Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Riemannian classification of single-trial surface EEG and sources during checkerboard and navigational images in humans

Objective Different visual stimuli are classically used for triggering visual evoked potentials comprising well-defined components linked to the content of the displayed image. These evoked components result from the average of ongoing EEG signals in which additive and oscillatory mechanisms contribute to the component morphology. The evoked related potentials often resulted from a mixed situation (power variation and phase-locking) making basic and clinical interpretations difficult. Besides, the grand average methodology produced artificial constructs that do not reflect individual peculiarities. This motivated new approaches based on single-trial analysis as recently used in the brain-computer interface field. Approach We hypothesize that EEG signals may include specific information about the visual features of the displayed image and that such distinctive traits can be identified by state-of-the-art classification algorithms based on Riemannian geometry. The same classification algorithms are also applied to the dipole sources estimated by sLORETA. Main results and significance We show that our classification pipeline can effectively discriminate between the display of different visual items (Checkerboard versus 3D navigational image) in single EEG trials throughout multiple subjects. The present methodology reaches a single-trial classification accuracy of about 84% and 93% for inter-subject and intra-subject classification respectively using surface EEG. Interestingly, we note that the classification algorithms trained on sLORETA sources estimation fail to generalize among multiple subjects (63%), which may be due to either the average head model used by sLORETA or the subsequent spatial filtering failing to extract discriminative information, but reach an intra-subject classification accuracy of 82%.
COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury patients treated with renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit: A multicenter study in São Paulo, Brazil

Introduction Multicenter studies involving patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with the disease caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) in developing countries are scarce. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the demographic profile, clinical picture, risk factors for mortality, and outcomes of critically ill patients with AKI requiring dialysis (AKI-RRT) and with COVID-19 in the megalopolis of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods This multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted in the intensive care units of 13 public and private hospitals in the metropolitan region of the municipality of São Paulo. Patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit, aged ≥ 18 years, and treated with RRT due to COVID-19-associated AKI were included. Results The study group consisted of 375 patients (age 64.1 years, 68.8% male). Most (62.1%) had two or more comorbidities: 68.8%, arterial hypertension; 45.3%, diabetes; 36.3%, anemia; 30.9%, obesity; 18.7%, chronic kidney disease; 15.7%, coronary artery disease; 10.4%, heart failure; and 8.5%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Death occurred in 72.5% of the study population (272 patients). Among the 103 survivors, 22.3% (23 patients) were discharged on RRT. In a multiple regression analysis, the independent factors associated with death were the number of organ dysfunctions at admission and RRT efficiency. Conclusion AKI-RRT associated with COVID-19 occurred in patients with an elevated burden of comorbidities and was associated with high mortality (72.5%). The number of organ dysfunctions during hospitalization and RRT efficiency were independent factors associated with mortality. A meaningful portion of survivors was discharged while dependent on RRT (22.3%).
Dietary Antioxidants and Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

The aim of the current review was to explore the association between various dietary antioxidants and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched up to March 2021. Prospective, observational cohort studies, nested case-control, and case-control designs that investigated the association between antioxidants and PD risk were included. A random-effects model was used to pool the relative risks (RR). The certainty of the evidence was rated using the GRADE scoring system. In addition, a dose-response relationship was examined between antioxidant intake and PD risk. Six prospective cohort studies and two nested case-control (total n = 448,737 with 4654 cases), as well as six case-control studies (1948 controls, 1273 cases) were eligible. The pooled RR was significantly lower for the highest compared to the lowest intake categories of vitamin E (0.84, 95% CI 0.71, 0.99, n = 7), and anthocyanins (0.76, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.96, n = 2) in cohort studies. Conversely, a significantly higher risk of PD was observed for higher lutein intake (1.86, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.88, n = 3) among case-control studies. Dose-response meta-analyses indicated a significant association between a 50 mg/d increase in vitamin C (RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99, n = 6), a 5 mg/d increment in vitamin E (RR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.99, n = 7), a 2 mg/d increment in β-Carotene (RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89, 0.99, n = 6), and a 1 mg/d increment in zinc (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.86; n = 1) and the reduced risk of PD. Overall, higher intake of antioxidant-rich foods may be associated with a lower risk of PD. Future, well-designed prospective studies are needed to validate the present findings.
Cytoplasmic incompatibility in the semivoltine longicorn beetle Acalolepta fraudatrix (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) double infected with Wolbachia

