Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between amyloid-beta deposition and cortical thickness in dementia with Lewy bodies

Objective: Amyloid-beta often co-exists in dementia with Lewy bodies, but its clinical relevance in dementia with Lewy bodies remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and imaging correlates of amyloid-beta deposition in dementia with Lewy bodies, particularly its relationship with cortical thickness in Alzheimer’s disease–prone regions and hippocampal volume. Methods: Twenty-four participants with probable dementia with Lewy bodies underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and amyloid-beta positron emission tomography imaging using the radiotracer 18F-NAV4694. Amyloid-beta deposition was quantified and reported using the Centiloid method. Results: Amyloid-beta positivity, defined as Centiloid > 50, was present in 45.8% of dementia with Lewy bodies participants. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics between Aβ+ and Aβ− dementia with Lewy bodies. Compared with the Aβ− group, Aβ+ dementia with Lewy bodies exhibited greater global cortical thinning as well as in the Alzheimer’s disease–prone region of interest, adjusted for age, sex and years of education. A mean cortical thickness of 5.12 mm across a combined meta-region of interest has a sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 90.0% in discriminating Aβ+ from Aβ− dementia with Lewy bodies. Hippocampal volume was not different between groups. Conclusion: Early structural changes in cortical thickness, but not hippocampal volume, were observed in dementia with Lewy bodies with significant amyloid-beta burden. This may represent an early Alzheimer’s disease–related neurodegenerative process.
Gamma irradiation-induced degradation and mineralization of methocarbamol in aqueous solution

ABSTRACT Gamma irradiation degradation of the extensively used muscle relaxant in the world methocarbamol (MET) was studied. MET aqueous solutions were irradiated by gamma rays emitted by a Cobalt 60 source at doses of 1–4 kGy. Our findings demonstrated that gamma irradiation degraded more than 98.5% of MET. Absorption spectra analysis revealed that when increased irradiation dose, the absorption bands declined with complete disappearance at 4 kGy dose. Additionally, the most radiolytic degradation rate was recorded at neutral pH, marked by Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal rate of 98% reflecting the total mineralization of MET at 4 kGy. In-depth spectrophotometric analyses advocated a pseudo-first-order type of MET degradation kinetics. The obtained apparent rate constant value was k app, MET = (0.02167 ± 0.0006) min−1. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) allowed the detection of 3-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1,2 propanediol,2-methoxyphenol, 1,2,3 propanetriol, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene and 1,2,4 benzentriol identified as by-products generated during radiolytic degradation. Finally, an outline of the degradation mechanism was suggested according to the obtained by-products. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
YAP and TAZ in Vascular Smooth Muscle Confer Protection Against Hypertensive Vasculopathy

Background: Hypertension remains a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We hypothesize that appropriate mechanotransduction and contractile function in vascular smooth muscle cells are crucial to maintain vascular wall integrity. The Hippo pathway effectors YAP (yes-associated protein 1) and TAZ (WW domain containing transcription regulator 1) have been identified as mechanosensitive transcriptional coactivators. However, their role in vascular smooth muscle cell mechanotransduction has not been investigated in vivo. Methods: We performed physiological and molecular analyses utilizing an inducible smooth muscle–specific YAP/TAZ knockout mouse model. Results: Arteries lacking YAP/TAZ have reduced agonist-mediated contraction, decreased myogenic response, and attenuated stretch-induced transcriptional regulation of smooth muscle markers. Moreover, in established hypertension, YAP/TAZ knockout results in severe vascular lesions in small mesenteric arteries characterized by neointimal hyperplasia, elastin degradation, and adventitial thickening. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a protective role of YAP/TAZ against hypertensive vasculopathy.
Diversity and extinction risk are inversely related at a global scale

Abstract Increases in biodiversity often lead to greater, and less variable, levels of ecosystem functioning. However, whether species are less likely to go extinct in more diverse ecosystems is unclear. We use comprehensive estimates of avian taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity to characterise the global relationship between multiple dimensions of diversity and extinction risk in birds, focusing on contemporary threat status and latent extinction risk. We find that more diverse assemblages have lower mean IUCN threat status despite being composed of species with attributes that make them more vulnerable to extinction, such as large body size or small range size. Indeed, the reduction in current threat status associated with greater diversity far outweighs the increased risk associated with the accumulation of extinction‐prone species in more diverse assemblages. Our results suggest that high diversity reduces extinction risk, and that species conservation targets may therefore best be achieved by maintaining high levels of overall biodiversity in natural ecosystems.
Robust Supervised and Semisupervised Least Squares Regression Using ℓ2,p-Norm Minimization

