Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Guidelines for evaluation and management of cerebral collateral circulation in ischaemic stroke 2017

Collateral circulation plays a vital role in sustaining blood flow to the ischaemic areas in acute, subacute or chronic phases after an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Good collateral circulation has shown protective effects towards a favourable functional outcome and a lower risk of recurrence in stroke attributed to different aetiologies or undergoing medical or endovascular treatment. Over the past decade, the importance of collateral circulation has attracted more attention and is becoming a hot spot for research. However, the diversity in imaging methods and criteria to evaluate collateral circulation has hindered comparisons of findings from different cohorts and further studies in exploring the clinical relevance of collateral circulation and possible methods to enhance collateral flow. The statement is aimed to update currently available evidence and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding grading methods for collateral circulation, its significance in patients with stroke and methods under investigation to improve collateral flow.
Neural basis of goal‐driven changes in knowledge activation

Depending on a person's goals, different aspects of stored knowledge are accessed. Decades of behavioral work document the flexible use of knowledge, but little neuroimaging work speaks to these questions. We used representational similarity analysis to investigate whether the relationship between brain activity and semantic structure of statements varied in two tasks hypothesized to differ in the degree to which knowledge is accessed: judging truth (semantic task) and judging oldness (episodic task). During truth judgments, but not old/new recognition judgments, a left‐lateralized network previously associated with semantic memory exhibited correlations with semantic structure. At a neural level, people activate knowledge representations in different ways when focused on different goals. The present results demonstrate the potential of multivariate approaches in characterizing knowledge storage and retrieval, as well as the ways that it shapes our understanding and long‐term memory.
Structure and dynamics of calcium aluminosilicate melts

Because of their interesting properties as glass-forming systems, molten silicates play an important role in the geology of the Earth’s crust and mantle and are also of industrial interest for nuclear waste treatment. Research in these areas requires fundamental information on the microscopic structure and dynamics of silicate melts, but such measurements are hampered by the very high melting points of these systems. By extending the technique of aerodynamic levitation to inelastic neutron scattering, and also making use of inelastic synchrotron x-ray scattering, we have obtained results on the microscopic dynamics of silicates both above the melting point and in the supercooled regime. In particular, we have determined the temperature evolution of the viscosity and diffusion coefficient of calcium aluminosilicates, and thereby quantified the decrease in fragility of this glass-forming system as a function of increasing silica content. In parallel with our dynamical studies, we have performed x-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on the same compositions and temperatures in order to examine the local chemical order pertinent to the observed dynamical properties.
Impact of Glycemic Levels in Type 2 Diabetes on Periodontitis

Aim: The aim is to study the effect of glycemic level in Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors on periodontal health. Materials and Method: Type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic patients in the age group of 35–80 years (n = 1700) were recruited for the study. Periodontal examination included as follows: Probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession, and bleeding on probing. Periodontitis was diagnosed based on the CAL levels and diabetes was diagnosed based on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assessed for cardiovascular risk. Patients were characterized into two groups as follows: diabetic (n = 1235) and nondiabetic (n = 465). Sociodemographic variables included were: age, sex, obesity, smoking, duration of diabetes, and periodontitis were assessed. SPSS version 20.0. 1.0 was used for all the statistical assessments. Conclusion: HbA1c and lipid levels were statistically significant with the severity of periodontitis (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]: HbA1c 1.34 [1.019–1.21]; Total cholesterol 1.01 [1.03–1.42]; triglycerides 1.01 [1.01–1.14]; LDL 1.028 [1.08–1.71]). Smoking and obesity were also found to be significantly associated with the presence of periodontitis [OR (95% CI): smoking 1.35 (1.10–1.67); obesity 1.23 (1.73–2.05)]. The study concluded that uncontrolled HbA1c levels and elevated cardiovascular risk factors significantly increase the severity of periodontitis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Disulfiram induced peripheral neuropathy: between the devil and the deep blue sea

Abstract Disulfiram is widely used for the aversive treatment of alcoholism. It is well tolerated in most patients; however 1:15,000 will develop peripheral neuropathy, which is frequently misdiagnosed as alcoholic neuropathy. Most cases present with a motor-sensory neuropathy of the lower limbs, which tends to improve when administration ceases, though some cases may be left with permanent sequelae. This adverse reaction can be avoided by using the lowest effective dose. A literature review using the Medline revealed 66 citations relating disulfiram to peripheral neuropathy, and the number of cases reported is small.
Comparison of Decision Tree and Logistic Regression Models for Utilization in Sexual Assault Kit Processing ,

