Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
B-mode ultrasound characteristics of carotid plaques in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with low-grade stenosis

Carotid plaque features assessed using B-mode ultrasound can be useful for the prediction of cerebrovascular symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to determine the ability of ultrasound B-mode imaging to differentiate between carotid plaques causing less than 50% stenosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. A dataset of 1,593 patients with carotid disease who underwent carotid ultrasound between 2016 and 2021 was evaluated retrospectively between January and April of 2022. A total of 107 carotid plaques from 35 symptomatic and 52 asymptomatic patients causing low-grade stenosis on B-mode images were included in the analysis. Chi-square, independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the variables. There was a significant association between hypertension and the presence of cerebrovascular symptoms (p = 0.01). Predominantly hypoechoic and hyperechoic carotid plaque were significantly associated with the presence and absence of cerebrovascular symptoms, respectively (predominantly hypoechoic: p = 0.01; predominantly hyperechoic: p = 0.02). Surface irregularity was significantly associated with the presence of cerebrovascular symptoms (p = 0.02). There is was a significant difference in the carotid plaque length and area between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (plaque length: symptomatic median 9 mm, interquartile range [IQR] 6 mm; asymptomatic median 6 mm, IQR 4.5 mm, p = 0.01; plaque area: symptomatic median 24 mm, IQR 30 mm; asymptomatic median 14 mm, IQR 17 mm, p = 0.01); however, this difference was not significant for plaque thickness (p = 0.55), or common carotid artery intima-media thickness (p = 0.7). Our findings indicate that hypertension patients with predominantly hypoechoic carotid plaques and plaques with an irregular surface are associated with the presence of cerebrovascular symptoms. In addition, the carotid plaques in symptomatic patients were longer and larger compared to asymptomatic patients.
Autocrine motility factor receptor promotes the malignancy of glioblastoma by regulating cell migration and invasion

ABSTRACT Objective One of the important causes of death in cancer patients is malignant metastasis, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Metastasis is also the most basic physiological characteristics and pathogenesis of various tumors. Previously published studies have suggested that autocrine motor factor receptor (AMFR) is the key regulator of tumor cell migration and invasion. Meanwhile, AMFR is highly expressed in esophageal tumors, gastrointestinal tumors, and bladder cancer, and it is also involved in its pathogenesis. However, the role of AMFR in glioblastoma has not been reported. Methods In order to study the role of AMFR in the cell migration and invasion of glioblastoma, AMFR was silenced using siRNA and overexpressed using cDNA. Immunoblotting analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed to assess the expression of AMFR. We conducted wound healing assay, cell migration assay, and tumorsphere formation assay to detect the invasion and metastatic ability of glioblastoma. Results This study found that the level of AMFR expression was significantly correlated with the malignant degree of glioma tissue in clinic samples. AMFR silencing decreased cell migration and invasion of LN229. Overexpression of AMFR significantly increased cell migration and invasion of U251. Conclusion This study suggests that AMFR could be used as a therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of glioblastoma.
Serological response to COVID-19 vaccination in IBD patients receiving biologics

Objective The impact of medications on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy in IBD patients is unknown, as patients with immunosuppressed states and/or treated with immunosuppressants were excluded from vaccine trials. To address this, we evaluated serological responses to COVID-19 vaccination with the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) mRNA BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (NIH-Moderna) vaccines in IBD patients enrolled in an ongoing SARS-CoV-2 sero-survey at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Design We obtained sera from 48 patients who had undergone vaccination with one or two vaccine doses. Sera were tested for SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD total immunoglobulins and IgG (Siemens COV2T and sCOVG assays), anti-Spike IgG (in-house ELISA), and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (Roche). Results All IBD patients (15/15) who completed two-dose vaccine schedules achieved seroconversion to high levels. Two IBD patients with history of COVID-19 infections and who were seropositive at baseline seroconverted to high levels after the first dose. Concurrent biologic use was 85% (41/48), including 33% of patients (16) on TNF antagonist monotherapy, 42% (17) on vedolizumab monotherapy, 6% (3) on vedolizumab combination therapy with thiopurine, and 8% (4) ustekinumab; 1 patient was receiving guselkumab for psoriasis. Three patients (6%) were on oral steroids at the time of vaccination. Conclusion IBD patients receiving biologics can seroconvert with robust serological responses after complete Pfizer-BioNTech and NIH-Moderna COVID-19 vaccination. In IBD-patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion, a single dose of either vaccine can induce high index values, mirroring findings from the general population.
Passive transfer of alloantibodies through breast milk as a mediator of hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is characterized by destruction of fetal/neonatal red blood cells (RBCs) secondary to maternally derived antibodies, which are typically thought to be passively acquired via placental transfer. Few cases have examined the possibility of HDFN mediated by maternal antibodies passively transferred via breast milk.
Optimization Methods and Software

