Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Memory, Inhibition, and Attention in Developmental Stuttering: A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose This study presents a meta-analytic review of differences in verbal short-term memory, inhibition, and attention between children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS). Method Electronic databases and reference sections of articles were searched for candidate studies that examined verbal short-term memory, inhibition, and attention using behavioral and/or parent report measures. Twenty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria, which included, among other things, children between the ages of 3 and 18 years and the availability of quantitative data for effect size calculations. Data were extracted, coded, and analyzed, with the magnitude of the difference between the 2 groups of children being estimated using Hedge's g (Hedges & Olkin, 1985). Results Based on the random-effects model (Hunter & Schmidt, 2004), findings revealed that CWS scored lower than CWNS on measures of nonword repetition (Hedges' g = -0.62), particularly at lengths of 2 and 3 syllables (Hedges' g = -0.62 and - 0.50, respectively), and forward span (Hedges' g = -0.40). Analyses further revealed that the parents of CWS rated their children as having weaker inhibition (Hedges' g = -0.44) and attentional focus/persistence (Hedges' g = -0.36) skills than the parents of CWNS, but there were no significant differences between CWS and CWNS in behavioral measures of inhibition and attention. Conclusion The present findings were taken to suggest that cognitive processes are important variables associated with developmental stuttering.
Mutations of p53 decrease sensitivity to the anthracycline treatments in bladder cancer cells

Due to doxorubicin (Dox) cardiotoxicity, the next generation of novel non-cardiotoxic anthracyclines, including AD 312 and AD 198, were synthesized and validated. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and mechanisms of anthracyclines-induced apoptosis and inhibition of cell viability in human bladder cancer cells expressing wild-type (wt) p53 (RT4 and SW780) and mutated (mt) p53 (UM-UC-3, 5637, T-24, J82, and TCCSUP) protein. Anthracyclines inhibited cell viability in tested TCC cells, but were less effective in mt-p53 TCC cells, especially in the drug-resistant J82 and TCCSUP cells. Anthracyclines upregulated the expression of wt p53 protein in RT4 and SW780 cells, but had no effect on expression of mt p53 protein in UM-UC-3, 5637, T-24, J82, and TCCSUP cells. The anthracyclines activated caspase 3/7 and cleavage of PARP in wt-p53 RT4 and SW780 cells, and mt-p53 5637, UM-UC-3, and T-24, but not in mt-p53 J82 and TCCSUP cells. The anthracyclines-induced cleavage of PARP was blocked by p53 siRNA in wt-p53 RT4 cells. Co-treatment of AD 198 with PRIMA-1 significantly inhibited cell viability of mt-p53 J82 cells, but had no effect in wt-p53 RT4 cells. AD 198 blocked c-myc expression in mt-p53 UM-UC-3, 5637, T-24, and J82 cells, however no expression of c-myc was detected in wt-p53 RT4 and SW780 cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the anthracycline-induced resistance in bladder cancer cells positively correlated with TP53 mutations in the tetramerization domain in J82 and TCCSUP cells. Further, AD 312 and AD 198 are promising chemotherapeutic drugs for bladder cancer, especially in combination with PRIMA-1.
Pax6‐dependent regulation of the rat Fabp7 promoter activity

Fabp7 gene encodes a brain‐specific fatty acid‐binding protein that is widely used as a marker for neural stem cells. Here, we report that the activity of rat Fabp7 promoter was regulated directly by a transcription factor, Pax6. Deletion analyses identified an essential region (−837 to −64 from transcription start site) in the rat Fabp7 promoter. This region controls promoter activity in rat embryos and in the mouse cultured cell line MEB5. Over‐expressing wild‐type Pax6 or a dominant‐negative Pax6 mutant enhanced and suppressed, respectively, the promoter activity. Pax6 can bind the region directly, although the region contains no clear binding motif for Pax6. The rat Fabp7 promoter also contains conserved binding sites for Pbx/POU (−384 to −377) and CBF1 (−270 to −262). However, specific deletion of the sites showed no significant reduction in the promoter activity, although a gel mobility shift assay confirmed that CBF1 binds the conserved sequence. Taken together, these results suggest that the rat Fabp7 promoter is mainly regulated by Pax6. The Pax6‐dependent regulation of the rat Fabp7 expression might have an evolutionary aspect between rat and mouse; the former may need to efficiently use fatty acids to make the brain bigger than the latter.
Anticholinergic and sedative drug burden in community-dwelling older people: a national database study