To combat the influx of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that need to be tested, an exploration of data from Ohio's SAK Testing Initiative was carried out to identify variables that impact whether a SAK contains a probative DNA profile that is eligible for the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database. A validation study was completed to confirm the existence of variable relationships from the initial examination of data; new and modified statistical models were introduced to improve the predictive accuracy to determine if a SAK will contain at least one CODIS eligible DNA profile. Descriptive statistics from the validation data set confirmed conclusions about the effects of days between the assault and kit collection, the age of the victim, and consensual sex around the time of the kit collection for obtaining CODIS eligibility of DNA. The decision tree was selected as the best model.
LAMMER Kinase Lkh1 Is an Upstream Regulator of Prk1-Mediated Non-Sexual Flocculation in Fission Yeast

Abstract The cation-dependent galactose-specific flocculation activity of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe null mutant of lkh1+, the gene encoding LAMMER kinase homolog, has previously been reported by our group. Here, we show that disruption of prk1+, another flocculation associated regulatory kinase encoding gene, also resulted in cation-dependent galactose-specific flocculation. Deletion of prk1 increased the flocculation phenotype of the lkh1+ null mutant and its overexpression reversed the flocculation of cells caused by lkh1 deletion. Transcript levels of prk1+ were also decreased by lkh1+ deletion. Cumulatively, these results indicate that Lkh1 is one of the negative regulators acting upstream of Prk1, regulating non-sexual flocculation in fission yeast.
Therapeutic outcome of spinal implant infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Spinal implant infection is a rare but significant complication of spinal fusion surgery, and the most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. It is difficult to treat due to this pathogen's biofilm-forming ability and antibiotic resistance. We evaluated the therapeutic outcome of treatments for S aureus spinal implant infections. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with S aureus spinal implant infections at 11 tertiary-care hospitals over a 9-year period. Parameters predictive of treatment failure and recurrence were analyzed by Cox regression. Of the 102 patients with infections, 76 (75%) were caused by methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) and 51 (50%) were late-onset infections. In all, 83 (81%) patients were managed by debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) and 19 (19%) had their implants removed. The median duration of all antibiotic therapies was 52 days. During a median follow-up period of 32 months, treatment failure occurred in 37 (36%) cases. The median time to treatment failure was 113 days, being <1 year in 30 (81%) patients. DAIR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 6.27; P = .01) and MRSA infection (aHR, 4.07; P = .009) were independently associated with treatment failure. Rifampin-based combination treatments exhibited independent protective effects on recurrence (aHR, 0.23; P = .02). In conclusion, among patients with S aureus spinal implant infections, MRSA and DAIR were independent risk factors for treatment failure, and these risk factors were present in the majority of patients. In this difficult-to-treat population, the overall treatment failure rate was 36%; rifampin may improve the outcomes of patients with S aureus spinal implant infections.
Observation of long-range dipole-dipole interactions in hyperbolic metamaterials

Metamaterials mediate long-range dipole-dipole interactions between quantum emitters. Dipole-dipole interactions (Vdd) between closely spaced atoms and molecules are related to real photon and virtual photon exchange between them and decrease in the near field connected with the characteristic Coulombic dipole field law. The control and modification of this marked scaling with distance have become a long-standing theme in quantum engineering since dipole-dipole interactions govern Van der Waals forces, collective Lamb shifts, atom blockade effects, and Förster resonance energy transfer. We show that metamaterials can fundamentally modify these interactions despite large physical separation between interacting quantum emitters. We demonstrate a two orders of magnitude increase in the near-field resonant dipole-dipole interactions at intermediate field distances (10 times the near field) and observe the distance scaling law consistent with a super-Coulombic interaction theory curtailed only by absorption and finite size effects of the metamaterial constituents. We develop a first-principles numerical approach of many-body dipole-dipole interactions in metamaterials to confirm our theoretical predictions and experimental observations. In marked distinction to existing approaches of engineering radiative interactions, our work paves the way for controlling long-range dipole-dipole interactions using hyperbolic metamaterials and natural hyperbolic two-dimensional materials.
Genetic characterization and diversity of porcine circovirus type 2 in non‐vaccinated South African swine herds

The porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a swine infectious viral pathogen of great significance in global swine herds. It was recently detected at another Province of South Africa sequel to the first detection of North American-like strain (PCV2a) at Gauteng about two decades ago, but there is a dearth of information about the genomic features and diversity of the viral strains in circulation within the country and the entire sub-Saharan Africa region. To date, only one complete genome of the virus from South Africa is available on global data base. This current effort is therefore geared towards the full-genome characterization of the circulating PCV2 strains in the pigs of Eastern Cape Province. With the use of conventional polymerase chain reaction method, fifteen complete PCV2 genomes were successfully amplified, sequenced and assembled from field samples obtained from non-vaccinated pigs in the region. Neighbor Joining and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the ORF2 gene and full genomes unanimously showed that most of the assembled genomes (11) belong to genotype PCV2b. Furthermore, three of the characterized sequences formed clade with other reference mutant PCV2b and PCV2b subtype 1C (i.e. PCV2d) strains from the USA, China and South Korea. The last sequence, however, clustered with other reference strains belonging to PCV2 intermediate clade 2 (PCV2-IM2), recently identified in a global PCV2 strains phylogenetic analysis. This study reports the first complete genome sequences of PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2-IM2 in pigs from South Africa, and it gives a possible insight into the genetic characteristics and variability of the viral strains presently in circulation within the country. It further emphasizes the need for more stringent measures in curtailing the introduction and spread of transboundary swine pathogens in the country and entire Southern African region.
Media Disaster Reporting Effects on Public Risk Perception and Response to Escalating Tornado Warnings: A Natural Experiment

Previous research has evaluated public risk perception and response to a natural hazards in various settings; however, most of these studies were conducted either with a single scenario or after a natural disaster struck. To better understand the dynamic relationships among affect, risk perception, and behavioral intentions related to natural disasters, the current study implements a simulation scenario with escalating weather intensity, and includes a natural experiment allowing comparison of public response before and after a severe tornado event with extensive coverage by the national media. The current study also manipulated the display of warning information, and investigated whether the warning system display format influences public response. Results indicate that (1) affect, risk perception, and behavioral intention escalated as weather conditions deteriorated, (2) responses at previous stages predicted responses at subsequent stages of storm progression, and (3) negative affect predicted risk perception. Moreover, risk perception and behavioral intention were heightened after exposure to the media coverage of an actual tornado disaster. However, the display format manipulation did not influence behavioral responses. The current study provides insight regarding public perception of predisaster warnings and the influence of exposure to media coverage of an actual disaster event.
In vivo Assessment of an Endolymphatic Hydrops Gradient Along the Cochlea in Patients With Menière's Disease by Magnetic Resonance Imaging-A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE To assess three strategies for evaluation and description of potential endolymphatic hydrops (EH) gradients along the cochlea in patients with Menière's disease. STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational study. METHODS Ten patients with definite Menière's disease revealed by magnetic resonance imaging were included in this prospectively conducted pilot study. The presence of cochlear endolymphatic hydrops as well as a potential hydrops gradient along the cochlea were subjectively evaluated by two readers. Furthermore, both readers performed planimetric measurements of the relative extent of endolymphatic hydrops in the cochlear turns for calculation of an apico-basal-index (ABI) and an average gradient slope of the endolymphatic hydrops. These models were correlated with the available pure tone audiometry (PTA). RESULTS Qualitatively, 13 of 16 inner ears presented an apical EH distribution. The median ABI was 1.69 for patients with low-tone hearing loss and 1.17 for patients with a flat PTA curve (p = 0.03). The median EH slope was 7.44 and correlated with the steepness of the PTA (ρ = 0.583; p = 0.018). The subjective analysis and the slope model were best fit for prediction of a low-tone hearing loss type with sensitivities of 100% (specificity, 42.86%) and 88.9% (specificity, 71.4%), respectively. The inter-reader agreement in all three approaches was considered substantial to perfect. CONCLUSION The presented qualitative approach and the slope model represent reliable methods for the description of a potential EH gradient along the cochlea. Furthermore, the average EH steepness along the cochlea correlates with the type of hearing loss.
Ancient genomes suggest the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe as the source of western Iron Age nomads

Bronze and Iron Age genomes from the West Eurasian steppe reveal genetic heterogeneity and origins in the southern Urals. For millennia, the Pontic-Caspian steppe was a connector between the Eurasian steppe and Europe. In this scene, multidirectional and sequential movements of different populations may have occurred, including those of the Eurasian steppe nomads. We sequenced 35 genomes (low to medium coverage) of Bronze Age individuals (Srubnaya-Alakulskaya) and Iron Age nomads (Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians) that represent four distinct cultural entities corresponding to the chronological sequence of cultural complexes in the region. Our results suggest that, despite genetic links among these peoples, no group can be considered a direct ancestor of the subsequent group. The nomadic populations were heterogeneous and carried genetic affinities with populations from several other regions including the Far East and the southern Urals. We found evidence of a stable shared genetic signature, making the eastern Pontic-Caspian steppe a likely source of western nomadic groups.
Epigenetically distinct sister chromatids and asymmetric generation of tumor initiating cells

