Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Preoperative Anxiety, Optimism, and Pain Catastrophizing on Acute Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Background Acute postoperative pain (APOP) may cause complications and delay healing. Analgesics alone cannot completely relieve APOP. Preoperative anxiety, optimism, and pain catastrophizing are predictors of APOP. No study author has examined the mediating effect of pain catastrophizing on APOP in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Objective The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between preoperative anxiety, optimism, pain catastrophizing, confounding factors (age, sex, type of surgery, and preoperative pain), and APOP and to examine the mediating effect of pain catastrophizing. Methods The authors of this cross-sectional study used a convenience sampling method and included 100 adults undergoing cardiac surgery in a southern Taiwanese medical center. The patients were asked to complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Life Orientation Test-Revised questionnaires before surgery. Postoperatively, the patients were asked to report their pain intensity on a numerical rating scale. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results Patients had a mild level of anxiety, a moderate level of optimism, and pain catastrophizing before surgery, as well as a moderate level of APOP. Men reported lower levels of APOP than women (z = −2.0, P < .05). APOP was significantly associated with preoperative anxiety (r = 0.48, P < .01), optimism (r = −0.45, P < .01), and pain catastrophizing (r = 0.65, P < .01). Only pain catastrophizing was a significant predictor of APOP (β = 0.60, P < .001) and fully mediated the relationship between anxiety and APOP (z = 4.92, P < .001). The final model explained 42% of the variance in APOP. Conclusions Pain catastrophizing should be assessed before surgery. Reducing pain catastrophizing would decrease APOP and improve the quality of pain management.
Identification of Gβγ Binding Sites in the Third Intracellular Loop of the M3-muscarinic Receptor and Their Role in Receptor Regulation*

Gβγ binds directly to the third intracellular (i3) loop subdomain of the M3-muscarinic receptor (MR). In this report, we identified the Gβγ binding motif and G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK2) phosphorylation sites in the M3-MR i3 loop via a strategy of deletional and site-directed mutagenesis. The Gβγ binding domain was localized to Cys289–His330 within the M3-MR-Arg252–Gln490 i3 loop, and the binding properties (affinity, influence of ionic strength) of the M3-MR-Cys289–His330 i3 loop subdomain were similar to those observed for the entire i3 loop. Site-directed mutagenesis of the M3-MR-Cys289–His330 i3 loop subdomain indicated that Phe312, Phe314, and a negatively charged region (Glu324–Asp329) were required for interaction with Gβγ. Generation of the full-length M3-MR-Arg252–Gln490 i3 peptides containing the F312A mutation were also deficient in Gβγ binding and exhibited a reduced capacity for phosphorylation by GRK2. A similar, parallel strategy resulted in identification of major residues (331SSS333 and348SASS351) phosphorylated by GRK2, which were just downstream of the Gβγ binding motif. Full-length M3-MR constructs lacking the 42-amino acid Gβγ binding domain (Cys289–His330) or containing the F312A mutation exhibited ligand recognition properties similar to wild type receptor and also effectively mediated agonist-induced increases in intracellular calcium following receptor expression in Chinese hamster ovary and/or COS 7 cells. However, the M3-MRΔCys289–His330 and M3-MR(F312A) constructs were deficient in agonist-induced sequestration, indicating a key role for the Gβγ-M3-MR i3 loop interaction in receptor regulation and signal processing.
OOElala: order-of-evaluation based alias analysis for compiler optimization

In C, the order of evaluation of expressions is unspecified; further for expressions that do not involve function calls, C semantics ensure that there cannot be a data race between two evaluations that can proceed in either order (or concurrently). We explore the optimization opportunity enabled by these non-deterministic expression evaluation semantics in C, and provide a sound compile-time alias analysis to realize the same. Our algorithm is implemented as a part of the Clang/LLVM infrastructure, in a tool called OOElala. Our experimental results demonstrate that the untapped optimization opportunity is significant: code patterns that enable such optimizations are common; the enabled transformations can range from vectorization to improved instruction selection and register allocation; and the resulting speedups can be as high as 2.6x on already-optimized code.
RECO Flow Restoration Device Versus Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy Study (REDIRECT): a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE The RECO flow restoration (FR) device is a new stent retriever designed for rapid flow restoration in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO). Here, the authors compared the efficacy and safety of the RECO device with the predicate Solitaire FR stent retriever. METHODS The RECO Flow Restoration Device Versus Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy Study (REDIRECT) was a multicenter, prospective, open randomized controlled trial. Patients with acute LVO at 7 Chinese stroke centers participated in the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was defined as a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) reperfusion grade ≥ 2 within three passes. The primary safety endpoint comprised any serious adverse device effect, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and any serious adverse event (SAE; defined as cerebral palsy or death) within 24 hours after the procedure. The secondary efficacy endpoints consisted of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2), procedure duration, and 90-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS Between January 2014 and August 2016, 67 patients were randomly allocated to the RECO group and 69 patients to the Solitaire FR group. The primary efficacy endpoint (mTICI grade ≥ 2 within three passes) was similar in the two treatment groups (91% vs 87%, respectively, p = 0.5861), and the rate of reperfusion with an mTICI grade 2b/3 was 87% versus 75% (p = 0.1272). There were no serious adverse device effects in any patient. The rates of sICH (1.5% vs 7.2%, p = 0.1027) and SAEs (6.0% vs 1.4%, p = 0.2050) within 24 hours after the procedure were similar in the two treatment groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of functional independence (63% vs 46%, p = 0.0609) or 90-day all-cause mortality (13% vs 23%, p = 0.1848) or in procedure duration (85.39 ± 47.01 vs 89.94 ± 53.34 minutes, p = 0.5986) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The RECO stent retriever is effective and safe as a mechanical thrombectomy device for AIS due to LVO.Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01983644 (clinicaltrials.gov).
Long Term Follow-Up of Pediatric Mandibular Reconstruction With Human Transforming Growth Factor-β3.

