Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in elderly ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Objectives The influence of age on intensive care unit (ICU) decision-making is complex, and it is unclear if it is based on expected subjective or objective patient outcomes. To address recent concerns over age-based ICU decision-making, we explored patient-assessed quality of life (QoL) in ICU survivors before the COVID-19 pandemic. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies published between January 2000 and April 2020, of elderly patients admitted to ICUs. Primary and secondary outcome measures We extracted data on self-reported QoL (EQ-5D composite score), demographic and clinical variables. Using a random-effect meta-analysis, we then compared QoL scores at follow-up to scores either before admission, age-matched population controls or younger ICU survivors. We conducted sensitivity analyses to study heterogeneity and bias and a qualitative synthesis of subscores. Results We identified 2536 studies and included 22 for qualitative synthesis and 18 for meta-analysis (n=2326 elderly survivors). Elderly survivors’ QoL was significantly worse than younger ICU survivors, with a small-to-medium effect size (d=0.35 (−0.53 and −0.16)). Elderly survivors’ QoL was also significantly greater when measured slightly before ICU, compared with follow-up, with a small effect size (d=0.26 (−0.44 and −0.08)). Finally, their QoL was also marginally significantly worse than age-matched community controls, also with a small effect size (d=0.21 (−0.43 and 0.00)). Mortality rates and length of follow-up partly explained heterogeneity. Reductions in QoL seemed primarily due to physical health, rather than mental health items. Conclusions The results suggest that the proportionality of age as a determinant of ICU resource allocation should be kept under close review and that subjective QoL outcomes should inform person-centred decision -aking in elderly ICU patients. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020181181.
Effects of Virtual Reality Training on Upper Limb Function and Balance in Stroke Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Meta-Analysis

Background Virtual reality (VR) training is a promising intervention strategy that has been utilized in health care fields like stroke rehabilitation and psychotherapy. Current studies suggest that VR training is effective in improving the locomotor ability of stroke patients. Objective This is the first meta-meta-analysis of the effects of VR on motor function in stroke patients. This study aimed to systematically summarize and quantify the present meta-analyses results of VR training and produce high-quality meta-meta-analysis results to obtain a more accurate prediction. Methods We searched 4 online databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) for meta-analysis studies. After accounting for overlap, 10 studies (accounting for almost 550 stroke patients) were obtained. Based on the meta-meta-analysis of these patients, this study quantified the impact of VR training on stroke patients’ motor performance, mainly including upper limb function, balance, and walking ability. We combined the effects under the random effect model and pooled the estimates as standardized mean differences (SMD). Results The results of the meta-meta-analysis showed that VR training effectively improves upper limb function (SMD 4.606, 95% CI 2.733-6.479, P<.05) and balance (SMD 2.101, 95% CI 0.202-4.000, P<.05) of stroke patients. However, the results showed considerable heterogeneity and thus, may need to be treated with caution. Due to the limited research, a meta-meta-analysis of walking ability was not performed. Conclusions These findings represent a comprehensive body of high-quality evidence that VR training is more effective at improving upper limb function and balance of stroke patients.
CeDR Atlas: a knowledgebase of cellular drug response

Abstract Drug response to many diseases varies dramatically due to the complex genomics and functional features and contexts. Cellular diversity of human tissues, especially tumors, is one of the major contributing factors to the different drug response in different samples. With the accumulation of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, it is now possible to study the drug response to different treatments at the single cell resolution. Here, we present CeDR Atlas (available at https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/cedr), a knowledgebase reporting computational inference of cellular drug response for hundreds of cell types from various tissues. We took advantage of the high-throughput profiling of drug-induced gene expression available through the Connectivity Map resource (CMap) as well as hundreds of scRNA-seq data covering cells from a wide variety of organs/tissues, diseases, and conditions. Currently, CeDR maintains the results for more than 582 single cell data objects for human, mouse and cell lines, including about 140 phenotypes and 1250 tissue-cell combination types. All the results can be explored and searched by keywords for drugs, cell types, tissues, diseases, and signature genes. Overall, CeDR fine maps drug response at cellular resolution and sheds lights on the design of combinatorial treatments, drug resistance and even drug side effects.
Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized through Green Methods Using Escherichia coli Top 10 (Ec-Ts) Growth Culture Medium Exhibit Antimicrobial Properties against Nongrowing Bacterial Strains

