Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations between days spent at home and patient‐reported outcomes among frail older adults

Days spent at home (DAH) represents the number of days alive and spent out of healthcare facilities in a given period. Older adults reported DAH as one of the outcomes that matter most to them. Along with its convenience, DAH has been gaining increasing attention as a person-centered outcome measure.3–5 A previous study suggested that DAH is associated with important patientreported outcomes (e.g., activities of daily living [ADLs]) among general Medicare beneficiaries. However, it remains largely unknown whether this finding is applicable to frail older adults who are at significantly higher risk of healthcare utilization. To address this knowledge gap, we sought to examine the association between DAH and patient-reported outcomes (ADLs, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being) among frail older adults using a nationally representative survey.
A Simple Model of the Atmospheric Response to ENSO Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies

Abstract A low-order tropical atmospheric model is developed that gives a reasonable account of the tropical precipitation and circulation anomalies observed during various El Nino and La Nina events. The dynamical part of the model is a linearization about a state of rest with the usual tropical vertical mode retained. The heating is obtained from latent and nonlatent sources with the former obtained from perturbing a steady-state moisture equation about climatology and confining the heating to high SST regions. A thorough sensitivity analysis is undertaken and the model tendency to place major anomalies on the western and northern side of SST anomalies is examined.
Direct Monitoring of Membrane Fatty Acid Changes and Effects on the Isoleucine/Valine Pathways in an ndgR Deletion Mutant of Streptomyces coelicolor

NdgR, a global regulator in soil-dwelling and antibiotic-producing Streptomyces, is known to regulate branched-chain amino acid metabolism by binding to the upstream region of synthetic genes. However, its numerous and complex roles are not yet fully understood. To more fully reveal the function of NdgR, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to assess the effects of an ndgR deletion mutant of Streptomyces coelicolor. The deletion of ndgR was found to decrease the levels of isoleucine- and leucine-related fatty acids but increase those of valine-related fatty acids. Furthermore, the defects in leucine and isoleucine metabolism caused by the deletion impaired the growth of Streptomyces at low temperatures. Supplementation of leucine and isoleucine, however, could complement this defect under cold shock condition. NdgR was thus shown to be involved in the control of branched-chain amino acids and consequently affected the membrane fatty acid composition in Streptomyces. While isoleucine and valine could be synthesized by the same enzymes (IlvB/N, IlvC, IlvD, and IlvE), ndgR deletion did not affect them in the same way. This suggests that NdgR is involved in the upper isoleucine and valine pathways, or that its control over them differs in some respect.
Human immune response against filarial HSP70 and its role in the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis

A sensitive and specific diagnostic kit is crucial for the detection of human lymphatic filariasis at the early stage of infection as the existing diagnostic tools are inefficient and expensive. In the present study, we have cloned and expressed Brugia malayi HSP70 (BmHSP70) protein and characterized it as a potential antigen for diagnosis of the asymptomatic microfilariae stage of Wuchereria. bancrofti infection using ELISA, western blot, and bioinformatics tools. The antigenic efficacy of BmHSP70 was also compared with ScHSP70. The BmHSP70 and ScHSP70 peptide showed highly antigenic in nature and they showed immunogenic cross‐reactivity endemic normal (EN) < chronic (CH) < microfilaraemic (MF) in IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 ELISA. IgG4‐specific immunoblotting of BmHSP70 with MF sera further explicated its stage‐specific antigenic cross‐reactivity. These antigens (ScHSP70 and BmHSP70) showed a positive immunogenic correlation with the number of MF in blood samples. Thus, proposing BmHSP70 as a potential immunodiagnostic antigen against lymphatic filariasis. A triplet of GGMP tetrapeptide specific to the filarial HSP70 was also identified which was absent in human HSP70. In terms of sensitivity and specificity of antigens, these results suggest that recombinant BmHSP70 is a good antigen and could be used to diagnose early‐stage of microfilariae infection.
A 0.99-to-4.38 uJ/class Event-Driven Hybrid Neural Network Processor for Full-Spectrum Neural Signal Analyses