Translating bone regeneration induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins from animal models to human patients has proven inexplicably inconsistent. This prompted us to test in 5 pediatric patients, an alternative osteoinductive morphogen, recombinant human transforming growth factor β3 (rhTGF-β3), to reconstruct mandibular defects of such a size to preclude reconstruction with autologous bone. An osteoinductive implant of human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) loaded with 125 μg rhTGF-β3 per gram of DBM was implanted into one defect, and 250 μg rhTGF-β3 per gram of DBM in another. Thereafter in 3 patients limited amounts of particulate cortico-cancellous bone graft harvested from the posterior iliac crest were combined with 250 μg rhTGF-β3 per gram of DBM. Patients were followed up for 3 to 6 years. Three patients achieved clinically significant osteoinduction, 1 patient with rhTGF-β3 only, and 2 by combining rhTGF-β3 with a small supplement of autologous bone. One patient with rhTGF-β3 only and followed up for 5 years retains a viable reconstruction but has had sub-optimal bone regeneration. One patient had osteoinductive failure due to sepsis although the plate reconstruction remains viable. Recombinant human TGF-β3 initiates osteoinduction in humans and potentiates autologous bone graft activity allowing the reconstruction of large mandibular defects in pediatric patients.
Achieving a high cure rate with direct‐acting antivirals for chronic Hepatitis C virus infection in Cameroon: a multi‐clinic demonstration project

Highly effective direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) for Hepatitis C treatment are largely inaccessible in sub‐Saharan Africa. Data on treatment feasibility and outcomes in clinical settings are limited. We assessed the feasibility of achieving a high (≥90%) cure rate with DAAs in six gastroenterology clinics in Cameroon.
T cell engagement of cross-presenting microglia protects the brain from a nasal virus infection

Microglia protect the brain from an intranasal VSV infection by cross-presenting neuronal antigen to antiviral CD8+ T cells. Safeguarding the sense of smell Given the proximity of the olfactory bulb to the upper airways, it is surprising that viruses that infect the upper airways, including influenza, rarely infect the brain. In mice, intranasal infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) does result in infection of sensory neurons in the olfactory bulb. Using VSV that expresses a fluorescent reporter, Moseman et al. examined the ability of VSV to infect distinct cell types within olfactory bulb. Although VSV infection was restricted to neurons within the olfactory bulb, they found that microglial cells that were not infected by VSV to be the key in priming T cell responses that promoted viral clearance. The neuroepithelium is a nasal barrier surface populated by olfactory sensory neurons that detect odorants in the airway and convey this information directly to the brain via axon fibers. This barrier surface is especially vulnerable to infection, yet respiratory infections rarely cause fatal encephalitis, suggesting a highly evolved immunological defense. Here, using a mouse model, we sought to understand the mechanism by which innate and adaptive immune cells thwart neuroinvasion by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a potentially lethal virus that uses olfactory sensory neurons to enter the brain after nasal infection. Fate-mapping studies demonstrated that infected central nervous system (CNS) neurons were cleared noncytolytically, yet specific deletion of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) from these neurons unexpectedly had no effect on viral control. Intravital imaging studies of calcium signaling in virus-specific CD8+ T cells revealed instead that brain-resident microglia were the relevant source of viral peptide–MHC I complexes. Microglia were not infected by the virus but were found to cross-present antigen after acquisition from adjacent neurons. Microglia depletion interfered with T cell calcium signaling and antiviral control in the brain after nasal infection. Collectively, these data demonstrate that microglia provide a front-line defense against a neuroinvasive nasal infection by cross-presenting antigen to antiviral T cells that noncytolytically cleanse neurons. Disruptions in this innate defense likely render the brain susceptible to neurotropic viruses like VSV that attempt to enter the CNS via the nose.
Research of the Fatigue Life of Welded Joints of High Strength Steel S960 QL Created Using Laser and Electron Beams

