Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of bergamot on lipid profile in humans: A systematic review

Abstract Dyslipidemia is a well-established modifiable cardiovascular risk. Although statins can reduce LDLc by 50–60%, less than 20% of patients with high risk of CVD achieve LDL targets. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of the nutraceutical, bergamot (Citrus bergamia), on lipid parameters in humans. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched for interventional and observational studies investigating the effect of bergamot on lipid profile in humans. This systematic review retrieved a total of 442 studies of which 12 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Based on data, 75% of studies showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLc. The decrease in total cholesterol varied from 12.3% to 31.3%, from 7.6% to 40.8% in LDLc and from 11.5% to 39.5% in triglycerides. Eight trials reported HDLc increase after intervention with bergamot. Overall, a dose-dependent and possible synergistic effect when administering with statins can be deducted from these trials. It is essential to point out that studies had heterogeneous designs and scientific quality of studies was quite limited. Promising findings reveal an alternative therapeutic option in dyslipidemia management with bergamot supplementation, especially in subjects with statins intolerance.
High resolution mass spectrometry for future space missions: comparative analysis of complex organic matter with LAb-CosmOrbitrap and LDI-FTICR.

(RATIONALE) Mass spectrometers are regularly boarded on spacecraft for the exploration of the Solar System. A better understanding of the origin, distribution and evolution of organic matter and its relationships with inorganic matter in different extra-terrestrial environments requires the development of innovative space tools, described as Ultra High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHRMS) instruments. (METHODS) Analyses of a complex organic material simulating extraterrestrial matter (Titan's tholins) are performed with a homemade space-designed OrbitrapTM equipped with a laser ablation ionization source at 266 nm: the LAb-CosmOrbitrap. Mass spectra are obtained using only one laser shot and transient duration of 838 ms. A comparison is made on the same sample with a laboratory benchmark mass spectrometer: a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance equipped with a laser desorption ionization at 355 nm (LDI-FTICR) allowing accumulation of 20,000 laser shots. (RESULTS) Mass spectra and attributions of molecular formulae based on the peaks detected by both techniques show significant similarities. Detection and identification of the same species are validated. The formation of clusters ions with the LAb-CosmOrbitrap is also presented. This specific feature brings informative and unusual indirect detections about the chemical compounds constituting Titan's tholins. In particular, the detection of HCN confirms previous results obtained with laboratory Electrospray Ionization (ESI)-UHRMS studies about the understanding of polymeric patterns for the formation of tholins. (CONCLUSION) Capabilities of the LAb-CosmOrbitrap to decipher complex organic mixtures using single laser shot and a short transient are highlighted. In agreement with results provided by a commercial FTICR instrument in the laboratory, we demonstrate in this work the relevance of a space laser-CosmOrbitrap instrument for the future planetary exploration.
Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II , Halogen Occultation Experiment , Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer , High Resolution Dynamics Limb

[1] Changes in the distributions of cirrus in the upper troposphere centered at 100 hPa in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) during the last 27 years (1985–2012) are quantified based upon an analysis of five independent data sets. Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II, Halogen Occultation Experiment, Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer, High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder, and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization data are used to determine cirrus frequency-of-occurrence geospatial distributions in the TTL in multiple year segments during 1985–2012. Full width at half maximum (FWHM) tropical widths of cirrus zonal averages of occurrence frequency centered at 100 hPa are calculated for each experiment. The FWHMs have a 2σ trend of 0.28 ± 1.5° decade . This statistically insignificant trend is similar to those calculated by Davis and Rosenlof (2012) based upon analyses of reanalysis tropopause height and tropopause latitudinal gradients near 100 hPa.
Behavioral and electrophysiological investigation of hearing and speech outcomes in pre-linguistic deaf children with white matter changes after cochlear implantation

Abstract Background: There are some debates regarding the benefit from cochlear implantation (CI) for prelingually deaf children with white matter changes. Objective: To assess the hearing and speech outcomes of prelingually deaf children with white matter changes (group A), and those with complete deafness (group B), at 2 years after CI. Material and Methods: Study 1 included 32 and 34 children in group A and B, respectively. The Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rate (SIR) were used to assess the performance on hearing and speech. Study 2 included eight children with white matter changes and eight with complete deafness at 2 years post-CI, and nine normal-hearing peers. The mismatch response (MMR) to the stimulus pair ‘ba’/‘pa’ was investigated. Results: There was no significant difference on CAP or SIR scores between the children in group A and B. All children with white matter changes showed MMRs to Mandarin consonants at 2 years post-CI. And there was no significant difference on the incidence, the latency or amplitude of MMR among three groups. Conclusions and significance: Most prelingually deaf children with white matter changes got good outcomes from CI. CI is not a contraindication for most individuals with white matter changes.
THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING WHOLE COTTONSEED AS A SUPPLEMENT FOR SHEEP FED A BASAL DIET GRASS HAY ON FEED DIGESTIBILITY AND THE RUMEN FERMENTATION

