Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transfer of metals in the liquids of electronic cigarettes

Abstract Objectives: E-cigarettes are electronic devices containing a liquid that usually consists of a mixture of glycerol, propylene glycol and nicotine, with or without flavorings, in various concentrations. A vapor or aerosol is produced, and inhaled from the user, when this liquid is heated by a heating coil. This work examines the impact of three parameters (e-liquid composition, nicotine content and air flow) on the transfer of metals' from the heating coils to the e-liquids. Materials and methods: A distillation unit was used, where 20ml of an e-liquid were boiled with two commercial heating elements. Four e-liquids: 100% Propylene Glycol, 100% Glycerol, 50/50% Propylene Glycol/Glycerol, 33.3/33.3/33.3% Propylene Glycol/Glycerol/Water, three nicotine contents: 0, 0.4 and 0.8% per volume and three air flows: 0, 0.5 and 1.0 L/min, were used. The liquids were analyzed by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry to determine the final content of metals. Results and discussion: Five metals, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb, were found to be transferred from the heating coils to the e-liquids. The transfer of those metals increases with air flow and nicotine concentration, while e-liquid composition also has a significant impact. Glycerol enhances the transfer of metals compared to propylene glycol and their mixtures. The boiling temperature of the e-liquids increases significantly the transfer of metals in the e-liquids. Conclusions: There is a transfer of metals from the heating coils to the e-liquids. This transfer depends on the e-liquid composition and on the boiling temperature.
Design of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Perioperative Vaginal Estrogen Versus Placebo With Transvaginal Native Tissue Apical Prolapse Repair (Investigation to Minimize Prolapse Recurrence of the Vagina using Estrogen: IMPROVE)

Objectives To provide the rationale and design for a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of conjugated estrogen vaginal cream (applied for at least 5 weeks preoperatively and continued twice-weekly through 12 months postoperatively) compared with placebo in postmenopausal women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse undergoing a standardized transvaginal native tissue apical repair. Methods Study population, randomization process, study cream intervention, masking of participants and evaluators, placebo cream manufacture, standardized surgical intervention, and collection of adverse events are described. The primary outcome of surgical success is a composite of objectively no prolapse beyond the hymen and the vaginal cuff descending no more than one third the vaginal length; subjectively, no sense of vaginal pressure or bulging; and no retreatment for prolapse at 12 months. Time-to-failure postoperatively will be compared in the 2 groups with continued surveillance to 36 months. Secondary outcomes assessed at baseline, preoperatively (ie, after at least 5 weeks of study cream), and postoperatively at 6 month intervals include validated condition-specific and general quality-of-life metrics, overall impression of improvement, sexual function, vaginal atrophy symptoms, and body image. Challenges unique to this study include design and manufacture of placebo and defining and measuring study drug adherence. Results Recruitment of 204 women is complete with 197 randomized. There have been 174 surgeries completed with 15 more pending; 111 have completed their 12 month postoperative visit. Conclusions This trial will contribute evidence-based information regarding the effect of perioperative vaginal estrogen as an adjunct therapy to standardized transvaginal native tissue prolapse surgical repair.
Distinguishing vigilance decrement and low task demands from mind‐wandering: A machine learning analysis of EEG

Mind‐wandering is a ubiquitous mental phenomenon that is defined as self‐generated thought irrelevant to the ongoing task. Mind‐wandering tends to occur when people are in a low‐vigilance state or when they are performing a very easy task. In the current study, we investigated whether mind‐wandering is completely dependent on vigilance and current task demands, or whether it is an independent phenomenon. To this end, we trained support vector machine (SVM) classifiers on EEG data in conditions of low and high vigilance, as well as under conditions of low and high task demands, and subsequently tested those classifiers on participants' self‐reported mind‐wandering. Participants' momentary mental state was measured by means of intermittent thought probes in which they reported on their current mental state. The results showed that neither the vigilance classifier nor the task demands classifier could predict mind‐wandering above‐chance level, while a classifier trained on self‐reports of mind‐wandering was able to do so. This suggests that mind‐wandering is a mental state different from low vigilance or performing tasks with low demands—both which could be discriminated from the EEG above chance. Furthermore, we used dipole fitting to source‐localize the neural correlates of the most import features in each of the three classifiers, indeed finding a few distinct neural structures between the three phenomena. Our study demonstrates the value of machine‐learning classifiers in unveiling patterns in neural data and uncovering the associated neural structures by combining it with an EEG source analysis technique.
Why do we retrace our visual steps? Semantic and episodic memory in gaze reinstatement

