Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Two Models Predicting the Presence of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Abstract Clinical history and physical examination are usually not sufficient to diagnose leg chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). Two predictive clinical models have been proposed. The first model by De Bruijn et al. is displayed as a nomogram that predicts the probability of CECS according to a risk score. The second model by Fouasson-Chailloux et al. combines two signs (post-effort muscle hardness on palpation or hernia). To evaluate those models, we performed a prospective study on patients who were referred for possible CECS. 201 patients underwent intra-compartmental pressure at 1-min post-exercise (CECS if ≥ 30 mmHg) – 115 had CECS. For the De Bruijn et al. model, the risk score was 7.5±2.2 in the CECS group and 4.6±1.7 in the non-CECS group (p<0.001) with an area under the ROC curve of 0.85. The model accuracy was 80% with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 78%. Concerning Fouasson-Chailloux et al. model, the accuracy was 86%; the sensitivity and the specificity were 75 and 98%, respectively. The De Bruijn et al. model was a good collective model but less efficient in individual application. In patients having both muscle hardness and hernia, we could clinically make the diagnosis of CECS.
Classification of visual comprehension based on EEG data using sparse optimal scoring

Objective. Understanding and differentiating brain states is an important task in the field of cognitive neuroscience with applications in health diagnostics, such as detecting neurotypical development vs. autism spectrum or coma/vegetative state vs. locked-in state. Electroencephalography (EEG) analysis is a particularly useful tool for this task as EEG data can detect millisecond-level changes in brain activity across a range of frequencies in a non-invasive and relatively inexpensive fashion. The goal of this study is to apply machine learning methods to EEG data in order to classify visual language comprehension across multiple participants. Approach. 26-channel EEG was recorded for 24 Deaf participants while they watched videos of sign language sentences played in time-direct and time-reverse formats to simulate interpretable vs. uninterpretable sign language, respectively. Sparse optimal scoring (SOS) was applied to EEG data in order to classify which type of video a participant was watching, time-direct or time-reversed. The use of SOS also served to reduce the dimensionality of the features to improve model interpretability. Main results. The analysis of frequency-domain EEG data resulted in an average out-of-sample classification accuracy of 98.89%, which was far superior to the time-domain analysis. This high classification accuracy suggests this model can accurately identify common neural responses to visual linguistic stimuli. Significance. The significance of this work is in determining necessary and sufficient neural features for classifying the high-level neural process of visual language comprehension across multiple participants.
MAP3K8 Regulates Cox-2–Mediated Prostaglandin E2 Production in the Lung and Suppresses Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis

Key Points Pulmonary fibrosis entails a transcriptional downregulation of Map3k8 expression. Map3k8 suppress pulmonary fibrosis via Cox-2–mediated PGE2 production. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by exuberant deposition of extracellular matrix components, leading to the deterioration of lung architecture and respiratory functions. Profibrotic mechanisms are controlled by multiple regulatory molecules, including MAPKs, in turn regulated by multiple phosphorylation cascades. MAP3K8 is an MAPK kinase kinase suggested to pleiotropically regulate multiple pathogenic pathways in the context of inflammation and cancer; however, a possible role in the pathogenesis of IPF has not been investigated. In this report, MAP3K8 mRNA levels were found decreased in the lungs of IPF patients and of mice upon bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Ubiquitous genetic deletion of Map3k8 in mice exacerbated the modeled disease, whereas bone marrow transfer experiments indicated that although MAP3K8 regulatory functions are active in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells, Map3k8 in hematopoietic cells has a more dominant role. Macrophage-specific deletion of Map3k8 was further found to be sufficient for disease exacerbation thus confirming a major role for macrophages in pulmonary fibrotic responses and suggesting a main role for Map3k8 in the homeostasis of their effector functions in the lung. Map3k8 deficiency was further shown to be associated with decreased Cox-2 expression, followed by a decrease in PGE2 production in the lung; accordingly, exogenous administration of PGE2 reduced inflammation and reversed the exacerbated fibrotic profile of Map3k8 −/− mice. Therefore, MAP3K8 has a central role in the regulation of inflammatory responses and Cox-2–mediated PGE2 production in the lung, and the attenuation of its expression is integral to pulmonary fibrosis development.
Thermal Energy Storage System Using a Technical Grade Paraffin Wax as Latent Heat Energy Storage Material