This experiment was conducted in vivo to investigate the effects of feeding WCS as a supplement for sheep fed GH on the apparent feed digestibility, and the rumen fermentation. Four different diets (T1-T4) were used, GH alone, or GH plus 150, 300 or 500 g WCS d-1 (fresh basis). The main objectives of the in vivo experiment was to examine digestibility and rumen characteristics (pH, ammonia and VFA concentration) of sheep fed the four diets. The results of this experiment indicated that supplementation of GH with WCS at level of 500 g d-1 (0.37 of the diet) reduced DM, ADF and NDF digestibility. There was no statistically significant effect on total rumen VFA, but the molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate were altered by the highest rate of inclusion of WCS. These results suggested that WCS might have reduced the numbers or activities of cellulolytic rumen microorganisms.
Measles virus infection diminishes preexisting antibodies that offer protection from other pathogens

The toll of measles on the immune system Many of the deaths attributable to measles virus are caused by secondary infections because the virus infects and functionally impairs immune cells. Whether measles infection causes long-term damage to immune memory has been unclear. This question has become increasingly important given the resurgence in measles epidemics worldwide. Using a blood test called VirScan, Mina et al. comprehensively analyzed the antibody repertoire in children before and after natural infection with measles virus as well as in children before and after measles vaccination. They found that measles infection can greatly diminish previously acquired immune memory, potentially leaving individuals at risk for infection by other pathogens. These adverse effects on the immune system were not seen in vaccinated children. Science, this issue p. 599 Measles virus infection can cause long-term damage to the immune system. Measles virus is directly responsible for more than 100,000 deaths yearly. Epidemiological studies have associated measles with increased morbidity and mortality for years after infection, but the reasons why are poorly understood. Measles virus infects immune cells, causing acute immune suppression. To identify and quantify long-term effects of measles on the immune system, we used VirScan, an assay that tracks antibodies to thousands of pathogen epitopes in blood. We studied 77 unvaccinated children before and 2 months after natural measles virus infection. Measles caused elimination of 11 to 73% of the antibody repertoire across individuals. Recovery of antibodies was detected after natural reexposure to pathogens. Notably, these immune system effects were not observed in infants vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), but were confirmed in measles-infected macaques. The reduction in humoral immune memory after measles infection generates potential vulnerability to future infections, underscoring the need for widespread vaccination.
Cranial Musculature in Herbivorous Dinosaurs: A Survey of Reconstructed Anatomical Diversity and Feeding Mechanisms

Herbivorous dinosaurs exhibited diverse cranial feeding mechanisms. Although osteological, microwear, and biomechanical research has revealed some of this diversity, the evolutionary reorientation of cranial musculature throughout nonavian herbivorous Dinosauria and its influence on feeding mechanisms requires more study. Here, cranial muscle reconstructions in herbivorous dinosaurs are reviewed and informative anatomical characters are compared across 142 dinosaur genera (84 ornithischians, 36 sauropodomorphs, and 22 herbivorous nonavian theropods), both through examination of specimens and literature. Traits include those relating to the temporal region, adductor chamber, palate, and mandibular attachments, such as the coronoid elevation and retroarticular process. Findings reveal many combinations of anatomical traits influencing a diversity of feeding mechanisms. Some primarily more orthal feeders, including herbivorous theropods, nonsauropod sauropodomorphs, basal ornithischians, and derived stegosaurs (which also show varying degrees of coinciding slight palinal motion and long‐axis hemimandibular rotation), possess traits indicative of more prominent temporal musculature and moderately sized palatal musculature. However, orthal feeding sauropods and pachycephalosaurs possess traits indicative of greatly reduced, low‐angled temporal musculature, and enhanced palatal musculature producing a primarily vertical, orthal feeding vector. Among ankylosaurs, hadrosaurids, and neoceratopsians, a rostrolabial temporal muscle expansion is present (with a tall coronoid elevation in hadrosaurids and ceratopsids) for greater temporal muscle support and mechanical advantage for complex palinal feeding motions. This also aids in long‐axis hemimandibular rotation against the predentary in hadrosaurs and ankylosaurs. This diversity in cranial muscle architecture provides an informative spectrum of numerous adaptations acquired given the evolution of various anatomical constraints in the skull. Anat Rec, 303:1104–1145, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Genetic Regulators and Physiological Significance of Glycogen Storage in Candida albicans