Least squares regression (LSR) is widely applied in statistics theory due to its theoretical solution, which can be used in supervised, semisupervised, and multiclass learning. However, LSR begins to fail and its discriminative ability cannot be guaranteed when the original data have been corrupted and noised. In reality, the noises are unavoidable and could greatly affect the error construction in LSR. To cope with this problem, a robust supervised LSR (RSLSR) is proposed to eliminate the effect of noises and outliers. The loss function adopts <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _{2,p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-norm (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0< p\leq 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) instead of square loss. In addition, the probability weight is added to each sample to determine whether the sample is a normal point or not. Its physical meaning is very clear, in which if the point is normal, the probability value is 1; otherwise, the weight is 0. To effectively solve the concave problem, an iterative algorithm is introduced, in which additional weights are added to penalize normal samples with large errors. We also extend RSLSR to robust semisupervised LSR (RSSLSR) to fully utilize the limited labeled samples. A large number of classification performances on corrupted data illustrate the robustness of the proposed methods.
Central airway obstruction treatment with self‐expanding covered Y‐carina nitinol stents: A single center retrospective analysis

Central airway obstruction (CAO) is one of the most challenging, potentially lethal complications in malignant and benign respiratory diseases. Worsening dyspnea is also a relevant cause for reduced quality of life in such patients. Here, we present our data on the application of covered, self‐expanding Y‐carina nitinol stents due to benign and malignant diseases.
Greater symptom burden results in reduced exercise tolerance in adolescents following concussion

ABSTRACT Objectives To explore the relationship between symptoms and exercise tolerance in adolescents following concussion. Methods A retrospective analysis of 417 adolescents who attended a concussion service between January 2015 and April 2021 was performed, with 149 meeting eligibility criteria for inclusion. Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) and graded exercise tolerance time (min) were assessed at initial and follow-up visits. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine the relationship between PCSS scores and exercise time. Results Adolescents (n = 149, 13.9 ± 1.7 years, 66.4% male) presented at 28.6 ± 19.7 days post-injury. Statistically significant correlations were identified between initial (r = −0.36, p < .001) and follow-up (r = −0.41, p < .001) PCSS scores and exercise time among all participants. Initial PCSS and initial exercise time were inversely correlated for males (r = −0.24, p = .018) and females (r = −0.22, p = .127). Follow-up PCSS and follow-up exercise time were inversely correlated for males (r = −0.30, p = .003) and females (r = −0.35, p = .014). Conclusion There is a statistically significant relationship between higher PCSS and poorer exercise time and both factors should be considered together to provide the most accurate assessment, particularly in females.
A Bayesian mixed effects support vector machine for learning and predicting daily substance use disorder patterns

ABSTRACT Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a heterogeneous disorder. Adapting machine learning algorithms to allow for the parsing of intrapersonal and interpersonal heterogeneity in meaningful ways may accelerate the discovery and implementation of clinically actionable interventions in SUD research. Objectives: Inspired by a study of heavy drinkers that collected daily drinking and substance use (ABQ DrinQ), we develop tools to estimate subject-specific risk trajectories of heavy drinking; estimate and perform inference on patient characteristics and time-varying covariates; and present results in easy-to-use Jupyter notebooks. Methods: We recast support vector machines (SVMs) into a Bayesian model extended to handle mixed effects. We then apply these methods to ABQ DrinQ to model alcohol use patterns. ABQ DrinQ consists of 190 heavy drinkers (44% female) with 109,580 daily observations. Results: We identified male gender (point estimate; 95% credible interval: −0.25;-0.29,-0.21), older age (−0.03;-0.03,-0.03), and time varying usage of nicotine (1.68;1.62,1.73), cannabis (0.05;0.03,0.07), and other drugs (1.16;1.01,1.35) as statistically significant factors of heavy drinking behavior. By adopting random effects to capture the subject-specific longitudinal trajectories, the algorithm outperforms traditional SVM (classifies 84% of heavy drinking days correctly versus 73%). Conclusions: We developed a mixed effects variant of SVM and compare it to the traditional formulation, with an eye toward elucidating the importance of incorporating random effects to account for underlying heterogeneity in SUD data. These tools and examples are packaged into a repository for researchers to explore. Understanding patterns and risk of substance use could be used for developing individualized interventions.
Self-esteem, adverse life events, and mental health diagnoses among Black women living with HIV

