Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuron‐glia (mis)interactions in brain energy metabolism during aging

Life expectancy in humans is increasing, resulting in a growing aging population, that is accompanied by an increased disposition to develop cognitive deterioration. Hypometabolism is one of the multiple factors related to inefficient brain function during aging. This review emphasizes the metabolic interactions between glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) and neurons, particularly, during aging. Glial cells provide support and protection to neurons allowing adequate synaptic activity. We address metabolic coupling from the expression of transporters, availability of substrates, metabolic pathways, and mitochondrial activity. In aging, the main metabolic exchange machinery is altered with inefficient levels of nutrients and detrimental mitochondrial activity that results in high reactive oxygen species levels and reduced ATP production, generating a highly inflammatory environment that favors deregulated cell death. Here, we provide an overview of the glial‐to‐neuron mechanisms, from the molecular components to the cell types, emphasizing aging as the crucial risk factor for developing neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases.
Comparative Analysis of Metabolic Cost Equations: A Review

Military personnel often engage in multi-day missions in harsh environments that require physical strength and endurance. Predicting the metabolic costs of dismounted military movements is of critical importance for mission planning and ensuring Soldier safety. The ability to accurately predict individualized thermo-physiological responses specific to variables such as clothing, equipment, weather, terrain, and environment is of significant concern. While there are multiple equations published that predict metabolic cost, only a few account for all of these variables. This paper compares several well-recognized equations that address the needs of the military: 1) Givoni & Goldman (1971), 2) Pandolf et al. (1977), 3) American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) (2000), 4) Minetti et al. (2002), and 5) Santee et al. (2003b). This review shows that existing equations generally lack some of the required elements for estimating military activities and, with the exception of the Pandolf Equation, others do not account for an external load, resting conditions and terrain or surface characteristics. Furthermore, this review outlines the need for continued refinement of existing equations or development of improved estimation equations.
Assessment of the Educational and Health Care System–Related Issues From Physicians' and Nurses' Perspectives Before Developing a Palliative Care Program Within the Palestinian Health Care System

A scarcity in research assessing the palliative care (PC) educational and health care system–related issues has been reported in the Middle East region; the region comprises a wide range of economically diverse countries. Discrepancies across countries have created difficulties in adopting other countries' experiences. This study aimed to assess PC knowledge, attitude, educational needs, and health care system–related issues from physicians' and nurses' perspectives before developing PC services within the Palestinian health care system. One hundred sixty-nine professionals participated in this cross-sectional survey. Data were collected by validated instruments. Professionals had insufficient knowledge about PC, but they had positive attitudes toward end-of-life care and care of the dying. Patients'/families' avoidance of talking about issues around dying and lack of training for staff related to PC were the most 2 significant barriers to providing PC. Educational level and previous training were found to be associated significantly with knowledge and attitudes toward PC. Study conclusions support the recommendation for integration of education about PC within the health curricula and in-service training and should cover the basic and advanced principles of PC and symptom management.
The risk of COVID-19 transmission upon return to sport: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate COVID-19 transmission rates in athletes upon return to sport (RTS), as well as the effectiveness of preventive and surveillance measures associated with RTS. Methods In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify all articles reporting on RTS during COVID-19. Articles were excluded on the basis of the following criteria: (1) non-English text, (2) only abstract available, (3) population not athlete-specific, (4) outcome not RTS-specific, (5) COVID-19 transmission data not quantified, (6) editorial, or (7) review article or meta-analysis. Study characteristics; athlete demographics; COVID-19 preventive, surveillance, and diagnostic measures; COVID-19 transmission outcomes; and RTS recommendations were collected from each included article and analyzed. Results 10 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising over 97,000 athletes across a wide variety of sports, levels of play, and RTS settings. Of the 10 studies, eight identified low transmission rates and considered RTS to be safe/low risk. Overall, COVID-19 transmission rates were higher in athletes than in contacts, and more prevalent in the greater community than in athletes specifically. The risk of COVID-19 did not appear to be necessarily higher for athletes who played high-contact team sports, shared common facilities, or lived in communities impacted by high transmission rates, provided that rigorous COVID-19 safety and testing protocols were implemented and followed. Mask wearing and physical distancing during active play presented the greatest challenge to athletes. Conclusion Rigorous preventive and surveillance measures can mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission in athletes upon RTS. However, the heterogeneity of RTS playing conditions, availability of COVID-19 resources, rise of unforeseen novel variants, and undetermined long-term impact of vaccination on athletes remain a challenge to safe and effective RTS in the era of COVID-19.
Malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy and fetal growth: results from a Beninese pre-conceptional cohort.