Objectives The Drug Burden Index (DBI) tool quantifies individual exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. The DBI has been internationally validated against adverse health outcomes in older people. DBI exposure has not been reported in the Irish older population. This study aimed to: (1) develop a list of drugs with clinically significant anticholinergic and/or sedative effects (DBI medications) relevant to Ireland; (2) examine, using the DBI formula, the prevalence of exposure to DBI medications in Irish older people and (3) explore patient factors associated DBI exposure. Design A cross-sectional national pharmacy claims database study. Setting Community setting using the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme pharmacy claims database maintained by the Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Services. Participants Irish older individuals (aged ≥65 years) enrolled in the GMS scheme and dispensed at least one prescription item in 2016 (n=428 516). Main outcome measures Prevalence of exposure to DBI medications and patient factors associated with DBI exposure. Results 282 874 (66%) of the GMS population aged ≥65 years were exposed to at least one DBI medication in 2016. Prevalence of exposure to DBI medications was significantly higher in females than males (females 71.6% vs males 58.7%, adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.63 to 1.68). Prevalence of DBI exposure increased progressively with the number of chronic drugs used, rising from 42.7% of those prescribed 0–4 chronic drugs to 95.4% of those on ≥12 chronic drugs (adjusted OR 27.8, 95% CI 26.7 to 29.0). The most frequently used DBI medications were codeine/paracetamol combination products (20.1% of patients), tramadol (11.5%), zopiclone (9.5%), zolpidem (8.5%), pregabalin (7.9%) and alprazolam (7.8%). Conclusions The majority of older people in Ireland are exposed to medications with anticholinergic and/or sedative effects, particularly females and those with multiple comorbidities. The high use of low-dose codeine/paracetamol combination products, Z-drugs and benzodiazepines, suggests there are opportunities for deprescribing.
The Hog1 positive regulated YCT1 gene expression under cadmium tolerance of budding yeast

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is the cause of irreversible hazards to living organisms. Cadmium ions can induce the phosphorylation of MAPKs pathway molecules such as Hog1 and Slt2, but downstream effectors and potential activation pathways are still unclear. In this study, the RNA-seq data analysis in Cd-stressed yeast was performed to predict and screen the signal transduction pathway and the potential effect molecules regulated by MAPKs. Based on differentially expressed genes and Venn diagrams, 31 genes regulated by Hog1p and two genes induced by Slt2p, which related to carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative damage, DNA replication stress and detoxification, were characterized under Cd exposure to yeast. A cysteine-specific transporter (Yct1) modulated by Hog1 was confirmed via RNA-seq results. Meanwhile, we tested the Cd-sensitivity, intracellular Cd concentrations and β-galactosidase assay, and results indicated that the hypersensitivity of the hog1 mutant to Cd was partly abrogated in YCT1 gene deletion, induction of YCT1 was dependent on Hog1 and its transcription factors, and Yct1p would be epistatic to the Hog1p in Cd-tolerance. The investigation of the transcriptome of MAPKs under Cd stress provided valuable information for future molecular studies of Cd-tolerance.
Identification of phenol- and p-cresol-producing intestinal bacteria by using media supplemented with tyrosine and its metabolites

Abstract To identify intestinal bacteria that produce phenols (phenol and p-cresol), we screened 153 strains within 152 species in 44 genera by culture-based assay using broth media supplemented with 200 µM each of tyrosine and its predicted microbial metabolic intermediates (4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, DL-4-hydroxyphenyllactate, 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate and 4-hydroxybenzoate). Phenol-producing activity was found in 36 strains and p-cresol-producing activity in 55 strains. Fourteen strains had both types of activity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains that produced 100 µM or more of phenols revealed that 16 phenol producers belonged to the Coriobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Fusobacteriaceae and Clostridium clusters I and XIVa; four p-cresol-producing bacteria belonged to the Coriobacteriaceae and Clostridium clusters XI and XIVa; and one strain producing both belonged to the Coriobacteriaceae. A genomic search for protein homologs of enzymes involved in the metabolism of tyrosine to phenols in 10 phenol producers and four p-cresol producers, the draft genomes of which were available in public databases, predicted that phenol producers harbored tyrosine phenol-lyase or hydroxyarylic acid decarboxylase, or both, and p-cresol producers harbored p-hydroxyphenylacetate decarboxylase or tyrosine lyase, or both. These results provide important information about the bacterial strains that contribute to production of phenols in the intestine.
Harmonization of Respiratory Data From 9 US Population-Based Cohorts: The NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study

Chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRDs) are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. To support investigations into CLRD risk determinants and new approaches to primary prevention, we aimed to harmonize and pool respiratory data from US general population-based cohorts. Data were obtained from prospective cohorts that performed prebronchodilator spirometry and were harmonized following 2005 ATS/ERS standards. In cohorts conducting follow-up for noncardiovascular events, CLRD events were defined as hospitalizations/deaths adjudicated as CLRD-related or assigned relevant administrative codes. Coding and variable names were applied uniformly. The pooled sample included 65,251 adults in 9 cohorts followed-up for CLRD-related mortality over 653,380 person-years during 1983-2016. Average baseline age was 52 years; 56% were female; 49% were never-smokers; and racial/ethnic composition was 44% white, 22% black, 28% Hispanic/Latino, and 5% American Indian. Over 96% had complete data on smoking, clinical CLRD diagnoses, and dyspnea. After excluding invalid spirometry examinations (13%), there were 105,696 valid examinations (median, 2 per participant). Of 29,351 participants followed for CLRD hospitalizations, median follow-up was 14 years; only 5% were lost to follow-up at 10 years. The NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study provides a harmonization standard applied to a large, US population-based sample that may be used to advance epidemiologic research on CLRD.
Veronica persica Poir. extract - antibacterial, antifungal and scolicidal activities, and inhibitory potential on acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase.

Veronica persica (Persian speedwell) is a flowering plant local to Eurasia. In this study, several analyses were done to discover the antimicrobial and scolicidal activities and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), tyrosinase (TYR), lipoxygenase (LOX), and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of V. persica extract. The results presented that B. subtilis was the most susceptible to the extract (MIC = 40.3 μg/mL), while P. aeruginosa was the most resistant strain (MIC = 250.9 μg/mL) among all bacteria evaluated. The extracts demonstrated significant activity versus E. granulosus (P < 0.5) with dose-dependent inhibitions of the protoscolices. The analyzed plant extract exhibited a high AChE and TYR inhibitory activity 55.3% and 52.7% (at the highest utilized dose - 3 mg/mL), respectively. The extract also showed high anti-inflammatory activities in analyses tested. Our research proposed that extract of this plant could be promising to the human health, markedly in the infectious, neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.
Midkine levels and its relationship with atherosclerotic risk factors in essential hypertensive patients

Background and Objectives: Hypertension (HT) is one of the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Midkine (MK) plays a role as a growth factor in various biologic and pathologic events. In some reports, MK expression has been shown to be linked with vascular smooth muscle proliferation and neo-angiogenesis in atherosclerotic vessels. The aim was to research relationship of MK serum levels with some atherosclerotic risk factors in hypertensive patients. Methodology: This study examined 60 patients with essential HT and 30 healthy controls. Serum biochemistry, including lipid profile, MK, Vitamin B12, C-reactive protein, zinc and copper levels were obtained. Results: MK levels of the HT patients were significantly higher than the control group (24.8 ± 6.8 ng/mL vs. 18.39 ± 5.6 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.01). Lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also significantly higher in HT patients (P < 0.021, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). Zinc levels were 179.13 ± 34.06 μg/dL and 172.55 ± 45. 47μg/dL in the HT and control group, respectively. Serum MK levels were positively correlated with diastolic (r = 0.288, P < 0.05) and systolic blood pressures (r = 0.390, P < 0.002), and also with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.406, P < 0.002) and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.318, P < 0.015) levels. Furthermore MK was also negatively correlated with zinc and Vitamin B12levels (r = −0.298, P < 0.023, r = −0.334, P < 0.027, respectively). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an important association between increased serum MK levels and risk factors of atherosclerosis such as HT, increased total and LDL cholesterol.
Activation of &agr;SMA expressing perivascular cells during reactionary dentinogenesis