Wolbachia are obligatory endosymbiotic α-proteobacteria found in many arthropods. They are maternally inherited, and can induce reproductive alterations in the hosts. Despite considerable recent progress in studies on the associations between Wolbachia and various taxonomic groups of insects, none of the researches have revealed the effects of Wolbachia on longicorn beetles as the host insect. Acalolepta fraudatrix is a forest longicorn beetle that is distributed in East Asia. In this study, the relationship between Wolbachia and A. fraudatrix was investigated. Out of two populations of A. fraudatrix screened for Wolbachia using the genes ftsZ, wsp, and 16S rRNA, only one of the populations showed detection of all three genes indicating the presence of Wolbachia. Electron microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization also confirmed that the A. fraudatrix population was infected with Wolbachia. Sequencing the wsp genes derived from single insects revealed that two strains of Wolbachia coexisted in the insects based on the detection of two different sequences of the wsp gene. We designated these strains as wFra1 and wFra2. The bacterial titers of wFra1 were nearly 2-fold and 3-fold higher than wFra2 in the testes and ovaries, respectively. The two strains of Wolbachia in the insects were completely eliminated by rearing the insects on artificial diets containing 1% concentration of tetracycline for 1 generation. Reciprocal crosses between Wolbachia-infected and Wolbachia-uninfected A. fraudatrix demonstrated that only eggs produced by the crosses between Wolbachia-infected males and Wolbachia-uninfected females did not hatch, indicating that Wolbachia infecting A. fraudatrix causes cytoplasmic incompatibility in the host insect. This is the first report showing the effect of Wolbachia on reproductive function in a longicorn beetle, A. fraudatrix.
Survivorship of 4,748 Contemporary Total Ankle Replacements from the French Discharge Records Database

Background: Studies of survivorship of primary total ankle replacements (TARs) beyond 5 years have shown varying results among early and modern designs. National cohorts give valuable insights about TAR outcomes, revision risk factors, and specific designs. The purpose of this study was to investigate implant survivorship and risk factors for revision of contemporary TARs using our national database. Methods: This observational study included patients identified in the national PMSI (Programme médicalisé des systèmes d’information) database as having undergone TAR from 2010 to 2019. Demographics, discharge data, concomitant procedures, and type of implant were extracted. Kaplan-Meier estimations were performed to determine time to revision using metal component revision for implant failure and revision for deep infection as end points. Weighted Cox models were used for risk factor analysis, including risks of early revision (within the first 2 years). The adjusted hazard ratios (HRadj) were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A cohort of 4,748 patients was extracted. The mean age at surgery was 63 years; 43% of the patients were female. The mean follow-up was 5 years (range, 1 to 10 years). Revisions were noted in 817 cases (17%), including 734 with metal component revision and 83 with revision due to deep infection. The 1-year, 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year survivorship free of metal component revision was 95%, 90%, 84%, and 78%, respectively. Younger age, implants derived from second-generation designs, and an institutional volume of ≤10 TARs per year were found to be independent predictors of revision for any cause. In addition to the above factors (except for implant generation), male sex and concomitant osteotomies and/or fusion were found to be significant predictors for any early revision. Conclusions: The 10-year survivorship free of metal component revision after TAR was 78%, which was consistent with other national registries. Revisions were associated with young age, associated arthritis or deformities requiring concomitant fusion or osteotomy, and implants derived from second-generation designs. Institutions where >10 procedures were performed per year were associated with better TAR survivorship. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Estimated causal effects of complementary feeding behaviors on early childhood diet quality in a US cohort.

BACKGROUND Complementary feeding (CF) provides an opportunity to shape children's future dietary habits, setting the foundation for good nutrition and health. OBJECTIVE We estimated effects of 3 CF behaviors on early childhood diet quality using inverse probability (IP) weighting of marginal structural models (MSMs). METHODS Among 1,041 children from the Boston-area Project Viva cohort, we estimated effects on the mean Youth Healthy Eating Index (YHEI) score in early childhood of: 1) delayed (≥12mo, vs. early [<12mo]) introduction of sweets and fruit juice; 2) continued (vs. ceased) offering of initially refused foods; and 3) early (<12mo, vs. late [≥12mo]) introduction of flavor/texture variety. Mothers reported CF behaviors at 1y and completed food frequency questionnaires for children in early childhood (median age 3.1y). We estimated average treatment effects (ATEs) using IP weighting of MSMs to adjust for both confounding and selection bias due to censored outcomes and examined effect modification by child sex and breastfeeding (BF) vs. formula feeding (FF) at 6mo. RESULTS Twelve percent of mothers delayed introducing sweets/fruit juice, 93% continued offering initially refused foods, and 32% introduced flavor/texture variety early. The mean±SD YHEI score was 52.8±9.2 points. In adjusted models, we estimated a higher mean YHEI score with delayed (vs. early) sweets and fruit juice among BF children (ATE 4.5 points, 95% CI: 1.0, 7.4), as well as with continued (vs. ceased) offering of refused foods among females (ATE 5.4 points, 95% CI: 0.8, 9.1). The ATE for early (vs. late) flavor/texture variety was 1.7 points (95% CI: 0.3, 3.2) overall and stronger (2.8 points, 95% CI: 0.7, 5.1) among the FF group. CONCLUSIONS Delayed introduction of sweets/juice, continued offering of refused foods, and early flavor/texture variety may all result in higher childhood diet quality. Effects may depend on child sex and infant breastfeeding status. Clinical Trial Registry information: Project Viva is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02820402.
Amplifying perceptual demands: How changes in the colour vests affect youth players performance during medium-sided games