BACKGROUND Malaria in early pregnancy occurs at a time when the placenta is developing, with possible consequences on placental function and fetal growth. We assessed the association between first trimester malaria and fetal growth documented through repeated ultrasound scans. METHODS The RECIPAL preconceptional cohort included 411 Beninese pregnant women followed from 7 weeks' gestation (wg) until delivery. Among them, 218 had four scans for fetal monitoring at 16, 22, 28, and 34wg. Multivariate seemingly unrelated regression models were used to assess the association of microscopic malaria in the first trimester (<15wg) with abdominal circumference, head circumference, biparietal diameter and femur length throughout the pregnancy. RESULTS Of the 39% (86/218) of women with at least one microscopic malarial infection during pregnancy, 52.3% (45/86) were infected in the first trimester. Most women (88.5%) were multiparous. There was no association between adjusted Z-scores for fetal growth parameters and first trimester malaria. Parity, newborn sex, socioeconomic level and maternal BMI significantly influenced fetal growth. CONCLUSIONS In a context where malaria infections in pregnancy are well detected and treated, their adverse effect on fetal growth may be limited. Our results argue in favour of preventing and treating infections as early as in the first trimester.
The role of late gadolinium enhancement in predicting arrhythmic events in cardiac sarcoidosis patients – a mini-review

Abstract Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with an unknown origin. Symptomatic cardiac involvement is rare and occurs in about 5% of patients with sarcoidosis. Fatal ventricular arrhythmias are the most severe clinical presentation of the disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a useful non-invasive tool for the risk stratification of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). More specifically, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), a CMR tool for scar detection, has been found to be significantly associated with arrhythmic events in CS patients. This review aims to present the existing evidence regarding the association of LGE with adverse events and especially with fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
Associations between red cell distribution width and outcomes of adults with in-hospital cardiac arrest

Abstract Previous studies found that high red cell distribution width (RDW) value is associated with poor outcomes among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-ROSC RDW value was associated with survival and neurological outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) patients achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) but remaining critically ill. This retrospective single-center observational study included IHCA adults with sustained ROSC between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2021 at an academic medical center in China. PostROSC RDW values were measured within 1 hour after sustained ROSC. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge and the secondary outcome was favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge. The associations between postROSC RDW value and outcomes among IHCA patients with ROSC were evaluated by using multivariate logistic regression. A total of 730 patients with sustained ROSC following IHCA were ultimately included in this study. Of whom 194 (26.6%) survived to hospital discharge and 116 (15.9%) had a favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, lower postROSC RDW value was independently associated with survival to hospital discharge (odds ratio 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.15–0.63, P = .017, cut-off value: 15.5%) and favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge (odds ratio 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.87, P < .001, cut-off value: 14.6%). Other independent factors including younger age, initial shockable rhythm, shorter total cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration and post-ROSC percutaneous coronary intervention were also associated with survival to hospital discharge. Regarding favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, significant variables other than the aforementioned factors included postROSC targeted temperature management and absence of pre-existing neurological insufficiency. Low postROSC RDW value was associated with survival to hospital discharge and favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge.
An observational cohort study of longitudinal impacts on frailty and well‐being of COVID‐19 lockdowns in older adults in England and Spain

Abstract To reduce the spread of COVID‐19, governments initiated lockdowns, limiting mobility and social interaction of populations. Lockdown is linked to health issues, yet the full impact on health remains unknown, particularly in more vulnerable groups. This study examined the impact on frailty and outcomes in high and low COVID‐19 risk older adults. We examined health‐related behaviours and support resources participants used during lockdown(s). Lockdown impacts in two countries were compared across four time points to examine impacts of different rules. We recruited 70 participants (aged >70 years) in England and Spain. Participants were allocated to higher or lower COVID‐19‐risk groups based on UK NHS guidelines. They completed assessments for frailty, quality‐of‐life, loneliness, exercise frequency and social interaction, coping resources and perception of age‐friendliness of their environment. The four assessments took place over a 7‐month period. Frailty was highest at Time 1 (most severe lockdown restrictions) and significantly higher in the Spanish group. It was lower at Time 3 (lowest restrictions), but did not continue to reduce for the English participants. Perceptions of the age friendliness of the environment matched these changes. Coping resources did not mitigate changes in frailty and outcomes over time, but more frequent physical activity predicted more reduction in frailty. Lockdown had a negative impact on frailty, increasing risk of adverse events for older people, but recovery once lockdowns are eased is evidenced. Further research is required to consider longer term impacts and methods to mitigate effects of lockdown on health.
Attending to child agency in paediatric palliative care consultations: Adults’ use of tag questions directed to the child