AIM To examine the contribution of perivascular cells expressing αSMA to reactionary dentinogenesis. METHODOLOGY An inducible, Cre-loxP in vivo fate-mapping approach was used to examine the contribution of the descendants of cells expressing the αSMA-CreERT2 transgene to reactionary dentinogenesis in mice molars. Reactionary dentinogenesis was induced by experimental mild injury to dentine without pulp exposure. The Student's t test was used to determine statistical significance at *P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS The lineage tracing experiments revealed that mild injury to dentine first led to activation of αSMA-tdTomato+ cells in the entire pulp chamber. The percentage of areas occupied by αSMA-tdTomato+ in injured (7.5 ± 0.7%) teeth were significantly higher than in teeth without injury (2 ± 0.5%). After their activation, αSMA-tdTomato+ cells migrated towards the site of injury, gave rise to pulp cells and a few odontoblasts that became integrated into the existing odontoblast layer expressing Col2.3-GFP and Dspp. CONCLUSION Mild insult to dentine activated perivascular αSMA-tdTomato+ cells giving rise to pulp cells as well as a few odontoblasts that were integrated into the pre-existing odontoblast layer.
Reduced Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic and Noncirrhotic Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Treated With Tenofovir—A Propensity Score–Matched Study

Background The effect of newer oral anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) medication, tenofovir disoproxil (TDF), on liver-related outcomes among Asians is limited. We examined the effect of TDF on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in an Asian population with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 6914 adults with chronic HBV monoinfection and no history of transplantation who were recruited from 6 US referral, community medical centers and a community based Taiwan cohort for a total of 774 patients who received TDF and 6140 who were not treated. Propensity score matching (PSM) for age, sex, HBV e antigen status, HBV DNA level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, baseline cirrhosis status, and follow-up time was performed to balance the groups, resulting in 591 treated individuals and 591 untreated individuals. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the cumulative risk of HCC. Cox proportional hazards models were run to estimate the HCC risk between groups. Results The 8-year cumulative HCC incidence was significantly higher in the PSM untreated group (20.13% vs 4.69%; P < .0001). Cirrhosis was a significant predictor for HCC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 5.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.73-10.51; P < .001). On multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, HBV DNA level, ALT level, and study site, TDF was associated with a 77% reduction in the risk of HCC (aHR, 0.23; 95% CI, .56-.92) in patients with cirrhosis and a 73% reduction (aHR, 0.27; 95% CI, .07-.98) in patients without cirrhosis. Conclusions Among cirrhotic and noncirrhotic Asian patients with CHB, TDF therapy was significantly associated with a reduction in the 8-year HCC cumulative incidence rate.
Damage identification method of carbon fiber reinforced polymer structure based on ReliefF and LSSVM