Versatile and energy-efficient neural signal processors are in high demand in brain-machine interfaces and closed-loop neuromodulation applications. In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient processor for neural signal analyses. The proposed processor utilizes three key techniques to efficiently improve versatility and energy efficiency. 1) Hybrid neural network design: The processor supports artificial neural network (ANN)- and spiking neural network (SNN)-based neuromorphic processing where ANN is used to support the processing of ExG signals and SNN is used for handling neural spike signals. 2) Event-driven processing: The processor can perform always-on binary neural network (BNN)-based event detection with low-energy consumption, and it only switches to the high-accuracy convolutional neural network (CNN)-based recognition mode when events are detected. 3) Reconfigurable architecture: By exploiting the computational similarity of different neural networks, the processor supports critical BNN, CNN, and SNN operations with the same processing elements, achieving significant area reduction and energy efficiency improvement over those of a naive implementation. It achieves 90.05% accuracy and 4.38 uJ/class in a center-out reaching task with an SNN and 99.4% sensitivity, 98.6% specificity, and 1.93 uJ/class in an EEG-based seizure prediction task with dual neural network-based event-driven processing. Moreover, it achieves a classification accuracy of 99.92%, 99.38%, and 86.39% and energy consumption of 1.73, 0.99, and 1.31 uJ/class for EEG-based epileptic seizure detection, ECG-based arrhythmia detection, and EMG-based gesture recognition, respectively.
Impact of the Increase in Left Ventricular Mass on the Risk of Long-Term Cardiovascular Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, and evidence has been obtained that an increase of a normal left ventricular mass (LVM) or new-onset LVH over time augments cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: We addressed this issue in a sample of a general population at relatively low cardiovascular risk. We analyzed subjects with normal echocardiographic LVM enrolled in the PAMELA (Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni) study to follow the increase of LVM over time and assess the prognostic impact of this change on the incidence of cardiovascular events (mean follow-up 18.5 years). Results: In 990 subjects with no LVH at baseline, there was a significant average increase of LVM (21.2%), LVMIBSA (18.9%), and LVMIHT (22.3%) more than 10 years later. About a quarter developed LVH. The LVMIBSA change exhibited an association with the cardiovascular risk mortality during the following 18.5 years, and the association remained significant after adjustment for confounders (hazard ratio, 1.2 [1.0–1.5]). Similar findings were obtained for LVM in absolute values or indexed for height. The association was seen in both genders, but the link with the cardiovascular risk was statistically significant in males only. Conclusions: Thus, although over 10 years, the LVM increase does not reach a LVH status, it is associated with an augmented cardiovascular mortality risk. This suggests that it might be important to consider periodical LVM assessment, even when LVM is within the normal range, to timely detect its increase and cope with the need of cardiovascular risk restratification.
Pulmonary Hypertension Classification using Artificial Intelligence and Chest X-Ray:ATA AI STUDY-1

An accurate diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is crucial to ensure that patients receive timely treatment. One of the used imaging models to detect pulmonary hypertension is the X-ray. Therefore, a new automated PH-type classification model has been presented to depict the separation ability of deep learning for PH types. We retrospectively enrolled 6642 images of patients with PH and the control group. A new X-ray image dataset was collected from a multicentre in this work. A transfer learning-based image classification model has been presented in classifying PH types. Our proposed model was applied to the collected dataset, and this dataset contains six categories (five PH and a non-PH). The presented deep feature engineering (computer vision) model attained 86.14% accuracy on this dataset. According to the extracted ROC curve, the average area under the curve rate has been calculated at 0.945. Therefore, we believe that our proposed model can easily separate PH and non-PH X-ray images.
Bivalent mRNA-1273.214 vaccine effectiveness in Qatar