Abstract Children's agency in their own lives is increasingly recognised as important, including within paediatric health care. The issue of acknowledging child agency is complex in the context of paediatric palliative care, where children have serious and complex conditions that often impact their ability to verbally communicate with others. This study explores how clinicians and parents/guardians direct talk towards a child patient when they are present in a consultation. Conversation analysis methods were used to examine 74 video‐recorded paediatric palliative care consultations. Detailed turn‐by‐turn examination of the recorded consultations identified the recurrent use of a practice described by linguists as a ‘tag question’, which follows some statement (e.g. ‘he loves that, don't ya’). Both clinicians and parents/guardians often directed these tag questions towards the child patient. Analysis demonstrated how these tag questions: (1) validated the child's epistemic authority over what was being said and (2) made a child's response a possible, but not necessary, next action. The findings are discussed in relation to the sociology of child agency and how this agency is acknowledged and displayed within and through social interaction. This research provides direct evidence of children's competence as informants about their own symptoms.
Atractylenolide III inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in small intestine epithelial cells by activating the AMPK signaling pathway

Compared with the available drugs for the treatment of fibrosis in other organs, the development of intestinal anti-fibrosis drugs is limited. Therefore, it is of practical significance to examine novel drugs to delay or block the development of intestinal fibrosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of atractylenolide III (ATL-III) on intestinal fibrosis. An MTT assay was used to detect the effect of ATL-III on the activity of IEC-6 cells. The migration and invasion of fibrotic cells stimulated with TGF-β were determined via wound healing and Transwell assays. An immunofluorescence assay and western blotting were conducted to assess the expression levels of protein associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The role of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway was verified using compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) treatment. The results of the present study indicated that ATL-III had no effect on the cells at a dose of 1–20 µmol/l. Moreover, ATL-III can inhibit the invasion and migration of cells induced by TGF-β1, as well as block the EMT process. It was found that ATL-III could also activate the AMPK pathway. Furthermore, compound C reduced the inhibitory effect of ATL-III on stimulated cells, which indicated that the AMPK pathway plays a role in the inhibition process. In conclusion, ATL-III may inhibit the EMT of IEC-6 cells stimulated with TGF-β1 by activating the AMPK signaling pathway.
Comparison of anterior chamber angle parameters and iris structure of juvenile open-angle glaucoma and pigmentary glaucoma