This study explored how manipulating the colour of training vests affects footballers’ individual and collective performance during a Gk+6vs6+Gk medium-sided game. A total of 21 under-17 years old players were involved in three experimental conditions in a random order for a total of four days: i) CONTROL, two teams using two different colour vests; ii) SAME, both teams wearing blue vests; iii) MIXED, all 6 players per team wore different colour vests. Players’ positional data was used to compute time-motion and tactical-related variables, while video analysis was used to collect technical variables. Further, these variables were synchronized with spatiotemporal data allowing to capture ball-related actions in a horizontal 2D plan. All variables were analysed from the offensive and defensive perspective. From the offensive perspective, players performed more and further shots to goal during the CONTROL than in SAME and MIXED (small effects) conditions, with a decreased distance to the nearest defender (small effects). While defending, results revealed lower distance to the nearest teammate (small effects) in the CONTROL than in the SAME and MIXED conditions, and higher team longitudinal synchronization (small effects). In addition, the CONTROL showed in general lower values of team width while defending than in the other 2 conditions. Overall, coaches may use the CONTROL condition to emphasize offensive performance and defensive behaviour over the longitudinal direction with increased physical demands. In turn, coaches may use the manipulation of players vests to emphasize defensive performance, as players seem to behave more cohesively under such scenarios.
Longitudinal variability in the urinary microbiota of healthy premenopausal women and the relation to neighboring microbial communities: A pilot study

Background The understanding of longitudinal changes in the urinary microbiota of healthy women and its relation to intestinal microbiota is limited. Methods From a cohort of 15 premenopausal women without known urogenital disease or current symptoms, we collected catheter urine (CU), vaginal and periurethral swabs, and fecal samples on four visits over six months. Additionally, ten participants provided CU and midstream urine (MU) to assess comparability. Urine was subjected to expanded culture. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on all urine, fecal, and selected vaginal and periurethral samples. Sequence reads were processed (DADA2 pipeline) and analyzed using QIIME 2 and R. Results Relative abundances of urinary microbiota were variable over 6–18 months. The degree of intraindividual variability of urinary microbiota was higher than that found in fecal samples. Still, nearly half of the observed beta diversity of all urine samples could be attributed to differences between volunteers (R2 = 0.48, p = 0.001). After stratification by volunteer, time since last sexual intercourse was shown to be a factor significantly contributing to beta diversity (R2 = 0.14, p = 0.001). We observed a close relatedness of urogenital microbial habitats and a clear distinction from intestinal microbiota in the overall betadiversity analysis. Microbiota compositions derived from MU differed only slightly from CU compositions. Within this analysis of low-biomass samples, we identified contaminating sequences potentially stemming from sequencing reagents. Conclusions Results from our longitudinal cohort study confirmed the presence of a rather variable individual urinary microbiota in premenopausal women. These findings from catheter urine complement previous observations on temporal dynamics in voided urine. The higher intraindividual variability of urinary microbiota as compared to fecal microbiota will be a challenge for future studies investigating associations with urogenital diseases and aiming at identifying pathogenic microbiota signatures.
Examining the Factors Influencing Applicants’ Placement on One General Surgery Program’s Rank Order List

