Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial Stress and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Stress Reactivity: Variations by Race and Socioeconomic Status Among Adults at Risk of Diabetes

ABSTRACT Objective Although stress is posited to play a key role in health disparities, the extent to which commonly used self-report psychosocial stress measures are related to neurobiological stress processes, especially across diverse populations, is unresolved. This study examined how two measures of psychosocial stress, perceived stress and domain-specific stress, covary with the acute neurobiological stress response. Methods The Richmond Stress and Sugar Study includes a racially and socioeconomically diverse cohort of adults at risk for type 2 diabetes (n = 125; mean age = 57 years, 48% Black, and 61% high neighborhood socioeconomic status [SES]). Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity was assessed by salivary cortisol response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a laboratory stressor. Results Higher perceived stress was associated with a lower cortisol response to the TSST (−7.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −13.1% to −1.5%) but was not associated with cortisol recovery after the TSST (3%; 95% CI = −0.6% to 6.8%). In contrast, domain-specific stress was not associated with cortisol response (−2.1%; 95% CI = −20.7% to 20.9%) but was inversely associated with cortisol recovery (3.7%; 95% CI = 0.6% to 7.0%). SES modified these associations: both perceived stress and domain-specific stress were associated with TSST cortisol response only among participants from high-SES neighborhoods. There was minimal evidence of effect modification by race. Conclusions Both self-report measures of psychosocial stress were associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity to an acute stressor. These associations varied by perceived versus domain-specific measurement scales and by neighborhood SES. Further efforts to refine stress measures and clarify biological linkages between social status and health are needed.
Classification of QRS complexes to detect Premature Ventricular Contraction using machine learning techniques

Detection of Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC) is of crucial importance in the cardiology field, not only to improve the health system but also to reduce the workload of experts who analyze electrocardiograms (ECG) manually. PVC is a non-harmful common occurrence represented by extra heartbeats, whose diagnosis is not always easily identifiable, especially when done by long-term manual ECG analysis. In some cases, it may lead to disastrous consequences when associated with other pathologies. This work introduces an approach to identify PVCs using machine learning techniques without feature extraction and cross-validation techniques. In particular, a group of six classifiers has been used: Decision Tree, Random Forest, Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM, ResNet-18, MobileNetv2, and ShuffleNet. Two types of experiments have been performed on data extracted from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database: (i) the original dataset and (ii) the balanced dataset. MobileNetv2 came in first in both experiments with high performance and promising results for PVCs’ final diagnosis. The final results showed 99.90% of accuracy in the first experiment and 99.00% in the second one, despite no feature detection techniques were used. The approach we used, which was focused on classification without using feature extraction and cross-validation techniques, allowed us to provide excellent performance and obtain better results. Finally, this research defines as first step toward understanding the explanations for deep learning models’ incorrect classifications.
Searching for Variable Stars in Galactic Open Clusters

A long‐term project, aiming at systematic search for variable stars in Galactic Open Clusters, was started at the Geneva Observatory in 2002. We have been observing regularly a sample of twenty‐seven Galactic Open Clusters in the U, B, V Geneva filters. The goal is to identify and to study their variable stars, as well as the connection between the variable stars in a cluster and the cluster properties. We present the status of this work in progress, and show preliminary results for one of these clusters, IC 4651.
Inhibiting intercrystalline reactions of anode with electrolytes for long-cycling lithium batteries

The life span of lithium batteries as energy storage devices is plagued by irreversible interfacial reactions between reactive anodes and electrolytes. Occurring on polycrystal surface, the reaction process is inevitably affected by the surface microstructure of anodes, of which the understanding is imperative but rarely touched. Here, the effect of grain boundary of lithium metal anodes on the reactions was investigated. The reactions preferentially occur at the grain boundary, resulting in intercrystalline reactions. An aluminum (Al)–based heteroatom-concentrated grain boundary (Al-HCGB), where Al atoms concentrate at grain boundary, was designed to inhibit the intercrystalline reactions. In particular, the scalable preparation of Al-HCGB was demonstrated, with which the cycling performance of a pouch cell (355 Wh kg−1) was significantly improved. This work opens a new avenue to explore the effect of the surface microstructure of anodes on the interfacial reaction process and provides an effective strategy to inhibit reactions between anodes and electrolytes for long–life-span practical lithium batteries.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain ICN903, Isolated from a Seaweed

Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of the actinomycete Streptomyces sp. strain ICN903, which was isolated from seaweed of the genus Botryocladia. The whole-genome assembly contained 6,122,654 bp with 73% GC content. In total, 19 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including polyketides and terpenes, were predicted within the sequenced genome. ABSTRACT Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of the actinomycete Streptomyces sp. strain ICN903, which was isolated from seaweed of the genus Botryocladia. The whole-genome assembly contained 6,122,654 bp with 73% GC content. In total, 19 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including polyketides and terpenes, were predicted within the sequenced genome.
Child Maltreatment and Inflammatory Response to Mental Stress Among Adults Who Have Survived a Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT Objective Experiences of child maltreatment are associated with cardiovascular risk and disease in adulthood; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations are poorly understood. Methods We examined associations between retrospectively self-reported exposure to child maltreatment (Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report Short Form) and inflammatory responses to mental stress among adults (mean age = 50 years) who recently had a myocardial infarction (n = 227). Inflammation was assessed as blood interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentrations, measured before and after a standardized public speaking stress task. We used mixed linear regression models adjusting for cardiovascular disease severity, medication usage, and psychosocial, demographic, and life-style factors. Results In women, increases in IL-6 levels and MMP-9 levels with stress were smaller in those exposed to sexual abuse, relative to those unexposed (IL-6 geometric mean increases = 1.6 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.4–1.9] pg/ml versus 2.1 [95% CI = 1.8–2.4] pg/ml; MMP-9 geometric mean increases = 1.0 [95% CI = 0.9–1.2] ng/ml versus 1.2 [95% CI = 1.1–1.4] ng/ml). No differences were noted for emotional or physical abuse. By contrast in men, individuals exposed to sexual abuse had larger IL-6 responses than those not exposed to abuse. Conclusions These findings suggest sex differences in stress response among survivors of a myocardial infarction exposed to abuse early in life. They also underscore the importance of examining sex as an effect modifier of relationships between exposure to early life adversity and inflammatory responses to mental stressors in midlife.
Clinical, splicing, and functional analysis to classify BRCA2 exon 3 variants: Application of a points‐based ACMG/AMP approach

Skipping of BRCA2 exon 3 (∆E3) is a naturally occurring splicing event, complicating clinical classification of variants that may alter ∆E3 expression. This study used multiple evidence types to assess pathogenicity of 85 variants in/near BRCA2 exon 3. Bioinformatically predicted spliceogenic variants underwent mRNA splicing analysis using minigenes and/or patient samples. ∆E3 was measured using quantitative analysis. A mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) based assay was used to determine the impact of 18 variants on mRNA splicing and protein function. For each variant, population frequency, bioinformatic predictions, clinical data, and existing mRNA splicing and functional results were collated. Variant class was assigned using a gene‐specific adaptation of ACMG/AMP guidelines, following a recently proposed points‐based system. mRNA and mESC analysis combined identified six variants with transcript and/or functional profiles interpreted as loss of function. Cryptic splice site use for acceptor site variants generated a transcript encoding a shorter protein that retains activity. Overall, 69/85 (81%) variants were classified using the points‐based approach. Our analysis shows the value of applying gene‐specific ACMG/AMP guidelines using a points‐based approach and highlights the consideration of cryptic splice site usage to appropriately assign PVS1 code strength.
Association of Blood Pressure Lowering Intensity With White Matter Network Integrity in Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Background and Objectives Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) networks integrate damage from a variety of pathologic processes in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and may be a sensitive marker to detect treatment effects. We determined whether brain network analysis could detect treatment effects in the PRESERVE trial data set, in which intensive vs standard blood pressure (BP) lowering was compared. The primary end point of DTI had not shown treatment differences. Methods Participants with lacunar stroke were randomized to standard (systolic 130–140 mm Hg) or intensive (systolic ≤ 125 mm Hg) BP lowering and followed for 2 years with MRI at baseline and at 2 years. Graph theory–based metrics were derived from DTI data to produce a measure of network integrity weighted global efficiency and compared with individual MRI markers of DTI, brain volume, and white matter hyperintensities. Results Data were available in 82 subjects: standard n = 40 (mean age 66.3 ± 1.5 years) and intensive n = 42 (mean age 69.6 ± 1.0 years). The mean (SD) systolic BP was reduced by 13(14) and 23(23) mm Hg in the standard and intensive groups, respectively (p < 0.001 between groups). Significant differences in diffusion network metrics were found, with improved network integrity (weighted global efficiency, p = 0.002) seen with intensive BP lowering. In contrast, there were no significant differences in individual MRI markers including DTI histogram metrics, brain volume, or white matter hyperintensities. Discussion Brain network analysis may be a sensitive surrogate marker in trials in SVD. This work suggests that measures of brain network efficiency may be more sensitive to the effects of BP control treatment than conventional DTI metrics. Trial Registration Information The trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN37694103; doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN37694103) and the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN 10962; public-odp.nihr.ac.uk/QvAJAXZfc/opendoc.htm? document=crncc_users%5Cfind%20a%20clinical%20research%20study.qvw&lang=en-US&host=QVS%40crn-prod-odp-pu&anonymous=true). Classification of Evidence This study provides Class II evidence that intensive BP lowering in patients with SVD results in improved brain network function when assessed by DTI-based brain network metrics.
Dissociable effects of positive feedback on the capture and inhibition of impulsive behavior in adolescents with ADHD versus typically developing adolescents

