Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early fetal binge alcohol exposure predicts high behavioral symptom scores in 5.5-year-old children.

BACKGROUND Fetal binge alcohol exposure has been associated with neurobehavioral and cognitive symptoms. This study explored whether binge drinking mainly before recognition of pregnancy predicted high symptom scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in 5.5-year-old children. METHODS In a population-based, longitudinal study representative of pregnant women in Oslo, Norway, questionnaires were answered at 17 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, 6 months after term, and at child age 5.5 years (n = 1,116, constituting 66% of the original cohort). Logistic regression analyses identified factors predicting high SDQ scores, and multiple regression analyses identified direct effects on the SDQ Total. RESULTS Binge exposure (≥5 standard units per occasion [SUpo]) during pregnancy week 0 to 6, that is, 0 to 4 weeks after conception, predicted scores in the Abnormal and Borderline range on the SDQ in 5.5-year-olds, after adjusting for other confounding variables. Very early binge exposure less often than once a week predicted high symptom scores on the SDQ Total (p = 0.05) and Hyperactivity/Inattention (significant), while exposure at least once a week demonstrated a 3- to 5-fold significant increase in high symptom scores on Total, Emotional, and Conduct problems. Reporting ≥8 SUpo had stronger predictive power than reporting 5 to 7 SUpo. The results were not explained by participants reporting major lifetime depression. Other predictive factors, although weaker, were maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety during the child's infancy. High education (mother and father), high income (maternal partner), higher child birth weight, and child female sex reduced the likelihood of high SDQ symptom scores. Path analysis demonstrated early binge exposure to have a direct effect on the SDQ Total score. CONCLUSIONS Binge drinking up to 4 weeks after conception had a strong and direct predictive effect on SDQ symptom scores in 5.5-year-olds. These results strongly support the advice to avoid binge drinking when planning pregnancy.
Use of the modified Borg scale and numerical rating scale to measure chronic breathlessness: a pooled data analysis

The subjective nature of the experience of chronic breathlessness (dyspnoea) creates challenges for patients who need to communicate its intensity, and for clinicians and researchers who need to measure the symptom in order to plan management and assess the effect of interventions. Measuring chronic dyspnoea in clinical studies: numerical rating scale better than the modified Borg scale http://ow.ly/XZc1G
Micropollutant fate in wastewater treatment: redefining "removal".

Lauren B. Stadler,*,† Alexi S. Ernstoff,‡ Diana S. Aga, and Nancy G. Love† †Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States ‡Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
Altered anterior cingulate neurochemistry in emerging adult binge drinkers with a history of alcohol-induced blackouts.

BACKGROUND Binge alcohol consumption is associated with multiple neurobiological consequences, including altered neurophysiology, brain structure, and functional activation. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have demonstrated neurochemical alterations in the frontal lobe of alcohol users, although most studies focused on older, alcohol-dependent subjects. METHODS In this study, neurochemical data were acquired using MRS at 4.0 Tesla from emerging adults (18 to 24 years old) who were binge alcohol drinkers (BD, n = 23) or light drinkers (LD, n = 31). Since binge drinking is also associated with increased prevalence of experiencing an alcohol-induced blackout, BD were stratified into alcohol-induced blackout (BDBO) and non-blackout (BDN) groups. RESULTS Overall, BD had significantly lower gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) than LD. When stratified by blackout history, BDBO also had lower ACC glutamate (Glu) than LD. No group differences in MRS metabolites were observed in the parietal-occipital cortex. Lower ACC GABA and Glu remained significant after accounting for lower gray matter content in BD, however, NAA differences were no longer evident. In addition, low ACC GABA levels were associated with greater alcohol use consequences, and worse response inhibition and attention/mental flexibility in BD. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that binge drinking affects frontal lobe neurochemistry, more so in those who had experienced an alcohol-induced blackout. Characterization of the neurochemical profiles associated with binge alcohol consumption and blackout history may help identify unique risk factors for the later manifestation of alcohol abuse and dependence, in young individuals who are heavy, frequent drinkers, but who do not meet the criteria for alcohol abuse disorders.
The global prevalence of IBS in adults remains elusive due to the heterogeneity of studies: a Rome Foundation working team literature review

