Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of semantic memory in prospective memory and episodic future thinking: new insights from a case of semantic dementia

ABSTRACT Prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember to execute planned actions, and episodic future thinking (EFT), the ability to imagine future personal events, are two core aspects of future-oriented cognition. The present study aimed for the first time at examining the role of semantic memory loss in PM and EFT in a single case patient (SL) at the early stage of semantic dementia. First, we investigated various types of PM as well as episodic memory of new events using a validated ecological assessment via virtual reality. Second, we examined EFT using a temporally extended version of the TEMPau task, which measures episodic aspects of remembering the past and imagining the future taking temporal distance into account. Patient SL was deficient in semantically linked event-based PM and was unable to provide any EFT for the most distant period but was preserved in other types of PM and near and intermediate EFT. These findings provide new evidence on the role of semantic memory in PM depending on the type of intention and in EFT depending on the temporal distance mirroring autobiographical memory. Finally, they point out a specific link between PM and near EFT in future-oriented cognition.
17β-Estradiol activates Cl− channels via the estrogen receptor α pathway in human thyroid cells

ABSTRACT Estradiol regulates thyroid function, and chloride channels are involved in the regulation of thyroid function. However, little is known about the role of chloride channels in the regulation of thyroid functions by estrogen. In this study, the effects of estrogen on chloride channel activities in human thyroid Nthy-ori3-1 cells were therefore investigated using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The results showed that the extracellular application of 17β-estradiol (E2) activated Cl− currents, which reversed at a potential close to Cl− equilibrium potential and showed remarkable outward rectification and an anion permeability of I− > Br− > Cl− > gluconate. The Cl− currents were inhibited by the chloride channel blockers, NPPB and tamoxifen. Quantitative Real-time PCR results demonstrated that ClC-3 expression was highest in ClC family member in Nthy-ori3-1 cells. The down-regulation of ClC-3 expression by ClC-3 siRNA inhibited E2-induced Cl− current. The Cl− current was blocked by the estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182780 (fulvestrant). Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and not estrogen receptor beta was the protein expressed in Nthy-ori3-1 cells, and the knockdown of ERα expression with ERα siRNA abolished E2-induced Cl− currents. Estradiol can promote the accumulation of ClC-3 in cell membrane. ERα and ClC-3 proteins were partially co-localized in the cell membrane of Nthy-ori3-1 cells after estrogen exposure. The results suggest that estrogen activates chloride channels via ERα in normal human thyroid cells, and ClC-3 proteins play a pivotal role in the activation of E2-induced Cl− current.
Surgical approach to uterine myomatosis in patients with infertility: open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery; results according to the quantity of fibroids

Objective To compare approaches to myomectomy (laparotomic, laparoscopic, and robotic). To show the relationship between the number of fibroids and the reproduction diagnosis. Methods Observational, analytical, retrospective, and cross-sectional study; where the surgical approach used, was evaluated in terms of surgical bleeding, time, number and weight of fibroids and reproductive results. Results 69 patients were treated through different approaches and divided into 3 groups. The differences found among groups were in favor of laparotomic myomectomy in terms of the number (p=0.000) and weight of fibroids (p=0.004). Robotic surgery was also longer (p=0.000). In the analysis of the influence of the number of fibroids to achieve pregnancy, the result was in favor of the minimally invasive routes, after surgery, both in the group of < 6 fibroids (p=0.017), and that of > 6 fibroids (p=0.001), without differences in the time from surgery to pregnancy (p=0.979). Conclusions The surgical approach decision should consider the number and size of resected fibroids, surgical time, and reproductive diagnosis. The minimally invasive route should be offered whenever possible due to its better outcome on achieving pregnancy, without forgetting the benefits of laparotomy, while also accrediting the recently introduced robotic-assisted approach.
Synthesis of new nano Schiff base complexes: X-ray crystallography, thermal, electrochemical and anticancer studies of nano uranyl Schiff base complexes

This study presents synthesis and characterization of new nano uranyl Schiff base complexes. Electrochemistry of these complexes showed a quasireversible redox reaction without any successive reactions. Furthermore, X-ray crystallography exhibited that beside the coordination of tetradentate Schiff base, one solvent molecule (dimethylformamide) was also coordinated. According to Coats-Redfern plots the kinetics of thermal decomposition of the studied complexes was first-order in all stages. Anticancer activities of the uranyl Schiff base complexes against cancer cell lines (Jurkat) was studied and determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide) assay. The results demonstrated that the complexes with aliphatic bridging units showed less anticancer activities than those having the aromatic units. KEY WORDS : Uranyl Schiff base complex, Anticancer activities, Thermal studies, Electrochemistry; X-ray crystallography Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2018 , 32(1), 89-100 DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.4314/bcse.v32i1. 8
Efficacy of a modified transvaginal ultrasound-guided fresh embryo transfer procedure