This study investigated the fatigue life of welded joints, in particular, the welds of the high-strength steel S960 QL. The welds were created using unconventional technologies by utilising laser and electron beams. The direct application of the research is intended to be carried out through implementing the results towards the design of tracks for the track-wheel chassis of the demining system Božena 5. The producer’s experience shows the damage found in the current track design. The damage occurred during reversing the vehicle on a sand surface. Our goal was to solve this problem. The information acquired in this research will be a very important input factor for further designs of the track made of the tested material and its welds. The analysis of the residual stresses was also part of this study. The experimental research of the tested material’s fatigue life and welded joints was realised on the specimens loaded using cyclic bending and cyclic torsion. These loads were dominant during the track operation. The fatigue life of the tested material was detected using a device designed by us. The measurement results were processed in the form of the Wöhler’s S–N curves (alternating stress versus number cycles to failure) and compared with the current regulations issued by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) in the form of the FAT curves (IIW fatigue class). The achieved research results indicate that the modern welding technologies (laser and electron beams) used on the high-strength steel had no principal influence on the fatigue life of the tested material.
The impact of DSM classification changes on the prevalence of alcohol use disorder and ‘diagnostic orphans’ in Lebanese college youth: Implications for epidemiological research, health practice, and policy

Background Studies comparing prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) using DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria in college students are limited. This study examines changes in AUD prevalence estimates using DSM-IV versus DSM-5 and characterizes the profile of DSM-5 “diagnostic orphans. ” Methods and findings A college student sample (n = 1,155; mean age: 21 ±1.97) selected conveniently from six large private and public universities in Greater Beirut, Lebanon completed an anonymous survey in May 2016. The study response rate was 83.1%. Data on DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD criteria were gathered from 582 past-year drinkers, of which 377 (65%) were screened to have DSM-IV abuse/dependence, and 203 (35%) to have any DSM-5 AUD (58% mild, 21% moderate, and 21% severe). Overall percent agreement between measures was 68% (kappa = 0.41). One hundred and ninety-one students met one DSM-5 AUD criterion only (i.e. “diagnostic orphans,” herein DOs), of which the majority (82%) endorsed “hazardous use. ” Compared to past-year drinkers with zero-endorsed DSM-5 criteria, DOs were more likely to be aged 21 or above [OR = 1.57(1.21–2.03)], less likely to perceive their socioeconomic status (SES) as poorer vs. same as others [OR = 0.17(0.07–0.43)], more likely to drink 1–2 times/week vs. ≤3 times per month [OR = 2.24(1.44–3.49)], and more likely to report past-year cigarette smoking [OR = 2.16(1.10–4.24)]. When compared to past-year drinkers with DSM-5 AUD, DOs were more likely to be pursuing a graduate or medical degree (vs. undergraduate degree) [2.06 (1.09–3.89)], and to be living with parents most of the time vs. not [OR = 2.68(1.14–6.31)]. DOs (versus drinkers with AUD) were less likely to drink at a high frequency (3–4 times /week or more vs.≤3 times per month) [OR = 0.15(0.05–0.48)], and to report past-year waterpipe smoking [OR = 0.54(0.34–0.85)], but more likely to report past-year marijuana use [1.89(1.10–3.23)]. The findings are subject to recall bias and under-reporting and the study could not infer causality because temporality of associations cannot be established in a cross-sectional study design. Conclusions DSM-IV abuse/dependence prevalence rate was higher than DSM-5 AUD prevalence mainly due to the high percentage of students who engaged in “hazardous use”. The DO screen might capture a young person in transition between non-drinking/occasional drinking to drinking frequently/developing an AUD. The prevention, identification, and management of DOs may be critical components of a national alcohol harm-reduction policy.
Exploring the Lipidome: Current Lipid Extraction Techniques for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

In recent years, high-throughput lipid profiling has contributed to understand the biological, physiological and pathological roles of lipids in living organisms. Across all kingdoms of life, important cell and systemic processes are mediated by lipids including compartmentalization, signaling and energy homeostasis. Despite important advances in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, sample extraction procedures remain a bottleneck in lipidomic studies, since the wide structural diversity of lipids imposes a constrain in the type and amount of lipids extracted. Differences in extraction yield across lipid classes can induce a bias on down-stream analysis and outcomes. This review aims to summarize current lipid extraction techniques used for untargeted and targeted studies based on mass spectrometry. Considerations, applications, and limitations of these techniques are discussed when used to extract lipids in complex biological matrices, such as tissues, biofluids, foods, and microorganisms.
The effect of sociodemographic characteristics of university students on emotional eating behavior.

