Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolving ischemic stroke subtypes in 15 years: A hospital-based observational study

Background Depicting the time trends of ischemic stroke subtypes may inform healthcare resource allocation on etiology-based stroke prevention and treatment. Aim To reveal the evolving ischemic stroke subtypes from 2004 to 2018. Methods We determined the stroke etiologies of consecutive first-ever transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke patients admitted to a regional hospital in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2018. We analyzed the age-standardized incidences and the two-year recurrence rate of major ischemic stroke subtypes. Results Among 6940 patients admitted from 2004 to 2018, age-standardized incidence of ischemic stroke declined from 187.0 to 127.4 per 100,000 population (p < 0.001), driven by the decrease in large artery disease (43.0–9.67 per 100,000 population (p < 0.001)), and small vessel disease (71.9–45.7 per 100,000 population (p < 0.001)). Age-standardized incidence of cardioembolic stroke did not change significantly (p = 0.2). Proportion of cardioembolic stroke increased from 20.4% in 2004–2006 to 29.3% in 2016–2018 (p < 0.001). Two-year recurrence rate of intracranial atherothrombotic stroke reduced from 19.3% to 5.1% (p < 0.001) with increased prescriptions of statin (p < 0.001) and dual antiplatelet therapy (p < 0.001). In parallel with increased anticoagulation use across the study period (p < 0.001), the two-year recurrence of AF-related stroke reduced from 18.9% to 6% (p < 0.001). Conclusion Etiology-based risk factor control might have led to the diminishing stroke incidences related to atherosclerosis. To tackle the surge of AF-related strokes, arrhythmia screening, anticoagulation usage, and mechanical thrombectomy service should be reinforced. Comparable preventive strategies might alleviate the enormous stroke burden in mainland China.
Effects of lime and sewage sludge on soil, pasture production, and tree growth in a six‐year‐old Populus canadensis Moench silvopastoral system

In many regions worldwide, silvopastoral systems are implemented to enable sustainable land use allowing short, medium, and long-term economic returns. However, the short-term production in silvopastoral systems is often limited due to nonappropriate soil-fertility management. This study evaluated the effects of two doses of lime (0 and 2.5 t CaCO3 ha–1) and three sewage-sludge treatments (0, 200, and 400 kg total N ha–1 y–1 applied in 2 consecutive years) on soil characteristics (soil pH, soil organic matter [SOM], soil nitrogen, cation-exchange capacity [CEC]), pasture production, and tree growth in a silvopastoral system of Populus × canadensis Moench in Galicia, northern Spain during 6 years after establishment. Soil pH increased during the experimental period for all treatments, although this effect was more pronounced after lime application. Changes in SOM and soil nitrogen content were not consistent over time, but sewage-sludge application seemed to result in higher values. Higher CEC was found for treatments with lime and sewage-sludge application. Following incorporation of lime and sewage sludge, pasture production was significantly enhanced (cumulative pasture production 51.9 t DM ha–1 for Lime/N400 compared to 39.0 t DM ha–1 for No lime/N0). This higher pasture production also affected tree growth due to more severe competition between pasture and tree resulting in slower tree growth. Liming and application of sewage sludge are relevant measures to improve soil fertility and thereby optimizing the overall production of silvopastoral systems. However, it is important not to overintensify pasture production to ensure adequate tree growth.
A Deeply Supervised Convolutional Neural Network for Pavement Crack Detection With Multiscale Feature Fusion

Automatic crack detection is vital for efficient and economical road maintenance. With the explosive development of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recent crack detection methods are mostly based on CNNs. In this article, we propose a deeply supervised convolutional neural network for crack detection via a novel multiscale convolutional feature fusion module. Within this multiscale feature fusion module, the high-level features are introduced directly into the low-level features at different convolutional stages. Besides, deep supervision provides integrated direct supervision for convolutional feature fusion, which is helpful to improve model convergency and final performance of crack detection. Multiscale convolutional features learned at different convolution stages are fused together to robustly represent cracks, whose geometric structures are complicated and hardly captured by single-scale features. To demonstrate its superiority and generalizability, we evaluate the proposed network on three public crack data sets, respectively. Sufficient experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms other state-of-the-art crack detection, edge detection, and image segmentation methods in terms of F1-score and mean IU.
Accuracy of Transient Elastography in Assessing Fibrosis at Diagnosis in Naïve Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Dual Cut‐Off Approach

Liver fibrosis holds a relevant prognostic meaning in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Noninvasive fibrosis evaluation using vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is routinely performed. However, there is limited evidence on its accuracy at diagnosis in PBC. We aimed to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of VCTE in assessing advanced fibrosis (AF) at disease presentation in PBC.
Nanotemplate Engineering of Cell Specific Nanoparticles

