Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of Neck Disability Index Severity among Patients Receiving One or Two-Level Anterior Cervical Surgery

Study Design Retrospective cohort. Purpose To evaluate the validity of established severity thresholds for Neck Disability Index (NDI) among patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). Overview of Literature Few studies have examined the validity of established NDI threshold values among patients undergoing ACDF or CDA. Methods A surgical database was reviewed to identify patients undergoing cervical spine procedures. Demographics, operative characteristics, comorbidities, NDI, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and 12-item Short Form (SF-12) physical and mental composite scores (PCS and MCS) were recorded. NDI severity was categorized using previously established threshold values. Improvement from preoperative scores at each postoperative timepoint and convergent validity of NDI was evaluated. Discriminant validity of NDI was evaluated against VAS neck and arm and SF-12 PCS and MCS. Results All 290 patients included in the study demonstrated significant improvements from baseline values for all patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at all postoperative timepoints (p<0.001) except SF-12 MCS at 2 years (p=0.393). NDI showed a moderate-to-strong correlation (r≥0.419) at most timepoints for VAS neck, VAS arm, SF-12 PCS, and SF-12 MCS (p<0.001, all). NDI severity categories demonstrated significant differences in mean VAS neck, VAS arm, SF-12 PCS, and SF-12 MCS at all timepoints (p<0.001, all). Differences between NDI severity groups were not uniform for all PROMs. VAS neck values demonstrated significant intergroup differences at most timepoints, whereas SF-12 MCS showed significantly different values between most severity groups. Conclusions Neck disability is strongly correlated with neck and arm pain, physical function, and mental health and demonstrates worse outcomes with increasing severity. Previously established severity categories may be more applicable to pain than physical function or mental health and may be more uniformly applied preoperatively for cervical spine patients.
Association of Peripheral Lymphocyte Subsets with Cognitive Decline and Dementia: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Inﬂammatory biomarkers in plasma are associated with dementia. Thus, we examined the association of 18 types of peripheral immune cells, measured as proportions of their immune cell type, with cross-sectional measures of cognitive function, change in cognitive function over seven years, prevalent dementia, and time to death from dementia in 1,928 participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study, with mean age 80 years and 62% female. We did not identify any associations after accounting for multiple comparisons, though we identiﬁed marginal associations of peripheral regulatory T cells with cognitive decline and dementia.
The MdBBX22–miR858–MdMYB9/11/12 module regulates proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in apple peel

Summary Proanthocyanidins (PAs) have antioxidant properties and are beneficial to human health. The fruit of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.), especially the peel, is rich in various flavonoids, such as PAs, and thus is an important source of dietary antioxidants. Previous research on the regulation of PAs in apple has mainly focussed on the transcription level, whereas studies conducted at the post‐transcriptional level are relatively rare. In this study, we investigated the function of mdm‐miR858, a miRNA with multiple functions in plant development, in the peel of apple fruit. We showed that mdm‐miR858 negatively regulated PA accumulation by targeting MdMYB9/11/12 in the peel. During fruit development, mdm‐miR858 expression was negatively correlated with MdMYB9/11/12 expression and PA accumulation. A 5′‐RACE experiment, GUS staining assays and transient luminescent assays indicated that mdm‐miR858 cleaved and inhibited the expression of MdMYB9/11/12. Overexpression of mdm‐miR858 in apple calli, tobacco and Arabidopsis reduced the accumulation of PAs induced by overexpression of MdMYB9/11/12. Furthermore, we found that MdBBX22 bound to the mdm‐miR858 promoter and induced its expression. Overexpression of MdBBX22 induced the expression of mdm‐miR858 to inhibit the accumulation of PAs in apple calli overexpressing MdMYB9/11/12. Under light stress, MdBBX22 induced mdm‐miR858 expression to inhibit PA accumulation and thereby indirectly enhanced anthocyanin synthesis in the peel. The present results revealed that the MdBBX22–miR858–MdMYB9/11/12 module regulates PA accumulation in apple. The findings provide a reference for further studies of the regulatory mechanism of PA accumulation and the relationship between PAs and anthocyanins.
Abnormal liver tests are not sufficient for diagnosis of hepatic graft‐versus‐host disease in critically ill patients