ABSTRACT The present study investigated how enhancing motivation by delivering positive feedback (a smiley) after a successful trial could affect interference control in adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and in their typically developing (TD) peers. By using a Simon task within the theoretical framework of the “activation-suppression” model, we were able to separately investigate the expression and the inhibition of impulsive motor behavior. The experiment included 19 adolescents with ADHD and 20 TD adolescents in order to explore whether data found in adolescents with ADHD were similar to those found in TD adolescents. Participants performed the Simon task in two conditions: a condition with feedback delivered after each successful trial and a condition with no feedback. The main findings were that increasing motivation by delivering positive feedback increased impulsive response in both groups of adolescents. It also improved the efficiency of impulsive motor action inhibition in adolescents with ADHD but deteriorated it in TD adolescents. We suggest that 1/increased motivation could lead adolescents to favor fast responses even if incorrect, and 2/the differential effect of feedback on the selective suppression of impulsive motor action in both groups could be due to different baseline DA levels.
Effect and mechanism of a novel Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr alloy on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

We investigated the effect and mechanism of a novel Mg-3Nd-1Gd-0.3Sr-0.2Zn-0.4Zr (abbreviated to Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr) alloy on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells extracted from Sprague-Dawley rats. Cultured cells were divided into five groups: a control group cultured in osteogenic induction medium alone without Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr alloy extract, and four experimental groups cultured in the same medium with 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr alloy extracts, respectively. After 14 days of culture, ALP activity was determined and expressions of osteogenesis-related factors Runx2, OCN, and OPN at the mRNA level and Runx2, OCN, and OPN at the protein level were detected by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. After 21 days of culture, mineralized nodules were detected by alizarin red staining. The results showed that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from Sprague-Dawley rats were successfully isolated in vitro using the whole bone marrow adherence method. Flow cytometry revealed that the cells expressed high levels of CD44 and CD90, but low levels of CD31 and CD45. Alizarin red staining indicated the formation of mineralized nodules in all five groups. Compared with the control group, the number of mineralized nodules was increased significantly in the four experimental groups (p < 0.05). The ALP activity in each group was significantly higher on day 14 than on day 7, and was significantly higher in the four experimental groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the ALP activity was highest when the concentration of Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr alloy extract was 75% (p < 0.05). RT-PCR results showed that, compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of Runx2, OPN, and OCN was significantly higher in the four experimental groups (p < 0.05), and the highest mRNA expression of Runx2, OPN, and OCN was observed in the 75% experimental group (p < 0.05). Western blotting showed that Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr alloy extract significantly increased the protein expression of Runx2, OCN, and OPN compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Our data indicate that the novel Mg-Nd-Gd-Sr alloy can promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. During this process, there is an increase in the expressions of Runx2, OPN, and OCN mRNAs and Runx2, OCN, and OPN proteins.
Acceptability of transdermal antipsychotic patches by patients who refuse oral medication and their effectiveness in preventing recurrence of delirium: a retrospective observational study

