Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal body mass index and external cephalic version success rate - are they related?

OBJECTIVES External cephalic version (ECV) is a useful method helping to reduce the incidence of planned caesarean deliveries for fetal malpresentation. There is an effort to look for the best predictors for a successful ECV, the effect of maternal weight is still unclear. The aim of our study is to determine maternal body mass index (BMI) in association with the ECV success rate and the risk of complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective observational cohort study in 981 women after the 36th week of gestation with a fetus in a breech presentation who had undergone an ECV attempt. We evaluated the success rate and complications of ECV in association with BMI categories according to the WHO classification of obesity. RESULTS ECV was successful in 478 cases (48.7%). In the category of overweight patients (BMI > 25; n = 484), ECV was successful in 51% and unsuccessful in 49% (p = 0.28) of cases. In obese patients (BMI > 30; n = 187), ECV was successful in 44.8% and unsuccessful in 55.2% (p = 0.28) of cases. The effect of BMI on the success rate of ECV for the category of overweight and obesity was not proven by statistical analysis. Serious complications occurred in seven cases in similar numbers in all three subgroups according to BMI. CONCLUSIONS BMI in the categories of overweight and obesity is not a factor influencing the success rate and risk of complications of ECV. These results can be helpful when consulting pregnant women the chance of successful ECV.
A practical nomogram from the SEER database to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis

Background: The presence of lymph node metastases is related to poor survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and because of the reported low probability of lymph node metastasis, research into the prognoses of such patients is difficult to conduct. In this study, we aimed to develop a nomogram model to predict the prognosis of HCC patients with lymph node metastasis and provided a reasonable basis for the choice of follow-up treatment.Methods: HCC patients diagnosed with LN metastasis from 2010 to 2015 were enrolled from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate Cox regression and lasso regression were used to screen prognostic factors. Cox multiple-factor analysis was employed to investigate the independent prognostic factors for survival. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of our model. The clinical benefit was assessed via decision curve analysis (DCA). The survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and the differences among survival curves were compared by the log-rank test.Results: Patients were randomized into the training group (944 patients) and the validation group (402 patients) in a 70:30 ratio. Grade, T stage, surgery to the liver, chemotherapy, radiation recode, AFP, fibrosis score, tumor size group, M stage were selected as independent prognostic factors, and we developed nomograms using these variables. The c-indices of the training and validation groups were 0.70 and 0.73, respectively. The calibration curves for probability of survival showed good agreement. The DCA indicated that the nomogram had positive net benefits. Patients were divided into two risk groups according to our model, survival curves were drawn, and the log-rank test was performed, the p-value of which was <0.001. Conclusions: The nomogram can accurately predict the prognosis of HCC patients with lymph nodes metastasis and provide a reasonable basis for treatment.
Sensor Domain of Histidine Kinase VxrA of Vibrio cholerae: Hairpin-Swapped Dimer and Its Conformational Change

V. cholerae has a dynamic life cycle, which requires rapid adaptation to changing external conditions. Two-component signal transduction (TCS) systems allow V. cholerae to sense and respond to these environmental changes. ABSTRACT VxrA and VxrB are cognate histidine kinase (HK)-response regulator (RR) pairs of a two-component signaling system (TCS) found in Vibrio cholerae, a bacterial pathogen that causes cholera. The VxrAB TCS positively regulates virulence, the type VI secretion system, biofilm formation, and cell wall homeostasis in V. cholerae, providing protection from environmental stresses and contributing to the transmission and virulence of the pathogen. The VxrA HK has a unique periplasmic sensor domain (SD) and, remarkably, lacks a cytoplasmic linker domain between the second transmembrane helix and the dimerization and histidine phosphotransfer (DHp) domain, indicating that this system may utilize a potentially unique signal sensing and transmission TCS mechanism. In this study, we have determined several crystal structures of VxrA-SD and its mutants. These structures reveal a novel structural fold forming an unusual β hairpin-swapped dimer. A conformational change caused by relative rotation of the two monomers in a VxrA-SD dimer could potentially change the association of transmembrane helices and, subsequently, the pairing of cytoplasmic DHp domains. Based on the structural observation, we propose a putative scissor-like closing regulation mechanism for the VxrA HK. IMPORTANCE V. cholerae has a dynamic life cycle, which requires rapid adaptation to changing external conditions. Two-component signal transduction (TCS) systems allow V. cholerae to sense and respond to these environmental changes. The VxrAB TCS positively regulates a number of important V. cholerae phenotypes, including virulence, the type six secretion system, biofilm formation, and cell wall homeostasis. Here, we provide the crystal structures of the VxrA sensor histidine kinase sensing domain and propose a mechanism for signal transduction. The cognate signal for VxrAB remains unknown; however, in this work we couple our structural analysis with functional assessments of key residues to further our understanding of this important TCS.
Time-resolved phosphoproteomics reveals scaffolding and catalysis-responsive patterns of SHP2-dependent signaling