Objectives The global prevalence of IBS is difficult to ascertain, particularly in light of the heterogeneity of published epidemiological studies. The aim was to conduct a literature review, by experts from around the world, of community-based studies on IBS prevalence. Design Searches were conducted using predetermined search terms and eligibility criteria, including papers in all languages. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated by combining separate population survey prevalence estimates to generate an overall combined meta-prevalence estimate. The heterogeneity of studies was assessed. Results 1451 papers were returned and 83, including 288 103 participants in 41 countries, met inclusion criteria. The mean prevalence among individual countries ranged from 1.1% in France and Iran to 35.5% in Mexico. There was significant variance in pooled regional prevalence rates ranging from 17.5% (95% CI 16.9% to 18.2%) in Latin America, 9.6% (9.5% to 9.8%) in Asia, 7.1% (8.0% to 8.3%) in North America/Europe/Australia/New Zealand, to 5.8% (5.6% to 6.0%) in the Middle East and Africa. There was a significant degree of heterogeneity with the percentage of residual variation due to heterogeneity at 99.9%. Conclusions The main finding is the extent of methodological variance in the studies reviewed and the degree of heterogeneity among them. Based on this, we concluded that publication of a single pooled global prevalence rate, which is easily calculated, would not be appropriate or contributory. Furthermore, we believe that future studies should focus on regional and cross-cultural differences that are more likely to shed light on pathophysiology.
A surveillance tool using mobile phone short message service to reduce alcohol consumption among alcohol-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND In public health settings, short message service (SMS) appears to be a promising low-cost modality for reducing alcohol consumption. Here, we test a simple interactive SMS-based helpline with detoxified alcohol-dependent patients to extend findings to curative settings. METHODS This controlled, prospective, 2-group before-after block-assignment, open pilot study tested the feasibility and efficacy of an 8-week outpatient interactive mobile phone SMS intervention (n = 42) against treatment as usual (TAU; n = 38) after inpatient detoxification. Patients were asked whether they needed any help via an automatically generated text message twice a week. A therapist called the individual back when notified. Alcohol consumption was assessed using the telephone version of Form-90 4 and 8 weeks after discharge from inpatient detoxification. The primary end point was defined as attaining low-risk consumption (males ≤30 g or 3.75 units per drinking day (DDD); females ≤20 g or 2.5 units per DDD) 8 weeks after discharge. Missing data were replaced by multiple imputation. RESULTS Among all messages sent, 20.5% were followed by a phone call. Feasibility and acceptability were good, as indicated by successful implementation of the SMS procedure and the rapid inclusion of patients. Adherence was satisfactory with 57.14% of the participants replying to at least 50% of the prompts. Patients reported a typical preadmission DDD of 281.25 ± 244.61 g. In the SMS group, 55.7% of 42 patients, and 40% of 38 patients in the TAU group, achieved low-risk consumption (risk diff: 0.16; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.37; p = 0.122). CONCLUSIONS In detoxified alcohol-dependent patients, relapse prevention based on SMS was well received and implemented efficiently and rapidly. An adequately powered multicenter study is currently being conducted to test the nonsignificant but encouraging findings of this exploratory study with more rigorous trial methods (ISRCTN78350716).
Osseointegrated Titanium Implants

The permanent implantation of materials in bone has long been a goal of the dental and medical pro-fessions. Many needs have arisen for the anchored support of joint, intraoral, and extraoral prosthe-ses. Most research attempts to define the perfect biomaterial for long-term implantation have failed, primarily due to their inability to achieve a "permanent" bonding of the implant to the bone itself without an intervening soft tissue or fibrous layer. Such a fibrous layer invariably leads to loosening and extrusion of the implant. Further advancement in techniques for the future in the bioengineering of bone and joint replacements rests with the success of investigations in finding the ideal bonding material for bone.
A 0.18-µm 10-GHz CMOS ring oscillator for optical transceivers

