Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep Disturbance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Associated with Disease Activity and Adverse Outcome

Background: There is growing evidence about the relationship between sleep quality (SQ) and disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to identify the prevalence of sleep disturbance in IBD and its predictive factors and to assess its association with worse outcome. Methods: IBD patients were prospectively enrolled. Clinical activity, inflammatory activity (high C-reactive protein or fecal calprotectin), and SQ (assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were evaluated, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of poor SQ at baseline. The development of disability or disease progression at 6 months (surgery, hospitalization, development of stenosis, penetrating or perianal disease, steroid dependency, or start/change immunosuppression) was compared between patients with and without poor SQ. Results: Two hundred and five patients were enrolled, with 44.9% (n = 92) reporting poor SQ. On multivariate analysis, current smoking (OR 2.80), extraintestinal manifestations (OR 2.68), clinical activity (OR 3.31), and inflammatory activity (OR 4.62) were predictive factors of poor SQ. Cox proportional hazards model showed that poor SQ was predictive of worse prognosis at 6 months (HR 2.470). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of poor SQ in IBD patients, highlighting the importance of its inclusion in patient-reported outcomes. Sleep disturbance seems to have prognostic value in IBD.
Postpartum depression in women with maternal near miss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the psychological complications of mothers who have experienced severe maternal morbidity/maternal near miss (SMM/MNM) which can adversely affect the wellbeing of mothers, new born infants and other family members, but the risk level in this group is unclear. Therefore, we did a meta-analysis to ascertain the relationship PPD with MNM/SMM. Material and methods The authors searched relevant studies in databases (Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Clinikalkey, Scopus). The summary odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by use of random or fixed effects models. Results Four studies were included in qualitative synthesis. The pooled analysis revealed that PPD was significantly associated with an increased risk of MNM/SMM (OR = 1.83; 95% CI 1.37–2.44, p = 0.027). Conclusion The results show that the risk of PPD in the MNM mothers are twice as likely as women without MNM. Therefore, more attention should be paid to psychological symptoms such as depression in MNM in order to reduce the long-term burden of maternal morbidity.
Small bowel radiology

Purpose of review Recent advances in computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear radiology have improved the diagnosis and characterization of small bowel pathology. Our purpose is to highlight the current status and recent advances in multimodality noninvasive imaging of the small bowel. Recent findings CT and MR enterography are established techniques for small bowel evaluation. Dual-energy CT is a novel technique that has shown promise for the mesenteric ischemia and small bowel bleeding. Advanced US techniques and MRI sequences are being investigated to improve assessment of bowel inflammation, treatment response assessment, motility, and mural fibrosis. Novel radiotracers and scanner technologies have made molecular imaging the new reference standard for small bowel neuroendocrine tumors. Computational image analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to augment physician expertise, reduce errors and variability in assessment of the small bowel on imaging. Summary Advances in translational imaging research coupled with progress in imaging technology have led to a wider adoption of cross-sectional imaging for the evaluation and management of small bowel entities. Ongoing developments in image acquisition and postprocessing techniques, molecular imaging and AI have the strongest potential to transform the care and outcomes of patients with small bowel diseases.
Dielectric properties of glycerol in the range 0.1–105 Hz, 218–357 K, 0–53 kb

The dielectric constant and loss of glycerol has been measured in the range 0.1–105 Hz, 218–357 K, and 0–53 kb. A piston-cylinder apparatus was used for the range 0–25 kb and an anvil apparatus for the range 25–53 kb. The static dielectric constant increases with increasing density at a rate that indicates that ∂ln gµ20/∂ ln ρ, where g is Kirkwood's correlation parameter, µ0 the dipole moment of an isolated molecule, and ρ the density, is –0.2. The dispersion region broadens with increasing pressure, and a high-frequency dispersion can be resolved at the higher pressures and lower temperatures. The frequency of maximum loss ƒm decreases with increasing pressure at an increasing rate, a behaviour which is clearly related to the approach to the glass transition. Isotherms can be fitted to the equation ln ƒm=A–B/(p0–P) where A, B and p0 are constants and p0 is the pressure at which ƒm extrapolates to zero.
Inverse modelling of cosmic‐ray soil moisture for field‐scale soil hydraulic parameters