Hepatic graft‐versus‐host disease (HGVHD) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Clinical findings and liver biomarkers are neither sensitive nor specific. The relationship between clinical and histologic diagnoses of HGVHD was assessed premortem and at autopsy. Medical records from patients who underwent HSCT at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center between 2000 and 2012 and expired with autopsy were reviewed, and laboratory tests within 45 days of death were divided into 15‐day periods. Clinical diagnosis of HGVHD was based on Keystone Criteria or NIH Consensus Criteria, histologic diagnosis based on bile duct injury without significant inflammation, and exclusion of other potential etiologies. We included 37 patients, 17 of whom had a cholestatic pattern of liver injury and two had a mixed pattern. Fifteen were clinically diagnosed with HGVHD, two showed HGVHD on autopsy, and 13 had histologic evidence of other processes but no HGVHD. Biopsy or clinical diagnosis of GVHD of other organs during life did not correlate with HGVHD on autopsy. The diagnostic accuracy of the current criteria was poor (κ = −0.20). A logistic regression model accounting for dynamic changes included peak bilirubin 15 days before death, and an increase from period −30 (days 30 to 16 before death) to period −15 (15 days before death) showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77. Infection was the immediate cause of death in 68% of patients. In conclusion, liver biomarkers at baseline and GVHD elsewhere are poor predictors of HGVHD on autopsy, and current clinical diagnostic criteria have unsatisfactory performance. Peak bilirubin and cholestatic injury predicted HGVHD on autopsy. A predictive model was developed accounting for changes over time. Further validation is needed.
G and P genotype profiles of rotavirus a field strains circulating in a vaccinated bovine farm as parameters for assessing biosecurity level

After improvement of hygiene protocols on boots in a bovine operation (farm A) in Ibaraki, Japan in September 2017, mortality of calves and the detection of 4 viral pathogen indicators, including bovine rotavirus A (RVA), became significantly low for one year. Subsequently, in the present study, these indicators and mortality were monitored and confirmed all were still low, except for the detection rate of bovine RVA in calves less than 3 weeks old. The present study aimed to investigate G and P genotypic profiles of RVAs in farm A from 2018 to 2020. Molecular analysis using semi-nested multiplex RT-PCR of positive RVAs (n=122) and sequencing of selected samples revealed the presence of G6, G8, G10, P[1], P[5] and P[11] genotypes and the prevalence of G and/or P combination and mixed infections. The most common combination of G and P types was G10P[11] (41.8%), followed by mixed infection with G6+G10P[5] (11.5%). Phylogenetic analysis of RVAs showed clustering with bovine and other animal-derived RVA strains, suggesting the possibility of multiple reassortant events with strains of bovine and others animal origins. Noteworthy as well is that vaccinated cattle might fail to provide their offspring with maternal immunity against RVA infections, due to insufficient colostrum feeding. Our findings further highlight the importance of RVA surveillance in bovine populations, which may be useful to improving effective routine vaccination and hygiene practices on bovine farms.
Life Satisfaction and Intergenerational Mobility Among Older Hispanics in the United States