When we look at repeated scenes, we tend to visit similar regions each time—a phenomenon known as resampling. Resampling has long been attributed to episodic memory, but the relationship between resampling and episodic memory has recently been found to be less consistent than assumed. A possibility that has yet to be fully considered is that factors unrelated to episodic memory may generate resampling: for example, other factors such as semantic memory and visual salience that are consistently present each time an image is viewed and are independent of specific prior viewing instances. We addressed this possibility by tracking participants’ eyes during scene viewing to examine how semantic memory, indexed by the semantic informativeness of scene regions (i.e., meaning), is involved in resampling. We found that viewing more meaningful regions predicted resampling, as did episodic familiarity strength. Furthermore, we found that meaning interacted with familiarity strength to predict resampling. Specifically, the effect of meaning on resampling was attenuated in the presence of strong episodic memory, and vice versa. These results suggest that episodic and semantic memory are each involved in resampling behavior and are in competition rather than synergistically increasing resampling. More generally, this suggests that episodic and semantic memory may compete to guide attention.
Comparative Analysis of Genomic Repeat Content in Gomphocerine Grasshoppers Reveals Expansion of Satellite DNA and Helitrons in Species with Unusually Large Genomes

Abstract Eukaryotic organisms vary widely in genome size and much of this variation can be explained by differences in the abundance of repetitive elements. However, the phylogenetic distributions and turnover rates of repetitive elements are largely unknown, particularly for species with large genomes. We therefore used de novo repeat identification based on low coverage whole-genome sequencing to characterize the repeatomes of six species of gomphocerine grasshoppers, an insect clade characterized by unusually large and variable genome sizes. Genome sizes of the six species ranged from 8.4 to 14.0 pg DNA per haploid genome and thus include the second largest insect genome documented so far (with the largest being another acridid grasshopper). Estimated repeat content ranged from 79% to 96% and was strongly correlated with genome size. Averaged over species, these grasshopper repeatomes comprised significant amounts of DNA transposons (24%), LINE elements (21%), helitrons (13%), LTR retrotransposons (12%), and satellite DNA (8.5%). The contribution of satellite DNA was particularly variable (ranging from <1% to 33%) as was the contribution of helitrons (ranging from 7% to 20%). The age distribution of divergence within clusters was unimodal with peaks ∼4–6%. The phylogenetic distribution of repetitive elements was suggestive of an expansion of satellite DNA in the lineages leading to the two species with the largest genomes. Although speculative at this stage, we suggest that the expansion of satellite DNA could be secondary and might possibly have been favored by selection as a means of stabilizing greatly expanded genomes.
The Utility of the CPT in the Diagnosis of ADHD in Individuals with Substance Abuse: A Systematic Review

Background: Early identification of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) is important because ADHD has an adverse effect on the development and course of SUD. Given the limited validity of self-report measures of ADHD in individuals with SUD, it is important to investigate the utility of the continuous performance test (CPT) in classifying ADHD in adults with SUD. Objective: This review aims to examine the quantitative similarities and differences in CPT performance of adults with ADHD, SUD, and their comorbidity to determine if a distinct neurocognitive profile exists for each. Method: A systematic review of CPT studies that included patients with the comorbidity of ADHD and SUD and a comparison group of one of the disorders alone was conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Results: Eight studies were identified with sample sizes ranging from n = 17 to n = 386. The comorbidity of ADHD and SUD was, mostly, not associated with higher rates of commission and omission errors than either disorder alone. However, the comorbidity of ADHD and SUD was more likely to be associated with increased deficits in response time variability compared with individuals with ADHD alone. Conclusions: This review highlights the shortage of large-scale CPT research involving patients with ADHD and SUD. The CPT might be sensitive to attentional deficits, but it lacks specificity for the classification of adult ADHD, SUD, or their comorbidity, and the CPT is thus not useful in discriminating comorbid ADHD and SUD from either disorder alone. Future CPT research should explore whether specific attentional deficits account for the development and persistence of SUD. Such research should also reach beyond traditional CPT measures and include other cognitive and behavioral deficits that were associated with ADHD, such as distractibility and hyperactivity.
Vibrio natriegens: An ultrafast-growing marine bacterium as emerging synthetic biology chassis.