Qatar introduced COVID-19 bivalent vaccination for persons [≥]12 years old using the 50-g mRNA-1273.214 vaccine combining SARS-CoV-2 ancestral and omicron BA.1 strains. We estimated effectiveness of this bivalent vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection using a matched, retrospective, cohort study. Matched cohorts included 10,886 persons in the bivalent cohort and 53,901 persons in the no-recent-vaccination cohort. During follow-up, 36 infections were recorded in the bivalent cohort and 211 were recorded in the no-recent-vaccination cohort. None progressed to severe, critical, or fatal COVID-19. Cumulative incidence of infection was 0.53% (95% CI: 0.35-0.79%) in the bivalent cohort and 0.55% (95% CI: 0.47-0.65%) in the no-recent-vaccination cohort, 105 days after the start of follow-up. Incidence during follow-up was dominated by omicron XBB* subvariants including XBB, XBB.1, XBB.1. 5, XBB.1. 9.1, and XBB.1. 9.2. The adjusted hazard ratio comparing incidence of infection in the bivalent cohort to that in the no-recent-vaccination cohort was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.53-1.08). Bivalent vaccine effectiveness against infection was 24.7% (95% CI: -7.0-47.2%). Effectiveness was 16.4% (95% CI: -24.6-47.3%) among persons with no prior infection and 35.3% (95% CI: -12.6-63.4%) among persons with prior infection. mRNA-1273.214 reduced incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the protection was modest at only ~25%. The modest protection may have risen because of XBB* immune evasion or immune imprinting effects, or combination of both.
Genetic insights into the association between inflammatory bowel disease and Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Myeloid cells, including monocytes, macrophages, microglia, dendritic cells and neutrophils are a part of innate immunity, playing a major role in orchestrating innate and adaptive immune responses. Microglia are the resident myeloid cells of the central nervous system, and many Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk loci are found in or near genes that are highly or sometimes uniquely expressed in myeloid cells. Similarly, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) loci are also enriched for genes expressed by myeloid cells. However, the extent to which there is overlap between the effects of AD and IBD susceptibility loci in myeloid cells remains poorly described, and the substantial IBD genetic maps may help to accelerate AD research. Methods: Here, we leveraged summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to investigate the causal effect of IBD (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) variants on AD and AD endophenotypes. Microglia and monocyte expression Quantitative Trait Locus (eQTLs) were used to examine the functional consequences of IBD and AD risk variants enrichment in two different myeloid cell subtypes. Results: Our results showed that, while PTK2B is implicated in both diseases and both sets of risk loci are enriched for myeloid genes, AD and IBD susceptibility loci largely implicate distinct sets of genes and pathways. AD loci are significantly more enriched for microglial eQTLs than IBD. We also found that genetically determined IBD is associated with a lower risk of AD, which may driven by a negative effect on the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (beta=-1.04, p=0.013). In addition, IBD displayed a significant positive genetic correlation with psychiatric disorders and multiple sclerosis, while AD showed a significant positive genetic correlation with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically contrast the genetic association between IBD and AD, our findings highlight a possible genetically protective effect of IBD on AD even if the majority of effects on myeloid cell gene expression by the two sets of disease variants are distinct. Thus, IBD myeloid studies may not help to accelerate AD functional studies, but our observation reinforces the role of myeloid cells in the accumulation of tau proteinopathy and provides a new avenue for discovering a protective factor.
Theraputic Effects of Brain-Computer Interface on Motor Recovery of Stroke Patients: A Meta-analysis

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of brain-computer interface (BCI) on improving motor functions of stroke patients.MethodsWe conducted a meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on BCI training for post-stroke motor rehabilitation. Relevant publications were identified from the databases of PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated as the pooled effect size of the motor outcome.ResultsThirty-five of the 43 candidate articles involving 749 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, both the significant immediate effect size of 0.53 and long-lasting effect size of 0.26 were found for motor outcome measured by Fugl-Meyer Assessment. A further subgroup-analysis observed larger therapeutic effects on lower-limb than upper-limb. A subgroup-analysis also indicated that stroke patients may gain better functional outcome in the subacute phase than in the chronic phase. Superior effect of BCI training was also detected for distal function of upper-limb over proximal function. BCI training combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) was more effective than BCI combined with robot . No significant effect was found in other combined interventional methods, especially the use of transcranial direct current stimulation, which cannot potentiate the effects of BCI training. In addition, subgroup-analysis also indicated a greater effect for longer durations of intervention. And the dosage between 15 min and 180 min was found to be optimal.ConclusionsBCI has significant immediate and long-lasting effects on improving motor function of both upper-limb and lower-limb of stroke patients. Superior therapeutic could be delivered to patients in the subacute phase and clearer benefits are evident in distal functions of upper extremity. When combined with FES, BCI seems to be more effective than when combined with robot and other external devices. Longer durations of intervention could provide better effects. But bigger is not always better for weekly dosage.
Post COVID-19 Condition, Work Ability and Occupational Changes: Results from a Population-based Cohort

BackgroundEvidence from population-based studies on the impact of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) on ability to work is limited but critical due to its high prevalence among individuals of working-age. ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between PCC, work ability, and occupational changes. DesignPopulation-based, longitudinal cohort. SettingGeneral population, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Participants672 adults of working-age with SARS-CoV-2 infection. MeasurementsCurrent work ability, work ability related to physical and mental demands, and estimated future work ability in 2 years (assessed using Work Ability Index), as well as PCC-related occupational changes at one year after infection. ResultsThere was very strong evidence that current work ability scores were 0.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30 to 0.95) points lower among those with PCC compared to those without. Similarly, there was very strong evidence for lower odds of reporting higher work ability with respect to physical (odds ratio (OR) 0.30, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.46) and mental (OR 0.40, 0.27 to 0.62) demands among those with PCC compared to those without. Higher age and history of psychiatric diagnosis were associated with a more substantial reduction in current work ability. 5.8% of those with PCC reported direct effects of PCC on their occupational situation, with 1.6% of those with PCC completely dropping out of the workforce and 43% of those with PCC-related occupational changes reporting financial difficulties as a result. LimitationsSelection, use of self-reported outcome measures, and limited generalizability to individuals with most severe COVID-19 or following vaccination. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the need for providing support and interdisciplinary interventions to individuals affected by PCC to help them maintain or regain their work ability and productivity. Primary Funding SourceFederal Office of Public Health, Department of Health of the Canton of Zurich, University of Zurich Foundation, Switzerland. Study RegistrationISRCTN14990068.
Investigating the relationship between sleep disturbances and white matter hyperintensities in older adults on the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum

Background: While studies report that sleep disturbance can have negative effects on brain vasculature, its impact on cerebrovascular disease such as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in beta-amyloid positive older adults remains unexplored. Methods: Linear regressions, mixed effects models, and mediation analysis examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep disturbance, cognition, and WMH burden, and cognition in normal controls (NCs), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimers disease (AD) at baseline and longitudinally. Results: People with AD reported more sleep disturbance than NC and MCI. AD with sleep disturbance had more WMHs than AD without sleep disturbances. Mediation analysis revealed an effect of regional WMH burden on the relationship between sleep disturbance and future cognition. Conclusion: These results suggest that WMH burden and sleep disturbance increases from aging to AD. Sleep disturbance decreases cognition through increases in WMH burden. Improved sleep could mitigate the impact of WMH accumulation and cognitive decline.
T helper-1 activation via interleukin-16 is a key phenomenon in the acute phase of severe, first-episode major depressive disorder and suicidal behaviors.

Background: Immune-inflammatory pathways in major depressive disorder are confined to the major dysmood disorder (MDMD) phenotype (Maes et al., 2022). No studies have addressed the immune profile of first episode MDMD (FE-MDMD). Methods: This study examines 48 cytokines/chemokines/growth factors, and classical M1, alternative M2, T helper (Th)-1, Th-2, and Th-17 phenotypes, immune-inflammatory response system (IRS), compensatory immunoregulatory system (CIRS), and neuro-immunotoxicity profiles in the acute phase of FE-MDMD (n=71) versus healthy controls (40). Results: FE-MDMD patients show significantly activated M1, M2, Th-1, IRS, CIRS, and neurotoxicity, but not Th-2 or Th-17, profiles compared to controls. FE-MDMD is accompanied by Th-1 polarization, while there are no changes in M1/M2 or IRS/CIRS ratios. The top single indicator of FE-MDMD was by far interleukin (IL)-16, followed at a distance by TRAIL, IL-2R, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-{beta}. The severity of depression and anxiety was strongly associated with IRS (positively) and Th-2 (inversely) profiles, whereas suicidal behavior was associated with M1 activation. Around 56-60% of the variance in depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior scores was explained by IL-16, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (both positively), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (inversely). Increased neurotoxicity is mainly driven by IL-16, TNF-, TRAIL, IL-6 and chemokine (CCL2, CCL11, CXCL1, CXCL10) signaling. Antidepressant-treated patients show an increased IRS/CIRS ratio as compared with drug-naive FE-MDMD patients. Conclusions: FE-MDMD is accompanied by positive regulation of the IRS mainly driven by Th-1 polarization and T cell activation (via binding of IL-16 to CD4), and TNF, chemokine, and growth factor signaling.
Social dialogue quality and workers' health as perceived by Belgian trade union representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Besides major employment disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic has generated policy responses with specific mechanisms to protect workers' health. In Belgium, most of these policies were negotiated at national and cross-sectorial level but implemented at company level with company-based collective negotiation playing a key role. This study examines the relationship between trade union representatives' perception of social dialogue quality and change in workers' physical and mental health in such a context. Methods: Union representatives were surveyed throughout Belgium between August and December 2021 through an online questionnaire (N=469). We asked about the way they perceived workers' physical and mental health within their companies and explain variations with the self-perceived change in quality of social dialogue as an exposure. We use a modified Poisson regression for binary outcomes on four stratified models that additively account for no control, company characteristics, pre-pandemic self-reported health and COVID-19-related measures. Weights are generated to ensure sector representativeness. Results: 30.1% of the sample reported a worsening social dialogue quality during the pandemic. Relative Risks (RR) of poor physical and mental health when social dialogue has worsened are respectively 1.49 [95%CI:1.03; 2.15] and 1.38 [95%CI= 1.09;1.74] when controlling for company characteristics and pre-pandemic health. Adding pandemic-related measures reduces the risk of both poor mental [RR=1.25; 95%CI: 0.84; 1.87] and physical health [RR=1.18; 95%CI:0.94;1.49]. Conclusions: Although based on self-reported variables, the study shows an association between poor social dialogue quality and poor physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic that must be explored further in post-pandemic context.