Objectives To investigate the impact of intergenerational mobility—measured as the difference between one’s own and one’s father’s education level—on overall life-satisfaction among Hispanic, White, and Black older Americans. Methods Data from the Health and Retirement Study were used to estimate life satisfaction by race/ethnicity using ordinary least squares regression (N = 5,057). Results Hispanic and Black older Americans report greater educational gains relative to their fathers compared to Whites. Despite having the lowest reported education levels, Hispanics report the highest life satisfaction across race/ethnic groups. However, net of education level and other factors, intergenerational mobility decreased rather than increased life satisfaction for Hispanic older Americans. Discussion These results indicate that intergenerational mobility may not confer equal benefits for overall life satisfaction across racial/ethnic groups. As Hispanic individuals continue to achieve higher education levels, it is unclear whether upward mobility will translate to positive or negative assimilation consequences.
Warmth and reciprocity with mothers, and young children's resilience to exposure to community violence in Colombia: findings from the La Sabana Parent–Child Study

Background Exposure to community violence is common worldwide and is associated with emotional and behavioural problems in children. Little is known about sources of resilience. Building on our previous work on the contribution of callous‐unemotional (CU) traits to child aggression in Colombia, we examined whether positive parenting is protective for children whose families are exposed to community violence. Methods Families were recruited from three demographically contrasting regions of Colombia. The sample comprised 235 children aged 3.5 years and their mothers, of whom 220 (93%) were followed up at age 5.0 years. Positive parenting was assessed as the average of maternal warmth and reciprocity, and as praise, and negative parenting as the average of negative affect and conflict seen in video recordings of standardized procedures. CU traits and oppositional defiant disorder were assessed by maternal report at ages 3.5 and 5.0 years, and mothers reported exposure to community violence over the 18 months between assessments. A range of potential confounds was included in adjusted analyses. Results In the families who were exposed to community violence, but not in the unexposed, maternal warmth and reciprocity were associated prospectively with lower CU traits (interaction, p = .007). In the exposed group maternal warmth and reciprocity explained 10% of the variance (β = −.34, p = .001). Maternal praise was not associated with CU traits. Maternal negative parenting predicted higher CU traits as the main effect but not in interaction with community violence exposure. Conclusions Maternal warmth and reciprocity with young children may promote resilience in the face of community violence. Programmes to enhance these protective processes may be needed especially where prospects for reducing community violence are limited. The centrality of parents for these children highlights the plight of those exposed to community violence, and also either separated from parents or orphaned.
Promised and Lottery Airtime Incentives to Improve Interactive Voice Response Survey Participation Among Adults in Bangladesh and Uganda: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Increased mobile phone penetration allows the interviewing of respondents using interactive voice response surveys in low- and middle-income countries. However, there has been little investigation of the best type of incentive to obtain data from a representative sample in these countries. Objective We assessed the effect of different airtime incentives options on cooperation and response rates of an interactive voice response survey in Bangladesh and Uganda. Methods The open-label randomized controlled trial had three arms: (1) no incentive (control), (2) promised airtime incentive of 50 Bangladeshi Taka (US $0.60; 1 BDT is approximately equivalent to US $0.012) or 5000 Ugandan Shilling (US $1.35; 1 UGX is approximately equivalent to US $0.00028), and (3) lottery incentive (500 BDT and 100,000 UGX), in which the odds of winning were 1:20. Fully automated random-digit dialing was used to sample eligible participants aged ≥18 years. The risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals for primary outcomes of response and cooperation rates were obtained using log-binomial regression. Results Between June 14 and July 14, 2017, a total of 546,746 phone calls were made in Bangladesh, with 1165 complete interviews being conducted. Between March 26 and April 22, 2017, a total of 178,572 phone calls were made in Uganda, with 1248 complete interviews being conducted. Cooperation rates were significantly higher for the promised incentive (Bangladesh: 39.3%; RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.24-1.55, P<.001; Uganda: 59.9%; RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.33-1.62, P<.001) and the lottery incentive arms (Bangladesh: 36.6%; RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.15-1.45, P<.001; Uganda: 54.6%; RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.21-1.48, P<.001) than those for the control arm (Bangladesh: 28.4%; Uganda: 40.9%). Similarly, response rates were significantly higher for the promised incentive (Bangladesh: 26.5%%; RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.14-1.39, P<.001; Uganda: 41.2%; RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.16-1.39, P<.001) and lottery incentive arms (Bangladesh: 24.5%%; RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.29, P=.002; Uganda: 37.9%%; RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.29, P=.001) than those for the control arm (Bangladesh: 21.0%; Uganda: 32.4%). Conclusions Promised or lottery airtime incentives improved survey participation and facilitated a large sample within a short period in 2 countries. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03773146; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03773146
Best Practice Recommendations for Geriatric Dysphagia Management with 5 Ws and 1H