SHP2 is a protein tyrosine phosphatase that normally potentiates intracellular signaling by growth factors, antigen receptors, and some cytokines, yet is frequently mutated in human cancer. Here, we examine the role of SHP2 in the responses of breast cancer cells to EGF by monitoring phosphoproteome dynamics when SHP2 is allosterically inhibited by SHP099. The dynamics of phosphotyrosine abundance at more than 400 tyrosine residues reveal six distinct response signatures following SHP099 treatment and washout. Remarkably, in addition to newly identified substrate sites on proteins such as occludin, ARHGAP35, and PLCγ2, another class of sites shows reduced phosphotyrosine abundance upon SHP2 inhibition. Sites of decreased phospho-abundance are enriched on proteins with two nearby phosphotyrosine residues, which can be directly protected from dephosphorylation by the paired SH2 domains of SHP2 itself. These findings highlight the distinct roles of the scaffolding and catalytic activities of SHP2 in effecting a transmembrane signaling response.
Polymeric Lipid Nanosphere Consisting of Water-Soluble Poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate)

As water-soluble amphiphilic polymers with the phospholipid polar group (PMB), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine(MPC) copolymerized with n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), were synthesized. The properties of the MPC polymers in water were investigated by surface tension measurement, 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy, and light scattering measurement. The solubility of the MPC polymers in water depended on MPC unit composition and molecular weight. The surface tension of the aqueous solution depended on the MPC unit composition in the PMB. In the case of poly(MPC), the surface tension did not change as in the case of water at polymer concentrations from 10−5 gd L−1 to 10−1 gd L−1. However, introduction of the BMA unit in the MPC polymer induced decrease in surface tension considerably above 10−4 g dL−1 polymer concentration. This result clearly shows that the PMB forms aggregates in water. According to fluorescence spectroscopy results, the PMB aggregate formed a hydrophobic domain in water and the polarity of the hydrophobic domain was the same as that of n-butanol. From the NMR spectra of the PMB in D2O at various temperatures, the phosphorylcholine groups were located at the surface of aggregate below 60°C. The light scattering measurement revealed that the size of the PMB aggregate in water was 23 nm. A hydrophobic fluorescence probe was entrapped in the hydrophobic inside of the PMB aggregate. The PMB aggregate thus quite likely has potential application as a novel drug carrier, to maintain hydrophobic drugs inside polymer aggregates stably.
WhiMSICAL: A global Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia patient‐derived data registry capturing treatment and quality of life outcomes

1. Wolf M, Rubin J, Achebe M, et al. Effects of iron isomaltoside vs ferric carboxymaltose on hypophosphatemia in iron-deficiency anemia: two randomized clinical trials. JAMA. 2020;323(5):432-443. 2. Weber TJ, Quarles LD. Molecular control of phosphorus homeostasis and precision treatment of hypophosphatemic disorders. Curr Mol Biol Rep. 2019;5(2):75-85. 3. Kirk S, Mahoney D, Bernhardt MB, Powers JM. Phosphorus levels in iron deficient children treated with ferric carboxymaltose. Blood. 2019; 134(Supplement_1):2240. 4. Powers JM, Shamoun M, McCavit TL, Adix L, Buchanan GR. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in children with iron deficiency anemia who respond poorly to oral iron. J Pediatr. 2017;180:212-216. 5. Mantadakis E. Advances in pediatric intravenous iron therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016;63(1):11-16. 6. Posod A, Schaefer B, Mueller T, Zoller H, Kiechl-Kohlendorfer U. Hypophosphatemia in children treated with ferric carboxymaltose. Acta Paediatr. 2020;109(7):1491-1492.
Evaluation of muscle strength following peripheral nerve surgery: A scoping review

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) can result in devastating loss of function, often with poor long‐term prognosis. Increased use of peripheral nerve surgical techniques (eg, nerve transfer, nerve grafting, and nerve repair) has resulted in improved muscle strength and other functional outcomes in patients with PNI. Muscle strength has largely been evaluated with the British Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. MRC is convenient to use in clinical settings, but more robust measures of muscle function are necessary to fully elucidate patient recovery. This scoping review aims to examine alternative instruments used to assess muscle function in studies of peripheral nerve surgery for PNI of the upper and lower limbs. A scoping review was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PubMed databases in May and December of 2020, yielding a total of 20 studies pertaining to the review question. Studies pertaining to handheld dynamometry, grip and pinch dynamometry, Rotterdam Intrinsic Hand Myometers, isokinetic dynamometry, ultrasonography, and electromyography were reviewed. We provide a synopsis of each method and current clinical applications and discuss potential benefits, disadvantages, and areas of future research.
The role of lateralisation and sex on insular cortex: 3D volumetric analysis