ABSTRACT Purpose: Black women in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by HIV and adverse life events (ALE). High self-esteem has been noted as a protective factor and low self-esteem has been linked to mental health diagnoses. However, the existing literature is limited in the examination of how self-esteem may buffer relationships between ALE and mental health diagnoses among Black women living with HIV (BWLWH). Methods: One hundred and nineteen BWLWH completed self-report measures on self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and ALE (Life Events Checklist for DSM-5) (e.g. sexual assault, physical assault, accidents, natural disaster) as well as a clinical interview (via Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Inventory) to diagnose current depression, PTSD, and suicidality. Results: Multivariable logistic regressions indicated that higher self-esteem was associated with lower likelihood of current depression (OR = .894, p < .01), PTSD (OR = .838, p < .001) and suicidality (OR = .889, p < .05). Interactions between self-esteem and total ALE significantly predicted current depression (OR = .000003, p < .05) and PTSD (OR = 2.7182 × 10−9, p < .001); and higher total ALE related to higher likelihood of current PTSD only among BWLWH reporting lower self-esteem (OR = 1.21, p < .05). Conclusion: Interventions addressing mental health diagnoses among BWLWH should incorporate strategies to enhance self-esteem.
Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: From Basic Concepts to Emerging Methods.

BACKGROUND Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is a widely used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to diagnose a broad range of ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. Since its development and validation against histology already more than two decades ago, the clinical utility of LGE and its span of applications have increased considerably. METHODS In this review we will present the basic concepts of LGE imaging and its diagnostic and prognostic value, elaborate on recent developments and emerging methods, and finally discuss future prospects. RESULTS Continuous developments in 3 D imaging methods, motion correction techniques, water/fat-separated imaging, dark-blood methods, and scar quantification improved the performance and further expanded the clinical utility of LGE imaging. CONCLUSION LGE imaging is the current noninvasive reference standard for the assessment of myocardial viability. Improvements in spatial resolution, scar-to-blood contrast, and water/fat-separated imaging further strengthened its position. KEY POINTS · LGE MRI is the reference standard for the noninvasive assessment of myocardial viability. · LGE MRI is used to diagnose a broad range of non-ischemic cardiomyopathies in everyday clinical practice. · Improvements in spatial resolution and scar-to-blood contrast further strengthened its position. · Continuous developments improve its performance and further expand its clinical utility. CITATION FORMAT · Holtackers RJ, Emrich T, Botnar RM et al. Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: From Basic Concepts to Emerging Methods. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; DOI: 10.1055/a-1718-4355.
Therapeutic efficacy of antimalarial drugs targeting DosRS signaling in Mycobacterium abscessus

A search for alternative Mycobacterium abscessus treatments led to our interest in the two-component regulator DosRS, which, in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is required for the bacterium to establish a state of nonreplicating, drug-tolerant persistence in response to a variety of host stresses. We show here that the genetic disruption of dosRS impairs the adaptation of M. abscessus to hypoxia, resulting in decreased bacterial survival after oxygen depletion, reduced tolerance to a number of antibiotics in vitro and in vivo, and the inhibition of biofilm formation. We determined that three antimalarial drugs or drug candidates, artemisinin, OZ277, and OZ439, can target DosS-mediated hypoxic signaling in M. abscessus and recapitulate the phenotypic effects of genetically disrupting dosS. OZ439 displayed bactericidal activity comparable to standard-of-care antibiotics in chronically infected mice, in addition to potentiating the activity of antibiotics used in combination. The identification of antimalarial drugs as potent inhibitors and adjunct inhibitors of M. abscessus in vivo offers repurposing opportunities that could have an immediate impact in the clinic. Description Antimalarial drugs can be repurposed to treat pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Repurposed antimalarials Nontuberculous mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium abscessus, are important human pathogens that affect patients with structural lung disease and have limited treatment options. Belardinelli et al. show that genetic disruption of the two-component regulator dosRS in M. abscessus renders bacteria less able to adapt to hypoxic conditions and reduces tolerance to antibiotics. They identified three antimalarial drugs or drug candidates, artemisinin, OZ277, and OZ439, that can target DosRS and have similar phenotypic effects as genetic disruption. Mice chronically infected with M. abscessus and treated with OZ439 showed bactericidal responses comparable to treatment with standard-of-care antibiotics, and OZ439 potentiated the activity of some antibiotics used in combination. These findings identify DosRS as a potential therapeutic target in M. abscessus for which repurposed antimalarial drugs may be used therapeutically.
Special Section on New Era of Transporter Science: Unraveling the Functional Role of Orphan Transporters — Minireview Clinical Applications and the Roles of Transporters in Disposition, Tumor Targeting, and Tissue Toxicity of meta -Iodobenzylguanidine