Finding novel antibiotics and antimicrobial materials has become of great importance to modern society due to the alarming increase in the development of multidrug resistance in various bacterial strains. This problem is even more complex when infections involve bacterial strains in stationary metabolic states, since most of the antibiotics found in the market do not have an effect on bacteria in dormant metabolic states. A promising field to aid in the solution of this problem is nanotechnology, since it offers a wide avenue for the development of potential therapeutics, specifically the use of silver metal nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective antimicrobial agents and excellent candidates to be engineered and designed into clever delivery systems, taking advantage of their rapid and potent toxicity on prokaryotic cells at low concentrations. Metal nanoparticles are most commonly synthetized through one or a series of redox chemical reactions using powerful but environmentally toxic-reducing agents. Therefore, in this work, we propose a biosynthesis method that allows the production of nanoparticles, with homogenous shapes and narrow size distributions, through an environmentally friendly technique that does not produce toxic residues. Here, silver nanoparticles were produced from silver salt (AgNO3) using three different growth culture media residues from E. coli top 10. The three different culture media residues used included LB, LBN, and LBE; all of them displaying a different chemical and nutrient composition. Here, after characterization of the different silver nanoparticles produced with the different media, we demonstrated that the LB culture-conditioned media was the most suitable to produce them since they displayed the most narrow size distribution, with an average 10.6 nm in diameter, a relatively low standard deviation of 5.5 nm, and a narrow UV-vis spectrum absorption peak at 420 nm. The other methods presented larger nanoparticle sizes and broader size distributions. Furthermore, nanoparticles produced with LB Lennox were found to be, at very low concentrations, effective antimicrobial agent against E. coli top 10 at stationary phase. Therefore, these results seem to contribute knowledge linked to the production of antimicrobial nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through green synthesis and represent a platform to treat infections caused by nongrowing bacteria.
Novel Preosteoclast Populations in Obesity-Associated Periodontal Disease

Although there is a clear relationship between the degree of obesity and periodontal disease incidence, the mechanisms that underpin the links between these conditions are not completely understood. Understanding that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are expanded during obesity and operate in a context-defined manner, we addressed the potential role of MDSCs to contribute toward obesity-associated periodontal disease. Flow cytometry revealed that in the spleen of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), expansion in monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) significantly increased when compared with mice fed a low-fat diet (LFD). In the osteoclast differentiation assay, M-MDSCs isolated from the bone marrow of HFD-fed mice showed a larger number and area of osteoclasts with a greater number of nuclei. In the M-MDSCs of HFD-fed mice, several osteoclast-related genes were significantly elevated when compared with LFD-fed mice according to a focused transcriptomic platform. In experimental periodontitis, the number and percentage of M-MDSCs were greater, with a significantly larger increase in HFD-fed mice versus LFD-fed mice. In the spleen, the percentage of M-MDSCs was significantly higher in HFD-fed periodontitis-induced (PI) mice than in LFD-PI mice. Alveolar bone volume fraction was significantly reduced in experimental periodontitis and was further decreased in HFD-PI mice as compared with LFD-PI mice. The inflammation score was significantly higher in HFD-PI mice versus LFD-PI mice, with a concomitant increase in TRAP staining for osteoclast number and area in HFD-PI mice over LFD-PI mice. These data support the concept that M-MDSC expansion during obesity to become osteoclasts during periodontitis is related to increased alveolar bone destruction, providing a more detailed mechanistic appreciation of the interconnection between obesity and periodontitis.
Impact of persistent subclinical hypothyroidism on clinical outcomes in non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Data on the association of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) with the severity of coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) in patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are limited and conflicting.
Development of astrocyte morphology and function in mouse visual thalamus

