daphnia magna did not ingest any fibers, but low levels of fibers were ingested by all tested benthic invertebrate species. Car tire particle ingestion rose with increasing exposure concentration for all tested invertebrates and was highest in D. magna and L. variegatus. In most cases, no statistically significant effects on mobility, survival, or reproductive output were observed after acute and chronic exposure at the tested concentrations. However, fibers affected the reproduction and survival of D. magna (no‐observed‐effect concentration [NOEC]: 0.15 mg/L) due to entanglement and limited mobility under chronic conditions. Car tire particles affected the reproduction (NOEC: 1.5 mg/L) and survival (NOEC: 0.15 mg/L) of D. magna after chronic exposure at concentrations in the same order of magnitude as modeled river water concentrations, suggesting that refined exposure and effect studies should be performed with these microplastics. Our results confirm that microplastic ingestion by freshwater invertebrates depends on particle shape and size and that ingestion quantity depends on the exposure pathway and the feeding strategy of the test organism. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1555–1567. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Amyloid pathology but not APOE ε4 status is permissive for tau-related hippocampal dysfunction

Abstract We investigated whether the impact of tau-pathology on memory performance and on hippocampal/medial temporal memory function in non-demented individuals depends on the presence of amyloid pathology, irrespective of diagnostic clinical stage. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the observational, multicentric DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (DELCODE). Two hundred and thirty-five participants completed task functional MRI and provided CSF (92 cognitively unimpaired, 100 experiencing subjective cognitive decline and 43 with mild cognitive impairment). Presence (A+) and absence (A−) of amyloid pathology was defined by CSF amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) levels. Free recall performance in the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test, scene recognition memory accuracy and hippocampal/medial temporal functional MRI novelty responses to scene images were related to CSF total-tau and phospho-tau levels separately for A+ and A− individuals. We found that total-tau and phospho-tau levels were negatively associated with memory performance in both tasks and with novelty responses in the hippocampus and amygdala, in interaction with Aβ42 levels. Subgroup analyses showed that these relationships were only present in A+ and remained stable when very high levels of tau (>700 pg/ml) and phospho-tau (>100 pg/ml) were excluded. These relationships were significant with diagnosis, age, education, sex, assessment site and Aβ42 levels as covariates. They also remained significant after propensity score based matching of phospho-tau levels across A+ and A− groups. After classifying this matched sample for phospho-tau pathology (T−/T+), individuals with A+/T+ were significantly more memory-impaired than A−/T+ despite the fact that both groups had the same amount of phospho-tau pathology. ApoE status (presence of the E4 allele), a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, did not mediate the relationship between tau pathology and hippocampal function and memory performance. Thus, our data show that the presence of amyloid pathology is associated with a linear relationship between tau pathology, hippocampal dysfunction and memory impairment, although the actual severity of amyloid pathology is uncorrelated. Our data therefore indicate that the presence of amyloid pathology provides a permissive state for tau-related hippocampal dysfunction and hippocampus-dependent recognition and recall impairment. This raises the possibility that in the predementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease, removing the negative impact of amyloid pathology could improve memory and hippocampal function even if the amount of tau-pathology in CSF is not changed, whereas reducing increased CSF tau-pathology in amyloid-negative individuals may not proportionally improve memory function.
Temporary antimetabolite treatment hold boosts SARS-CoV-2 vaccination–specific humoral and cellular immunity in kidney transplant recipients

Transplant recipients exhibit an impaired protective immunity after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, potentially caused by mycophenolate (MPA) immunosuppression. Recent data from patients with autoimmune disorders suggest that temporary MPA hold might greatly improve booster vaccination outcomes. We applied a fourth dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to 29 kidney transplant recipients during a temporary (5 weeks) MPA/azathioprine hold, who had not mounted a humoral immune response to previous vaccinations. Seroconversion until day 32 after vaccination was observed in 76% of patients, associated with acquisition of virus-neutralizing capacity. Interestingly, 21/25 (84%) calcineurin inhibitor–treated patients responded, but only 1/4 belatacept-treated patients responded. In line with humoral responses, counts and relative frequencies of spike receptor binding domain–specific (RBD-specific) B cells were markedly increased on day 7 after vaccination, with an increase in RBD-specific CD27++CD38+ plasmablasts. Whereas overall proportions of spike-reactive CD4+ T cells remained unaltered after the fourth dose, frequencies were positively correlated with specific IgG levels. Importantly, antigen-specific proliferating Ki67+ and in vivo–activated programmed cell death 1–positive T cells significantly increased after revaccination during MPA hold, whereas cytokine production and memory differentiation remained unaffected. In summary, antimetabolite hold augmented all arms of immunity during booster vaccination. These data suggest further studies of antimetabolite hold in kidney transplant recipients.