The objective of this study was to experimentally establish thermal energy storage (TES) performance using a technical grade paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) in a vertical concentric pipe-in-pipe latent heat storage system. The melting and solidification temperature range of the paraffin was found as 38°C–43°C and 36°C–42°C, respectively. These values were well in agreement with the values measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The inlet temperature and mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) were selected as experimental parameters. The radial and axial temperature distributions were determined during the heat charging and discharging processes of the PCM. The temporal temperature data showed that the relevant experimental parameters were more effective on the melting time than on the solidification time due to increased natural convection during the melting process. Furthermore, heat fraction during the charging and discharging processes of the PCM were established. Experimental results indicated that the heat charging fraction was affected by change in the relevant experimental parameters more during the heat charging than discharging processes of the PCM. Finally, it was concluded from the results that the investigated technical grade paraffin wax encapsulated in the annulus of the two vertical cylindrical pipes had good thermal energy storage performance and it is a suitable latent heat storage material for passive solar thermal energy storage applications.
COVID-19 Outbreak During Inpatient Rehabilitation

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic affects a large number of patients. The impact on feasibility and outcome of rehabilitation during COVID-19 actually remains unclear. Nosocomial infection of healthcare workers or hospitalized patients is common, and prevention of nosocomial infections during rehabilitation is challenging. Therefore, we analyzed a cohort of nosocomial infected COVID-19 patients in a single-center inpatient rehabilitation clinic and described performance and outcome. Design The cohort (N = 27) describes patients with nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection while participating in neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation. Infection was caused by an initially unidentified so-called superspreader. We compared this cohort with all neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation inpatients of 2019 (comparison group). Normally distributed continuous variables were presented as mean with standard deviation and the t test was used for comparison between groups. Linear regression was used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Functional Independence Measure at discharge. Results COVID-19 patients were mostly male (66.7%) with an age of 71.5 ± 12.3 yrs. Age, sex, and cumulated comorbidities of the comparison group (n = 786) were not different from the COVID-19 group. A total of 92.6% of COVID-19 patients had a mild or moderate course, two patients had to be referred to acute hospital because of respiratory failure, and one of these patients died in the acute hospital. After implementation of a strict hygiene concept, no further nosocomial COVID-19 infections were detected. The rehabilitation duration was significantly longer in the COVID-19 group (54.2 ± 23.6 days vs. 32.1 ± 17.7 days, P < 0.001). Daily therapy duration was 132.3 ± 44 mins before SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced to 81.9 ± 27.3 mins during COVID-19 (P < 0.001). After discontinuation of isolation measures, therapy duration increased significantly (99.3 ± 70.2 mins, P < 0.05). The baseline Functional Independence Measure score was higher in the COVID-19 group (91.93 ± 25.64 points vs. 82.98 ± 22.73 points) and Functional Independence Measure improvements were lower in COVID-19 patients than in the 2019 comparison group (6.96 ± 8.96 points vs. 20.3 ± 15.98 points, P < 0.001). COVID-19 infection itself had a strong negative impact on Functional Independence Measure change as identified by regression analysis. Linear regression analysis showed that COVID-19 reduced the Functional Independence Measure at discharge by 8.9 points (95% CI = −14.725 to −3.097, P = 0.003) after correction for Functional Independence Measure at admission, age, sex, and morbidity index at admission. Conclusions COVID-19 had a strong negative impact on rehabilitation benefits as assessed by Functional Independence Measure. Neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation could be continued, but all patients received less therapy minutes during isolation. After implementation of a strict COVID-19–specific hygiene concept, no further infections were detected.
Hyaluronan-Loaded Liposomal Dexamethasone–Diclofenac Nanoparticles for Local Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) remains one of the common degenerative joint diseases and a major cause of pain and disability in older adult individuals. Oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as diclofenac, DIC) or intra-articular injected gluco-corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone, DEX) were the conventional treatment strategies for OA to reduce joint pain. Current limitations for both drugs including severe adverse effects with risks of toxicity were noted. The aim of the present study was to generate a novel OA treatment formulation hyaluronic acid (HA)-Liposomal (Lipo)-DIC/DEX to combat joint pain. The formulation was prepared by constructing DIC with DEX-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers Lipo-DIC/DEX mixed with hyaluronic acid (HA) for prolonged OA application. The prepared Lipo-DIC/DEX nanoparticles revealed the size as 103.6 ± 0.3 nm on average, zeta potential as −22.3 ± 4.6 mV, the entrapment efficiency of 90.5 ± 5.6%, and the DIC and DEX content was 22.5 ± 4.1 and 2.5 ± 0.6%, respectively. Evidence indicated that HA-Lipo-DIC/DEX could reach the effective working concentration in 4 h and sustained the drug-releasing time for at least 168 h. No significant toxicities but increased cell numbers were observed when HA-Lipo-DIC/DEX co-cultured with articular chondrocytes cells. Using live-animal In vivo imaging system (IVIS), intra-articular injection of each HA-Lipo-DIC/DEX sufficed to reduce knee joint inflammation in OA mice over a time span of four weeks. Single-dose injection could reduce the inflammation volume down to 77.5 ± 5.1% from initial over that time span. Our results provided the novel drug-releasing formulation with safety and efficiency which could be a promising system for osteoarthritis pain control.
Six-Year Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Children With Single-Ventricle Physiology

