Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized clinical trial assessing anti-gingivitis efficacy of two stannous fluoride dentifrices and zinc/arginine dentifrice.

PURPOSE To evaluate the anti-gingivitis efficacy of two bioavailable stannous fluoride (SnF2) dentifrices versus a zinc/arginine dentifrice and a negative control dentifrice, and to compare the plaque control benefits. METHODS This was a single-center, randomized, controlled, four-treatment, parallel-group, double-blind, 3-month clinical trial. Healthy adult subjects with gingivitis were randomly assigned to one of four different dentifrice treatment groups: SnF2 dentifrice A, SnF2 (1,100 ppm F) + sodium fluoride (350 ppm F) + sodium hexametaphosphate (Procter & Gamble); SnF2 dentifrice B, SnF2 (1,100 ppm F) + sodium fluoride (350 ppm F) + citrate (Procter & Gamble); Zn/Arg dentifrice, zinc/arginine + sodium fluoride (1,450 ppm F) (Colgate-Palmolive); negative control dentifrice, sodium monofluoro-phosphate (1,000 ppm F) + sodium fluoride (450 ppm F) (Colgate-Palmolive). Subjects brushed with their assigned treatment dentifrice and an assigned manual toothbrush (Oral-B Indicator) for 1 minute, twice daily, for the duration of the study. Gingivitis was assessed at Baseline and at Weeks 2, 4 and 12 by calculating the total number of gingival bleeding sites using the Gingival Bleeding Index, and plaque was assessed at Baseline and at Week 12 using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Index. A repeated measures model was carried out across Weeks 2, 4, and 12 to determine bleeding efficacy (total number of bleeding sites). An ANCOVA with baseline plaque as the covariate was used to evaluate plaque efficacy at Week 12. RESULTS 161 subjects were randomized (mean age= 38.8 years). 154 subjects completed the study and 153 had evaluable data at Week 12. The mean (SD) number of Baseline bleeding sites overall was 78.74 (31.16) with no significant difference between groups (P= 0.537). SnF2 dentifrice A significantly reduced the number of bleeding sites relative to the negative control dentifrice at Weeks 2, 4 and 12 by 15.4%, 13.7% and 17.2%, respectively. SnF2 dentifrice B significantly reduced the number of bleeding sites relative to the negative control dentifrice at Week 4 by 13.9% (P= 0.041). Relative to the Zn/Arg dentifrice, SnF2 dentifrice A produced significantly greater reductions in gingival bleeding sites at Weeks 2, 4 and 12 by 23.4%, 17.2% and 20.9%, respectively (P≤ 0.007). SnF2 dentifrice B produced significantly greater bleeding reductions versus the Zn/Arg dentifrice at Weeks 4 and 12 by 17.4% and 14.4%, respectively (P≤ 0.035). The Zn/Arg dentifrice did not differ significantly in the number of bleeding sites (P≥ 0.127) or plaque (P= 0.175) relative to the negative control dentifrice. Both SnF2 dentifrices significantly reduced plaque levels (P≤ 0.029) relative to both negative control dentifrice and Zn/Arg dentifrice at Week 12. All dentifrices were well tolerated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Two different SnF2 dentifrices showed significantly reduced gingival bleeding and plaque levels relative to a Zn/arginine dentifrice.
Reliability of Portable Spirometry Performed in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Compared to Conventional Spirometry

Background The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a well-designed survey to collect national data, which many researchers have used for their studies. In KNHANES, although portable spirometry was used, its reliability has not been verified. Methods We prospectively enrolled 58 participants from four Korean institutions. The participants were classified into normal pattern, obstructive pattern, and restrictive pattern groups according to their previous spirometry results. Lung function was estimated by conventional spirometry and portable spirometry, and the results were compared. Results The intraclass correlation coefficients of forced vital capacity (FVC) (coefficient, 9.993; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.988–0.996), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (coefficient, 0.997; 95% CI, 0.995–0.998), FEV1/FVC ratio (coefficient, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.992–0.997), and forced expiratory flow at 25–75% (FEF25–75%; coefficient, 0.991; 95% CI, 0.984–0.994) were excellent (all p<0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the results of the three parameters were similar in all groups. In the overall and subgroup analyses, Pearson’s correlation of all the parameters was also excellent in the total (coefficient, 0.986–0.994; p<0.001) and subgroup analyses (coefficient, 0.915–0.995; p<0.001). In the paired t-test, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25–75% estimated by the two instruments were statistically different. However, FEV1 was not significantly different. Conclusion Lung function estimated by portable spirometry was well-correlated with that estimated by conventional spirometry. Although the values had minimal differences between them, we suggest that the spirometry results from the KNHANES are reliable.
Quantitative assessment of ensemble coherency in contrast‐free ultrasound microvasculature imaging