ABSTRACT Cancer stem cells (CSC) are thought to be an important source of cancer cells in tumors of different origins. Mounting evidence suggests they are generated reversibly from existing cancer cells, and supply new cancer cells during tumor progression and following therapy. Elegant lineage mapping stud(ies are identifying progenitors, and in some cases differentiated cells, as targets of transformation in a variety of tumors. Recent evidence suggests resulting tumor initiating cells (TIC) might be distinct from CSC. Molecular pathways leading from cells of tumor origin to precancerous lesions and cancer cells are only beginning to be unraveled. We review a pathway where asymmetric division of precancerous cells generates TIC in a K-Ras-initiated model of lung cancer. And, we compare unexpected steps in this asymmetric division to those evident in well-studied stem cell models.
Comparing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Core Sets for Hearing Loss and Otorhinolaryngology/Audiology Intake Documentation at Mayo Clinic.

OBJECTIVES The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Sets for Hearing Loss (CSHL) consists of short lists of categories from the entire ICF classification that are thought to be the most relevant for describing the functioning of persons with hearing loss. A comprehensive intake that covers all factors included in the ICF CSHL holds the promise of developing a tailored treatment plan that fully complements the patient's needs. The Comprehensive CSHL contains 117 categories and serves as a guide for multiprofessional, comprehensive assessment. The Brief CSHL includes 27 of the 117 categories and represents the minimal spectrum of functioning of persons with HL for single-discipline encounters or clinical trials. The authors first sought to benchmark the extent to which Audiologist (AUD) and Otorhinolaryngologist (ORL) discipline-specific intake documentation, as well as Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary intake documentation, captures ICF CSHL categories. DESIGN A retrospective study design including 168 patient records from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Audiology of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Anonymized intake documentation forms and reports were selected from patient records filed between January 2016 and May 2017. Data were extracted from the intake documentation forms and reports and linked to ICF categories using pre-established linking rules. "Overlap," defined as the percentage of ICF CSHL categories represented in the intake documentation, was calculated across document types. In addition, extra non-ICF CSHL categories (ICF categories that are not part of the CSHL) and extra constructs (constructs that are not part of the ICF classification) found in the patient records were described. RESULTS The total overlap of multidisciplinary intake documentation with ICF CSHL categories was 100% for the Brief CSHL and 50% for the Comprehensive CSHL. Brief CSHL overlap for discipline-specific documentation fell short at 70% for both AUD and ORL. Important extra non-ICF CSHL categories were identified and included "sleep function" and "motor-related functions and activities," which mostly were reported in relation to tinnitus and vestibular disorders. CONCLUSION The multidisciplinary intake documentation of Mayo Clinic showed 100% overlap with the Brief CSHL, while important areas of nonoverlap were identified in AUD- and ORL-specific reports. The ICF CSHL provides a framework for describing each hearing-impaired individual's unique capabilities and needs in ways currently not documented by audiological and otological evaluations, potentially setting the stage for more effective individualized patient care. Efforts to further validate the ICF CSHL may require the involvement of multidisciplinary institutions with commonly shared electronic health records to adequately capture the breath of the ICF CSHL.
High‐Fat Diet, Betaine, and Polydextrose Induce Changes in Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Metabolism in C57BL/6J Mice

SCOPE High-fat diets are a likely cause of low-grade inflammation and obesity-related pathologies. This study measures the effects of a high-fat diet, in combination with two dietary supplements-betaine and polydextrose-on metabolism and inflammation in the adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Forty male C57BL/6J mice are fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and compared with low-fat-diet-fed control animals (n = 10). For the last 4 weeks, the high-fat-diet-fed animals are supplemented with 1% betaine, 3.33% polydextrose, their combination, or plain water. Fat depots from subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue are analyzed for inflammatory markers and nontargeted metabolomics by quantitative PCR and LC-QTOF-MS. The high-fat diet significantly increases adipose tissue inflammation in both fat depots. By metabolic profiling, clear differences are noted between low-fat-diet and high-fat-diet groups with regard to the levels of several metabolite species-primarily carnitines, lipids, and amino acids. Dietary betaine mitigates the high-fat-diet-induced IL-6 expression and significantly increases betaine and butyrobetaine levels in adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS The high-fat diet induces patent changes in carnitine and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue. Betaine supplementation elevates the levels of betaine and its derivatives and certain carnitine species, as reported in muscle and liver, and moderately reduces inflammation.