Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standard baseline data collections in obesity management clinics: A Delphi study with recommendations from an expert panel

We aimed to develop an expert consensus on standardizing data collections in specialist obesity management clinics in Australia. A panel of 16 experts participated in a structured consensus‐driven Delphi process to reach agreement on a minimum set of baseline patient data collections for consideration in specialist obesity services. The panel included surgeons, clinicians, allied health professionals (dietician, exercise physiologist, psychologist), a bariatric nurse and obesity researchers. We produced a recommended list of core and useful data items that should comprise the baseline patient data set. Consensus was achieved for recommended measures of demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, weight‐loss history, medication, medical history and comorbidity data items using a 70% agreement threshold. In this iterative process, there was also consideration of specific data items for patients referred for bariatric surgery. We present the first expert panel consensus on recommendations for a minimum and standard set of baseline patient data collections in obesity management services in Australia. These may be relevant to other countries with similar obesity management service models. Implementation of these recommendations should facilitate data pooling for clinical audits and research collaborations across clinics seeking to improve the quality of specialist obesity care.
Referring Physicians Assess the Quality of Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging Services: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Questionnaire

Abstract Goal In order to ensure high-quality cooperation between referring physicians and imaging services, it is important to assess the quality of imaging services as perceived by referring physicians. The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire for referring physicians to assess the quality of outpatient diagnostic imaging services. Materials & Methods The questionnaire was developed by discussing and modifying an existing instrument by the German Association of Surgeons. After qualitative pretesting, the instrument was tested with physicians referring to four outpatient diagnostic imaging services in Switzerland. The results were first assessed using descriptive statistics. The final instrument was tested for validity using the concept of known-groups validity. The hypothesis underlying this procedure was that physicians referring frequently to services estimated the quality of these services to be higher than physicians who referred less often to services. The differences in ratings were assessed using a one-sided two-sample Wilcoxon test. The final questionnaire was tested for internal consistency and reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. Results Results show a high level of satisfaction of referring physicians with the relevant services but also potential for quality improvement initiatives. The psychometric evaluation of the final questionnaire shows that it is a valid instrument, showing significant differences between the ratings of physicians referring with high and low frequency. Furthermore, the instrument proves to be consistent and reliable. Conclusion The final instrument presents a valid, consistent and reliable option for assess the quality of outpatient diagnostic imaging services as perceived by referring physicians. Results can be used as a basis for quality improvement. Key Points: A newly developed questionnaire assesses the quality of outpatient diagnostic imaging services as perceived by referring physicians. The questionnaire was developed and tested in Switzerland. Psychometric evaluation showed the questionnaire to be a valid, consistent and reliable instrument. Results are of interest for imaging services as well as for initiatives encompassing several services. Citation Format Jossen M, Valeri F, Heilmaier C et al. Referring Physicians Assess the Quality of Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging Services: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Questionnaire. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2019; 191: 725 – 731
Defining the economic scope for ecosystem-based fishery management

Significance Ecosystem-based fisheries management provides a framework for incorporating ecological linkages between fisheries into policymaking. However, relatively little attention has been given to economic linkages between fisheries: If fishers consider multiple fisheries when deciding where, when, and how much to fish, there is potential for management decisions in one fishery to generate spillover impacts in other fisheries. We evaluate changes in participation and economic connectivity of fisheries following the implementation of Alaska’s catch-share programs. Catch shares are increasingly used worldwide and typically implemented and evaluated on a single-fishery basis. We provide evidence that changes beyond the catch-share fishery have occurred, suggesting that spillovers should be considered when designing and evaluating catch-share policies. The emergence of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) has broadened the policy scope of fisheries management by accounting for the biological and ecological connectivity of fisheries. Less attention, however, has been given to the economic connectivity of fisheries. If fishers consider multiple fisheries when deciding where, when, and how much to fish, then management changes in one fishery can generate spillover impacts in other fisheries. Catch-share programs are a popular fisheries management framework that may be particularly prone to generating spillovers given that they typically change fishers’ incentives and their subsequent actions. We use data from Alaska fisheries to examine spillovers from each of the main catch-share programs in Alaska. We evaluate changes in participation—a traditional indicator in fisheries economics—in both the catch-share and non–catch-share fisheries. Using network analysis, we also investigate whether catch-share programs change the economic connectivity of fisheries, which can have implications for the socioeconomic resilience and robustness of the ecosystem, and empirically identify the set of fisheries impacted by each Alaska catch-share program. We find that cross-fishery participation spillovers and changes in economic connectivity coincide with some, but not all, catch-share programs. Our findings suggest that economic connectivity and the potential for cross-fishery spillovers deserve serious consideration, especially when designing and evaluating EBFM policies.
The Current State of Mobile Phone Apps for Monitoring Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and Atrial Fibrillation: Narrative Review