The damage identification method of carbon fiber reinforced polymer structure is of great significance for the timely detection of structural invisible damage and the avoidance of catastrophic consequences. The damage identification method of composite materials based on ReliefF and LSSVM was researched in this paper. Firstly, the damage signals of composite structure were obtained by using non damage active excitation method. Then, Fourier transform is used to extract the damage feature and reduce the feature dimension by ReliefF. On the basis of this, the damage identification model based on LSSVM was established by taking the damage feature as input and the damage mode as output. The experimental results showed that for the 20 test, the correct recognition time was 19 times, which showed higher damage identification accuracy. This paper provides a feasible method for damage identification of composite structures.
Does Continuation of Low-Dose Aspirin During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Compromise Surgical Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the perioperative outcomes and 90-day complication rates of continuation of low-dose aspirin through surgery in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). A significant proportion of patients undergoing RARP are on antiplatelet medications for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, there is still a relative lack of data with regard to the advantages and complications of continuing these medications through surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our usual protocol of RARP entails continuation of low-dose aspirin (75 mg once a day) for patients who are already on antiplatelet agents. We conducted a retrospective audit of a prospectively maintained database of 116 cases of RARP performed by a single surgical team in 1 year. Patients were divided into low-dose aspirin group (AG) (n = 31) and nonaspirin group (NAG) (n = 85). The primary objective was to compare the 90-day complication rates to assess the safety profile. Secondary objective was to compare perioperative parameters such as estimated blood loss, blood transfusion rates, fall in hemoglobin (Hb) level, drain outputs on day 1, days to drain removal, lymph node yield, and margin positivity. Subgroup comparison was performed between patients on aspirin for primary prevention (n = 15) and NAG. RESULTS Both groups were well matched for preoperative parameters except for significantly higher comorbidities and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score class in AG. Console time, blood loss, fall in Hb level, drain output, drain and catheter removal days, day of discharge, and lymph node yield were comparable. Margin positivity was significantly higher in NAG. Ninety-day complication rates were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.218) with only one major complication (Clavien-Dindo grade 4 hypotension requiring intensive care unit admission) in AG. Subgroup comparison demonstrated similar outcomes. CONCLUSION Low-dose aspirin can be safely continued perioperatively during RARP, without increasing the bleeding-related complications and overall 90-day complication rates.
Trends and outcomes of women with synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancer

This retrospective observational study examined trends, characteristics, and survival of women with synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancer (SEOC) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program between 1973 and 2013. Among 235,454 women with primary endometrial cancer, synchronous ovarian cancer was seen in 4,082 (1.7%) women with the proportion being decreased from 2.0% to 1.6% between 1983 and 2013 (P=0.049); and the proportion of concurrent endometrioid tumors in the two cancer sites has increased from 24.2% to 49.9% among SEOC women (P<0.001). When compared to endometrial cancer without synchronous ovarian cancer, endometrioid histology in the two cancer sites was associated with improved cause-specific survival while non-endometrioid histology in the ovarian cancer was associated with decreased cause-specific survival (adjusted-P<0.01). Among 110,063 women with primary epithelial ovarian cancer, synchronous endometrial cancer was seen in 3,940 (3.6%) women with the proportion being increased from 2.2% to 4.4% between 1973 and 2013 (P<0.001); and the proportion of concurrent endometrioid tumors in the two cancer sites had increased from 24.3% to 50.2% among SEOC women (P<0.001). When compared to primary epithelial ovarian cancer without synchronous endometrial cancer, SEOC was associated with better cause-specific survival if ovarian cancer is endometrioid type or if endometrial cancer is endometrioid type (adjusted-P<0.001). Across the two cohorts, the proportion of SEOC reached to the peak in the late-40 years of age and then decreased significantly (P<0.001). In conclusion, our study suggests that synchronous ovarian cancer has decreased among endometrial cancer whereas synchronous endometrial cancer has increased among epithelial ovarian cancer.
Clustering of end‐organ disease and earlier mortality in adults with sickle cell disease: A retrospective‐prospective cohort study

Chronic end‐organ complications result in morbidity and mortality in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). In a retrospective‐prospective cohort of 150 adults with SCD who received standard care screening for pulmonary function abnormalities, cardiac disease, and renal assessment from January 2003 to 2016, we tested the hypothesis that clustering of end‐organ disease is common and multiple organ impairment predicts mortality. Any end‐organ disease occurred in 59.3% of individuals, and 24.0% developed multiple organ (>1) end‐organ disease. The number of end‐organs affected was associated with mortality (P ≤ .001); 8.2% (5 of 61) of individuals with no affected end‐organ, 9.4% (5 of 53) of those with 1 affected organ, 20.7% (6 of 29) of those with 2 affected end‐organs, and 85.7% (6 of 7) with 3 affected end‐organs died over a median follow up period of 8.7 (interquartile range 3.5‐11.4) years. Of the 22 individuals who died, 77.3% had evidence of any SCD‐related end‐organ impairment, and this was the primary or secondary cause of death in 45.0%. SCD‐related chronic impairment in multiple organs, and its association with mortality, highlights the need to understand the common mechanisms underlying chronic end‐organ damage in SCD, and the urgent need to develop interventions to prevent irreversible end‐organ complications in SCD.