We report on patterns of neurodevelopment in children with single-ventricle anomalies and the predictive value of early evaluations for behavior at age 6. OBJECTIVES: To determine if neurodevelopmental deficits in children with single-ventricle physiology change with age and early developmental scores predict 6-year outcomes. METHODS: In the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, were administered at 14 months of age, and parents completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) annually from the ages of 2 to 6 years. Scores were classified as average, at risk, or impaired. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values of earlier tests on 6-year outcomes. RESULTS: Of 291 eligible participants, 244 (84%) completed the BASC-2 at 6 years; more Single Ventricle Reconstruction participants than expected on the basis of normative data scored at risk or impaired on the BASC-2 Adaptive Skills Index at that evaluation (28.7% vs 15.9%; P < .001). Children with Adaptive Skills Composite scores <2 SD below the mean at the age of 6 were more likely to have had delayed development at 14 months, particularly on the Psychomotor Development Index (sensitivity of 79%). However, the positive predictive value of the 14-month Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index for 6-year BASC-2 Adaptive Scores was low (44% and 36%, respectively). Adaptive Skills Composite score impairments at the age of 6 were poorly predicted by using earlier BASC-2 assessments, with low sensitivities at the ages of 3 (37%), 4 (48%), and 5 years (55%). CONCLUSIONS: Many children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who have low adaptive skills at the age of 6 years will not be identified by screening at earlier ages. With our findings, we highlight the importance of serial evaluations for children with critical congenital heart disease throughout development.
Kinetics Estimation and Single and Multi-Objective Optimization of a Seeded, Anti-Solvent, Isothermal Batch Crystallizer

The nucleation and growth kinetic parameters of paracetamol in an isopropanol−water antisolvent batch crystallizer were estimated by nonlinear regression in terms of the moments of the crystal population density. The moments were calculated using the measured chord length distribution (CLD) generated by the FBRM. The measured supersaturation by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was also used to calculate the nucleation and growth rates using power law correlations. Using the estimated kinetic parameters, the crystallization model based on the population and mass balance, was validated using the open-loop experimental particle size distribution and supersaturation results. Subsequently, the solution to the optimal antisolvent flow-rate profiles was obtained by applying nonlinear constrained single- and multiobjective optimization on the validated model. These profiles were implemented on the crystallizer and crystal-size distributions were compared with the open-loop experiments. The bimodality in the particle size di.
Inhaled Treprostinil in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Interstitial Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND No therapies are currently approved for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease. The safety and efficacy of inhaled treprostinil for patients with this condition are unclear. METHODS We enrolled patients with interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension (documented by right heart catheterization) in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 16-week trial. Patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive inhaled treprostinil, administered by means of an ultrasonic, pulsed-delivery nebulizer in up to 12 breaths (total, 72 μg) four times daily, or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was the difference between the two groups in the change in peak 6-minute walk distance from baseline to week 16. Secondary end points included the change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level at week 16 and the time to clinical worsening. RESULTS A total of 326 patients underwent randomization, with 163 assigned to inhaled treprostinil and 163 to placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. At week 16, the least-squares mean difference between the treprostinil group and the placebo group in the change from baseline in the 6-minute walk distance was 31.12 m (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.85 to 45.39; P<0.001). There was a reduction of 15% in NT-proBNP levels from baseline with inhaled treprostinil as compared with an increase of 46% with placebo (treatment ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.72; P<0.001). Clinical worsening occurred in 37 patients (22.7%) in the treprostinil group as compared with 54 patients (33.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.92; P = 0.04 by the log-rank test). The most frequently reported adverse events were cough, headache, dyspnea, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS In patients with pulmonary hypertension due to interstitial lung disease, inhaled treprostinil improved exercise capacity from baseline, assessed with the use of a 6-minute walk test, as compared with placebo. (Funded by United Therapeutics; INCREASE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02630316.).
Baseline Characteristics from the Women Veterans Cohort Study: Gender Differences and Similarities in Health and Healthcare Utilization.

