Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synaptic Dynamics Convey Differential Sensitivity to Input Pattern Changes in Two Muscles Innervated by the Same Motor Neurons

Visual Abstract Postsynaptic responses depend on input patterns as well as short-term synaptic plasticity, summation, and postsynaptic membrane properties, but the interactions of those dynamics with realistic input patterns are not well understood. We recorded the responses of the two pyloric dilator (PD) muscles, cpv2a and cpv2b, that are innervated by and receive identical periodic bursting input from the same two motor neurons in the lobster Homarus americanus. Cpv2a and cpv2b showed quantitative differences in membrane nonlinearities and synaptic summation. At a short timescale, responses in both muscles were dominated by facilitation, albeit with different frequency and time dependence. Realistic burst stimulations revealed more substantial differences. Across bursts, cpv2a showed transient depression, whereas cpv2b showed transient facilitation. Steady-state responses to bursting input also differed substantially. Neither muscle had a monotonic dependence on frequency, but cpv2b showed particularly pronounced bandpass filtering. Cpv2a was sensitive to changes in both burst frequency and intra-burst spike frequency, whereas, despite its much slower responses, cpv2b was largely insensitive to changes in burst frequency. Cpv2a was sensitive to both burst duration and number of spikes per burst, whereas cpv2b was sensitive only to the former parameter. Neither muscle showed consistent sensitivity to changes in the overall spike interval structure, but cpv2b was surprisingly sensitive to changes in the first intervals in each burst, a parameter known to be regulated by dopamine (DA) modulation of spike propagation of the presynaptic axon. These findings highlight how seemingly minor circuit output changes mediated by neuromodulation could be read out differentially at the two synapses.
Anterior segment involvement in Epstein–Barr virus: a review

The aim of this study is to describe the involvement of Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) in the diseases of the ocular anterior segment. This is a narrative review designed using the PUBMED, SCOPE and Web of Science databases, searching for reported literature on findings in the anterior ocular segment related to EBV between 1990 and 2020. Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is implicated in the development of salmon‐coloured conjunctival masses in the context of acute mononucleosis and lymphoproliferative disorders. Moreover, EBV can cause haemorrhagic conjunctivitis and its corneal implications appear as different types of keratitis patterns. The involvement of EBV in the pathogenesis of anterior segment inflammation is not well‐defined. Current evidence regarding anterior segment disease caused by EBV infection has been proved by positive viral detection through polymerase chain reaction test in eyes with lymphoproliferative disorders known to be caused by EBV, as B‐ and NK/T‐cell lymphoid tumours. Antiviral treatment (oral Aciclovir or Valaciclovir) in anterior segment disease caused by EBV remains controversial.
Comparison of a point-of-care serum amyloid A analyzer frequently used in equine practice with 2 turbidimetric immunoassays used in human and veterinary medicine

Rapid, accurate detection of serum amyloid A (SAA) is needed in equine practice. We validated a patient-side point-of-care (POC) assay (Stablelab; Zoetis) compared to the turbidimetric immunoassays LZ-SAA (TIA-Hum) and VET-SAA (TIA-Vet; both Eiken Chemical). Analytical performance was assessed at 3 different concentration ranges and with interferences. Inter-method comparison using 49 equine serum samples revealed a significant difference between median SAA results (p < 0.0001), with the strongest bias between the POC and TIA-Vet (median 1,093 vs. 578 mg/L). The median SAA value obtained with the TIA-Hum method was 752 mg/L. Correlation between POC/TIA-Hum and between POC/TIA-Vet was fair (rs = 0.77 and 0.69) and excellent between both TIAs (rs = 0.93). Bias between POC/TIA-Hum, POC/TIA-Vet, and TIA-Hum/TIA-Vet was −56.7%, –80.9%, and −28.2%, respectively. POC intra- and inter-assay CVs (16.1–30% and 19.8–35.5%) were higher than TIA CVs (generally <12%). Bilirubin and hemoglobin had a negative bias on POC and TIA-Vet results (−16.6 to −45.6%); addition of intralipid yielded a positive bias (35.9–77.4%). The POC had good linearity of SAA concentrations up to 10,312 mg/L (R2 = 0.92). A hook effect was present at SAA >3,000 mg/L for the POC assay. Equine serum SAA was stable over a median period of 2.5 y when stored at −80°C. Overall, there was excellent-to-moderate correlation between tests, but imprecision and hook effect of the POC, as well as bias between the methods, must be considered.
Energy-efficient and temperature-stable oxide-confined 980 nm VCSELs operating error-free at 38 Gbit/s at 85°C