Transporters on the plasma membrane of tumor cells are promising molecular “ Trojan horses ” to deliver drugs and imaging agents into cancer cells. Radioiodine-labeled meta -iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) is used as a diagnostic agent ( 123 I-mIBG) and a targeted radiotherapy ( 131 I-mIBG) for neuroendocrine cancers. mIBG enters cancer cells through the norepinephrine transporter (NET) where the radioactive decay of 131 I causes DNA damage, cell death, and tumor necrosis. mIBG is predominantly eliminated unchanged by the kidney. Despite its selective uptake by neuroendocrine tumors, mIBG accumulates in several normal tissues and leads to tissue-specific radiation toxicities. Emerging evidences suggest that the polyspecific organic cation transporters play important roles in systemic disposition and tissue-specific uptake of mIBG. In particular, human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2) and multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins 1 and 2-K (hMATE1/2-K) likely mediate renal secretion of mIBG, whereas hOCT1 and hOCT3 may contribute to mIBG uptake into normal tissues such as the liver, salivary glands, and heart. This minireview focuses on the clinical applications of mIBG in neuroendocrine cancers and the differential roles of NET, OCT, and MATE transporters in mIBG disposition, response and toxicity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing mIBG transport in cancer and normal cells is a critical step for developing strategies to optimize the efficacy of 131 I-mIBG while minimizingtoxicity in normal tissues. Radiolabeled meta -iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) has been used as a diagnostic tool and as radiotherapy for neuroendocrine cancers and other diseases. Norepinephrine transporter, organic cation transporters, and multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins play differential roles in tumor targeting, systemic elimination, and accumulation in normal tissues. The clinical use of mIBG as a radiopharmaceutical in cancer diagnosis and treatment can be further improved by taking a holistic approach considering mIBG transporters in both cancer and normal tissues.
Applying a public health approach to autism research: A framework for action

Most published autism research, and the funding that supports it, remains focused on basic and clinical science. However, the public health impact of autism drives a compelling argument for utilizing a public health approach to autism research. Fundamental to the public health perspective is a focus on health determinants to improve quality of life and to reduce the potential for adverse outcomes across the general population, including in vulnerable subgroups. While the public health research process can be conceptualized as a linear, 3‐stage path consisting of discovery – testing – translation/dissemination/implementation, in this paper we propose an integrated, cyclical research framework to advance autism public health objectives in a more comprehensive manner. This involves discovery of primary, secondary and tertiary determinants of health in autism; and use of this evidence base to develop and test detection, intervention, and dissemination strategies and the means to implement them in ‘real world’ settings. The proposed framework serves to facilitate identification of knowledge gaps, translational barriers, and shortfalls in implementation; guides an iterative research cycle; facilitates purposeful integration of stakeholders and interdisciplinary researchers; and may yield more efficient achievement of improved health and well‐being among persons on the autism spectrum at the population‐level.
Experiences of health professionals diagnosed with COVID‐19 in coping with the disease

Abstract Aim This study evaluates the experiences of health professionals diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in coping with the disease. Background During the COVID‐19 pandemic, health professionals faced various physical and psychological difficulties. Many of them were also infected with COVID‐19. Methods This study used a descriptive phenomenological approach and was conducted between May and June 2020. The participants were 24 health professionals who were diagnosed with COVID‐19. Data were collected by phone using semistructured and in‐depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven‐step method with the support of MAXQDA software. Results After the data analysis, the primary codes were extracted, and subthemes were created by categorizing these codes. The subthemes were organized, and themes were created. From the perspective of the participants, four main themes emerged: effects of the disease process on the participants, feelings of the disease process, differences in being infected with COVID‐19 as a health professional, and ways to cope with the disease. Conclusion The reactions of the people around them, their feelings and experiences, and their environmental and institutional support systems affected the ways health professionals coped with COVID‐19. Implications for health policy and nursing Health managers should provide medical, psychosocial, and legal resources as soon as possible so that health professionals diagnosed with COVID‐19 can receive the treatment and care that they need. COVID‐19 should be considered an occupational disease by health professionals all over the world.
Study on Transmission Performance of Ballastless Track Circuits

The mutual induction between the rail current and the internal reinforcing bar net in the ballastless track changes the electric parameters of the track circuit,which affects the transmission performance of the syntony track circuit and shortens its actual length of usage.To better the electric parameters of the ballastless track is an effective way to improve the transmission performance of the syntony track circuit.Tests indicate that the steel rail impedance parameters of all types of ballastless tracks can be improved effectively though insulation measures to reduce or eliminate the closed circuits of the reinforcing bar nets inside the ballastless track slabs and the possibly existing closed circuits of the reinforcing bar nets within a 320 millimeter distance from the steel rail bottom.To mend the fastening system structures and reduce the effect of the leakage of rain water resistances can improve the resistance parameters of the ballastless track bed effectively and so to the transmission performance of the syntony track circuit.