Objective To present a modified transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) guided embryo transfer (ET) procedure and analyze its efficacy in comparison with conventional transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) guided ET in an unselected population of Brazilian women. Methods This retrospective observational case-control study involved 447 fresh ET cycles, 221 guided by TVUS (Group 1), conducted between June 2016 and February 2019, and 226 by TAUS (Group 2), conducted between July 2012 and December 2015. Pregnancy rate was the main endpoint. Groups were compared using the Z test at a level of significance of 95% (p≤0.05). Results Patient age ranged from 21 and 48 years; mean age was 37.7 years in Group 1 and 38 years in Group 2. Overall, patients that underwent TVUS-guided fresh ET demonstrated significantly higher pregnancy rates than their counterparts that underwent TAUS-guided fresh ET (p=0.0107). TVUS-guided fresh ET also yielded significantly higher pregnancy rates in the subgroups of women aged 36-39 years (p=0.0037) and ≥ 40 years (p=0.0025). However, no significant pregnancy rate difference was observed in women aged ≤ 35 years (p=0.0905). Conclusions The results suggested that TVUS-guided fresh ET was at least as effective as TAUS-guided fresh ET in the studied sample. Pending further prospective studies to better ascertain the effect of TVUS-guided ET, the technique presented deserves consideration since it can offer better visualization, more comfort to patients, and requires only one operator, without negatively affecting pregnancy results.
Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes May Be Underestimated in the Chinese Population: Evidence From 21.7 Million People Between 2007 and 2017

OBJECTIVE Previous reports of the annual incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in China were conducted using retrospective hospital cases, which may not reflect the reality. This longitudinal study estimated T1D incidence in a Chinese population of 21.7 million from 2007 to 2017. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A population-based registry of T1D was performed by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Information Center. Annual incidence and 95% CIs were calculated by age group and sex. The association of sex with T1D incidence and predicted new cases of T1D were assessed using Poisson regression models. Annual percentage change and average annual percentage of change were assessed using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS Overall, there were 6,875 individuals who developed T1D from 2007 to 2017 in this population. T1D incidence (/100,000 persons) (95% CI) significantly increased from 2.72 (2.51, 2.93) in 2007 to 3.60 (3.38, 3.78) in 2017 (P < 0.001). The T1D onset peak was in the 10–14-year-old age group. While no significant trend was found in the 0–14- and 15–29-year-old age groups, T1D incidence markedly increased from 1.87 to 3.52 in the ≥30-year-old age group (P < 0.05). The prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis was highest in the 0–4-year-old age group. We predicted new cases of T1D will increase 1.57-fold over the next decade. CONCLUSIONS T1D incidence in this large Chinese population is higher than has been reported previously. From 2007 to 2017, although the incidence peak was in the 10–14-year age group, the T1D incidence increased sharply in adults but not in youth.
18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT Is More Sensitive Than 11C-Methionine PET/CT for the Localization of Hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Tissue in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Visual Abstract Preoperative molecular imaging is paramount to direct surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). We investigated the diagnostic performance of 18F-fluorocholine (18F-FCH) PET/CT compared with 11C-methionine (11C-MET) PET/CT for localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in patients with pHPT and negative or inconclusive 99mTc-sestaMIBI (99mTc-MIBI) SPECT findings. Methods: Fifty-eight patients with biochemical evidence of pHPT and negative or inconclusive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT findings were referred for presurgical detection and localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue by 11C-MET and 18F-FCH PET/CT. The PET/CT results were classified into 3 categories (positive, inconclusive, or negative) based on the nodular aspect of tracer uptake and the visualization of corresponding nodules on CT. The PET/CT results were correlated with the surgical and histopathologic findings, which were used as the gold standard. Results: Fifty-three patients were included for analysis. 18F-FCH PET/CT was positive in 39 patients (74%), inconclusive in 5 (9%), and negative in 9 (17%), compared with 25 (47%), 12 (23%), and 16 (30%), respectively, for 11C-MET PET/CT. 18F-FCH localized 11 additional foci (6 positive and 5 inconclusive), compared with 11C-MET. Twenty-six patients (sex ratio, 10/16 M/F) underwent surgery, with resection of 31 lesions (22 adenomas, 6 hyperplastic glands, and 3 carcinomas) and 1 normal gland. At follow-up, 21 patients (81%) were considered cured after surgery, whereas 3 patients (12%) had persistence of hypercalcemia. With inconclusive cases being considered negative, 18F-FCH PET/CT correctly localized 26 lesions in 24 of 26 patients (92%), compared with 16 lesions in 15 of 26 patients (58%) localized by 11C-MET PET/CT. Per-patient–based sensitivity and positive predictive value were 96% and 96%, respectively, for 18F-FCH and 60% and 94%, respectively, for 11C-MET (P < 0.0001). Per-lesion–based sensitivity and positive predictive value were 84% and 90%, respectively, for 18F-FCH and 52% and 94%, respectively, for 11C-MET (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: In the presence of biochemical evidence of pHPT with negative or inconclusive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT findings, 18F-FCH PET/CT performs better than 11C-MET PET/CT for the detection of pathologic parathyroid tissue, allowing localization of parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia in 96% of patients.
Current diagnosis and treatment of vestibular neuritis: a narrative review