980 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) operating error-free at 38 Gbit/s at 85°C with record 177 fJ of dissipated heat per bit are presented. The VCSELs are particularly well suited for short, very-short and ultra-short-reach interboard, chip-to-chip and intrachip optical interconnects, where temperature stability, bandwidth and VCSEL density and the minimisation of waste heat are critical. Error-free operation at 40 Gbit/s at 75°C and at 42 Gbit/s at 25°C is achieved. To date, 980 nm VCSELs are the most energy-efficient of all VCSELs at 85°C at any wavelength.
Neutrophil-lymphocyte, platelet-lymphocyte and lymphocyte-monocyte ratios may not be useful markers to assess disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract The associations among the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear. To evaluate these indicators as potential markers of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This cross-sectional study included 547 adult patients with RA. The patients were divided into two groups according to the disease activity score (DAS) system: remission and disease activity. Differences in the NLR, PLR and LMR of the two groups were assessed. Correlations were analyzed using Spearman analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff values to differentiate active RA patients from inactive RA patients. There was a statistically significant difference in the NLR (4.2 ± 3.2 vs 3.4 ± 2.4, P = .034) and PLR (222.3 ± 136.4 vs 176.9 ± 89.8, P = .006) between the two groups, but not for the LMR (3.0 ± 1.8 vs 3.4 ± 2.4, P = .115). In addition, the DAS28 and traditional inflammatory markers, including ESR and CRP, were weakly positively correlated with the NLR and PLR. Based on the ROC curves, the NLR (sensitivity 31.8%, specificity 77.8%) and PLR (sensitivity 57.3%, specificity 63.9%) were less valuable than the ESR (sensitivity 67.2%, specificity 91.7%) and CRP (sensitivity 76.2%, specificity 91.7%) for differentiating inactive RA patients from active RA patients due to low sensitivity and specificity and combining NLR or PLR also cannot significantly improved the diagnostic value of ESR and CRP. NLR, PLR and LMR may not be an useful independent diagnostic or complementary marker for disease activity in RA patients.
One-step combustion synthesis of undoped c-ZrO2 for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions

The active practical application of materials based on cubic zirconium dioxide (c-ZrO2) for catalysis, luminescence, and sorption of heavy metals demands the development of methods for its preparation in a nanostructured form. In this work, nanoparticles of undoped cubic zirconia were obtained by solution combustion method, the features of their structure and morphology were investigated, and the efficiency of their use as a basis for sorbents for the removal of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions was evaluated. Based on XPS, it was established that the stabilization of the high-temperature cubic phase of c-ZrO2 occurred due to oxygen vacancies which were formed during the synthesis by glycine-nitrate combustion. From the results of PXRD and Raman spectroscopy cubic structure of the obtained zirconium dioxide nanoparticles is concluded, the average crystallite size was approximately 2 nm. Adsorption structural analysis and SEM indicated aggregation of c-ZrO2 nanocrystals into primary (45–95 nm) and secondary (submicron) agglomerates. The specific surface of the nanopowder determined by the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller method was 25.4 m2 g−1, the pore volume was 0.1670 cm3 g−1, the major part of which is associated with interparticle porosity. Using kinetic pH-metry, it was found that on the surface of synthesized c-ZrO2, rapidly hydrated aprotic Lewis acid centers predominated, and the point of zero charge was 5.8. The results of the sorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions with a concentration of 48–242 mg l−1 at 25 °C and pH = 5 are described by the Freundlich isotherm (R 2 = 0.971), which corresponds to multilayer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity according to Langmuir was 33 mg g−1 or 1.34 mg m−2 per unit area. These results allow us to consider the obtained undoped zirconium dioxide as a promising base for sorbents of heavy metals.
Long-term corticosteroid-induced chronic glaucoma model produced by intracameral injection of dexamethasone-loaded PLGA microspheres