This paper presents a three-stage 1.8-V 10-GHz ring oscillator, implemented using the 0.18-/spl mu/m digital CMOS technology. The circuit utilizes the feedforward technique at the delay cells and positive feedback provided by a cross-coupled nMOS pair in each delay cell to boost the operation speed of the oscillator. The output frequency ranges from 10.1 to 8.4 GHz with control voltages of 0 to 1.5 V. The simulated result of the phase noise is -99.9 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset from the center frequency of 9.2 GHz. The circuit draws 35 mA and 22 mA from the 1.8-V supply when running at the highest and lowest frequencies, respectively.
Associations between a history of binge drinking during adolescence and self-reported responses to alcohol in young adult Native and Mexican Americans.

BACKGROUND Binge drinking during adolescence is common and may predict increased drinking in young adulthood and enhanced risk of alcohol dependence. Variation in level of response to the hedonic and adverse effects of alcohol is in part an inherited factor that may also influence its use, abuse, and dependence. This study investigated, in young adults, whether an association could be demonstrated between variation in self-reported responses to alcohol and a history of binge drinking during adolescence. METHODS Young adult (18 to 30 years, n = 790) Native Americans and Mexican Americans were recruited from the community and completed a structured diagnostic interview. Response to alcohol was indexed using the expectation version of the Subjective High Assessment Scale (SHAS-E). An adolescent history of regular binge drinking was defined as drinking 5 or more drinks for boys and 4 or more drinks for girls per drinking occasion at least once a month during their highest drinking period prior to the age of 18. RESULTS An adolescent history of regular binge drinking was found to be associated with a lower level of self-reported responses to the negative aspects of alcohol intoxication (feeling terrible) as well as to the overall level of intoxication, but not to the positive impressions of intoxication (feeling great) on the SHAS-E. A history of regular adolescent binge drinking was also correlated with less feelings of the "terrible" and "total" effects of alcohol, as indexed by the SHAS-E, in a linear regression model that included several diagnostic and demographic variables such as a history of conduct disorder and current levels of drinking. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that a history of adolescent binge drinking is associated with a reduction in the self-reported level of intoxication in young adulthood, a factor that could theoretically lead to increased risk of alcohol dependence.
Estimating the potential savings with vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: a payer perspective*