The dimorphic human fungal pathogen C. albicans has broad metabolic flexibility that allows it to adapt to the nutrient conditions in different host habitats. C. albicans builds large carbohydrate stores (glycogen) at the end of exponential growth and begins consumption of stored carbohydrates when nutrients become limiting. The expression of genes required for the successful transition between host environments, including the factors controlling glycogen content, is controlled by protein kinase A signaling through the transcription factor Efg1. In addition to the inability to transition to hyphal growth, C. albicans efg1 mutants have low glycogen content and reduced long-term survival, suggesting that carbohydrate storage is required for viability during prolonged culture. To test this assumption, we constructed a glycogen-deficient C. albicans mutant and assessed its viability during extended culture. Pathways and additional genetic factors controlling C. albicans glycogen synthesis were identified through the screening of mutant libraries for strains with low glycogen content. Finally, a part of the Efg1-regulon was screened for mutants with a shortened long-term survival phenotype. We found that glycogen deficiency does not affect long-term survival, growth, metabolic flexibility or morphology of C. albicans. We conclude that glycogen is not an important contributor to C. albicans fitness.
Healthy Aging in China: Benchmarks and Socio-Structural Correlates

The objectives of this investigation were to identify a valid and practical benchmark for the assessment of healthy aging in the Chinese population and examine its socio-structural correlates. Using data from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we investigated the validity of a continuum of healthy aging definitions. We found that definitions of healthy aging that emphasize disease of “significance” and functional health offer a valid and practical approach to the assessment of healthy aging. Results of multilevel logistic regression analyses indicate that socio-structural characteristics of individuals (age, gender, education, and pension status), their households (structure and wealth), and communities (infrastructure and geographic region) are significantly associated with the odds of healthy aging. Policy-level interventions are needed to enable individuals, regardless of their gender, socioeconomic status, and place of residence to experience a healthy old age.
De novo NSF mutations cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy

N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor (NSF) plays a critical role in intracellular vesicle transport, which is essential for neurotransmitter release. Herein, we, for the first time, document human monogenic disease phenotype of de novo pathogenic variants in NSF, that is, epileptic encephalopathy of early infantile onset. When expressed in the developing eye of Drosophila, the mutant NSF severely affected eye development, while the wild‐type allele had no detectable effect under the same conditions. Our findings suggest that the two pathogenic variants exert a dominant negative effect. De novo heterozygous mutations in the NSF gene cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy.
Retinal fundus imaging in bipolar disorder: A pilot study

women, suggesting a growing vulnerability to social conditions that lead to homicide. Concerning mental illness, 53% of foreign accused did not have a mental illness, mirroring previous findings (Table 1). However, fewer foreigners appear to have had psychotic disorders. Of note is the growth in substance-related diagnoses, which rose 9% in foreign accused, and 15% in local accused. The links made by the media among homicide, mental illness, and migration appear unsupported in Singapore. While the estimated yearly rate of homicide has increased since the previous study, we have observed lower rates of mental illness, especially psychosis, among the foreign accused. Only one of the 72 foreign accused offenders met criteria for a psychosis-related diagnosis at the material time. While migrant populations now account for a larger portion of Singapore’s population, their representation among accused homicide offenders has not grown. There is, however, a growing treatment gap in accused homicide offenders, with more meeting criteria for mental illness, but fewer having had previous contact with services, compared to previous estimates. This may point to a need for the implementation of mental health screening. Our findings have several implications for policy, especially if the observed over-representation of women is replicated in the future and if the rate of substance-use-related diagnoses continues to rise. The unexpected increase in the representation of women likely signals a need for more correctional services for women, as well as greater political sensitivity to the challenges faced by this segment of the population. Further research is needed to shed light on the reason for the increased representation of female foreign accused homicide offenders.
Effectiveness of Integrative Laughter Therapy to Reduce Anxiety, Improve Self-Esteem and Increase Happiness: A Naturalistic Study at a Day Hospital for Addictive Disorders

Little is known about the effectiveness of laughter therapy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with addictive disorders. This study aims to evaluate the benefits of integrative laughter therapy (ILT) on levels of self-esteem, anxiety, and happiness in patients treated for addiction at a day hospital (DH). A prospective, naturalistic study with a pre-post design was conducted. All 185 participants received the standard, multicomponent treatment at the DH (treatment as usual; TAU). The participants were also invited to attend weekly ILT sessions. Upon completion of the 2-month DH treatment program, patients were classified according to their attendance at the ILT sessions: patients who attended ≥80% constituted the experimental group (TAU + ILT group) while those who attended <80% were considered controls. Although both groups achieved statistically significant increases in self-esteem and happiness with a decrease in trait anxiety, the improvement on these variables was significantly greater in the TAU + ILT group. Subject to the limitations inherent to quasi-experimental research, the findings of the present study suggest that the addition of an ILT module to the standard treatment in a DH for addictive disorders may yield greater improvement in self-esteem, anxiety, and happiness compared to TAU.
Age Differences In Social Support And Mental Health In Male Veterans

