Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in beta diversity and species functional traits differ between saplings and mature trees in an old‐growth forest

Abstract Invasion by generalist tree species can cause biotic homogenization, and such community impoverishment is likely more important in rare forest types. We quantified changes in tree diversity within Carolinian (range in Central Hardwood Forest), central (range in Central Hardwood Forest and Northern Hardwood‐Conifer Forest), and northern species [range reached Northern‐Conifer‐Hardwood/closed Boreal (spruce‐Fir) Forest] in an old forest tract in southern Canada at points surveyed 24 years apart. We asked: How did mature tree and sapling composition and abundance change for the three species’ groups? Did those changes lead to biotic homogenization? Can species’ changes be explained by community traits? We tested for differences in temporal and spatial tree β‐diversity, as well as forest composition and structure, using univariate/multivariate analyses and a community trait‐based approach to identify drivers of change. Major increases occurred in abundance for mature Acer rubrum (northern), while other species decreased (Fraxinus americana, Populus grandidentata); declines were found in A. saccharinum (central) and Cornus florida (Carolinian). Species composition of saplings, but not mature trees, changed due to replacement; no evidence for biotic homogenization existed in either cohort. As a group, northern mature tree species increased significantly, while central species decreased; saplings of pooled Carolinian species also declined. Shade tolerance in mature trees increased, reflecting successional changes, while drought tolerance decreased, perhaps due to changing temperatures, altered precipitation or ground water levels. Saplings showed declines in all traits, probably because of compositional change. Our results demonstrated that saplings can more closely reflect change in forest dynamics than mature trees, especially over short time periods. Based on sapling trends, this remnant could ultimately transition to a mesophytic hardwood stand dominated by A. rubrum and other shade‐tolerant species, creating a more homogeneous forest. While encouraging regeneration for Carolinian and central tree species could ensure high levels of diversity are conserved in the future, it is important to balance this with the primary management goal of maintaining the forest's old‐growth characteristics.
Prognosis Prediction for Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Risk Score Based on The Metabolic-Related Genes

Risk assessment has high prognostic value in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and the use of proper models is an effective approach frequently used to evaluate cancer progression for further treatment plans. Alterations in metabolism are confirmed to be a significant feature of tumor cells and have been an intense focus in disease research. Here, we mined the genes that were differentially expressed in CRC tissues compared to paired normal samples from a public database and then constructed a novel assessment system for the prognosis of patients based on the value of a risk score considering the expression status of metabolism-related genes after screening. The score successfully stratified patients by risk and was externally verified in our study. Moreover, we built a nomogram combining the score and clinical parameters to predict patient survival using a visual method. The results suggested that the risk score was well fit and could provide assistance for the individual treatment of CRC patients in the clinic.
Pediatric visceral leishmaniasis in Tartous, Syria

Abstract Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) type in Syria is Lashmania infantum, a fatal incapacitating disease, which is mostly seen in infants. Subjects and Methods: Hospital records of 19 children with VL were retrospectively reviewed. The period of the study was from June 2016 to July 2019. Results: The median age of the patients was 45.5 months. None was coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus or known to be immunocompromised. Pallor and anemia were observed in all cases, fever in 13 (68.42%), splenomegaly in 18 (94.7%), hepatomegaly in 11 (57.9%), thrombocytopenia in 15 (78.95%), and leukopenia in nine (47.4%). A bone marrow aspirate was obtained and Leishmania amastigotes were detected in all patients. All patients were initially treated with meglumine antimonate; one child did not respond and was treated with lipid formulations of amphotericin B. Conclusions: Presentation of VL in the pediatric age group is characterized by pallor, fever, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly. Hematological and biochemical indices are typical with cytopenias. In all cases, microscopic examination provided a positive diagnosis. Despite recent reports on decreased responses to antimonial drugs of patients with Mediterranean VL, meglumine antimonate treatment appears to be still highly effective in Syria.
Variation in outcomes of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) according to maternal education and age 2 and 3·5 years post-intervention