Purpose Surgery residency applications include variables that determine an individual’s rank on a program’s match list. We performed this study to determine which residency application variables are the most impactful in creating our program’s rank order list. Methods We completed a retrospective examination of all interviewed applicants for the 2019 match. We recorded United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) step I and II scores, class quartile rank from the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership, geographic region, surgery clerkship grade, and grades on other clerkships. The MSPE and letters of recommendation were reviewed by two of the authors and assigned a score of 1 to 3, where 1 was weak and 3 was strong. The same two authors reviewed the assessments from each applicant’s interview and assigned a score from 1-5, where 1 was poor and 5 was excellent. Univariate analysis was performed, and the significant variables were used to construct an adjusted multivariate model with significance measured at P < . 05. Results Univariate analysis for all 92 interviewed applicants demonstrated that USMLE step 2 scores (P = .002), class quartile rank (P = .004), AOA status (P = .014), geographic location (P < .001), letters of recommendation (P < .001), and interview rating (P < .001) were significant in predicting an applicant’s position on the rank list. On multivariate analysis only USMLE step 2 (P = .018) and interview (P < .001) remained significant. Conclusion USMLE step 2 and an excellent interview were the most important factors in constructing our rank order list. Applicants with a demonstrated strong clinical fund of knowledge that develop a rapport with our faculty and residents receive the highest level of consideration for our program.
Increased Intrathecal B and Plasma Cells in Patients With Anti-IgLON5 Disease

Background and Objectives Despite detection of autoantibodies, anti-IgLON5 disease was historically considered a tau-associated neurodegenerative disease, with limited treatment options and detrimental consequences for the patients. Observations in increasing case numbers hint toward underlying inflammatory mechanisms that, early detection provided, open a valuable window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention. We aimed to further substantiate this view by studying the CSF of patients with anti-IgLON5. Methods We identified 11 patients with anti-IgLON5 from our database and compared clinical, MRI, and CSF findings with a cohort of 20 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) (as a noninflammatory tauopathy) and 22 patients with functional neurologic disorder. Results Patients with anti-IgLON5 show inflammatory changes in routine CSF analysis, an increase in B-lymphocyte frequency, and the presence of plasma cells in comparison to the PSP-control group and functional neurologic disease controls. Patients with intrathecal plasma cells showed a clinical response to rituximab. Discussion Our findings indicate the importance of inflammatory mechanisms, in particular in early and acute anti-IgLON5 cases, which may support the use of immune-suppressive treatments in these cases. The main limitation of the study is the small number of cases due to the rarity of the disease.
HCC incidence after hepatitis C cure among patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis: A meta‐analysis

HCV cure reduces but does not eliminate the risk of HCC. HCC surveillance is recommended in populations where the incidence exceeds 1.5% per year. In cirrhosis, HCC surveillance should continue after HCV cure, although it is uncertain if this should be indefinite. For patients with advanced fibrosis (F3), guidelines are inconsistent in their recommendations. We evaluated the incidence of HCC after HCV cure among patients with F3 fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Beneficial effects of the fructus Sophorae extract on experimentally induced osteoporosis in New Zealand white rabbits

Abstract Sophora japonica is a source of several flavonol, flavone and isoflavone glycosides that are reported to positively affect menopausal symptoms including osteoporotic complications. In the present study fructus Sophorae extract (FSE) was administered orally for three months at a dose of 200 mg kg–1 in ovariectomized (OVX) New Zealand rabbits. 3D computed tomography scans and histopathological images revealed microstructural disturbances in the bones of the castrated animals. FSE recovered most of the affected parameters in bones in a manner similar to zoledronic acid (ZA) used as a positive control. The aglycones of the main active compounds of FSE, daidzin, and genistin, were docked into the alpha and beta estrogen receptors and stable complexes were found. The findings of this study provide an insight into the effects of FSE on bone tissue loss and suggest that it could be further developed as a potential candidate for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporotic complications.
Detection of Changes in the Hydrological Balance in Seven River Basins Along the Western Carpathians in Slovakia

Abstract Due to a changing climate, likely changes to a hydrological regime are one of the primary sources of uncertainty to consider in managing water resources. In Slovakia, a decline in the country’s water resources, combined with a change in the seasonality of runoff and an increase in the extremeness of floods and droughts, represents a potential threat. The objective of the paper was to explore trends in the components of the long-term hydrological balance of various river basins to detect the impacts of changing climate conditions along the Western Carpathians. The proposed method is a comparative exploratory analysis of the hydrological balance of the selected river basins. Temporal changes in the catchments’ average air temperatures, precipitation, runoff, and their differences (considered as an index of the actual evapotranspiration), were estimated for 49 years of data; two non-overlapping sub-periods (25 and 24 years) in the seven river basins were also compared. This work also aims at evaluating the applicability of gridded inputs from the CarpatClim database for modelling the hydrological balance over an extended period. The results document the impact of the rising air temperature and, in part, local physiographic factors on the changes in runoff and actual catchment evapotranspiration.