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Advances in modelling of large scale coastal evolution

The attention for climate change impact on the world's coastlines has established large scale coastal evolution as a topic of wide interest. Some more recent advances in this field, focusing on the potential of mathematical models for the prediction of large scale coastal evolution, are discussed. The key element in this discussion is reduction: of inputs, models, outputs and measured data.
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibodies in Adults with a First Demyelinating Event Suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG‐Ab) distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) from MOG‐associated disease in most cases. However, studies analyzing MOG‐Ab at the time of a first demyelinating event suggestive of MS in adults are lacking. We aimed to (1) evaluate the prevalence of MOG‐Ab in a first demyelinating event suggestive of MS and (2) compare clinical and paraclinical features between seropositive (MOG‐Ab+) and seronegative (MOG‐Ab−) patients.
Ultra-deep mutational landscape in chronic lymphocytic leukemia uncovers dynamics of resistance to targeted therapies

BTK inhibitors, Bcl-2 inhibitors, and other targeted therapies have significantly improved the outcomes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). With increased survivorship, monitoring disease and deciphering potential mechanisms of resistance to these agents are critical for devising effective treatment strategies. We used duplex sequencing, a technology that enables detection of mutations at ultra-low allelic frequencies, to identify mutations in five genes associated with drug resistance in CLL and followed their evolution in two patients who received multiple targeted therapies and ultimately developed disease progression on pirtobrutinib. In both patients we detected variants that expanded and reached significant cancer cell fractions (CCF). In patient R001, multiple known resistance mutations in both BTK and PLCG2 appeared following progression on zanubrutinib (BTK p.L528W, p.C481S; PLCG2 S707F, L845F, R665W, and D993H). In contrast, patient R002 developed multiple BTK mutations following acalabrutinib treatment, including known resistance mutations p.C481R, p.T474I and p.C481S. We found that pirtobrutinib was able to suppress, but not completely eradicate, BTK p.C481S mutations in both patients, but other resistance mutations such as mutations in PLCG2 and new BTK mutations increased while the patients were receiving pirtobrutinib. For example, BTK p.L528W in patient R001 increased in frequency more than 1,000-fold (from a CCF of 0.02% to 35%), and the CCF in p.T474I in patient R002 increased from 0.03% to 4.2% (more than 100-fold). Our data illuminate the evolutionary dynamics of resistant clones over the patients’ disease course and under selective pressure from different targeted treatments.
After a Suicide Death in a High School: Exploring Students’ Perspectives

Abstract By the time they leave high school, 17% of adolescents will have experienced the suicide death of a friend, peer, or classmate. While some will be unaffected or experience a brief period of distress following the death, for others the death will cause significant disruption and distress, even increasing their risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is essential for social workers to be able to support at-risk adolescents after this type of loss. To do this, it is critical to understand the ways that adolescents experience the death, grieve, and recover from the loss. This qualitative study explored adolescents’ experiences with grief and loss following an adolescent suicide death in the United States. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with young adults (N = 13) who had been exposed to the suicide death of a peer, classmate, or friend while in high school examined themes about their processing of the death, yielding four themes about sense-making and making meaning about the death. Implications for social workers, schools, and suicide postvention researchers are identified and discussed.
Three-year COVID-19 and flu vaccinations among medical residents in a tertiary hospital in Italy: The threat of acceptance decline in seasonal campaigns

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Italy started in December 2020, and, due to the Omicron variant’s emergence, a second booster dose was recommended for high-risk individuals and healthcare workers from July 2022. The aim of the study was to evaluate the vaccination coverages for the COVID-19 second booster dose and to identify predictors of its acceptance within the population of medical residents (MRs) of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS (FPG) University Hospital. The study was conducted at FPG from October 4th to December 21st, 2022, and COVID-19 second booster dose and influenza vaccines were administered. The study analyzed collected data and conducted multivariate logistic regressions to explore potential predictors of vaccination adherence. The analyses performed were compared with the sample enrolled in FPG residency programs at the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. 1968 MRs were involved in the 2022–2023 vaccination campaign (mean age 28.97, SD 3.44), and the second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination coverage was low (18.80%). Almost all participants opted for co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, leading to a similar rate of influenza vaccination coverage (16.26%). Being a frontline resident, meaning a direct involvement in managing COVID-19 patients and vaccination campaigns, was the main predictor of vaccination adherence (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25–2.17). The dropping in influenza vaccination coverage in 2022–2023 and the low adherence to COVID-19 second booster dose among young physicians is concerning, calling for tailored vaccination campaigns and interventions.
The potential role and rationale for treatment of heart failure with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors

: Background: The schizophrenia-associated BRD1 gene encodes a transcriptional regulator whose comprehensive chromatin interactome is enriched with schizophrenia risk genes. However, the biology underlying the disease association of BRD1 remains speculative. Methods: This study assessed the transcriptional drive of a schizophrenia-associated BRD1 risk variant in vitro . Accordingly, to examine the effects of reduced Brd1 expression, we generated a genetically modified Brd1 +/- mouse and subjected it to behavioral, electrophysiological, molecular, and integrative genomic analyses with focus on schizophrenia-relevant parameters. Results: Brd1 +/- mice displayed cerebral histone H3K14 hypo-acetylation and a broad range of behavioral changes with translational relevance to schizophrenia. These behaviors were accompanied by striatal dopamine/serotonin abnormalities and cortical excitation-inhibition imbalances involving loss of parvalbumin immunoreactive interneurons. RNAseq analyses of cortical and striatal micropunches from Brd1 +/- and wild-type mice revealed differential expression of genes enriched for schizophrenia risk including several schizophrenia GWAS risk genes (e.g. calcium channel subunits ( Cacna1c and Cacnb2 ), cholinergic muscarinic receptor 4 (C hrm4 ), dopamine receptor D2 ( Drd2 ), and transcription factor 4 ( Tcf4 )). Integrative analyses further found differentially expressed genes to cluster in functional networks and canonical pathways associated with mental illness and molecular signaling processes (e.g. glutamatergic, monaminergic, calcium, cAMP, DARPP-32, and CREB signaling). Conclusions: Our study bridges the gap between genetic association and pathogenic effects and yields novel insights into the unfolding molecular changes in the brain of a new schizophrenia model that incorporates genetic risk at three levels: allelic, chromatin interactomic, and brain transcriptomic. show that BRD1 promoter risk alleles correlate with reduced BRD1 mRNA and reduced transcriptional drive. We demonstrate that genetically engineered mice ( Brd1 +/-mice) with reduced Brd1 expression and cerebral H3K14 hypoacetylation recapitulate key features of schizophrenia symptomatology and neurochemistry. Through a range of molecular, cellular, and bioinformatic investigations, including transcriptome profiling of selected brain regions, we provide novel insight into the biological changes that underlie the phenotypes and suggest links relevant to schizophrenia etiopathology. protein H4, a reduction by in brains from Brd1 WT mice. Comparisons between
Aerobic and Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane in Sediments of Lake Constance

13 Introduction 13 Materials and Methods 15 Results 19 Discussion 23 Acknowledgements 29 Chapter 3 Activity and Diversity of Methanotrophic Bacteria at Methane Seeps in Eastern Lake Constance Sediments 30 Abstract 30 Introduction 30 Materials and methods 31 Results 35 Discussion 42 Acknowledgements 4530 Introduction 30 Materials and methods 31 Results 35 Discussion 42 Acknowledgements 45
Real-time ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation versus the landmark method in critical care patients: A prospective randomized study*

Objective:Subclavian vein catheterization may cause various complications. We compared the real-time ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation vs. the landmark method in critical care patients. Design:Prospective randomized study. Setting:Medical intensive care unit of a tertiary medical center. Patients:Four hundred sixty-three mechanically ventilated patients enrolled in a randomized controlled ISRCTN-registered trial (ISRCTN-61258470). Interventions:We compared the ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation (200 patients) vs. the landmark method (201 patients) using an infraclavicular needle insertion point in all cases. Catheterization was performed under nonemergency conditions in the intensive care unit. Randomization was performed by means of a computer-generated random-numbers table and patients were stratified with regard to age, gender, and body mass index. Measurements and Main Results:No significant differences in the presence of risk factors for difficult cannulation between the two groups of patients were recorded. Subclavian vein cannulation was achieved in 100% of patients in the ultrasound group as compared with 87.5% in the landmark one (p < .05). Average access time and number of attempts were significantly reduced in the ultrasound group of patients compared with the landmark group (p < .05). In the landmark group, artery puncture and hematoma occurred in 5.4% of patients, respectively, hemothorax in 4.4%, pneumothorax in 4.9%, brachial plexus injury in 2.9%, phrenic nerve injury in 1.5%, and cardiac tamponade in 0.5%, which were all increased compared with the ultrasound group (p < .05). Catheter misplacements did not differ between groups. In this study, the real-time ultrasound method was rated on a semiquantitative scale as technically difficult by the participating physicians. Conclusions:The present data suggested that ultrasound-guided cannulation of the subclavian vein in critical care patients is superior to the landmark method and should be the method of choice in these patients.
Propriétés physiques et anisotropie des roches argileuses : modélisation micromécanique et expériences triaxiales