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to assess whether the long-term effectiveness of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) at 2 and 3·5 years post-intervention varied according to maternal education and age. Design: Two and 3·5 years post-intervention follow-up of the INFANT cluster-randomised controlled trial. Outcomes at both follow-ups included children’s BMI z-scores, physical activity (ActiGraph), television viewing (parental report) and dietary intake (3 × 24-h dietary recalls). Dichotomous moderator variables included maternal education (university v. no university) and age (< 32 v. ≥ 32 years). Setting: Population based. Participants: Families completing the 15-month programme (n 492) were invited to participate in the follow-ups when their child was 3·6 and 5 years old. Results: At the 2-year follow-up, the intervention effects on vegetable (positive) and sweet snack (negative) intake were greater in children with higher educated mothers, whereas water consumption (positive) was greater in children with lower educated mothers. At the 2-year follow-up, the intervention was more effective in increasing water consumption in children with younger mothers and decreasing sweet snack intake in children with older mothers (opposite result observed at the 3·5-year follow-up). At the 3·5-year follow-up, children with younger and older mothers increased and decreased their consumption of savoury snacks, respectively. Conclusions: Moderation by maternal education and age were observed for some outcomes; however, clear patterns were not evident at both follow-ups, with little consistency across outcomes. This indicates that INFANT was more-or-less equally effective in children irrespective of their mother’s education level or age, which is important in community-based interventions.
Stigma in visible skin diseases – a literature review and development of a conceptual model

The burden of visible skin diseases (VSDs) includes not only physical symptoms but also psychosocial consequences such as depression, anxiety, impaired quality of life and low self‐esteem. Stigmatization was shown to play a major role in people with skin diseases. The aim of the study was to review the evidence for the components, drivers and impacts of (self‐)stigma, and to organize the data into a series of conceptual models. A targeted literature search was conducted to identify studies on (self‐)stigma in relation to VSD. Conceptual models of stigma in VSDs were developed from existing generic conceptual models for VSD and of generic conceptual models of stigma and were refined after discussion with a board of experts, patient advocacy groups, clinicians and researchers. A total of 580 references were identified, of which 56 references were analysed and summarized. Two conceptual models of stigma were identified: one with external stigma and self‐stigma dimensions, the other for self‐stigma in mental health. These models were adapted to allow a complete description of stigma in VSDs. For this, a distinction was made between ‘discrimination’ and ‘impact’. Finally, five models were developed: macro‐overview; stigma, impact and socio‐demographics; stigma, impact and disease characteristics; stigma, impact and quality of life; and stigma, impact and coping. Gaps were identified in available quantitative evidence. To our knowledge, this is the first conceptual model of stigma in VSDs. The model will help to standardize evaluation of stigma and to enhance empirical evaluation of anti‐stigma interventions in VSDs. Further research should be conducted to develop a more complete model in stigma due to significant gaps in existing evidence, particularly including the stigma in others (external stigma) and also to cover a broader range of VSDs as their impact on particular dimensions of stigma differs.
Perceived Needs Versus Predisposing/Enabling Characteristics in Relation to Internet Cancer Information Seeking Among the US and Chinese Public: Comparative Survey Research

Background Since the rise of the internet, online health information seeking has become a worldwide phenomenon. However, health and health communication are inherently culture bound. A data-driven cross-country comparison enables us to better understand how cultural factors moderate the association between individual-level determinants and online health information seeking. Objective The objective of the study was to examine similarities and differences in determinants of internet cancer information seeking between the US and Chinese general public (excluding cancer patients and survivors) under the framework of a behavioral model of health services use. Methods This study used Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2017 (US data) and HINTS-China 2017 data to answer the research question. It focused on people with no cancer history and with internet access. For the HINTS 2017, the sample size was 2153; for the HINTS-China 2017, the sample size was 2358. To compare China and the United States, the researchers selected the same set of study variables for each dataset. Under the framework of the behavioral model of health services use, these predictors were predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors. Results In terms of the predisposing factors, a higher age, college degree or above, being currently unemployed, and having a family history of cancer were associated with internet cancer information seeking for the Chinese respondents; none of these factors were related to information seeking for the US respondents, although a lower age was associated with information seeking. Regarding the enabling conditions, lower trust in family members and friends as reliable information sources was the only factor associated with information seeking for the Chinese respondents, while no enabling factor was related to information seeking for the US respondents. Regarding the need factors, perceived health status was not related to information seeking for the Chinese respondents, while perception of poorer health condition was related to information seeking for the US respondents. Higher cancer fear was related to information seeking for both groups, but the magnitude of association was smaller for the Chinese respondents than for the US respondents. Conclusions Overall, under the framework of the behavioral model of health services use, the results based on multivariate logistic regression reveal clear patterns of cross-country/cultural differences in the factors associated with internet cancer information seeking behaviors: predisposing characteristics and enabling conditions are more important in China, while perceived needs are more significant in the US. Such differences might reflect possible US-China differences in job environment (eg, job pressure) and culture (individualism vs collectivism and family structure).
Body Mass Index and Clinical Outcomes in Asian Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Receiving Oral Anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The influence of body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation remains controversial, especially among Asians. We aimed to evaluate the association between BMI and clinical outcomes in Asian patients with atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants. METHODS Using the Korean National Health Insurance database between January 2015 and December 2017, we identified oral anticoagulant new users among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who had BMI information. We analyzed ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding, major bleeding, all-cause death, and the composite clinical outcome according to BMI categories. RESULTS A total of 43 173 patients were included across BMI categories (kg/m2): underweight (<18.5) in 3%, normal (18.5 to <23) in 28%, overweight (23 to <25) in 24%, obese I (25 to <30) in 39%, and obese II (≥30) in 6%. Higher BMI (per 5 kg/m2 increase) was significantly associated with lower risks of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 0.891 [95% CI, 0.801-0.992]), hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding (HR, 0.785 [95% CI, 0.658-0.937]), major bleeding (HR, 0.794 [95% CI, 0.686-0.919]), all-cause death (HR, 0.658 [95% CI, 0.605-0.716]), and the composite clinical outcome (HR, 0.751 [95% CI, 0.706-0.799]), except for intracranial hemorrhage (HR, 0.815 [95% CI, 0.627-1.061]). The underweight group was associated with an increased risk of composite clinical outcome (HR, 1.398 [95% CI, 1.170-1.671]), mainly driven by an increased risk of all-cause death. The effects of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant versus warfarin on clinical outcomes were similar across BMI groups. CONCLUSIONS Higher BMI was independently associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and better survival. Underweight patients had a higher risk of all-cause death and composite clinical outcome. The optimal BMI for patients with atrial fibrillation should be defined and managed according to an integrated care pathway.
Mathematical modeling of the Fontan blood circulation supported with pediatric ventricular assist device