The marine bacterium Vibrio natriegens is the fastest-growing non-pathogenic bacterium known to date and is gaining more and more attention as an alternative chassis organism to Escherichia coli. A recent wave of synthetic biology efforts has focused on the establishment of molecular biology tools in this fascinating organism, now enabling exciting applications - from speeding up our everyday laboratory routines to increasing the pace of biotechnological production cycles. In this review we seek to give a broad overview on the literature on V. natriegens, spanning all the way from its initial isolation to its latest applications. We discuss its natural ecological niche and interactions with other organisms, unveil some of its extraordinary traits, review its genomic organization and give insight into its diverse metabolism - key physiological insights required to further develop this organism into a synthetic biology chassis. By providing a comprehensive overview on the established genetic tools, methods and applications we highlight the current possibilities of this organism, but also identify some of the gaps that could drive future lines of research, hopefully stimulating the growth of the V. natriegens research community. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Impact of an Optimism Training Intervention on Biological Measures Associated With Cardiovascular Health: Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. ABSTRACT Objective Positive psychological constructs, such as optimism, are associated with cardiovascular health, and changes in biological measures associated with heart health have been proposed as potential mediators of these relationships. In this analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial, we examined the impact of an optimism training intervention on biological measures associated with cardiac health in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods We analyzed data from an 8-week, randomized, controlled trial of a group-based optimism training intervention in 61 patients with coronary artery disease. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6, irisin, and fibrinogen were measured at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Mixed-effects regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of the intervention on changes in biological measures at 8 and 16 weeks. Results At 8 weeks, the intervention led to significantly greater reductions in hs-CRP (B = −0.851 [standard error {SE} = 0.273, p = .002) and fibrinogen (B = −0.148 [SE = 0.062], p = .016), and a greater increase in irisin (B = 0.252 [SE = 0.114], p = .027) compared with the control condition. These changes persisted at 16 weeks (hs-CRP: B = −1.078 [SE = 0.276], p < .001; fibrinogen: B = −0.270 [SE = 0.062], p < .001; irisin: B = 0.525 [SE = 0.116], p < .001), and interleukin 6 additionally was impacted at this time point (B = −0.214 [SE = 0.064], p = .001). Exploratory mediation analyses failed to identify significant psychological or health behavior mediators of these relationships. Conclusions A group-based optimism training intervention resulted in significant, robust, and sustained changes in biological measures associated with cardiac health. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in a larger sample and identify potential mediating variables. Trial Registration: Iran Registry of Clinical Trials No. 2016070328769 N1.
Salivary lactoferrin as biomarker for Alzheimer's disease: Brain‐immunity interactions

We aim to explain why salivary lactoferrin (Lf) levels are reduced in patients suffering mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). 1 We also will discuss if such Lf decrease could be due to a downregulation of the sAD associated systemic immunity.
Reply to letter to the editor: Insights into chronic migraine pathophysiology – what measures of gray matter reveal

We appreciate DeSouza et al.’s interest in and comments (1) on our study (2) and find the results from their recent study of great interest (3). In their study, in addition to conventional volume and thickness-based measures, a graph-theoretical approach was used to delineate differences in structural covariance networks between patients with chronic migraine (CM) and healthy controls (HC). While DeSouza et al. did not find any between-group differences using the conventional volume or thickness-based measures, we showed that cortical thickness was decreased in several painrelated cortical regions in CM patients (2). Their finding of significant differences in structural network measures leads DeSouza et al. to suggest that such measures may provide a more sensitive means to detect structural differences in CM (3). While we agree with DeSouza et al. on the importance of using structural covariance network analysis, as it provides complementary information, we want to emphasize with our study (2) that homogeneity of the patient population is of utmost importance in order to reveal subtle differences, even if those differences appear to be shared with other chronic pain conditions. Hence, if medication overuse, psychiatric comorbidities, and ongoing preventive medication are not controlled for then, irrespective of the structural measure used, it is difficult to ascribe the presence or absence of findings to CM pathophysiology alone. For example, it has previously been demonstrated by our group that medication overuse is associated with specific structural and neurochemical differences (4,5). Additionally, depression itself is known to affect brain morphology and connectivity, as revealed by graph theory-based brain network analysis (6). As for the discrepancy between DeSouza et al.’s study (3) and ours (2), differences in the abovementioned factors possibly account for this. Furthermore, DeSouza et al. measured the averaged cortical thickness in 68 cortical regions of interest (ROIs) (34 in each hemisphere) parcellated according to the Desikan-Killiany atlas, rather than using a vertex-based approach. The subtle differences within a sub-ROI area between groups could theoretically be averaged out by such an ROI analysis. Further studies applying all of the above-mentioned structural measures in a more homogenous patient population are warranted and may provide additional novel insights into CM-specific pathophysiology.
COVID-19 and the Ocular Surface: A Review of Transmission and Manifestations