Abstract Purpose To evaluate a new chronic glaucoma model produced by intracameral injection of dexamethasone-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid microspheres (Dex-PLGA-Ms) over six months. Methods Healthy rats received two injections (at baseline and Week 4) of Dex-PLGA-Ms into the anterior chamber of the right eye. Clinical signs and intraocular pressure (IOP) were weekly recorded. The structure of the retina and optic nerve was in vivo evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) every two weeks and functionally using dark- and light-adapted electroretinography at 0–12–24 weeks. Histological studies were also performed. Results IOP progressively increased up to hypertension (23.22 ± 3.63 mmHg) in both eyes but did so later in left eyes. OCT quantified a decrease in full-thickness retina posterior pole (R), retinal-nerve-fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion-cell layer (GCL) thickness up to 24 weeks. Right eyes showed higher neuroretinal thickness loss up to week 8. RNFL experienced the highest percentage thickness loss at the inferior-superior axis, while in GCL the inner sectors of the horizontal axis (Nasal-Temporal) suffered the greatest decrease in thickness. Retinal ganglion cell, photoreceptor, and intermediate cell functionality decreased over time. Increased deposition of collagen IV was also found in zonular fibers and the ciliary body. Conclusions This work shows the usefulness of drug delivery systems, not to treat pathology but to induce it. Only two injections of Dex-PLGA-Ms in the anterior chamber of rat eyes were enough to progressively create ocular hypertension and subsequent functional and structural neuroretinal degeneration, at least over 6 months.
Bloch wave approach to the design of optimally matched non-effective medium composite right/left handed transmission lines

A simple method to design optimally matched composite right-/left-handed transmission lines (CRLH-TLs), based on the computation of the Bloch wave equivalent impedance of the corresponding unit cell circuit is presented. Although the matching of CRLH-TLs that can be considered as effective media is straightforward, it is shown that it is not the case for non-effective medium structures, which are also relevant realisations of this type of metamaterial in particular situations. Since the method does not rely on any assumptions on the parameters of the circuit, it is valid both for effective medium and non-effective medium CRLH-TLs. The reduction of the mismatch obtained with the proposed method also results in an improvement in the insertion loss and phase shift linearity in terms of S-parameters. Finally, we present some experimental validation of the benefits of the method by means of quartz-integrated CRLH-TLs realisations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The incidence of proximal gastric cancer in the gastric fundus, cardia, and other parts is increasing rapidly. The purpose of this study was to systematically compare the short-term and long-term clinical effects of proximal gastrectomy with double tract reconstruction (PG-DTR) to total gastrectomy (TG) for proximal early gastric cancer (EGC). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted through searching the literature in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, WAN FANG, and VIP databases. All clinical controlled trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PG-DTR and PG were included. Simultaneously, the relevant data were extracted, and the software RevMan version 5.1 was used for the meta-analysis. Results: Eight studies with a total of 753 patients were eligible for the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, early complications (anastomotic fistula and anastomotic bleeding), late complications (reflux symptoms and anastomotic stenosis), and 5-year survival rate between PG-DTR and TG. However, the levels of partial nutritional indicators (vitamin B12 supplements and vitamin B12 deficiency) were significantly higher in the PG-DTR group than in the TG group. Conclusion: This study showed ample evidence to suggest that PG-DTR improved the postoperative nutritional status without compromising patient safety while providing the same surgical characteristics and postoperative morbidity as TG. Abbreviations: AAP= acetaminophen, CCT= clinical controlled trial, CI= confidence interval, DTR= double tract reconstruction, EG = esophagogastrostomy, EGC = early gastric cancer, JI = jejunal interposition, JPI = jejunal pouch interposition, NOS = Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, OR = odds ratio, PG = proximal gastrectomy, PG-DTR = proximal gastrectomy combined with double tract reconstruction, QoL = quality of life, RCT = randomized controlled trial, SMD = standard mean difference, TG = total gastrectomy, WMD = weighted mean difference.
Salmonella Wandsworth peritoneal dialysis‐related peritonitis following persistent infection: A case report with a review of literature