Background Mobile phone apps capable of monitoring arrhythmias and heart rate (HR) are increasingly used for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of HR and rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AF). These apps involve either the use of (1) photoplethysmographic recording or (2) a handheld external electrocardiographic recording device attached to the mobile phone or wristband. Objective This review seeks to explore the current state of mobile phone apps in cardiac rhythmology while highlighting shortcomings for further research. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the use of mobile phone devices by searching PubMed and EMBASE from their inception to October 2018. Potentially relevant papers were then compared against a checklist for relevance and reviewed independently for inclusion, with focus on 4 allocated topics of (1) mobile phone monitoring, (2) AF, (3) HR, and (4) HR variability (HRV). Results The findings of this narrative review suggest that there is a role for mobile phone apps in the diagnosis, monitoring, and screening for arrhythmias and HR. Photoplethysmography and handheld electrocardiograph recorders are the 2 main techniques adopted in monitoring HR, HRV, and AF. Conclusions A number of studies have demonstrated high accuracy of a number of different mobile devices for the detection of AF. However, further studies are warranted to validate their use for large scale AF screening.
In vitro genotoxicity assessment of nickel(II) oxide nanoparticles on lymphocytes of human peripheral blood

The current study was intended to elucidate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity ability of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs) and assessment of preliminary mechanism of the toxicity. Characterization studies showed that NiO‐NPs have a particle size of 17.94 (±3.48) nm. The particle size of the NPs obtained by dynamic light scattering method in Milli‐Q and RPMI 1640 media was 189.9 (±17.1) and 285.9 (±19.6) nm, respectively. The IC50 concentration for NiO‐NPs after 24 hours of treatment was estimated as 23.58 μg/mL. Comet and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus assays revealed a significant dose‐ and time‐dependent genotoxic potential of NiO‐NPs. Morphological assessment of the lymphocytes upon exposure to NiO‐NPs showed that the mechanism of toxicity was apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species analysis and lipid peroxidation patterns were aligned with the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity endpoints. Thus, the preliminary mechanism of NiO‐NPs for cytotoxicity on lymphocytes was assumed to be oxidative stress‐mediated apoptosis and DNA damage. Furthermore, these NiO‐NPs are considered a potentially hazardous substance at environmentally significant levels. Further investigations are suggested to understand the immunotoxic effects of NiO‐NPs.
Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Variability Based on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Subjects with Hypertension in China

Background/Aims: We examined the factors associated with blood pressure variability in a multi-ethnicity prospective study in China to gain more evidence to guide the prevention and management of hypertension through risk factor intervention. Methods: A total of 318 consecutive adult subjects aged 29-94 years with suspected or known hypertension were enrolled in this study. Blood pressure variability measurements were based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. To measure short-term reading-to-reading blood pressure variability in this study, we used the standard deviation(SD) of the blood pressure to estimate the blood pressure variability. Results: The SDs of the blood pressure in this study ranged from 5.425 to 32.25, with a median of 10.81 (quartile range, 8.90–12.46). No significant difference regarding the level distribution of blood pressure variability was found across the various ethnicities. Spearman correlation analyses indicated that the SD of blood pressure was positively correlated with DSBP (r=0.302, p=<0.001), NSBP (r=0.383, p=<0.001), NDBP (r=0.230, p=<0.001), and FBG (r=0.129, p=0.023) and was negatively correlated with triglyceride (r=-0.289, p=<0.001), CR (r=-0.242, p=<0.001), HDL-C (r=-0.230, p=<0.001), LDL-C (r=-0.186, p=0.001), and apolipoprotein B levels (r=-0.157, p=0.006). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that triglycerides (β=-0.217, p=<0.001), NSBP (β=0.174, p=0.003), FBG (β=0.128, p=0.024), DDBP (β=-0.128, p=0.022), and apolipoprotein A (β=-0.116, p=0.036) were significantly and independently associated with the blood pressure variability. Conclusions: In this study, blood pressure variability was significantly associated with not only blood pressure levels but also patient demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics.
Rhizospheric microbiomics integrated with plant transcriptomics provides insight into the Cd response mechanisms of the newly identified Cd accumulator Dahlia pinnata