Abstract The decompensated univentricular circulation is identified as one of the most challenging conditions and the application of the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices is proposed as therapeutic option for Fontan failure. Modelling methodologies are reported to identify the optimized types, extent and duration of required hemodynamic support using MCS. The specific parameters of device-body interaction during support of failing Fontan circulation within the design points of dedicated pediatric ventricular assist devices has not been previously defined. In this work, we introduce a mathematical model developed to simulate the interaction between the Fontan single-ventricular circulation and a constant-flow pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) Sputnik. The interaction is studied at a pump rotor speed of 5000–9000 rpm. This simulation demonstrates that the pump replacing pulmonary ventricle of the heart creates necessary pressure differential between the systemic veins (7 mmHg) and the pulmonary artery (17.3 mmHg). Moreover, it increases the venous return that, according to the Frank-Starling mechanism, increases the stroke volume up to 32 ml/bpm (26 ml/bpm - without using a pump). For the first time, a simulation for the pediatric VAD Sputnik has been carried out. The simulation results confirm pediatric VAD Sputnik can be a possible tool to normalize the Fontan circulation in pediatric patients.
Development of the Mandarin Nonsense Word Identification Test

Abstract Objective This study aimed to develop a digitised Mandarin Nonsense Word Speech Perception Test for use in Malaysia, a multilingual country in Southeast Asia. Design In Phase I, 400 vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV) nonsense word samples containing 20 Mandarin consonants in /a/, /i/, or /u/ contexts were recorded from two speakers of different genders. Acoustic analyses, sound quality ratings, and item validations were used to guide selection of items to form two gender-specific test lists. In Phase II, performance-intensity functions and test-retest reliability for the lists were established. Study sample Native Mandarin-speaking adults with normal hearing participated in Phase I (n = 10) and Phase II (n = 69). Results Eighty-four of the 400 VCV words were selected to form two gender-specific test lists. A two-way repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect between speaker-gender and presentation level [F (4.88, 283.20) = 22.79, p < 0.001, ηp 2= 0.28]. Intraclass correlation scores of 0.75 and 0.87 were obtained for the female-speaker and male-speaker lists respectively. Conclusions The preliminary normative data of the Mandarin nonsense word test have been developed. It is recommended to use separate gender-specific norms when conducting the test. The test has good validity and reliability for testing Mandarin-speaking adults in Malaysia.
139La NMR Relaxation and Chemical Shift Studies in the Aqueous Nitrate and Chloride Solutions

139La NMR relaxations and chemical shifts in the aqueous nitrate and chloride solutions at 274−343 K were studied. The solutions in this study were La(NO3)3−LiNO3 or −HNO3, and LaCl3−LiCl3 or −HCl systems. The dependencies of the slope for the plot of 1/T1 (s-1) vs η/T (cP K-1) on the anion concentration showed that nitrate ions form inner-sphere complexes with lanthanum in a relatively low concentration but chloride ions scarcely form below about 4.3 mol/L. In the LaCl3−LiCl systems, the quadrupole coupling constants obtained by the temperature dependencies of 1/T1 below about 4.3 mol/L ranged from 3.1 to 3.4 MHz, which agreed well with the value of hydrated lanthanum. In the LaCl3−HCl systems, however, the quadrupole coupling constants slightly increased with an increase in chloride ion concentration even below about 4.3 mol/L, indicating that chloride ions possibly begin to form inner-sphere complexes. Activation energies for the rotational motion of lanthanum were determined in all of the solutions by.
Antipsychotic treatment in clinical high risk for psychosis: Protective, iatrogenic or further risk flag?