Background/aim The insula has attracted the attention of many neuroimaging studies because of its key role between brain structures. However, the number of studies investigating the effect of sex and laterality on insular volume is insufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in insular volume between sexes and hemispheres. Materials and methods A total of 47 healthy participants [24 males (20.08 ± 1.44 years) and 23 females (19.57 ± 0.90 years)] underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging was performed using the 3T MRI scanner. The insular volume was measured using the Individual Brain Atlases using Statistical Parametric Mapping (IBASPM); total intracranial, cerebral, grey and white matter volumes were measured using volBrain. Results The right insular volume was significantly higher than the left insular volume in the participants, and the left cerebral volume was significantly higher than the right cerebral volume (p < 0.05). The total brain, total cerebral, left and right insular, and cerebral volumes were significantly larger in males than in females (p < 0.001). Also, the ratios of the insular volume to total brain and cerebral volume were significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study shows that insular volume differs with laterality and sex. This outcome may be explained by the anatomical relationship between the insula and behavioural functions and emotional reactions and the fact that the right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks.
Arabic translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the low back pain knowledge questionnaire

ABSTRACT Background Low Back Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (LBP_KQ) was originally developed and validated for English speakers but not yet available for Arabic speakers. Purpose To translate, cross-culturally adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the LBP_KQ. Methods Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed according to recommended guidelines. Construct validity was assessed through principal component analysis, and contrasted groups including physical therapists, nurses, and patients with low back pain. Concurrent validity was assessed by the correlation of LBP_KQ with the fear avoidance-belief questionnaire and depression, anxiety, and stress scale. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and test–retest reliability using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analyses. Sensitivity to change was measured by comparing an educational intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). Results The questionnaire has four components. Physical therapists had significantly (p < .001) higher LBP_KQ scores than nurses and patients indicating good construct validity. There was a significant correlation between LBP_KQ and fear avoidance-belief questionnaire total score (r = 0.200, p = .04), depression score (r = −0.219, p = .024), anxiety score (r = −0.251, p < .01), stress score (r = −0.199, p < .041). Cronbach’s α was 0.662, and ICC (2,1) was 0.760 which reflects good reliability. There was a significant difference in LBP_KQ scores between IG and CG (p < .001) indicating sensitivity to change. Conclusion The Arabic version of LBP_KQ is valid, reliable, and sensitive to change.
Life history and environment predict variation in testosterone across vertebrates

Endocrine systems act as key intermediaries between organisms and their environments. This interaction leads to high variability in hormone levels, but we know little about the ecological factors that influence this variation within and across major vertebrate groups. We study this topic by assessing how various social and environmental dynamics influence testosterone levels across the entire vertebrate tree of life. Our analyses show that breeding season length and mating system are the strongest predictors of average testosterone concentrations, whereas breeding season length, environmental temperature, and variability in precipitation are the strongest predictors of within‐population variation in testosterone. Principles from small‐scale comparative studies that stress the importance of mating opportunity and competition on the evolution of species differences in testosterone levels, therefore, likely apply to the entire vertebrate lineage. Meanwhile, climatic factors associated with rainfall and ambient temperature appear to influence variability in plasma testosterone, within a given species. These results, therefore, reveal how unique suites of ecological factors differentially explain scales of variation in circulating testosterone across mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
New biomarkers from multiomics approaches - improving risk prediction of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia leading to many adverse outcomes and increased mortality. Yet the molecular mechanisms underlying AF remain largely unknown. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies make large-scale molecular profiling possible. In the past decade, multiomics studies of AF have identified a number of potential biomarkers of AF. In this review, we focus on the studies of multiomics profiles with AF risk. We summarize recent advances in the discovery of novel biomarkers for AF through multiomics studies. We also discuss limitations and future directions in risk assessment and discovery of therapeutic targets for AF.
Effects of Different Forms of Denture Adhesives on Biofilm Formation, Adhesive Strength and Hygiene of Complete Dentures.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of different forms of denture adhesives on the formation of biofilm and on adhesive strength, as well as the effectiveness of hygiene protocols for their removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples of the heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin were made and divided into four groups: control (no adhesive), ultra Corega cream, Corega strip adhesive, and ultra Corega powder (GlaxoSmithKline). Biofilm formation was evaluated by counting colony-forming units and fluorescence microscopy. To evaluate the effectiveness of the hygiene protocols, the samples were divided into five subgroups: brushing with distilled water; brushing with Protex soap; brushing with Colgate toothpaste; immersion in Corega Tabs; and immersion in Corega Tabs followed by brushing with the solution itself. The remaining adhesive was quantified with ImageJ software. The adhesive strength was tested at different time intervals after application. After verifying the data distribution using Shapiro-Wilk test, parametric or nonparametric analysis was applied (α = .05). RESULTS Candida albicans formed more biofilm in strip (P = .007) and powder (P = .001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cream (P < .001) and powder (P < .001), and Staphylococcus aureus in strip (P < .001). All forms of the adhesives promoted higher biofilm formation when compared to control (P = .003). Brushing with Colgate and Protex was most effective for removing the adhesives (P < .05). Independently, Powder had the highest adhesive strength (P < .05). Only Strip showed a change in adhesive strength, with higher values after 3 hours of application (P = .004). CONCLUSION Daily treatments with mechanical cleaning of the prosthesis are important for removing the adhesives, since the presence of this material can favor biofilm accumulation. The adhesive strength may vary depending on the commercial type, but all forms can be effective in retaining prostheses for a satisfactory period of time.
Mortality threat mitigates interpersonal competition: an EEG-based hyperscanning study