Purpose Contrast‐free visualization of microvascular blood flow (MBF) using ultrasound can play a valuable role in diagnosis and detection of diseases. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of quantifying ensemble coherence for robust MBF imaging. We propose a novel approach to quantify ensemble coherence by estimating the local spatiotemporal correlation (LSTC) image, and evaluate its efficacy through simulation and in vivo studies. Methods The in vivo patient studies included three volunteers with a suspicious breast tumor, 15 volunteers with a suspicious thyroid tumor, and two healthy volunteers for renal MBF imaging. The breast data displayed negligible prior motion and were used for simulation analysis involving synthetically induced motion, to assess its impact on ensemble coherency and motion artifacts in MBF images. The in vivo thyroid data involved complex physiological motion due to its proximity to the pulsating carotid artery, which was used to assess the in vivo efficacy of the proposed technique. Further, in vivo renal MBF images demonstrated the feasibility of using the proposed ensemble coherence metric for curved array‐based MBF imaging involving phase conversion. All ultrasound data were acquired at high imaging frame rates and the tissue signal was suppressed using spatiotemporal clutter filtering. Thyroid tissue motion was estimated using two‐dimensional normalized cross correlation‐based speckle tracking, which was subsequently used for ensemble motion correction. The coherence of the MBF image was quantified based on Casorati correlation of the Doppler ensemble. Results The simulation results demonstrated that an increase in ensemble motion corresponded with a decrease in ensemble coherency, which reciprocally degraded the MBF images. Further the data acquired from breast tumors demonstrated higher ensemble coherency than that from thyroid tumors. Motion correction improved the coherence of the thyroid MBF images, which substantially improved its visualization. The proposed coherence metrics were also useful in assessing the ensemble coherence for renal MBF imaging. The results also demonstrated that the proposed coherence metric can be reliably estimated from downsampled ensembles (by up to 90%), thus allowing improved computational efficiency for potential applications in real‐time MBF imaging. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates the importance of assessing ensemble coherency in contrast‐free MBF imaging. The proposed LSTC image quantified coherence of the Doppler ensemble for robust MBF imaging. The results obtained from this pilot study are promising, and warrant further development and in vivo validation.
Bidirectional associations between screen time and children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors.

BACKGROUND While it has been purported that excessive screen time can lead to behavioral problems, it has also been suggested that children with behavioral dysregulation receive more access to screens to manage problematic behavior. In this study, both temporally stable and longitudinal associations between screen time and externalizing and internalizing behaviors across childhood are examined to directly address this issue of directionality. METHODS Data are from a prospective cohort of 10,172 Irish children, collected between 2010 and 2018 when children were ages 3, 5, 7, and 9. Children's screen time (hours/day) and externalizing and internalizing behaviors (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) were assessed via caregiver report. Random-intercepts cross-lagged panel models were used to estimate longitudinal bidirectional associations while controlling for temporally stable (i.e., 'time-invariant' or 'trait-like') differences between children. RESULTS Temporally stable differences between children were observed for both screen time and behavior problems. Longitudinal trajectories for screen time lacked stability; however, and externalizing and internalizing behaviors stabilized increasingly during later childhood. Greater externalizing and internalizing behaviors at age 3 were directionally associated with increased screen time at age 5. Greater screen time at ages 3 and 5 was directionally associated with increased internalizing behaviors at ages 5 and 7, respectively. More screen time at age 7 was directionally associated with fewer internalizing behaviors at age 9. Screen time was not associated with later externalizing behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Bidirectional associations between screen time and internalizing behaviors were observed for preschoolers. Directional associations between screen time and internalizing difficulties were observed across childhood. These findings can inform screen use guidelines and family media planning at different ages and stages of development.
Collective dynamics in lipid membranes containing transmembrane peptides.

Biological membranes are composed of complex mixtures of lipids and proteins that influence each other's structure and function. The biological activities of many channel-forming peptides and proteins are known to depend on the material properties of the surrounding lipid bilayer. However, less is known about how membrane-spanning channels affect the lipid bilayer properties, and in particular, their collective fluctuation dynamics. Here we use neutron spin echo spectroscopy (NSE) to measure the collective bending and thickness fluctuation dynamics in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (di 14 : 0 PC, DMPC) lipid membranes containing two different antimicrobial peptides, alamethicin (Ala) and gramicidin (gD). Ala and gD are both well-studied antimicrobial peptides that form oligomeric membrane-spanning channels with different structures. At low concentrations, the peptides did not have a measurable effect on the average bilayer structure, yet significantly changed the collective membrane dynamics. Despite both peptides forming transmembrane channels, they had opposite effects on the relaxation time of the collective bending fluctuations and associated effective bending modulus, where gD addition stiffened the membrane while Ala addition softened the membrane. Meanwhile, the lowest gD concentrations enhanced the collective thickness fluctuation dynamics, while the higher gD concentrations and all studied Ala concentrations dampened these dynamics. The results highlight the synergy between lipids and proteins in determining the collective membrane dynamics and that not all peptides can be universally treated as rigid bodies when considering their effects on the lipid bilayer fluctuations.
A tale of two morphs: developmental patterns and mechanisms of seed coat differentiation in the dimorphic diaspore model Aethionema arabicum (Brassicaceae).