Introduction: With the unprecedented expansion of women's roles in the U.S. military during recent (post-9/11) conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of women seeking healthcare through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has increased substantially. Women Veterans often present as medically complex due to multiple medical, mental health, and psychosocial comorbidities, and consequently may be underserved. Thus, we conducted the nationwide Women Veterans Cohort Study (WVCS) to examine post-9/11 Veterans' unique healthcare needs and to identify potential disparities in health outcomes and care. Methods: We present baseline data from a comprehensive questionnaire battery that was administered from 2016 to 2019 to a national sample of post-9/11 men and women Veterans who enrolled in Veterans Affairs care (WVCS2). Data were analyzed for descriptives and to compare characteristics by gender, including demographics; health risk factors and symptoms of cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and mental health; healthcare utilization, access, and insurance. Results: WVCS2 included 1,141 Veterans (51% women). Women were younger, more diverse, and with higher educational attainment than men. Women also endorsed lower traditional cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities (e.g., weight, hypertension) and greater nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., trauma, psychological symptoms). More women reported single-site pain (e.g., neck, stomach, pelvic) and multisite pain, but did not differ from men in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms or treatment for PTSD. Women seek care at VHA medical centers more frequently, often combined with outside health services, but do not significantly differ from men in their insurance coverage. Conclusion: Overall, this investigation indicates substantial variation in risk factors, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization among post-9/11 men and women Veterans. Further research is needed to determine best practices for managing women Veterans in the VHA healthcare system.
A Meta-Analysis on the Rate of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence after Liver Transplant and Associations to Etiology, Alpha-Fetoprotein, Income and Ethnicity

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplant is associated with a poor prognosis and significantly increases morbidity and mortality among liver transplant patients. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to evaluate the overall prevalence of HCC recurrence following liver transplant. Medline and Embase databases were searched, and a meta-analysis of proportions was conducted. Observational studies reporting the prevalence of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplant were included, with the analysis being stratified by adherence to Milan criteria, ethnicity, socio-economic status, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels, living donor vs. deceased donor, and the underlying aetiology of the liver disease. A meta-regression on the date of the study completion was also performed. Of a total 40,495 patients, 3888 developed an HCC recurrence. The overall prevalence of recurrent HCC was 13% (CI: 0.12–0.15). Patients beyond the Milan criteria (MC) were more likely to recur than patients within MC. Asian populations had the greatest prevalence of HCC recurrence (19%; CI: 0.15–0.24) when compared to Western (12%; CI: 0.11–0.13) and Latin American populations (11%; CI: 0.09–0.14). The prevalence of recurrent HCC was the highest in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (18%; CI: 0.11–0.27) compared to other aetiologies. A higher AFP also resulted in an increased recurrence. This highlights interesting differences based on ethnicity, income, and aetiology, and further studies are needed to determine the reasons for the disparity.
Wood transcriptome analysis of Pinus densiflora identifies genes critical for secondary cell wall formation and NAC transcription factors involved in tracheid formation.

Although conifers have significant ecological and economic value, information on transcriptional regulation of wood formation in conifers is still limited. Here, to gain insight into secondary cell wall (SCW) biosynthesis and tracheid formation in conifers, we performed wood tissue-specific transcriptome analyses of Pinus densiflora (Korean red pine) using RNA sequencing. In addition, to obtain full-length transcriptome information, PacBio single molecule real-time (SMRT) iso-sequencing was carried out using RNAs from 28 tissues of P. densiflora. Subsequent comparative tissue-specific transcriptome analysis successfully pinpointed critical genes encoding key proteins involved in biosynthesis of the major secondary wall components (cellulose, galactoglucomannan, xylan, and lignin). Furthermore, we predicted a total of 62 NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) family transcription factor members and identified seven PdeNAC genes preferentially expressed in developing xylem tissues in P. densiflora. Protoplast-based transcriptional activation analysis found that four PdeNAC genes, homologous to VND, NST and SND/ANAC075, upregulated GUS activity driven by an SCW-specific cellulose synthase promoter. Consistently, transient overexpression of the four PdeNACs induced xylem vessel cell-like SCW deposition in both tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) and Arabidopsis leaves. Taken together, our data provide a foundation for further research to unravel transcriptional regulation of wood formation in conifers, especially SCW formation and tracheid differentiation.