To compare the quantitative measurements of the anterior chamber angle (ACA) and iris parameters in patients with juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), and healthy controls using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 25 eyes with JOAG, 25 eyes with PG, and 25 control eyes. Anterior chamber depth, angle-opening distance 500 and 750, trabecular–iris space 500 and 750, scleral spur angle, iris thickness (IT, measured at the thickest part), and iris bowing were obtained using AS-OCT (Visante” OCT 3.0 Model 1000, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc). Results: The quantitative ACA parameters were found to be significantly higher in JOAG and PG patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001); there was no significant difference between the eyes with JOAG and PG (P > 0.05). In eyes with JOAG and PG, there was significantly backward bowing of the iris in temporal and nasal angles compared to control subjects (P < 0.001). Median iris bowing was not significantly different between the patients with JOAG and PG (P > 0.05). The temporal and nasal angle iris thickness were significantly thinner in eyes with JOAG than the eyes with PG (P < 0.001) and age-matched control subjects (P < 0.001). The median IT did not differ between the patients with PG and control subjects (P > 0.05). In patients with JOAG, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was inversely correlated with IT (r = -0.43, P < 0.05). Conclusion: AS-OCT provided quantitative data on the ACA and iris parameters in JOAG and PG. The evaluation of the ACA and iris structures using AS-OCT revealed higher ACA measurements and posterior bowing of the iris in patients with JOAG and PG. Furthermore, the patients with JOAG were found to have thinner IT than the ones with PG and healthy controls.
Development and application of the International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy (IC-CoDE): Initial results from a multi-center study of adults with temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE To describe the development and application of a consensus-based, empirically driven approach to cognitive diagnostics in epilepsy research-The International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in Epilepsy (IC-CoDE) and to assess the ability of the IC-CoDE to produce definable and stable cognitive phenotypes in a large, multi-center temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patient sample. METHOD Neuropsychological data were available for a diverse cohort of 2,485 patients with TLE across seven epilepsy centers. Patterns of impairment were determined based on commonly used tests within five cognitive domains (language, memory, executive functioning, attention/processing speed, and visuospatial ability) using two impairment thresholds (≤1.0 and ≤1.5 standard deviations below the normative mean). Cognitive phenotypes were derived across samples using the IC-CoDE and compared to distributions of phenotypes reported in existing studies. RESULTS Impairment rates were highest on tests of language, followed by memory, executive functioning, attention/processing speed, and visuospatial ability. Application of the IC-CoDE using varying operational definitions of impairment (≤ 1.0 and ≤ 1.5 SD) produced cognitive phenotypes with the following distribution: cognitively intact (30%-50%), single-domain (26%-29%), bi-domain (14%-19%), and generalized (10%-22%) impairment. Application of the ≤ 1.5 cutoff produced a distribution of phenotypes that was consistent across cohorts and approximated the distribution produced using data-driven approaches in prior studies. CONCLUSIONS The IC-CoDE is the first iteration of a classification system for harmonizing cognitive diagnostics in epilepsy research that can be applied across neuropsychological tests and TLE cohorts. This proof-of-principle study in TLE offers a promising path for enhancing research collaborations globally and accelerating scientific discoveries in epilepsy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Self-reported physical activity in Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION Physical activity is acknowledged as an important factor for enhancing health, and the WHO recommends performing physical activity weekly. The aim of this study was to describe self-reported physical activity in a population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS The patients were enrolled at outpatient consultations where patient and disease characteristics such as age, gender, disease damage (SLICC/ACR-DI), disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) and medication were registered. Self-reported physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a continuous variable on energy requirement in the form of the metabolic equivalent (MET) was calculated. Depression was evaluated with the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 210 patients reported a mean total MET score of 5,319 ± 3,650 (mean ± standard deviation) MET-min./week, and they spent an average of 194 ± 118 min./day being physically active. 70.5% of the patients reported a high level of physical activity and 89.5% met the WHO recommendations. The MDI questionnaire found that 10.5% were depressed. Severely depressed patients had lower MET scores, but this group only included six patients. Physical activity was inversely associated with time spent sitting according to the IPAQ (p = 0.001), disease duration (p = 0.02) and the SLICC/ACR DI score (p = 0.01), but not with the MDI (p = 0.26). CONCLUSION A large share of the patients reported a high level of physical activity and met the WHO recommendations. FUNDING Odense University Hospital Fund for Pre-graduate Scholarships (A 3478). TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.
Direct determination of k Q for Farmer-type ionization chambers in a clinical scanned carbon-ion beam using water calorimetry

Within two studies, k Q factors for two Farmer-type ionization chambers have been experimentally determined by means of water calorimetry in the entrance channel (EC) of a monoenergetic carbon-ion beam (Osinga-Blättermann et al 2017 Phys. Med. Biol. 62 2033–54) and for a passively modulated spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) (Holm et al 2021 Phys. Med. Biol. 66 145012). Both studies were performed at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) using the PTB portable water calorimeter but applying different initial beam energies of 429 MeV u−1 for the EC and 278 MeV u−1 for the SOBP as well as different scanning patterns of the irradiated field. Comparing their results revealed differences between the experimental k Q factors of up to 1.9% between the EC and the SOBP. To further investigate this unexpected difference, we performed additional k Q determinations for the EC of an 278 MeV u−1 monoenergetic carbon-ion beam and reevaluated the original data of Osinga-Blättermann et al (2017 Phys. Med. Biol. 62 2033–54). This new experimental data indicated no difference between the k Q factors for the EC and the SOBP and the reevaluation led to a substantial reduction of the originally published k Q factors for the EC of the 429 MeV u−1 beam (Osinga-Blättermann et al 2017 Phys. Med. Biol. 62 2033–54). Finally, no significant difference between the data for the EC and the data for the SOBP can be found within the standard measurement uncertainty of experimental k Q factors of 0.8%. The results presented here are intended to correct and replace the k Q data published by Osinga-Blättermann et al (2017 Phys. Med. Biol. 62 2033–54) and in Osinga-Blättermann and Krauss (2018 Phys. Med. Biol. 64 015009).