The rodent visual thalamus has served as a powerful model to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie sensory circuit formation and function. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the role of axon‐target interactions and neural activity in orchestrating circuit formation in visual thalamus, the role of non‐neuronal cells, such as astrocytes, is less clear. In fact, we know little about the transcriptional identity and development of astrocytes in mouse visual thalamus. To address this gap in knowledge, we studied the expression of canonical astrocyte molecules in visual thalamus using immunostaining, in situ hybridization, and reporter lines. While our data suggests some level of heterogeneity of astrocytes in different nuclei of the visual thalamus, the majority of thalamic astrocytes appeared to be labeled in Aldh1l1‐EGFP mice. This led us to use this transgenic line to characterize the neonatal and postnatal development of these cells in visual thalamus. Our data show that not only have the entire cohort of astrocytes migrated into visual thalamus by eye‐opening but they also have acquired their adult‐like morphology, even while retinogeniculate synapses are still maturing. Furthermore, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and functional approaches revealed that by eye‐opening, thalamic astrocytes ensheathe retinogeniculate synapses and are capable of efficient uptake of glutamate. Taken together, our results reveal that the morphological, anatomical, and functional development of astrocytes in visual thalamus occurs prior to eye‐opening and the emergence of experience‐dependent visual activity.
Promoting risk reduction among young adults with asthma during wildfire smoke: A feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE(S) This study explored the feasibility, acceptability, preliminary impact, and functionality of two risk reduction mobile application (app) interventions on asthma outcomes as compared to a control arm during wildfire season. DESIGN Three-arm, 8-week randomized clinical trial. SAMPLE Sixty-seven young adults with asthma were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS The Asthma Control Test, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 ) and the System Usability Scale were measured at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. The Research Attitude Scale was administered at 8 weeks. Twenty participants from the two intervention arms completed an optional survey and six were interviewed after completing the study. INTERVENTION Both intervention arms could access Smoke Sense Urbanova, an app that supports reducing risks from breathing wildfire smoke. The Smoke Sense Urbanova Plus arm also monitored their daily FEV1 , received air quality notifications, and accessed preventive tips and a message board. RESULTS Most participants agreed the app and spirometer were usable and their privacy and confidentiality were maintained. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS Participant-identified recommendations will support intervention refinement and testing. This research supports asthma self-management tools that public health nurses and community health workers can recommend for at-risk populations.
Back to the Basics of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is widely used in research and clinical areas, and its application is gradually increasing. The main uses of LC-MS/MS in clinical testing include screening newborns, therapeutic drug monitoring, and identifying drugs of abuse and metabolites and hormones [1]. New testing techniques using LC-MS/MS are continuously being researched and developed [2, 3]. Efforts are also being made for standardizing and harmonizing these techniques in clinical laboratories [4]. In practice, reproducing results of mass spectrometric analyses by referring to one or two method development research articles is challenging, mainly because researchers lack background knowledge, and articles often do not include detailed and necessary background knowledge. In this issue, the review article by Rappold [5], written from the author’s experience and other literature, will be of great help to researchers working on LC-MS/MS method development. This review article enlists the necessary elements for LC-MS/MS method development, which will aid researchers develop their own methods. Commercialization of the LC-MS/MS analytical kits for clinical research is in progress, and sophisticated LC-MS/MS equipment can be accessed by fully automating sample pretreatment [6]. However, even for commercialized kits, most pretreatment and analytical conditions must be verified in each laboratory. Since a newly developed method for a novel target is used in its original form, as developed in the laboratory, it is necessary to have the ability to develop the analytical method independently. Such measures will also help solve in-processing problems that may occur in the development and validation of MS methods. Currently, LC-MS/MS method development is highly dependent on the researcher’s experience and is therefore not standardized. To that end, Rappold has provided a valuable and complete account of all aspects of LC-MS/MS method development, including reagent selection, sample preparation, LC and MS conditions, calibration, quality control, and optimization. This review article by Rappold [5] is replete with helpful and practical information for researchers, technicians, and laboratory physicians working with LC-MS/MS.
Differences in executive abilities rather than associative processes contribute to memory development

Children's learning capabilities change while growing up. One framework that describes the cognitive and neural development of children's growing learning abilities is the two‐component model. It distinguishes processes that integrate separate features into a coherent memory representation (associative component) and executive abilities, such as elaboration, evaluation, and monitoring, that support memory processing (strategic component). In an fMRI study using an object‐location association paradigm, we investigated how the two components influence memory performance across development. We tested children (10–12 years, n = 31), late adolescents (18 years, n = 29), and adults (25+ years, n = 30). For studying the associative component, we also probed how the utilisation of prior knowledge (schemas) facilitates memory across age groups. Children had overall lower retrieval performance, while adolescents and adults did not differ from each other. All groups benefitted from schemas, but this effect did not differ between groups. Performance differences between groups were associated with deactivation of the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which in turn was linked to executive functioning. These patterns were stronger in adolescents and adults and seemed absent in children. Thus, the children's executive system, the strategic component, is not as mature and thus cannot facilitate memory performance in the same way as in adolescents/adults. In contrast, we did not find age‐related differences in the associative component; with activity in the angular gyrus predicting memory performance systematically across groups. Overall, our results suggest that differences of executive rather than associative abilities explain memory differences between children, adolescents, and adults.
Approach to the basic needs in patients on invasive ventilation using eye-tracking devices for non-verbal communication.