presented with fever, abdominal pain and cloudy dialysate. She was non-peritonitic and vital signs were normal. Peritoneal fluid revealed a neutrophilic leucocytosis (leukocytes >10 000/μl) and grew Streptococcus mitis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Immediate intravenous, oral and rectal contrasted computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) was unremarkable. Intraperitoneal Cefazolin and Gentamicin were started and CAPD was continued. She denied touch contamination. However, abdominal pain persisted and inflammatory markers remained elevated despite absence of alarming clinical signs. Repeat fluid culture on day 3 grew Klebsiella cassliflavus, and Enterococcus Raffinosus, prompting escalation to intravenous Meropenem, a repeat inconclusive CTAP and catheter removal on day 5. Despite this, she became hemodynamically unstable. A third CTAP on day 6 was again equivocal. On day 8, bedside ultrasound showed intra-abdominal free fluid. Ultrasound-guided paracentesis drained feculent ascites. Immediate laparotomy showed a jejunal diverticulum with pinpoint perforation adjacent to the previous catheter site and other jejunal diverticuli. Affected small bowel was extensively resected. Her post-operative course was complicated by anastomotic leaks requiring multiple re-look laparotomies and ultimately palliative care. This case highlights the need for prudence in the management of PP from unusual and changing enteric gram negative microorganisms without apparent surgical aetiology. In the absence of faecal touch contamination, translocation peritonitis from occult radiologically evasive diverticuli should be suspected. Controversy abounds regarding best management practices. Current guidelines recommend catheter removal and exploratory laparotomy over conservative management. However, this is not strongly supported by recent evidence demonstrating over 60% response to antimicrobials alone within 10 days, 21%–43% catheter removal rate and only three of eight laparotomized cases showing definitive surgical pathologies. Fungal and gram negative PP with clinical signs nonetheless confers poorer prognosis therefore warranting prompt intervention. Our case suggests there exists a third category with changing enteric microflora in fluid culture and benign clinical and radiological findings which requires even earlier surgical intervention. We thus propose alteration to current management paradigm to address such grey cases (Figure 1).
"You Say Severe, I Say Mild": Toward an Empirical Classification of Dysarthria Severity.

PURPOSE The main purpose of this study was to create an empirical classification system for speech severity in patients with dysarthria secondary to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by exploring the reliability and validity of speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') ratings of dysarthric speech. METHOD Ten SLPs listened to speech samples from 52 speakers with ALS and 20 healthy control speakers. SLPs were asked to rate the speech severity of the speakers using five response options: normal, mild, moderate, severe, and profound. Four severity-surrogate measures were also calculated: SLPs transcribed the speech samples for the calculation of speech intelligibility and rated the effort it took to understand the speakers on a visual analog scale. In addition, speaking rate and intelligible speaking rate were calculated for each speaker. Intrarater and interrater reliability were calculated for each measure. We explored the validity of clinician-based severity ratings by comparing them to the severity-surrogate measures. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted to create optimal cutoff points for defining dysarthria severity categories. RESULTS Intrarater and interrater reliability for the clinician-based severity ratings were excellent and were comparable to reliability for the severity-surrogate measures explored. Clinician severity ratings were strongly associated with all severity-surrogate measures, suggesting strong construct validity. We also provided a range of values for each severity-surrogate measure within each severity category based on the cutoff points obtained from the ROC analyses. CONCLUSIONS Clinician severity ratings of dysarthric speech are reliable and valid. We discuss the underlying challenges that arise when selecting a stratification measure and offer recommendations for a classification scheme when stratifying patients and research participants into speech severity categories.
Associations between the serum magnesium and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease patients