Les roches argileuses representent 2/3 des roches sedimentaires a la surface de la Terre et constituent 80% des sections forees au cours des operations de forage autour des gisements d’hydrocarbures. De part leur tres faible permeabilite, plusieurs pays les considerent comme une eventuelle lithologie hote pour le confinement de dechets radioactifs. En France, l’ANDRA evalue la fiabilite de la couche argileuse Jurassique du Callovo-Oxfordien (400 a 670m). Notre etude se propose de combiner une approche experimentale (mesures en laboratoire) a une approche theorique (modelisation micromecanique), afin de quantifier l’evolution de la microstructure des roches argileuses sous contrainte triaxiale, representative des conditions in situ. Le dispositif experimental developpe a l’ENS permet la mesure continue et simultanee de cinq vitesses d’ondes elastiques differentes (tenseur complet des modules elastiques) et deux directions de deformation (axiale et circonferentielle), sur le meme echantillon cylindrique de roche. Ceci nous autorise a utiliser l’anisotropie elastique comme un indicateur de l’evolution de la microstructure de la roche (anisotropie elastique intrinseque de la matrice solide et anisotropie elastique induite par la porosite). Un modele micromecanique original est developpe afin d’estimer l’importance de ces deux sources d’anisotropie elastique et s’avere capable de rendre compte de la plupart des resultats experimentaux acquis dans cette these ou reportes dans la litterature. Ce modele quantifie explicitement les proprietes macroscopiques de la roche a partir de ses specificites microscopiques par une methode d’homogeneisation basee sur la theorie d’Eshelby.
Rise and Fall in the Third Reich: Social Mobility and Nazi Membership

This paper explores the relationship between Nazi membership and social mobility using a unique and highly detailed dataset of military con- scripts and volunteers during the Third Reich. We find that membership of a Nazi organisation is positively related to social mobility when measured by the difference between fathers' and sons' occupations. This relationship is stronger for the more 'elite' NS organisations, the NSDAP and the SS. However, we find that this observed difference in upward mobility is driven by individuals with different characteristics self-selecting into these organisations, rather than from a direct reward to membership. These results are confirmed by a series of robustness tests. In addition, we employ our highly-detailed dataset to explore the determinants of Nazi membership. We find that NS membership is associated with higher socio-economic background and human capital levels.
Changement global et cycle hydrologique : une étude de régionalisation sur la France

La France, comme la majeure partie de l'Europe risque d'etre confrontee a des changements climatiques severes au cours du 21eme siecle. Cette these se propose d'en etudier les impacts sur le cycle hydrologique, a l'echelle des bassins versant francais. Une methode de desagregation statistique, basee sur le concept de type de temps, est developpee et mise en œuvre afin de regionaliser un ensemble de scenarios climatiques pour forcer un modele hydro-meteorologique. Des impacts severes sont visibles des le milieu du 21eme siecle, avec notamment une forte diminution des debits moyens en ete et automne, et une large augmentation du nombre de jours d'etiage. D'autres methodes de desagregation sont utilisees afin de tester la sensibilite des resultats au choix de la methode: celle-ci s'avere limitee. La principale source d'incertitude reside en fait dans le choix du modele climatique. Nous essayons pour finir de mieux comprendre les raisons physiques de cette dispersion des scenarios climatiques sur l'Europe.
Design of acoustic trim based on geometric modeling and fl ow simulation for non-woven

In order to optimize the acoustic properties of a stacked fiber nonwoven, the microstructure of the non-woven is modeled by a macroscopically homogeneous random system of straight cylinders (tubes). That is, the fibers are modeled by a spatially stationary random system of lines (Poisson line process), dilated by a sphere. Pressing the non-woven causes anisotropy. In our model, this anisotropy is described by a one parametric distribution of the direction of the fibers. In the present application, the anisotropy parameter has to be estimated from 2d reflected light microscopic images of microsections of the non-woven. After fitting the model, the flow is computed in digitized realizations of the stochastic geometric model using the lattice Boltzmann method. Based on the flow resistivity, the formulas of Delany and Bazley predict the frequency-dependent acoustic absorption of the non-woven in the
The Early Jurassic ornithischian dinosaurian ichnogenus Anomoepus

An electrical back scratcher. The device comprises a housing having an open bottom portion. An endless belt in the housing is driven by a frictionally engaging drum powered by an electric motor. The endless belt is provided on its outer periphery with rows of spaced flexible teeth simultating human fingernails. A handle, an electrical cord and a two-speed switch are provided.