Background Dysphagia is a geriatric syndrome. Changes in the whole body that occur with aging also affect swallowing functions and cause presbyphagia. This condition may progress to oropharyngeal and/or esophageal dysphagia in the presence of secondary causes that increase in incidence with aging. However, no study has been published that provides recommendations for use in clinical practice that addresses in detail all aspects of the management of dysphagia in geriatric individuals. This study aimed to answer almost all potential questions and problems in the management of geriatric dysphagia in clinical practice. Methods A multidisciplinary team created this recommendation guide using the seven-step and three-round modified Delphi method via e-mail. The study included 39 experts from 29 centers in 14 cities. Results Based on the 5W and 1H method, we developed 216 detailed recommendations for older adults from the perspective of different disciplines dealing with older people. Conclusion This consensus-based recommendation is a useful guide to address practical clinical questions in the diagnosis, rehabilitation, and follow-up for the management of geriatric dysphagia and also contains detailed commentary on these issues.
Draft Genome Sequence of Nereida sp. Strain MMG025, Isolated from Giant Kelp

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Nereida sp. strain MMG025, isolated from the surface of giant kelp and assembled and analyzed by undergraduate students participating in a marine microbial genomics course. A genomic comparison suggests that MMG025 is a novel species, providing a resource for future microbiology and biotechnology investigations. ABSTRACT Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Nereida sp. strain MMG025, isolated from the surface of giant kelp and assembled and analyzed by undergraduate students participating in a marine microbial genomics course. A genomic comparison suggests that MMG025 is a novel species, providing a resource for future microbiology and biotechnology investigations.
Urinary extracellular vesicles contain mature transcriptome enriched in circular and long noncoding RNAs with functional significance in prostate cancer

Abstract Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs modulate gene expression alongside presenting unexpected source of neoantigens. Despite their immense interest, their ability to be transferred and control adjacent cells is unknown. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) offer a protective environment for nucleic acids, with pro and antitumourigenic functions by controlling the immune response. In contrast to extracellular nonvesicular RNA, few studies have addressed the full RNA content within human fluids’ EVs and have compared them with their tissue of origin. Here, we performed Total RNA‐Sequencing on six Formalin‐Fixed‐Paraffin‐Embedded (FFPE) prostate cancer (PCa) tumour tissues and their paired urinary (u)EVs to provide the first whole transcriptome comparison from the same patients. UEVs contain simplified transcriptome with intron‐free cytoplasmic transcripts and enriched lnc/circular (circ)RNAs, strikingly common to an independent 20 patients’ urinary cohort. Our full cellular and EVs transcriptome comparison within three PCa cell lines identified a set of overlapping 14 uEV‐circRNAs characterized as essential for prostate cell proliferation in vitro and 28 uEV‐lncRNAs belonging to the cancer‐related lncRNA census (CLC2). In addition, we found 15 uEV‐lncRNAs, predicted to encode 768 high‐affinity neoantigens, and for which three of the encoded‐ORF produced detectable unmodified peptides by mass spectrometry. Our dual analysis of EVs‐lnc/circRNAs both in urines’ and in vitro’s EVs provides a fundamental resource for future uEV‐lnc/circRNAs phenotypic characterization involved in PCa.
Recovery of Metagenome-Assembled Genomes from a Human Fecal Sample with Pacific Biosciences High-Fidelity Sequencing