Phytoremediation that depends on excellent plant resources and effective enhancing measures is important for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils. This study investigated the cadmium (Cd) tolerance and accumulation characteristics of Dahlia pinnata Cav. to evaluate its Cd phytoremediation potential. Testing in soils spiked with 5–45 mg kg–1 Cd showed that D. pinnata has a strong Cd tolerance capacity and appreciable shoot Cd bioconcentration factors (0.80–1.32) and translocation factors (0.81–1.59), indicating that D. pinnata can be defined as a Cd accumulator. In the rhizosphere, Cd stress (45 mg kg–1 Cd) did not change the soil physicochemical properties but influenced the bacterial community composition compared to control conditions. Notably, the increased abundance of the bacterial phylum Patescibacteria and the dominance of several Cd-tolerant plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (e.g., Sphingomonas, Gemmatimonas, Bryobacter, Flavisolibacter, Nocardioides, and Bradyrhizobium) likely facilitated Cd tolerance and accumulation in D. pinnata. Comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that Cd significantly induced (P < 0.001) the expression of genes involved in lignin synthesis in D. pinnata roots and leaves, which are likely to fix Cd2+ to the cell wall and inhibit Cd entry into the cytoplasm. Moreover, Cd induced a sophisticated signal transduction network that initiated detoxification processes in roots as well as ethylene synthesis from methionine metabolism to regulate Cd responses in leaves. This study suggests that D. pinnata can be potentially used for phytoextraction and improves our understanding of Cd-response mechanisms in plants from rhizospheric and molecular perspectives.
A Rapid Method for Analyzing Well Log Records in Preparation for Water Resource Mapping

The needs of subregional and local entities for water resource management are immediate, and required information is not forthcoming in a timely and relatively inexpensive manner. The following method allows one to use all available well record data to produce baseline hydrogeologic unit maps using geographic information system querying and mapping techniques. Subjective borehole and geophysical strata descriptions are converted to objective equivalent numerical values by establishing the average hydraulic conductivity of the combined soils making up the stratum of interest. These hydraulic conductivity values are then used to assign each stratum to a hydrogeologic unit based on typical ranges of hydraulic conductivity for aquifers, aquitards and aquicludes. The resulting data are queried and mapped to provide a preliminary description of a shallow aquifer system composed of unconsolidated materials. This method can be used to provide information to make initial estimates of the configuration of the shallow aquifer system and to plan for groundwater sustainability. Two examples of maps for an area in northeastern Illinois that were prepared using the resulting database are presented.
Liquid Biopsies Using Plasma Exosomal Nucleic Acids and Plasma Cell-Free DNA Compared with Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Advanced Cancers

Purpose: Blood-based liquid biopsies offer easy access to genomic material for molecular diagnostics in cancer. Commonly used cell-free DNA (cfDNA) originates from dying cells. Exosomal nucleic acids (exoNAs) originate from living cells, which can better reflect underlying cancer biology. Experimental Design: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to test exoNA, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and BEAMing PCR were used to test cfDNA for BRAFV600, KRASG12/G13, and EGFRexon19del/L858R mutations in 43 patients with progressing advanced cancers. Results were compared with clinical testing of archival tumor tissue and clinical outcomes. Results: Forty-one patients had BRAF, KRAS, or EGFR mutations in tumor tissue. These mutations were detected by NGS in 95% of plasma exoNA samples, by ddPCR in 92% of cfDNA samples, and by BEAMing in 97% cfDNA samples. NGS of exoNA did not detect any mutations not present in tumor, whereas ddPCR and BEAMing detected one and two such mutations, respectively. Compared with patients with high exoNA mutation allelic frequency (MAF), patients with low MAF had longer median survival (11.8 vs. 5.9 months; P = 0.006) and time to treatment failure (7.4 vs. 2.3 months; P = 0.009). A low amount of exoNA was associated with partial response and stable disease ≥6 months (P = 0.006). Conclusions: NGS of plasma exoNA for common BRAF, KRAS, and EGFR mutations has high sensitivity compared with clinical testing of archival tumor and testing of plasma cfDNA. Low exoNA MAF is an independent prognostic factor for longer survival. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 181–8. ©2017 AACR.
Enspara: Modeling molecular ensembles with scalable data structures and parallel computing

Markov state models (MSMs) are quantitative models of protein dynamics that are useful for uncovering the structural fluctuations that proteins undergo, as well as the mechanisms of these conformational changes. Given the enormity of conformational space, there has been ongoing interest in identifying a small number of states that capture the essential features of a protein. Generally, this is achieved by making assumptions about the properties of relevant features—for example, that the most important features are those that change slowly. An alternative strategy is to keep as many degrees of freedom as possible and subsequently learn from the model which of the features are most important. In these larger models, however, traditional approaches quickly become computationally intractable. In this paper, we present enspara, a library for working with MSMs that provides several novel algorithms and specialized data structures that dramatically improve the scalability of traditional MSM methods. This includes ragged arrays for minimizing memory requirements, MPI-parallelized implementations of compute-intensive operations, and a flexible framework for model estimation.
The Unique Effects of Maternal ADHD Symptoms and Emotion Dysregulation on Parenting Behavior