PURPOSE This descriptive study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of sociodemographic characteristics of university students on emotional eating behavior. DESIGN AND METHODS The study was completed with a total of 537 students. A descriptive questionnaire and the Emotional Eating Scale were used. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were used. FINDING It was found that emotional eating was positively correlated with body mass index and weight. It was determined that variables such as will, anger, body mass index, and weight were predictors of emotional eating. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Emotional eating is a coping response with negative emotions. It is suggested that will is the most important factor affecting emotional eating. Thus, psychological dimension of wrong eating habit should definitely be addressed.
Four Phosphates at One Blow: Access to Pentaphosphorylated Magic Spot Nucleotides and Their Analysis by Capillary Electrophoresis

The complex phosphorylation pattern of natural and modified pentaphosphorylated magic spot nucleotides is generated in a highly efficient way. A cyclic pyrophosphoryl phosphoramidite (cPyPA) reagent is used to introduce four phosphates on nucleosides regioselectively in a one-flask key transformation. The obtained magic spot nucleotides are used to develop a capillary electrophoresis UV detection method, enabling nucleotide assignment in complex bacterial extracts.
Proteasomal Degradation of Proteins Is Important for the Proper Transcriptional Response to Sulfur Deficiency Conditions in Plants

Abstract Plants are continuously exposed to different abiotic and biotic stresses; therefore, to protect themselves, they depend on the fast reprogramming of large gene repertoires to prioritize the expression of a given stress-induced gene set over normal cellular household genes. The activity of the proteasome, a large proteolytic complex that degrades proteins, is vital to coordinate the expression of such genes. Proteins are labeled for degradation by the action of E3 ligases that site-specifically alter their substrates by adding chains of ubiquitin. Recent publications have revealed an extensive role of ubiquitination in the utilization of nutrients. This study presents the transcriptomic profiles of sulfur-deficient rosettes and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana rpt2a mutant with proteasomal malfunction. We found that genes connected with sulfur metabolism are regulated to the lesser extent in rpt2a mutant while genes encoding transfer RNAs and small nucleolar RNAs are highly upregulated. Several genes encoding E3 ligases are specifically regulated by sulfur deficiency. Furthermore, we show that a key transcription factor of sulfur deficiency response, Sulfur LIMitation1, undergoes proteasomal degradation and is able to interact with F-box protein, EBF1.
Dexfenfluramine and Pergolide Cause Heart Valve Disease via Valve Metabolic Reprogramming and Ongoing Matrix Remodeling

Several clinical reports indicate that the use of amphetaminic anorectic drugs or ergot derivatives could cause valvular heart disease (VHD). We sought to investigate whether valvular lesions develop in response to long-term oral administration of these drugs and to identify drug-targeted biological processes that may lead to VHD. Treatment of New Zealand White rabbits with pergolide, dexfenfluramine, or high-dose serotonin for 16 weeks induced valvular alterations characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling. Transcriptome profiling of tricuspid valves using RNA sequencing revealed distinct patterns of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that clustered according to the different treatments. Genes that were affected by the three treatments were functionally enriched for reduced cell metabolism processes. The two drugs yielded more changes in gene expression than serotonin and shared most of the DEGs. These DEGs were mostly enriched for decreased biosynthetic processes, increased cell-matrix interaction, and cell response to growth factors, including TGF-β, which was associated with p38 MAPK activation. Treatment with pergolide specifically affected genes involved in homeostasis, which was corroborated by the activation of the master regulator of cell energy homeostasis, AMPK-α, as well as decreased levels of metabolism-related miR-107. Thus, both pergolide and dexfenfluramine may cause VHD through valve metabolic reprogramming and matrix remodeling.
Nanotechnology as a Platform for the Development of Injectable Parenteral Formulations: A Comprehensive Review of the Know-Hows and State of the Art

Within recent decades, the development of nanotechnology has made a significant contribution to the progress of various fields of study, including the domains of medical and pharmaceutical sciences. A substantially transformed arena within the context of the latter is the development and production of various injectable parenteral formulations. Indeed, recent decades have witnessed a rapid growth of the marketed and pipeline nanotechnology-based injectable products, which is a testimony to the remarkability of the aforementioned contribution. Adjunct to the ability of nanomaterials to deliver the incorporated payloads to many different targets of interest, nanotechnology has substantially assisted to the development of many further facets of the art. Such contributions include the enhancement of the drug solubility, development of long-acting locally and systemically injectable formulations, tuning the onset of the drug’s release through the endowment of sensitivity to various internal or external stimuli, as well as adjuvancy and immune activation, which is a desirable component for injectable vaccines and immunotherapeutic formulations. The current work seeks to provide a comprehensive review of all the abovementioned contributions, along with the most recent advances made within each domain. Furthermore, recent developments within the domains of passive and active targeting will be briefly debated.