Psychological concerns among United States veterans of all ages are considerable, however social support may help improve the mental health of these individuals. The protective effect of social support on mental health has been observed in older and younger samples of veterans, but it is unclear whether social support may be more beneficial at certain life stages. By assessing cross-sectional survey data from a large sample of veterans using an extreme groups approach (EGA), the impact of perceived support, structural support, and community integration on mental health difficulty and screening positive for a mental disorder was assessed. The effect of individual perceived social support items on mental health was also evaluated. Given evidence from the socio-emotional selectivity theory that older individuals place greater importance on close supportive relationships relative to younger individuals, we hypothesized that older veterans would benefit most from social support, especially from emotional-based types of support. There were significant interactions for age and support, with higher perceived support significantly reducing mental health difficulty and likelihood of screening positive for a mental disorder in the younger but not older group, while community integration decreased mental health difficulty in the older but not younger group. The positive social interaction item predicted lower mental health difficulty in the younger group, while the emotional/affectionate support predicted lower mental health difficulty in the older group. Although the results showed mixed support for the socio-emotional selectivity theory, identifying these differences in benefit from social support can help improve care for veteran populations throughout the life course. Social Support and Veteran Mental Health 3 Acknowledgements This research was supported by a grant from the National Center for PTSD and was administered by the Veteran Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System. I would like to acknowledge the Veterans for their participation in this research study and more importantly for their dedication and service to the United States of America. I would like to thank my thesis readers, Joan Monin, PhD and Robert Pietrzak, PhD, MPH for their guidance and expertise during this process. I would also like to thank Becca Levy, PhD for her help with my prospectus and development of my thesis concept. Furthermore, I would like to express thanks to Hannah Mitchell for her feedback and revisions. Finally, I would like to thank all of my friends and family for their ongoing social support. Social Support and Veteran Mental Health 4 Table of
Sulcus vocalis: Results of excision without reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE Sulcus is an epithelial invagination of the membranous vocal fold. Its phonatory effects are usually attributed to fibrosis, thinning, and/or the absence of the superficial lamina propria (SLP). Surgical treatment is typically focused on reconstruction of the SLP. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of excision without SLP reconstruction or replacement. METHODS Records of patients who underwent surgical treatment of sulcus vocalis (Ford type 3) by excision without reconstruction were reviewed for demographic and historical information. Pre- and postoperative stroboscopic examinations were evaluated blindly by fellowship-trained laryngologists using a modified Voice-Vibratory Assessment with Laryngeal Imaging assessment. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and postoperative amplitude, mucosal wave, nonvibrating portion, regularity, erythema, and vascularity. RESULTS Examinations of 16 vocal folds in 13 patients (8 females:5 males; mean age = 30 years, range 13 to 48 years) were evaluated by six raters each, yielding 168 sets of observations. Statistically significant improvement was seen in amplitude (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6,14.3), mucosal wave (95% CI 6.1, 17.9), nonvibrating portion (95% CI -19.6, -2.7), erythema (95% CI -19.9, -3.3), and vascularity (95% CI -19.0, -0.75). The parameter of regularity, although improved, did not prove to be significant. CONCLUSION Excision alone appears to be an adequate and generally successful treatment for sulcus vocalis (Ford type 3). In contrast to established paradigms, restoration of the SLP does not appear to be essential to meaningful clinical improvement. Significant pathologic effects of sulcus vocalis may result from epithelial abnormalities alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 2019.
Generalized Erosion and Dilation Operations of Distance Functions for Deforming Soft Objects

In soft object modeling, a complex soft object is obtained by performing blending operations on primitive soft objects and primitive soft objects determine the shape of the complex soft object. To make the shapes of primitive soft objects more diverse, this paper proposes generalized erosion and dilation operations of distance functions to deform a primitive soft object. The proposed operations are able to increase and decrease the influential radius of the distance function of a soft object repeatedly via a sequence of dilating and eroding distance functions. Thus, unlike affine transform which deforms a surface by matrix multiplication, the proposed operations deform (dilate or erode) a soft object by a chosen dilating or eroding function, called dilation or erosion. In addition, because the proposed operations also allow more than two dilating and eroding functions to deform a soft object sequentially and successively, partial erosion and dilation, double or triple partial erosions and dilations are also allowed for local deformation. Thus, by using the proposed operations as a new distance function to redefine a soft object, a primitive soft object can be deformed for obtaining the following special deformation effects: concave, convex, point-dilation, disk-dilation, point-erosion, disk-erosion, four-ball-shaped, six-ball-shaped and UFO-shaped effects.