ABSTRACT Objective: To provide a formula estimating potential reductions in healthcare utilization costs with adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS Therapy†) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). † VNS Therapy is a trademark of Cyberonics, Inc., Houston, TX, USA Methods: This payer-perspective formula incorporates costs of treatment as usual for TRD patients from a published analysis of the MarketScan private payer claims database and the 2004 Medicare 5% standard analytic file. Estimated remission and response rates are from the published VNS pilot and pivotal studies. Costs were converted to 2008 US dollars per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics medical care costs, consumer price index. Device and implantation costs were calculated at $28 336. Results: From the MarketScan and pooled outcomes data (VNS pilot and pivotal studies), potential per patient savings (hospitalization directly and indirectly related to depression) was $2974 at 5 years of device life, $23 539 at 8 years (moderate cost reduction scenario); $12 914 at 5 years, $40 935 at 8 years (optimistic scenario). Corresponding break-even device life was 4.57 and 3.62 years, respectively. From the Medicare file and pooled outcomes, potential per patient savings (inpatient and outpatient directly and indirectly related to depression) was $8358 at 5 years of device life, $32 385 at 8 years (moderate scenario); $19 837 at 5 years, $52 473 at 8 years (optimistic scenario). Corresponding break-even device life was 3.96 and 3.18 years, respectively. Conclusions: The formula allows an evaluation of expected reductions in healthcare costs as a function of input cost variables, efficacy rates, and benefit scenarios. Cited costs differ relative to care settings, diagnostic principles, and procedural volume. This formula can help assess moderate-to-longer-term economic benefits of VNS for a particular institution. Results suggested that potential reductions in healthcare costs with VNS for TRD may be substantial. Break-even device life for the scenarios presented ranges between 2.3 and 5.7 years. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00533832.
Predicting naltrexone response in alcohol-dependent patients: the contribution of functional magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND Effect sizes of pharmacotherapy in alcoholism are modest. They might improve if subjects could be divided into more homogeneous subgroups and would then be treated targeted to their neurobiological profile. In such an effort, we tested neural cue reactivity as a potential predictor of treatment response to naltrexone. Alcohol-associated cues cause brain activations in mesocorticolimbic networks due to the positive reinforcing properties of alcohol. These activations were reported to be associated with relapse behavior. Naltrexone, an antagonist at the mu-opioid receptor, improves drinking behavior in some but not all patients probably by blocking the positive reinforcement of alcohol. Conversely, acamprosate is proposed to modulate negative reinforcement (withdrawal and cue-induced withdrawal). Identifying subjects with elevated cue reactivity and testing their response to medical treatment could thus improve our understanding of some of the mechanisms underlying pharmacotherapy response. METHODS A picture-perception task featuring alcohol-related and neutral stimuli was presented to 64 recently detoxified alcohol-dependent patients. Patients came from 1 center of a larger double-blind randomized multicenter clinical trial (the "PREDICT Study"). They were scanned prior to being randomized to either naltrexone or acamprosate. We examined the interaction between medication and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) cue reactivity, as measured by the percentage of voxels activated, using the time to the first severe relapse as the outcome criterion. Our a priori formulated hypothesis was that naltrexone but not acamprosate should be efficacious in subjects with high cue reactivity. RESULTS We observed an interaction effect between pretreatment brain activation induced by alcohol images and medication (acamprosate/naltrexone) on relapse behavior. In line with our hypothesis, this interaction was driven by treatment response to naltrexone in patients with elevated pretreatment cue reactivity in the ventral striatum. CONCLUSIONS fMRI has the potential for predicting treatment response to naltrexone in a subgroup of alcohol-dependent patients. However, this approach will be limited to researching the mechanisms and principles of treatment response.
Squamous odontogenic tumor: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Squamous odontogenic tumors are rare benign neoplasms of the jaws that are thought to originate from remnants of the dental lamina. They have been confused with other lesions composed of nests of squamous epithelium including well-differentiated squamous carcinoma. The clinicopathologic features of two squamous odontogenic tumors are presented. The electron-microscopic appearance of one of these is described, and the 16 previously reported cases are reviewed.
Multiple description watermarking for lossy network

The paper proposes an innovative watermarking scheme based on vector quantization (VQ); it is suitable for media transmission over noisy channels with multiple description coding (MDC). Digital watermarking is one of the applicable tools that can be used to protect digital contents from illegal copying and distribution. In addition to conventional schemes that apply attacks on watermarked media, we focus our application on transmitting over noisy channels to consider both the error-resilient transmission of watermarked media, and the robustness of the watermarking algorithm. By modifying the multiple description vector quantization (MDVQ) algorithm for watermark embedding and extraction, simulation results not only demonstrate the effective transmission of a watermarked image, but reveal the robustness of the extracted watermark.
Alcohol cues impair learning inhibitory signals in beer drinkers.