Injectable antipsychotics had been used for patients who refuse oral medications in delirium practice. The objectives were to investigate acceptability of transdermal antipsychotic patches by patients who refuse oral medications and their effectiveness in preventing recurrence of delirium. In this retrospective observational study, data were collected between October 2019 and December 2021. The sample was represented by patients hospitalized because of acute diseases or elective surgery who had delirium on the night before the consultation and had refused oral therapy after consultation. Delirium has been diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Instead, a transdermal patch of blonanserin, a second-generation antipsychotic drug, was tried. The primary outcome was the rate of patients who accepted it. The secondary outcome was recurrence rates of delirium. As much as 95.1% of patients who refused oral medications (98/103 patients) accepted to receive the transdermal patch. Of these, 24 patients developed delirium again, whereas all five patients who refused it developed delirium again [24.5% (24/98) vs. 100% (5/5); P = 0.0014]. The present findings suggest that transdermal antipsychotic patches are more likely to be accepted by patients who refuse oral medications. Prospective studies are needed.
Microfluidic systems in clinical diagnosis

The use of microfluidic devices is highly attractive in the field of biomedical and clinical assessments, as their portability and fast response time have become crucial in providing opportune therapeutic treatments to patients. The applications of microfluidics in clinical diagnosis and point‐of‐care devices are continuously growing. The present review article discusses three main fields where miniaturized devices are successfully employed in clinical applications. The quantification of ions, sugars, and small metabolites is examined considering the analysis of bodily fluids samples and the quantification of this type of analytes employing real‐time wearable devices. The discussion covers the level of maturity that the devices have reached as well as cost‐effectiveness. The analysis of proteins with clinical relevance is presented and organized by the function of the proteins. The last section covers devices that can perform single‐cell metabolomic and proteomic assessments. Each section discusses several strategically selected recent reports on microfluidic devices successfully employed for clinical assessments, to provide the reader with a wide overview of the plethora of novel systems and microdevices developed in the last 5 years. In each section, the novel aspects and main contributions of each reviewed report are highlighted. Finally, the conclusions and future outlook section present a summary and speculate on the future direction of the field of miniaturized devices for clinical applications.
Automated Magnetic Resonance Image Segmentation of Spinal Structures at the L4‐5 Level with Deep Learning: 3D Reconstruction of Lumbar Intervertebral Foramen

3D reconstruction of lumbar intervertebral foramen (LIVF) has been beneficial in evaluating surgical trajectory. Still, the current methods of reconstructing the 3D LIVF model are mainly based on manual segmentation, which is laborious and time‐consuming. This study aims to explore the feasibility of automatically segmenting lumbar spinal structures and increasing the speed and accuracy of 3D lumbar intervertebral foramen (LIVF) reconstruction on magnetic resonance image (MRI) at the L4‐5 level.
Nitric oxide metabolites: associations with cardiovascular biomarkers and clinical parameters in patients with HFpEF

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is one of the most rapidly growing cardiovascular health burden worldwide, but there is still a lack of understanding about the HFpEF pathophysiology. The nitric oxide (NO) signalling pathway has been identified as a potential key element. The aim of our study was to investigate markers of NO metabolism [l‐arginine (l‐Arg), homoarginine (hArg), and asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA)], additional biomarkers [N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), mid‐regional pro‐adrenomedullin (MR‐proADM), copeptin, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP)], and the endothelial function in an integrated approach focusing on associations with clinical characteristics in patients with HFpEF.
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with first-episode depression at different ages

Abstract Objectives We investigated the differences in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels and clinical symptoms with first-episode depression at different ages. Methods Ninety patients (15–60 years old) diagnosed with first-episode depression were enrolled as the study group, and they were divided into early-onset, adult and late-onset groups. The age-matched control groups were healthy volunteers. Serum BDNF and GDNF concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). GraphPad Prism 9 was used for t tests, one-way ANOVAs, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses. p < 0.05 indicated significant differences. Results Serum BDNF and GDNF levels were lower in the whole study group and the three subgroups than in the healthy groups. Illness severity, anxiety and education were higher in the early-onset than late-onset patients. Serum BDNF levels were lower in the adult than late-onset patients. Serum BDNF levels were negatively correlated with patient CGI-SI scores. After the LSD test for multiple comparisons, the results were also significant. Conclusions Low serum BDNF and GDNF levels may be involved in the pathophysiology of first-episode depression, and there were differences in serum BDNF levels at different ages, verifying that serum BDNF and GDNF could serve as potential biomarkers of depression. KEY POINTS Depression is often conceptualised as a systemic illness with different biological mechanisms, but satisfactory explanations have not been provided thus far. The aim of our study was to investigate differences in serum BDNF and GDNF levels and their relationships with clinical symptoms in patients with first-episode depression at different ages. The potential of the neurotrophic factor hypothesis to advance the diagnosis and treatment of depression will be a very exciting new strategy for future research.