PURPOSE To analyze the feasibility of eye-tracking (ET) devices as a communicative approach to the basic needs (BN) of intensive care unit (ICU) and invasively ventilated nonverbal patients. METHODS Prospective, monocentric, observational study including all patients without delirium, with an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube, with a history of invasive ventilation for more than 48 hours, and inadequate nonverbal communication skills. The investigation was performed with commercially available ET devices (Tobii Dynavox I-15+) to express BN of ICU patients following a standardized 30-item yes-or-no questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 64 patients with a mean age of 58.6 years were included. The main diagnoses for ICU admission were major trauma (43.6%), sepsis (21.8%), and acute abdomen (15.6%). Pain during repositioning (69%), thirst (69%), sleep disorders (66%), fatigue (64%), and anxiety regarding lifelong need for assistance (64%) were the main problems reported by the patients. However, most of the patients described expectations of health improvement (78%), good family support (66%) and an improvement in quality of life due to the use of ET devices (67%). CONCLUSION The use of ET in selected ICU patients with impaired communication is feasible, allowing them to express their BN. Apart from knowing the patients' individual BN, the results of our BN questionnaire may provide guidance for improvement measures in the care of patients in the ICU who are unable to speak. We believe that ET is useful for inquiring about and expressing BN and therefore may be capable of improving patient-medical team interactions and patient satisfaction.
Direct-Optimization-Based DC Dictionary Learning With the MCP Regularizer

Direct-optimization-based dictionary learning has attracted increasing attention for improving computational efficiency. However, the existing direct optimization scheme can only be applied to limited dictionary learning problems, and it remains an open problem to prove that the whole sequence obtained by the algorithm converges to a critical point of the objective function. In this article, we propose a novel direct-optimization-based dictionary learning algorithm using the minimax concave penalty (MCP) as a sparsity regularizer that can enforce strong sparsity and obtain accurate estimation. For solving the corresponding optimization problem, we first decompose the nonconvex MCP into two convex components. Then, we employ the difference of the convex functions algorithm and the nonconvex proximal-splitting algorithm to process the resulting subproblems. Thus, the direct optimization approach can be extended to a broader class of dictionary learning problems, even if the sparsity regularizer is nonconvex. In addition, the convergence guarantee for the proposed algorithm can be theoretically proven. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has good convergence performances in different cases and robust dictionary-recovery capabilities. When applied to sparse approximations, the proposed approach can obtain sparser and less error estimation than the different sparsity regularizers in existing methods. In addition, the proposed algorithm has robustness in image denoising and key-frame extraction.
Evaluation of consuming fresh pineapple juice (Ananas Comosus) or bromelain on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats

This study aimsto evaluate the efficacy of fresh pineapple juice and bromelain consumption on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Furthermore the study aims to determine the amount of bromelain in fresh pineapple juice by HPLC as well as some of the bioactive constituents of fresh pineapple juice. Sixty male albino rats were divided into six groups; each group consisted of 10 rats. Group (1) served as normal control (Healthy) and group (4) served as positive control (Colitis). Healthy rats of group (2) and colitis rats of group (5) treated with 0.5ml fresh pineapple juice/100g body weight by stomach tube as well as healthy rats of group (3) and colitis rats of group (6) treated with 0.5ml bromelain/100g body weight daily using stomach tube. The results of chemical analysis of pineapple revealed that each 100ml of the fresh prepared pineapple juice contains 425±3.00mg as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) for total phenols, 584±4.00mg as catechin equivalent (CE) for total flavonoids, 25±1.00 mg for ascorbic acid and 57±1.00% as ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) for total antioxidant capacity. Induction of ulcerative colitis by acetic acid (0.25ml of 16% acetic acid/ 100g body weight) markedly increased the oxidative stress which caused significant reduction in nonenzymatic antioxidant such as blood reduced glutathione (GSH), enzymatic antioxidants as serum catalase (CAT) and colon superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, also resulted in increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) of membranes as colon malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased. Furthermore, serum inflammatory marker levels as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly increased in colitis rats (p>0.05). While treatment of colitis rats by fresh pineapple juice or bromelain ameliorated the oxidative stress status and decreased inflammatory markers which alleviated the colitis. The microscopic examination of colon sections illustrated the modulating effect of both fresh pineapple juice and bromelain on colon cells. In conclusion, fresh pineapple juice had a better effect than bromelain as its high content of antioxidants as well as bromelain.