BACKGROUND Models of drug addiction emphasize the reciprocal influence of incentive-motivational properties of drug-related cues and poor impulse control resulting in drug use. Recent studies have shown that alcohol-related cues can impair response inhibition. What is unknown is whether these cues also disrupt learning of inhibitory associations. METHODS Participants performed a conditioned inhibition (CI) task and were required to learn that a neutral image was a conditioned inhibitor when presented in the context of either an alcohol image intended to draw their attention away from the to-be-trained inhibitor, or a control condition in which the alcohol image was absent. After training, subjects in each condition rated the likelihood that the neutral image would signal the outcome. Eye tracking was used to verify that attention to the neutral image was in fact reduced when the alcohol image was present. RESULTS Compared with controls those trained in the alcohol image condition reported a greater likelihood that the presence of the inhibitor would be followed by the outcome and thus were less able to acquire CI. Measures of eye tracking verified that attention to the alcohol cue was associated with this maladaptive behavior. CONCLUSIONS When alcohol cues are present, there is a reduced ability to learn that such information is irrelevant to an outcome, and this impairs ones' ability to inhibit perseveration of a response. This has implications for persistence of a drinking episode.
Effect of vedolizumab (anti-α4β7-integrin) therapy on histological healing and mucosal gene expression in patients with UC

Objective Lymphocyte recruitment to the inflamed gut is increased in UC. Inhibition of this cell trafficking by vedolizumab (VDZ) was successful in inducing and maintaining remission and in induction of endoscopic mucosal healing. There are no data on histological healing with VDZ. We studied histological changes following VDZ therapy and compared gene expression in patients with UC before and after therapy. Design Forty-one patients with UC from GEMINI I and LTS were studied before and at three time points (weeks 6/12/52) following VDZ therapy. Colonic biopsies were scored using the Geboes index and correlated with Mayo endoscopic subscore. Gene expression was analysed using Affymetrix gene arrays. Results Fifty-five per cent of patients achieving endoscopic healing (= Mayo endoscopic subscore 0–1) with VDZ at the studied time points also had histological healing (= Geboes grade 0–1). In most healers, some residual histological changes (eg, disturbed architecture and increased mononuclear cell infiltrate) were still observed, although this was less at week 52. VDZ restored expression of many inflammatory genes in patients with endoscopic healing only at week 52 and not before. In VDZ healers, the expression of many genes remained dysregulated at weeks 6/12/52 compared with controls. Conclusions VDZ induces histological healing in >50% of patients with endoscopic healing, with maximal effect at week 52. VDZ also restored, although incompletely, the colonic expression of many immune-related genes in patients with UC achieving endoscopic healing at week 52. However, persistent histological and gene dysregulations did remain even in healers, suggesting that maintenance therapy will be necessary to control the intestinal inflammation. Trial registration numbers: NCT00783718 and NCT00790933; post-results.
Executive Functions and Motivation as Moderators of the Relationship Between Automatic Associations and Alcohol Use in Problem Drinkers Seeking Online Help.

BACKGROUND Dual process models posit that problem drinking is maintained by an imbalance between relatively strong automatic processes and weak controlled processes, a combination of executive functions and motivation. Few studies have examined how the interplay between automatic processes and executive functions is affected by motivation to change. This study examined this relationship in problem drinkers seeking online help to change their alcohol use. It was expected that executive functions (i.e., working memory, response inhibition) would moderate the relationship between automatic (valence and approach) associations and alcohol use and that this effect would be stronger in individuals with strong motivation to change. METHODS A sample of 302 problem drinkers (mean age: 51.7 years) participated in this study as part of the baseline assessment before an Internet intervention. Participants completed an online version of the brief Implicit Association Test (valence and approach associations), the self-ordered pointing task (working memory), the Stroop task (response inhibition), the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (motivation to change), and the Timeline Follow-Back Questionnaire (alcohol use). Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the 4 hypothesized 3-way interactions. RESULTS As expected, the interaction between valence associations and working memory only predicted alcohol use among individuals with strong motivation. This pattern was neither found for response inhibition nor for approach associations. CONCLUSIONS Results provide partial support for the moderating role of motivation in the interplay between automatic processes and executive functions. Future studies should investigate this relationship in participants with the full range of motivation and alcohol use.