The developmental transition from a fertilised ovule to a dispersed diaspore (seed or fruit) involves complex differentiation processes of the ovule's integuments leading to the diversity in mature seed coat structures in angiosperms. In this study, comparative imaging and transcriptome analysis were combined to investigate the morph-specific developmental differences during outer seed coat differentiation and mucilage production in Aethionema arabicum, the Brassicaceae model for diaspore dimorphism. One of the intriguing adaptations of this species is the production and dispersal of morphologically distinct, mucilaginous and non-mucilaginous diaspores from the same plant (dimorphism). The dehiscent (DEH) fruit morph programme producing multiple mucilaginous (M+ ) seed diaspores was used as the default trait combination, similar to Arabidopsis thaliana, and was compared to the indehiscent (IND) fruit morph programme leading to non-mucilaginous (M- ) diaspores. Synchrotron-based radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) revealed a co-ordinated framework of morph-specific early changes in internal anatomy of developing Ae. arabicum gynoecia including seed abortion in the IND programme and mucilage production by the M+ seed coat. The associated comparative analysis of the gene expression patterns revealed that the unique seed coat dimorphism of Ae. arabicum provides an excellent model system for comparative study of the control of epidermal cell differentiation and mucilage biosynthesis by the mucilage transcription factor cascade and their downstream cell wall and mucilage remodelling genes. Elucidating the underlying molecular framework of the dimorphic diaspore syndrome is key to understanding differential regulation of bet-hedging survival strategies in challenging environments, timely in the face of global climatic change. Figure S1. SRXTM imaging of Aethionema arabicum fruit morph development. Figure S2. Scanning electron microscopy of Ae. arabicum pollen. Figure S3. Morph-specific ovule anatomy of Ae. arabicum. Figure S4. Analysis of motif enrichment in Ae. arabicum gene promoters. Figure S5. Morph-specific differential expression of transcription factors. Figure S6. Phylogenetic analysis of Ae. arabicum CCD genes. Table S1. RT-qPCR primer sequences. Data S1. Supporting data file with RNA-seq expression results. Data S2. Supporting data file GO analysis. Data S3. Supporting data file Enriched Motif Analysis. Data S4. Supporting data file expression data for TF DEGs.
How do we harness adolescent values in designing health behaviour change interventions? A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES Adolescent health behaviours do not support optimal development. Adolescents are reportedly difficult to engage in health behaviour improvement initiatives. Little is known about what adolescents value in relation to diet and physical activity or how best to target these in health interventions. This study explored adolescents' values in relation to diet and physical activity and how these values can inform health intervention design. DESIGN Qualitative semi-structured interviews explored adolescents' lives, what they thought about diet and physical activity and what might support them to improve their health behaviours. METHODS A total of 13 group interviews were conducted with 54 adolescents aged 13-14 years, of whom 49% were girls and 95% identified as White British. Participants were recruited from a non-selective secondary school in a large southern UK city. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify key adolescent values. RESULTS Adolescents valued being with their friends, doing what they enjoyed and were good at; being healthy was important to them but only if achievable without compromising other things that are important to them. The need to be healthy was not aligned with adolescents' basic psychological needs, nor their strongly held priorities and values. CONCLUSIONS Health is not a motivating factor for adolescents; therefore, interventions designed solely to improve health are unlikely to engage them. Instead, interventions that align with the values and priorities specified by adolescents are more likely to be effective in supporting them to eat well and be more active.
Medical Records-Based Genetic Studies of the Complement System