We used inverse modelling techniques and soil moisture measured by the cosmic‐ray neutron sensing (CRS) to estimate root‐zone soil hydraulic properties at the field scale. A HYDRUS‐1D model was developed for inverse modelling and calibrated with parameter estimation software (PEST) using a global optimizer. Integral CRS measurements recorded from a sunflower farm in Germany comprised the model input. Data were transformed to soil water storage to enable direct model calibration with a HYDRUS soil‐water balance. Effective properties at the CRS scale were compared against local measurements and other inversely estimated soil properties from independent soil moisture profiles. Moreover, CRS‐scale soil properties were tested on the basis of how field soil moisture (vertical distribution) and soil water storage were reproduced. This framework provided good estimates of effective soil properties at the CRS scale. Simulated soil moisture at different depths at the CRS scale agreed with field observations. Moreover, simulated soil water storage at the CRS scale compared well with calculations from point‐scale profiles, despite their different support volumes. The CRS‐scale soil properties estimated with the inverse model were within the range of variation of properties identified from all inverse simulations at the local scale. This study demonstrates the potential of CRS for inverse estimation of soil hydraulic properties.
STXBP1 forms amyloid-like aggregates in rat brain and demonstrates amyloid properties in bacterial expression system

ABSTRACT Amyloids are the fibrillar protein aggregates with cross-β structure. Traditionally amyloids were associated with pathology, however, nowadays more data is emerging about functional amyloids playing essential roles in cellular processes. We conducted screening for functional amyloids in rat brain. One of the identified proteins was STXBP1 taking part in vesicular transport and neurotransmitter secretion. Using SDD-AGE and protein fractionation we found out that STXBP1 forms small detergent-insoluble aggregates in rat brain. With immunoprecipitation analysis and C-DAG system, we showed that STXBP1 forms amyloid-like fibrils. Thus, STXBP1 demonstrates amyloid properties in rat brain and in bacterial expression system.
Attachment coefficient measurements in carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, air and helium-oxygen mixtures

Experiments were carried out with a Bradbury electron filter apparatus to determine electron attachment coefficients in carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, air and helium-oxygen mixtures. The data obtained, where comparable, are in reasonable agreement with earlier work. Certain features of the electron filter method are described and discussed, for example the various effects of particle collection at the grids, and electron detachment.
Association of Body Mass Index with Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract The association between body mass index (BMI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to further evaluate the relationship. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases to identify eligible articles until July 15, 2020. Random effect model (REM) was used to compute the pooled results with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We conducted meta-regression and subgroup analysis to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots and Egger’s test. Thirty articles with 1,578,449 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled OR of COPD was 1.96 (95% CI: 1.78–2.17) for the underweight group, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73–0.87) for overweight group, and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.73–1.02) for obesity group. After further excluding 5 studies of high between-study heterogeneity in sensitivity analysis, the pooled OR of COPD was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68–0.86) for the obesity group. This meta-analysis indicated that BMI was associated with COPD. Specifically, underweight might increase the risk of COPD; overweight and obesity might reduce the risk of COPD.
Reconstruction of Achiral Polymer for Structural Chirality Using Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Medium and Light-Driven Chiroptic Modulation

A series of optically inactive polythiophene derivatives bearing the azobenzene moiety are synthesized in an isotropic toluene solution. The polymers are then dissolved in a cholesteric liquid crystal (Ch * LC) medium within the liquid crystal (LC) temperature range. The dissolution process in Ch * LC produces intermolecular π-stacking with structural chirality. Although the polymers thus prepared have no chiral center or axial chirality in the primary structure, they do exhibit consistent chiroptical activity derived from three-dimensional chiral aggregations. Furthermore, photochemical cis-trans isomerization of the substituents allows light-driven chiroptic modulation of the polymer.
Karrikin Signaling Acts Parallel to and Additively with Strigolactone Signaling to Regulate Rice Mesocotyl Elongation in Darkness[OPEN]

The karrikin signaling complex D14L-D3-OsSMAX1 acts parallel to and additively with the strigolactone signaling complex D14-D3-D53 to regulate rice mesocotyl elongation in the dark. Seedling emergence in monocots depends mainly on mesocotyl elongation, requiring coordination between developmental signals and environmental stimuli. Strigolactones (SLs) and karrikins are butenolide compounds that regulate various developmental processes; both are able to negatively regulate rice (Oryza sativa) mesocotyl elongation in the dark. Here, we report that a karrikin signaling complex, DWARF14-LIKE (D14L)-DWARF3 (D3)-O. sativa SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1 (OsSMAX1) mediates the regulation of rice mesocotyl elongation in the dark. We demonstrate that D14L recognizes the karrikin signal and recruits the SCFD3 ubiquitin ligase for the ubiquitination and degradation of OsSMAX1, mirroring the SL-induced and D14- and D3-dependent ubiquitination and degradation of D53. Overexpression of OsSMAX1 promoted mesocotyl elongation in the dark, whereas knockout of OsSMAX1 suppressed the elongated-mesocotyl phenotypes of d14l and d3. OsSMAX1 localizes to the nucleus and interacts with TOPLESS-RELATED PROTEINs, regulating downstream gene expression. Moreover, we showed that the GR24 enantiomers GR245DS and GR24ent-5DS specifically inhibit mesocotyl elongation and regulate downstream gene expression in a D14- and D14L-dependent manner, respectively. Our work revealed that karrikin and SL signaling play parallel and additive roles in modulating downstream gene expression and negatively regulating mesocotyl elongation in the dark.
Tet2 Inactivation Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes

This study suggests that ablation of TET2+ from TILs could promote their antitumor function by reshaping chromatin accessibility for key transcription factors and enhancing the transcription of genes essential for antitumor activity. Inactivation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is one of the mechanisms mitigating antitumor immunity during tumor onset and progression. Epigenetic abnormalities are regarded as a major culprit contributing to the dysfunction of TILs within tumor microenvironments. In this study, we used a murine model of melanoma to discover that Tet2 inactivation significantly enhances the antitumor activity of TILs with an efficacy comparable to immune checkpoint inhibition imposed by anti-PD-L1 treatment. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis suggested that Tet2-deficient TILs exhibit effector-like features. Transcriptomic and ATAC-sequencing analysis showed that Tet2 ablation reshapes chromatin accessibility and favors binding of transcription factors geared toward CD8+ T-cell activation. Furthermore, the ETS family of transcription factors contributed to augmented CD8+ T-cell function following Tet2 depletion. Overall, our study establishes that Tet2 constitutes one of the epigenetic barriers that account for dysfunction of TILs and that Tet2 inactivation could promote antitumor immunity to suppress tumor growth. Significance: This study suggests that ablation of TET2+ from TILs could promote their antitumor function by reshaping chromatin accessibility for key transcription factors and enhancing the transcription of genes essential for antitumor activity.
Fine spatial resolution mapping of soil organic matter quality in a Histosol profile

Soil science lacks a fine spatial resolution imaging technique that is able to measure the quantity and quality of organic matter (OM) for complete soil profiles. We tested whether laboratory Vis‐NIR imaging spectroscopy, together with an unsupervised k‐means classification, can be used to distinguish between different OM fractions in a Histosol profile. A rectangular soil column (22‐cm long) of a folic Histosol (Tangelhumus) was collected from an alpine Norway spruce forest in south‐eastern Germany with a stainless steel box (100 × 100 × 300 mm). A hyperspectral camera (400–1000 nm with 160 bands) with a pixel sampling of 63 × 63 µm was used to acquire the data. We took images of three vertical cuts through the soil profile, each separated laterally by 25 mm. Reference samples were taken at representative locations and analysed for soil organic matter (SOM) quantity and quality with a CN elemental analyser and solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Principal component analysis and unsupervised k‐means classifications were used to discriminate between different qualities of OM. We identified three OM fractions based on their reflectance characteristics: living and dead roots with a small degree of decomposition, decomposed particulate OM and decomposed amorphous OM. These fractions were consistent with the morpho‐functional classes of two soil classification systems and can be used for the improved identification of diagnostic horizons. The spectra of the fractions contained additional information on, for example, lignin content and the degree of decomposition. Vis‐NIR imaging spectroscopy is a powerful technique for mapping SOM quality in visually homogeneous organic surface layers.
Quantitative analysis of two adulterants in Cynanchum stauntonii by near-infrared spectroscopy combined with multi-variate calibrations

Authentication of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) has become important because they can be adulterated with relatively cheap herbal medicines similar in appearance. Detection of such adulterated samples is needed because their presence is likely to reduce the pharmacological potency of the original TCM and, in the worst cases, the samples may be harmful. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analytical method which was supported by multi-variate calibration, e.g. partial least squares regression (PLSR) and radial basis function artificial neural networks (RBF-ANN), in order to quantify the TCM and the adulterants. In this work, Cynanchum stauntonii (CS), a commonly used TCM, in mixtures with one or two adulterants — two morphological types of TCM, Cynanchum atrati (CA) and Cynanchum paniculati (CP), were determined using NIR reflectance spectroscopy. The three sample sets, CS adulterated with CA or CP, and CS with both CA and CP, were measured in the range of 800–2500 nm. Both PLSR and RBF-ANN calibration models provided satisfactory results, even at an adulteration level of 5 mass %, but the RBF-ANN models with better root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values for CS, CA, and CP arguably performed better. Consequently, this work demonstrates that the NIR method of sampling complex mixtures of similar substances such as CS adulterated by CA and/or CP is capable of producing data suitable for the quantitative analysis of mixtures consisting of the original TCM adulterated by one or two similar substances, provided the spectral data are interrogated by multi-variate methods of data analysis such as PLS or RBF-ANN.
Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Physician Moms