Abstract Awareness of death has been shown to influence human cognition and behavior. Yet, how mortality threat (MT) impacts our daily social behavior remains elusive. To address this issue, we developed a dyadic experimental model and recruited 86 adults (43 dyads) to complete two computer-based tasks (i.e. competitive and cooperative button-pressing). We manipulated dyads’ awareness of death [MT vs neutral control (NC)] and simultaneously measured their neurophysiological activity using electroencephalography during the task. Several fundamental observations were made. First, the MT group showed significantly attenuated competition and slightly promoted cooperation. Second, compared to NC, MT significantly decreased gamma-band inter-brain synchronization (IBS) in the competitive context, which was associated with increased subjective fear of death within dyads. Notably, those effects were context-specific: we did not observe comparable results in the cooperative context. Finally, a machine-learning approach was successfully used to discriminate between the MT and NC groups based on accumulated IBS. Together, these findings indicate that MT to some extent mitigates interpersonal competition, and such mitigation might be associated with changes in gamma-band IBS.
Grandparental partnership status and its effects on caring for grandchildren in Europe

Grandparents are important childcare providers, but grandparental relationship status matters. According to several studies, caregiving is reduced after grandparental divorce, but differential responses by grandmothers versus grandfathers have often been glossed over. To explore the effects of relationship status on grandparental care, we analysed data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) comparing four grandparental relationship statuses (original couple, widowed, divorced, and repartnered) with respect to grandmothers’ and grandfathers’ provision of care to their birth children’s children. When proximity, kinship laterality, and grandparents’ age, health, employment, and financial status were controlled, divorced grandmothers without current partners provided significantly more childcare than grandmothers who were still residing with the grandfather, those who had new partners unrelated to the grandchildren, and widows without current partners. Grandfathers exhibited a very different pattern, providing substantially less grandchild care after divorce. Grandfathers in their original partnerships provided the most grandchild care, followed by widowers, those with new partners and finally those who were divorced. Seemingly contradictory findings in prior research, including studies using SHARE data, can be explained partly by failures to distinguish divorce’s effects on grandmothers versus grandfathers, and partly by insufficient controls for the grandmother’s financial and employment statuses.
Sleep-dependent prospective memory consolidation is impaired with aging

Abstract Study Objectives Existing literature suggests that sleep-dependent memory consolidation is impaired in older adults but may be preserved for personally relevant information. Prospective memory (PM) involves remembering to execute future intentions in a timely manner and has behavioral importance. As previous work suggests that N3 sleep is important for PM in young adults, we investigated if the role of N3 sleep in PM consolidation would be maintained in older adults. Methods Forty-nine young adults (mean age ± SD: 21.8 ± 1.61 years) and 49 healthy older adults (mean age ± SD: 65.7 ± 6.30 years) were randomized into sleep and wake groups. After a semantic categorization task, participants encoded intentions comprising four related and four unrelated cue-action pairs. They were instructed to remember to perform these actions in response to cue words presented during a second semantic categorization task 12 h later that encompassed either daytime wake (09:00 am–21:00 pm) or overnight sleep with polysomnography (21:00 pm–09:00 am). Results The significant condition × age group × relatedness interaction suggested that the sleep benefit on PM intentions varied according to age group and relatedness (p = 0.01). For related intentions, sleep relative to wake benefitted young adults’ performance (p < 0.001) but not older adults (p = 0.30). For unrelated intentions, sleep did not improve PM for either age group. While post-encoding N3 was significantly associated with related intentions’ execution in young adults (r = 0.43, p = 0.02), this relationship was not found for older adults (r = −0.07, p = 0.763). Conclusions The age-related impairment of sleep-dependent memory consolidation extends to PM. Our findings add to an existing body of work suggesting that the link between sleep and memory is functionally weakened in older adulthood.