Significance Statement The complement pathway represents one of the critical arms of the innate immune system. We combined genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies using medical records data for C3 and C4 levels to discover common genetic variants controlling systemic complement activation. Three genome-wide significant loci had large effects on complement levels. These loci encode three critical complement genes: CFH, C3, and C4. We performed detailed functional annotations of the significant loci, including multiallelic copy number variant analysis of the C4 locus to define two structural genomic variants with large effects on C4 levels. Blood C4 levels were strongly correlated with the copy number of C4A and C4B genes. Lastly, using genome-wide genetic correlations and electronic health records–based phenome-wide association studies in 102,138 participants, we catalogued a spectrum of human diseases genetically related to systemic complement activation, including inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiometabolic, and kidney diseases. Background Genetic variants in complement genes have been associated with a wide range of human disease states, but well-powered genetic association studies of complement activation have not been performed in large multiethnic cohorts. Methods We performed medical records–based genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies for plasma C3 and C4 levels among participants of the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) network. Results In a GWAS for C3 levels in 3949 individuals, we detected two genome-wide significant loci: chr.1q31. 3 (CFH locus; rs3753396-A; β=0.20; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.25; P=1.52x10-11) and chr.19p13. 3 (C3 locus; rs11569470-G; β=0.19; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.24; P=1.29x10-8). These two loci explained approximately 2% of variance in C3 levels. GWAS for C4 levels involved 3998 individuals and revealed a genome-wide significant locus at chr.6p21. 32 (C4 locus; rs3135353-C; β=0.40; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.45; P=4.58x10-35). This locus explained approximately 13% of variance in C4 levels. The multiallelic copy number variant analysis defined two structural genomic C4 variants with large effect on blood C4 levels: C4-BS (β=−0.36; 95% CI, −0.42 to −0.30; P=2.98x10-22) and C4-AL-BS (β=0.25; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.29; P=8.11x10-23). Overall, C4 levels were strongly correlated with copy numbers of C4A and C4B genes. In comprehensive phenome-wide association studies involving 102,138 eMERGE participants, we cataloged a full spectrum of autoimmune, cardiometabolic, and kidney diseases genetically related to systemic complement activation. Conclusions We discovered genetic determinants of plasma C3 and C4 levels using eMERGE genomic data linked to electronic medical records. Genetic variants regulating C3 and C4 levels have large effects and multiple clinical correlations across the spectrum of complement-related diseases in humans.
Platelet Function in CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Visual Abstract Significance Statement Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications frequently present in patients with CKD, and abnormalities in platelet function are central to thrombotic and hemorrhagic events. To clarify how CKD affects platelet function, the authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of platelet activity in CKD, with a focus on nondialysis-induced effects. They found that, overall, the literature points to increased bleeding time and decreased platelet aggregation—in particular, an overall reduction in collagen-induced platelet aggregation—in patients with CKD. Also, they reviewed the literature for the effects of uremic toxins on platelet function, finding that ex vivo studies revealed both stimulatory and inhibitory effects, whereas eight of 12 uremic toxins tested in animal models mostly induced prothrombotic effects. Further investigation of platelet reactivity in CKD, especially during different CKD stages, is warranted. Background Patients with CKD are at high risk for thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Abnormalities in platelet function are central to these complications, but reports on platelet function in relation to CKD are conflicting, and vary from decreased platelet reactivity to normal or increased platelet responsiveness. The direct effects of uremic toxins on platelet function have been described, with variable findings. Methods To help clarify how CKD affects platelet function, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of platelet activity in CKD, with a focus on nondialysis-induced effects. We also performed an extensive literature search for the effects of individual uremic toxins on platelet function. Results We included 73 studies in the systematic review to assess CKD’s overall effect on platelet function in patients; 11 of them described CKD’s effect on ex vivo platelet aggregation and were included in the meta-analysis. Although findings on platelet abnormalities in CKD are inconsistent, bleeding time was mostly prolonged and platelet adhesion mainly reduced. Also, the meta-analysis revealed maximal platelet aggregation was significantly reduced in patients with CKD upon collagen stimulation. We also found that relatively few uremic toxins have been examined for direct effects on platelets ex vivo; ex vivo analyses had varying methods and results, revealing both platelet-stimulatory and inhibitory effects. However, eight of the 12 uremic toxins tested in animal models mostly induced prothrombotic effects. Conclusions Overall, most studies report impaired function of platelets from patients with CKD. Still, a substantial number of studies find platelet function to be unchanged or even enhanced. Further investigation of platelet reactivity in CKD, especially during different CKD stages, is warranted.
Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal footbaths for the treatment of dysmenorrhea: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Chinese herbal footbaths are an external therapy of traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used to treat dysmenorrhea. This review aims to systematically evaluate its efficacy and safety for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Methods Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CIHAHL, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Database(CBM), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) will be searched from the inception to September 30, 2020. The eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be identified and included. The primary outcomes include pain intensity measured by validated scales of visual analog scale, numeric rating scale, and response rate of symptom reduction. The secondary outcomes are scores on validated pain questionnaires, quality of life measured by SF-36 or other validated scales, and adverse events. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of bias risk will be conducted by two reviewers independently. RevMan software (V.5.3.5) will be utilized to perform data synthesis. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis will be performed when necessary. The strength of the evidence will be evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation System. Results A high-quality synthesis of current evidence of Chinese herbal footbaths for patients with dysmenorrhea will be provided in this study. Conclusion This systematic review will provide evidence of whether Chinese herbal footbaths are an effective and safe intervention for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020188256.