Objective: Separate literatures have examined the associations between maternal ADHD symptoms and parenting and maternal emotion regulation (ER) and parenting. This study examined the effects of both maternal ADHD symptoms and ER on parenting. Method: This cross-sectional study used a multi-method evaluation of parenting behavior to examine the independent and interactive effects of maternal ADHD symptoms and ER on self-reported and observed parenting among 79 demographically diverse families of 5- to 10-year-old children. Results: There were significant main effects of maternal ER difficulties on negative parenting and of maternal ADHD symptoms on harsh responses to children’s negative emotions. Maternal ADHD symptoms and ER were not significantly associated with positive parenting behavior. No interaction effects were observed. Conclusion: Maternal ADHD symptoms and emotion dysregulation may uniquely contribute to parenting difficulties. Maternal ADHD symptoms were associated with difficulties responding to children’s negative emotions, whereas maternal ER was associated with difficulties with discipline practices.
MEK2 Negatively Regulates Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated IL-1β Production through HIF-1α Expression

LPS-activated macrophages require metabolic reprogramming and glucose uptake mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)–1 α and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) expression for proinflammatory cytokine production, especially IL-1β. This process is tightly regulated through activation of MAPK kinases, including the MEK/ERK pathway as well as several transcription factors including HIF-1α. Although MAPK kinase (MEK) 2 deficiency had no significant effect on NO, TNF-α, or IL-12 production in response to LPS challenge, MEK2-deficient murine bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) exhibited lower IL-10 production. Importantly, MEK2-deficient BMDMs exhibited a preserved ERK1/2 phosphorylation, higher HIF-1α and Glut1 levels, and substantially increased IL-1β as well as IL-6 production in response to LPS stimulation. Knockdown of HIF-1α expression via short interference RNA decreased the level of HIF-1α expression in MEK2-deficient BMDMs and decreased IL-1β production in response to LPS treatment. Furthermore, we performed gain of function experiments by overexpressing MEK2 protein in RAW264.7 cells. LPS stimulation of MEK2 overexpressed in RAW264.7 cells led to a marked decreased IL-1β production. Finally, we investigated the role of Mek1 and Mek2 double and triple mutation on ERK phosphorylation, HIF-1α expression, and IL-1β production. We found that MEK2 is the major kinase, which inversely proportionally regulates HIF-1α and IL-1β expression independent of ERK activation. Our findings demonstrate a novel regulatory function for MEK2 in response to TLR4 activation in IL-1β production through modulating HIF-1α expression.
Anxiety, Depression, Dyadic Adjustment, and Attachment to the Fetus in Pregnancy: Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Analysis

Perinatal research has focused essentially on maternal outcomes leaving paternal outcomes unexplored. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the intrapersonal and interpersonal effects of mothers’ and fathers’ anxiety and depressive symptoms on their own and their partners’ antenatal attachment to the fetus. Additionally, it aimed to explore the mediating role of dyadic adjustment on these associations. Participants, 320 pregnant women and their partners, completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and the Maternal and Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale. Data were analyzed using the actor–partner interdependence mediation model. Mothers’ (ß = −.16, p < .01) and fathers’ depressive symptoms (ß = −.38, p < .001) were associated with their levels of antenatal attachment to the fetus. These relationships, however, were mediated by levels of dyadic adjustment (ß = −.08, p < .05; ß = −.09, p < .05, respectively). Fathers’ anxiety symptoms were associated with their levels of antenatal attachment to the fetus (ß = .16, p < .05). This relationship was partially mediated by their levels of dyadic adjustment (ß = −.05, p < .05). Finally, fathers’ depressive symptoms were associated with mothers’ levels of antenatal attachment to the fetus through the mothers’ dyadic adjustment levels (ß = −.06, p < .05). Results indicated that anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as lower levels of dyadic adjustment during pregnancy seem to negatively impact the levels of antenatal attachment to the fetus, especially for fathers. Results highlight the need to adopt a dyadic perspective to understand mothers’ and fathers’ outcomes during pregnancy.
Behavioral Activation Approach to Parent Training: Feasibility of Promoting Routines of Exploration and Play During Mealtime (Mealtime PREP)

OBJECTIVE. Systematic approaches are needed to help parents with young children adopt healthy routines. This study examined the feasibility (home data collection, protocol adherence, intervention acceptance) of using a behavioral activation (BA) approach to train parents of children with sensory food aversions. METHOD. Parents of young children (18–36 mo) were trained using the novel Promoting Routines of Exploration and Play During Mealtime intervention. Measures included video-recorded meals, Fidelity Checklist, Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire, and Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS. Eleven children and their parents completed the study. Two of three feasibility benchmarks were met. Intervention acceptance was high (mean score = 43/48). On average, parents used three more intervention strategies after training than at baseline. CONCLUSION. Using a BA approach to parent training shows promise for altering daily mealtime routines. Delivering this intervention in the home is feasible and received acceptable ratings among this sample.