Abstract Background: Some studies have found that hypomagnesemia is associated with vascular calcification, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease, which may lead to increased mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who need to maintain hemodialysis (HD). However, the conclusion of these studies remain controversial. Methods: Relevant literature was retrieved from the database of Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI until December 2020, without any language restrictions. The data was analyzed using the Stata 12.0 software. Results: A total of 31 studies were included, involving 205436 participants. The results showed that after multivariable adjusted, hypomagnesemia was significant associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (hazard ratios [HR] 1.955; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.511-2.528; P = . 000; hypomagnesemia vs normal magnesium or hypermagnesemia). In contrast, in patients with CKD and ESRD, hypermagnesemia was negatively correlated with all-cause mortality (HR 0.873; 95% CI 0.793-0.960; P = .005) (per unit increase). Moreover, in the adjusted model, it was observed that hypermagnesemia was significantly associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular death (HR 0.598; 95% CI 0.094-1.102, P = .020). In addition, subgroup analysis found that hypomagnesemia was closely related to the increase of all-cause mortality in HD patients (HR 1.799; 95% CI 1.375-2.354; P = .000) (hypomagnesemia vs normal magnesium or hypermagnesemia). Conclusion: Our results show that hypomagnesemia is significantly associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in maintenance HD patients. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the benefits of magnesium correction in maintenance dialysis patients with hypomagnesemia.
The established and the challenger: A direct comparison of current cryoballoon technologies for pulmonary vein isolation

Cryoballoon (CB) ablation for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, a novel cryoablation system was introduced. The aim of the study was to compare the safety, efficacy and biophysical characteristics of a novel cryoablation system (POLARx™; Boston Scientific) to a commonly used and clinically well characterized system (Arctic Front Advance Pro™, AFA; Medtronic).
Hospital-acquired infections caused by enterococci: a systematic review and meta-analysis, WHO European Region, 1 January 2010 to 4 February 2020

Background Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) caused by Enterococcus spp. , especially vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE), are of rising concern. Aim We summarised data on incidence, mortality and proportion of HAI caused by enterococci in the World Health Organization European Region. Methods We searched Medline and Embase for articles published between 1 January 2010 and 4 February 2020. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to obtain pooled estimates. Results We included 75 studies. Enterococcus spp. and VRE accounted for 10.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.7–13.4; range: 6.1–17.5) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.21–2.7; range: 0.39–2.0) of all pathogens isolated from patients with HAI. Hospital wide, the pooled incidence of HAI caused by Enterococcus spp. ranged between 0.7 and 24.8 cases per 1,000 patients (pooled estimate: 6.9; 95% CI: 0.76–19.0). In intensive care units (ICU), pooled incidence of HAI caused by Enterococcus spp. and VRE was 9.6 (95% CI: 6.3–13.5; range: 0.39–36.0) and 2.6 (95% CI: 0.53–5.8; range: 0–9.7). Hospital wide, the pooled vancomycin resistance proportion among Enterococcus spp. HAI isolates was 7.3% (95% CI: 1.5–16.3; range: 2.6–11.5). In ICU, this proportion was 11.5% (95% CI: 4.7–20.1; range: 0–40.0). Among patients with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections with Enterococcus spp. , pooled all-cause mortality was 21.9% (95% CI: 15.7–28.9; range: 14.3–32.3); whereas all-cause mortality attributable to VRE was 33.5% (95% CI: 13.0–57.3; range: 14.3–41.3). Conclusions Infections caused by Enterococcus spp. are frequently identified among hospital patients and associated with high mortality.