Abstract Objective: This study evaluates the personal and professional experiences of physician mothers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on the lives of physician mothers. Methods: Using social media to reach a broad range of physicians, a convenience sample of physician mothers completed an on-line survey posted between April 27 and May 11. Members were encouraged to repost on social media and share with personal contacts resulting in a passive snowball sampling effect. Results: A total of 2709 physician mothers from 48 states, Puerto Rico, and 19 countries representing more than 25 medical specialties completed the survey. Most were between 30 and 39 y of age, 67% self-identified as white, 17% as Asian, 4% as African American. Most had been working for 11-16 y. A total of 91% had a spouse/partner of the opposite sex. Over half were practicing in an area they identified as high COVID-19 density, while 50% had personally cared for a person with COVID-19. Physician mothers were most concerned about exposing their children to COVID-19 and about the morale and safety of their staff. Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to explore the personal and professional challenges facing physician mothers during a pandemic. Physician mothers were most concerned about exposing their families to COVID-19. Mothers continued to work and at times increased their work, despite having domestic, childcare, and schooling responsibilities.
Sex Differences in the Romantic Relationships of Same-Gender Couples: The Role of Visibility Management

Although internalized homonegativity (IH) in lesbian, gay, or bisexual people (LGBs) predicts adverse relationship satisfaction, this association has typically only been examined on an individual level. Moreover, studies often ignore potential mechanisms that underlie sex differences. One of these mechanisms is related to visibility management (i.e., the careful, planned decisions about whether or not to disclose one’s sexual orientation). Therefore, in this study we investigate dyadic sex-specific associations between IH, visibility management, and relationship satisfaction. Our sample includes 254 LGB couples (139 female and 115 male same-gender dyads) in Flanders, Belgium. Data were analyzed with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). Results indicated that there were small to medium significant correlations among IH, visibility management, and relationship satisfaction. We also found support for mediated actor effects: individuals low in IH maintain less restrictive visibility management strategies. These in turn lead to higher relationship satisfaction, but only in female same-gender couples. Our findings contribute to the understanding of mechanisms that underlie the harmful effects of sexual minority stressors for same-gender relationship satisfaction.
Systematic review of the methodological literature for integrating qualitative evidence syntheses into health guideline development

Guidelines produced by local, national and international bodies underpin clinical practice and healthcare services worldwide. For guidelines to be based on the best available evidence, it is critical that syntheses of both qualitative and quantitative evidence are used to inform decision‐making. As methods for qualitative evidence syntheses (QES) develop, they are increasingly able to inform health guideline production. However, the process whereby this form of evidence is considered and incorporated tends to be unclear. This systematic review synthesized existing guidance concerning the use of QES in guideline development. Sources published in English that described or prescribed methods for incorporating QES into evidence‐based health guidelines were eligible for inclusion. Seventeen relevant papers were identified. The literature indicates that there is a reasonable consensus about many stages of conducting a QES to inform guideline development. Areas needing further exploration include: the way that committees engage with QES; the usefulness of different QES methodologies; and understanding of how expert committees use evidence. Methods for producing QES for guideline committees tend to be similar to quantitative systematic review methods in terms of searching, quality appraisal, systematic management of data, and presentation of results. While this allows transparency and accountability, it could be argued that it is less “true” to the principles of being led by the data, which are fundamental to most qualitative research. Understanding the process of using QES to produce guidelines is critical to determining their validity and applicability, and to ensure that healthcare provision is based on the best available evidence.
Is serum PSA a predictor of male hypogonadism? Testing the hypothesis

ABSTRACT Objective: Male hypogonadism (MH) is common among infertile men. Besides testosterone, limited MH biomarkers are available, while researchers have suggested the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to help diagnose MH. Hence, we sought to evaluate the potential use of PSA to predict MH among relatively young men with infertility in Nigeria. Materials and methods: The study included 707 male partners (35–44 years) in infertile couples seeking infertility evaluation at a third-level care center in Nigeria. MH was diagnosed using standard guidelines. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and regression analyses explored the potential of serum free PSA (fPSA) and total PSA (tPSA) in predicting MH and MH-related clinical features. Results: In all, 29.7% of the patients had MH (MH+ve). The MH+ve group had lower mean values of fPSA and tPSA than the group without MH (MH-ve). The best fPSA threshold of < 0.25 μg/L compared with the best tPSA threshold of < 0.74 μg/L had higher accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] 0.908 versus 0.866, respectively), sensitivity (87% versus 83%, respectively), and specificity (42% versus 37%, respectively) for MH diagnosis. After adjustment for confounders, fPSA level ≤ 0.25 μg/L was more likely to predict MH-related decreased libido (odds ratio [OR] 2.728, p<0.001) and erectile dysfunction (OR 3.925, p<0.001) compared with tPSA ≤ 0.74 μg/L in the MH+ve group. Conclusion: For MH diagnosis, fPSA and tPSA had good sensitivity but very poor specificity, although fPSA had better potential for MH diagnosis and association with MH-related clinical features than tPSA. Hence, fPSA could complement other biomarkers for MH diagnosis in men 35–44 years, although we recommend further studies to confirm these findings.