ABSTRACT Purpose The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached pandemic proportions within an unprecedented span of time. It is controversial whether the virus can be transmitted via tears and its ocular implications have not been widely studied. In this article, the current evidence related to ocular transmission and ocular manifestations is reviewed. Results Several mechanisms for the ocular transmission of the virus are proposed with highlight on the nasolacrimal system as a conduit between the eye and the respiratory tract, and the role of the lacrimal gland in hematogenous spread. Ocular surface manifestations such as conjunctivitis are more commonly reported. Conclusion The exact pathophysiology of ocular transmission of the virus remains incompletely understood, although there is preliminary evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being detected in ocular secretions. The ocular tropism of the virus and its potential to cause localized ocular disease are worth considering.
Alcohol and Educational Inequalities: Hazardous Drinking Prevalence and All-Cause Mortality by Hazardous Drinking Group in People Aged 50 and Older in Europe

Background We examined educational inequalities in hazardous drinking prevalence among individuals aged 50 or more in 14 European countries, and explored educational inequalities in mortality in hazardous drinkers in European regions. Methods We analyzed data from waves 4, 5 and 6 of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We estimated age-standardized hazardous drinking prevalence, and prevalence ratios (PR) of hazardous drinking by country and educational level using Poisson regression models with robust variance. We estimated the relative index of inequality (RII) for all-cause mortality among hazardous drinkers and non-hazardous drinkers using Cox proportional hazards regression models and for each region (North, South, East and West). Results In men, educational inequalities in hazardous drinking were not observed (PRmedium = 1.09 [95%CI: 0.98–1.21] and PRhigh = 0.99 [95%CI: 0.88–1.10], ref. low), while in they were observed in women, having the highest hazardous drinking prevalence in the highest educational levels (PRmedium = 1.28 [95%CI: 1.15–1.42] and PRhigh = 1.53 [95%CI: 1.36–1.72]). Overall, the Relative Index of Inequality (RII) in all-cause mortality among hazardous drinkers was 1.12 [95%CI: 1.03–1.22] among men and 1.10 [95%CI: 0.97–1.25] among women. Educational inequalities among hazardous drinkers were observed in Eastern Europe for both men (RIIhazardous = 1.21 [95%CI: 1.01–1.45]) and women (RIIhazardous = 1.46 [95%CI: 1.13–1.87]). Educational inequalities in mortality among non-hazardous drinkers were observed in Southern, Western and Eastern Europe among men, and in Eastern Europe among women. Conclusions Higher educational attainment is positively associated with hazardous drinking prevalence among women, but not among men in most of the analyzed European countries. Clear educational inequalities in mortality among hazardous drinkers were only observed in Eastern Europe. Further research on the associations between alcohol use and inequalities in all-cause mortality in different regions is needed.
Effect of fully immersive virtual reality treatment combined with exercise in fibromyalgia patients: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT This trial was designed to evaluate the effects of fully immersive virtual reality (IVR) treatment combined with exercise training in fibromyalgia patients. Twenty patients were randomized into exercise group (EG) or IVR combined with exercise group (Exercise+IVR). The EG had combined exercise training consisted of 30 minutes of aerobic training and 30 minutes of Pilates training and Exercise+IVR group had the same protocol with EG plus 20 minutes of IVR, twice a week for 8 weeks. Visual analogue scale for pain, Modified Sensory Organization Test for balance, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for kinesiophobia, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire for impact of fibromyalgia, Fatigue Severity Scale for fatigue, International Physical Activity Questionnaire for level of physical activity, six-minute walk test for functional capacity, and Short-Form 36 Health Survey for quality of life were used for evaluation. Pain, balance, kinesiophobia, impact of fibromyalgia, fatigue, level of physical activity, functional exercise capacity and quality of life scores improved significantly in both groups (p < .05). Exercise+IVR group showed significant improvement compared to the EG regarding pain, kinesiophobia, fatigue, level of physical activity, and mental component of quality of life (p < .05). IVR treatment may be an effective method as an adjunctive therapy with other exercise trainings in fibromyalgia.
Serum cytokine concentrations and asthma persistence to middle age

Cytokines play a key role as mediators in the immuno-pathogenesis of asthma.1 Age at asthma onset and the presence of T-helper 2 mediated eosinophilic airway inflammation have been identified as two important and distinct factors for defining asthma phenotypes,2 but little is known about longitudinal associations between systemic cytokine concentrations and asthma. In a previous investigation of serum cytokine concentrations among 44-year-old adults and asthma phenotypes, we found early-onset persistent asthma (from age 13 to 44 years) was associated with lower levels of interleukin (IL) -10, while asthma remission was associated with lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. 3 We hypothesised that, in middle-aged people with asthma serum cytokines might predict future asthma persistence beyond 44 years. Published studies regarding these potential associations are largely limited to childhood asthma, with only the Epidemiological study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA study) assessing cytokines profiles and asthma status longitudinally in adults, where they found patients with "high IL-1Ra and high IL-10" serum cytokine profiles had lower risks of worsening asthma control.4.