Vertigo is the sensation of self-motion of the head or body when no self-motion is occurring or the sensation of distorted self-motion during an otherwise normal head movement. Representative peripheral vertigo disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Ménière disease, and vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis, also known as vestibular neuronitis, is the third most common peripheral vestibular disorder after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and Ménière disease. The cause of vestibular neuritis remains unclear. However, a viral infection of the vestibular nerve or ischemia of the anterior vestibular artery is known to cause vestibular neuritis. In addition, recent studies on immune-mediated mechanisms as the cause of vestibular neuritis have been reported. The characteristic clinical features of vestibular neuritis are abrupt true-whirling vertigo lasting for more than 24 hours, and no presence of cochlear symptoms and other neurological symptoms and signs. To accurately diagnose vestibular neuritis, various diagnostic tests such as the head impulse test, bithermal caloric test, and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential test are conducted. Various treatments for vestibular neuritis have been reported, which are largely divided into symptomatic therapy, specific drug therapy, and vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Symptomatic therapies include generalized supportive care and administration of vestibular suppressants and antiemetics. Specific drug therapies include steroid therapy, antiviral therapy, and vasodilator therapy. Vestibular rehabilitation therapies include generalized vestibular and customized vestibular exercises.
Utility of near‐infrared spectroscopy to detect the extent of lipid core plaque leading to periprocedural myocardial infarction

The aim of this study was to investigate whether lipid core plaque (LCP) in the entire stented segment detected by near‐infrared spectroscopy‐intravascular ultrasound (NIRS‐IVUS) could predict procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI).
Neuropsychological networks in cognitively healthy older adults and dementia patients

ABSTRACT Neuropsychological tests have commonly been used to determine the organization of cognitive functions by identifying latent variables. In contrast, an approach which has seldom been employed is network analysis. We characterize the network structure of a set of representative neuropsychological test scores in cognitively healthy older adults and MCI and dementia patients using network analysis. We employed the neuropsychological battery from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center which included healthy controls (n = 7623), mild cognitive impairment patients (n = 5981) and dementia patients (n = 2040), defined according to the Clinical Dementia Rating. The results showed that, according to several network analysis measures, the most central cognitive function is executive function followed by attention, language, and memory. At the test level, the most central test was the Trail Making Test B, which measures cognitive flexibility. Importantly, these results and most other network measures, such as the community organization and graph representation, were similar across the three diagnostic groups. Therefore, network analysis can help to establish a ranking of cognitive functions and tests based on network centrality and suggests that this organization is preserved in dementia. Central nodes might be particularly relevant both from a theoretical and clinical point of view, as they are more associated with other nodes, and their disruption is likely to have a larger effect on the overall network than peripheral nodes. The present analysis may provide a proof of principle for the application of network analysis to cognitive data.
MIC-Drop: A platform for large-scale in vivo CRISPR screens