The intriguing report on the real-world effectiveness of antipsychotics (AP) on the rate of transition to psychosis in the SHARP (ShangHai At Risk for Psychosis) study (Zhang et al., 2020) reminds us of a basic principle of the Hippocratic oath (i.e. first do not harm aka ‘primum non nocere’) and resonates with a timely open question advanced by Carpenter and Buchanan (2020): ‘. as the clinical high-risk paradigm advances, will the field have sufficient wisdom to avoid antipsychotic medications until it is clear that the path of the individual is towards full psychosis? ’. Indeed, while it is obvious that a better understanding of the risks and benefits of AP is essential for prescribers and individuals at clinical high risk (CHR), it is also true that their administration has undergone a substantial expansion in the last decades and offlabel prescription across the lifespan is considerable (Olfson et al., 2015).
Mapping of CSF transport using high spatiotemporal resolution dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in mice: Effect of anesthesia

Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) represents the only available approach for glymphatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow 3D mapping in the brain of living animals and humans. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel DCE‐MRI protocol for mapping of the glymphatic system transport with improved spatiotemporal resolution, and to validate the new protocol by comparing the transport in mice anesthetized with either isoflurane or ketamine/xylazine.
Building healthy schools through technology-enabled citizen science: The case of the our voice participatory action model in schools from Bogotá, Colombia

ABSTRACT The physical and social environment of school settings are important for health promotion among children and adolescents. Efforts to create supportive environments at the school level can benefit from including community engagement and empowerment processes to advocate for health promotion. The Our Voice model presents a unique opportunity for Latin American students to improve their school environments. The objective of this study was to engage and empower students (9–18 years) from five schools in Bogotá, Colombia to use the Our Voice model to assess and seek to improve their local school environments. This study employed Our Voice’s ‘citizen science by the people’ method using a mobile application for data collection. The Our Voice initiative included the following four phases: (1) Design, planning and recruitment; (2) Data collection; (3) Community meetings for thematic analysis, priority setting and initial design of feasible solutions; and (4) Community meetings with decision-makers to advocate for changes. The citizen scientists identified and advocated for safer physical activity-supportive environments and healthier food and drinks availability. This study allowed children and adolescent citizen scientists to make their voices heard by policymakers and empowered them as agents of change in the process of building healthier schools.
Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Diet as Mediators of the Association Between TV Time and BMI in Youth

Purpose: This study examined dietary indicators, sedentary time, and physical activity as potential mediators of the association between TV time and BMIz in youth. Design: Cross-sectional study in 2 independent samples of youth. Setting: Data collection occurred by mail and telephone for adolescents and either at home or in medical settings for children. Sample: 928 youth ages 12-16 and 756 youth ages 6-12 and a parent. Measures: TV time, snacking/eating while watching TV, and a 3-day dietary recall were assessed via child/parent report. Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed by accelerometer wear. Analysis: Direct and indirect associations (through 8 diet and activity variables) of TV time with BMIz were tested in boys and girls in each sample. Results: TV time had a positive association with BMIz in 6-12 year old boys and girls. Direct associations emerged between TV time and the diet/activity variables, and between diet/activity variables and BMIz. Snacking/eating while watching TV had a significant positive association with BMIz in younger boys and mediated the association between TV time and BMIz (β = .06, p = .019; 25% attenuation). Conclusions: Snacking/eating while watching TV may be a possible reason TV time is consistently associated with obesity in youth. Targeting reductions in TV time and associated snacking could improve health impacts.
The human papillomavirus oncoproteins: a review of the host pathways targeted on the road to transformation

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) is the causal factor in over 99 % of cervical cancer cases, and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal and anogenital cancers. The key drivers of HPV-mediated transformation are the oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7. Together, they act to prolong cell-cycle progression, delay differentiation and inhibit apoptosis in the host keratinocyte cell in order to generate an environment permissive for viral replication. The oncoproteins also have key roles in mediating evasion of the host immune response, enabling infection to persist. Moreover, prolonged infection within the cellular environment established by the HR-HPV oncoproteins can lead to the acquisition of host genetic mutations, eventually culminating in transformation to malignancy. In this review, we outline the many ways in which the HR-HPV oncoproteins manipulate the host cellular environment, focusing on how these activities can contribute to carcinogenesis.