Here, we report the recovery of 89 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) derived from a human fecal sample subjected to Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) high-fidelity (HiFi) sequencing. A total of 9 MAGs consisted of complete circular contigs, and 45 MAGs were high-quality draft genomes according to the minimum information about a metagenome-assembled genome (MIMAG) standards. ABSTRACT Here, we report the recovery of 89 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) derived from a human fecal sample subjected to Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) high-fidelity (HiFi) sequencing. A total of 9 MAGs consisted of complete circular contigs, and 45 MAGs were high-quality draft genomes according to the minimum information about a metagenome-assembled genome (MIMAG) standards.
Variable Renewable Energies and Their Contribution to Energy Security: Complementarity in Colombia

This monograph describes the linkages between the concept of capacity in energy markets and the characteristics of Variable Renewable Energies (VRE), hydro, solar, and wind. We live in a carbon-constrained world challenged by climate change. This document provides practical ways for member countries to increase their energy security and to assess the complementarity between variable renewable energies such as wind or solar. The publication assesses the complementarity between variable renewable energies such as wind or solar and one of the most abundant renewable resources in Latin America, hydropower, taking the Colombian electricity system as a case study.
A controlled ovarian stimulation procedure suitable for cynomolgus macaques

This study aimed to develop a more suitable ovarian stimulation procedure for cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Macaques were divided into 4 groups, 7AG, 8AG, 7AN, and 8AN, according to the ovarian stimulation procedure administered (i.e., administration of either a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist [GnRH-a] or GnRH antagonist [GnRH-ant]) and the number of menstruations (≤ 7 times or ≥ 8 times) in the previous year. In both procedures, oocyte growth and maturation were induced by administration of human follicle-stimulating hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin. The mean numbers of metaphase II mature and metaphase I premature oocytes collected from the 7AG, 8AG, 7AN, and 8AN groups were 12.1 and 10.4, 12.0 and 13.8, 9.1 and 8.3, and 15.5 and 8.8, respectively (P>0.05). The fertilization rates of the 7AN and 8AN groups (85.3% and 74.7%) tended to be higher compared with those in the 7AG and 8AG groups (59.1% and 47.3%; P>0.05). The 8AN group yielded 19.9 zygotes, which was the largest number per macaque, compared with the other three groups. Furthermore, regarding the decreases in body weight between the start of the procedures and the time of oocyte collection, those of the 7AN and 8AN groups were significantly smaller than those of the 7AG and 8AG groups (P<0.05), suggesting that the procedure involving GnRH-ant reduced the burden on the macaques. Thus, controlled ovarian stimulation using a GnRH-ant has some advantages for cynomolgus macaques compared with that using a GnRH-a.
Controversial culprit of leptin in obesity hypertension: clues from a case-control study with Chinese newly diagnosed adult early-onset obesity hypertensives

ABSTRACT Objective To explore the role of leptin in the onset and development of obesity-associated hypertension. Subjects and Methods A case-control study that had finished recruiting 153 subjects divided as four characteristic groups. Leptin serum levels were tested by ELISA in these subjects among these four characteristic Chinese adult physical examination groups. Waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SB), diastolic blood pressure (DB), and other clinical laboratory data were collected. Analyzation of correlations between the research index and differences between groups was done by SPSS. Results Serum leptin levels statistically significantly positively correlated with BMI and WC, and negatively with the HDLC (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), even after adjustment for age and gender. There was no significant difference in the serum leptin levels between the normal healthy group (NH group) and the newly diagnosed untreated just-hypertension group (JH group). And the same is between the newly diagnosed untreated obesity-hypertension group (OH group) and the newly diagnosed untreated just-obesity group (JO group). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated BMI and gender as significant independent correlates of serum leptin. Conclusions These results show leptin may not be essential but play an additive effect in the development of obesity-associated hypertension. Leptin may only play an additive effect role in the intricate interwoven network of regulators contributing to the development of hypertension in obese patients.