Description Screen time for CRISPR CRISPR-Cas9 has been used to edit the genomes of organisms ranging from fruit flies to primates, but it has not been used in large-scale genetic screens in animals because generating, validating, and keeping track of large numbers of mutant animals is prohibitively laborious. Parvez et al. have developed Multiplexed Intermixed CRISPR Droplets, or MIC-Drop, a platform combining droplet microfluidics, en masse CRISPR injections, and barcoding, to enable large-scale genetic screens. In pilot phenotypic screens in zebrafish, MIC-Drop enabled rapid identification of the target of a small molecule and discovery of several new genes governing cardiovascular development. MIC-Drop is potentially scalable to thousands of targets and adaptable to diverse organisms and experiments. —DJ A rapid, scalable CRISPR screening platform in zebrafish identifies genes responsible for heart development. CRISPR-Cas9 can be scaled up for large-scale screens in cultured cells, but CRISPR screens in animals have been challenging because generating, validating, and keeping track of large numbers of mutant animals is prohibitive. Here, we introduce Multiplexed Intermixed CRISPR Droplets (MIC-Drop), a platform combining droplet microfluidics, single-needle en masse CRISPR ribonucleoprotein injections, and DNA barcoding to enable large-scale functional genetic screens in zebrafish. The platform can efficiently identify genes responsible for morphological or behavioral phenotypes. In one application, we showed that MIC-Drop could identify small-molecule targets. Furthermore, in a MIC-Drop screen of 188 poorly characterized genes, we discovered several genes important for cardiac development and function. With the potential to scale to thousands of genes, MIC-Drop enables genome-scale reverse genetic screens in model organisms.
Patient-Relevant Deficits Dictate Endovascular Thrombectomy Decision-Making in Patients with Low NIHSS Scores with Medium-Vessel Occlusion Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is a paucity of evidence regarding the safety of endovascular treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to primary medium-vessel occlusion. The aim of this study was to examine the willingness among stroke physicians to perform endovascular treatment in patients with mild-yet-disabling deficits due to medium-vessel occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an international cross-sectional survey consisting of 7 primary medium-vessel occlusion case scenarios, participants were asked whether the presence of personally disabling deficits would influence their decision-making for endovascular treatment despite the patients having low NIHSS scores (<6). Decision rates were calculated on the basis of physician characteristics. Univariable logistic regression clustered by respondent and scenario identity was performed. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-six participants from 44 countries provided 2562 answers to the 7 medium-vessel occlusion scenarios included in this study. In scenarios in which the deficit was relevant to the patient's profession, 56.9% of respondents opted to perform immediate endovascular treatment compared with 41.0% when no information regarding the patient's profession was provided (risk ratio = 1.39, P < .001). The largest effect sizes were seen for female participants (risk ratio = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.35–2.09), participants older than 60 years of age (risk ratio = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.23–2.10), those with more experience in neurointervention (risk ratio = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.24–2.06), and those who personally performed >100 endovascular treatments per year (risk ratio = 1.63; 95% CI, 1.22–2.17). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a patient-relevant deficit in low-NIHSS acute ischemic stroke due to medium-vessel occlusion is an important factor for endovascular treatment decision-making. This may have relevance for the conduct and interpretation of low-NIHSS endovascular treatment in randomized trials.
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an edible mushroom; a comprehensive and critical review of its nutritional, cosmeceutical, mycochemical, pharmacological, clinical, and toxicological properties

Reishi owes an exceptional value in nutritional, cosmeceutical, and medical treatments; however, none of the studies has provided its future‐driven critical assessment. This study documents an up‐to‐date review (2015–2020, wherever applicable) and provide valuable insights (preclinical and clinical evidence‐based) with comprehensive and critical assessments. Various databases ‘Google scholar’, ‘Web of Science’, ‘ScienceDirect’, ‘PubMed’, ‘Springer Link’, books, theses, and library resources were used. The taxonomic chaos of G. lucidum and its related species was discussed in detail with solution‐oriented emphasis. Reishi contains polysaccharides (α/β‐D‐glucans), alkaloids, triterpenoids (ganoderic acids, ganoderenic acids, ganoderol, ganoderiol, lucidenic acids), sterols/ergosterol, proteins (LZ‐8, LZ‐9), nucleosides (adenosine, inosine, uridine), and nucleotides (guanine, adenine). Some active drugs are explored at an optimum level to make them potential drug candidates. The pharmacological potential was observed in diabetes, inflammation, epilepsy, neurodegeneration, cancer, anxiety, sedation, cardiac diseases, depression, hepatic diseases, and immune disorders; however, most of the studies are preclinical with a number of drawbacks. In particular, quality clinical data are intensely needed to support pharmacological activities for human use. The presence of numerous micro‐, macro, and trace elements imparts an essential nutritional and cosmeceutical value to Reishi, and various marketed products are available already, but the clinical studies regarding safety and efficacy, interactions with foods/drinks, chronic use, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity are missing for Reishi. Reishi possesses many valuable pharmacological activities, and the number of patents and clinical trials is increasing for Reishi. Yet, a gap in research exists for Reishi, which is discussed in detail in the forthcoming sections.
The influence of sample size on preferences from experience

People often learn from experience about the distribution of outcomes of risky options. Typically, people draw small samples, when they can actively sample information from risky gambles to make decisions. We examine how the size of the sample that people experience in decision from experience affects their preferences between risky options. In two studies (N = 40 each), we manipulated the size of samples that people could experience from risky gambles and measured subjective selling prices and the confidence in selling price judgements after sampling. The results show that, on average, sample size influenced neither the selling prices nor confidence. However, cognitive modelling of individual-level learning showed that around half of the participants could be classified as Bayesian learners, whereas the other half adhered to a frequentist learning strategy and that if learning was cognitively simpler more participants adhered to the latter. The observed selling prices of Bayesian learners changed with sample size as predicted by Bayesian principles, whereas sample size affected the judgements of frequentist learners much less. These results illustrate the variability in how people learn from sampled information and provide an explanation for why sample size often does not affect judgements.