Abstract Through nanotechnology, it is now possible to cost‐effectively and reproducibly create and develop useful small particles for applications in the pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, and engineering fields. In the pharmaceutical field, cost‐effective, reproducible, and scalable processes to engineer cell‐ or tissue‐targeted nanoparticles are sought to deliver potent drugs as new therapies. A natural and spontaneous method to engineer nanoparticles has been developed through the use of microemulsions whereby the dispersed phase droplets serve as “nanotemplates” to directly form stable nanoparticles. The present review will serve to provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities in developing ideal nanoparticulate carrier systems and the use of microemulsion precursors to engineer nanoparticles. An overview will be presented on our work in targeting surface‐modified nanoparticles to (1) dendritic cells for potential new types of genetic and subunit protein vaccines, and (2) solid tumors for potential neutron capture therapy (NCT) using gadolinium.
Igf signaling couples retina growth with body growth by modulating progenitor cell division

ABSTRACT How the body and organs balance their relative growth is of key importance for coordinating size and function. This is of particular relevance in organisms, which continue to grow over their entire life span. We addressed this issue in the neuroretina of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes), a well-studied system with which to address vertebrate organ growth. We reveal that a central growth regulator, Igf1 receptor (Igf1r), is necessary and sufficient for proliferation control in the postembryonic retinal stem cell niche: the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ). Targeted activation of Igf1r signaling in the CMZ uncouples neuroretina growth from body size control, and we demonstrate that Igf1r operates on progenitor cells, stimulating their proliferation. Activation of Igf1r signaling increases retinal size while preserving its structural integrity, revealing a modular organization in which progenitor differentiation and neurogenesis are self-organized and highly regulated. Our findings position Igf signaling as a key module for controlling retinal size and composition, with important evolutionary implications.
Exposure to propylparaben during pregnancy and lactation induces long-term alterations to the mammary gland in mice.

The mammary gland is a hormone sensitive organ that is susceptible to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during the vulnerable periods of parous reorganization (i.e. pregnancy, lactation, and involution). Pregnancy is believed to have long-term protective effects against breast cancer development, however, it is unknown if EDCs can alter this effect. We examined the long-term effects of propylparaben, a common preservative used in personal care products and foods, with estrogenic properties, on the parous mouse mammary gland. Pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with 0, 20, 100, or 10,000 µg/kg/day propylparaben throughout pregnancy and lactation. Unexposed nulliparous females were also evaluated. Five weeks post-involution, mammary glands were collected and assessed for changes in histomorphology, hormone receptor expression, immune cell number, and gene expression. For several parameters of mammary gland morphology, propylparaben reduced the effects of parity. Propylparaben also increased proliferation, but not stem cell number, and induced modest alterations to expression of ERα-mediated genes. Finally, propylparaben altered the effect of parity on the number of several immune cell types in the mammary gland. These results suggest that propylparaben, at levels relevant to human exposure, can interfere with the effects of parity on the mouse mammary gland and induce long-term alterations to mammary gland structure. Future studies should address if propylparaben exposures negate the protective effects of pregnancy on mammary cancer development.
Comparative study on efficacy of thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy and lobectomy in treating pulmonary ground-glass nodules.

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy and lobectomy in the treatment of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs). METHODS The clinical data of patients with pulmonary GGNs who were treated with thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy (n=58, Segmentectomy group) or thoracoscopic lobectomy (n=58, Lobectomy group) were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Next, the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, indwelling time of postoperative thoracic drainage tube, thoracic drainage volume, length of postoperative hospital stay, perioperative complications and preoperative and postoperative changes in pulmonary function were compared between the two groups of patients. Additionally, patients were followed up and their survival status was recorded. RESULTS The operative time was obviously longer in the Segmentectomy group than in the Lobectomy group. The intraoperative blood loss was smaller in the Segmentectomy group than in the Lobectomy group, showing no statistically significant difference. The number of lymph nodes dissected, the indwelling time of postoperative thoracic drainage tube, the thoracic drainage volume and the length of postoperative hospital stay were significantly increased in the Lobectomy group compared with those in the Segmentectomy group. The numerical rating scale (NRS) score of patients in the Segmentectomy group was similar to that in the Lobectomy group at 1, 3 and 7 d after surgery. The Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score was dramatically higher in the Segmentectomy group than in the Lobectomy group 1 year after surgery. Compared with that before surgery, the pulmonary function of patients was prominently weakened in both groups after surgery. At 3 and 12 months after surgery, the pulmonary function indexes forced vital capacity (FVC), the percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were remarkably better in the Segmentectomy group than in the Lobectomy group. The disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 89.7% (52/58) in the Segmentectomy group and 93.4% (54/58) in the Lobectomy group. CONCLUSION Thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy for the treatment of pulmonary GGNs is able to achieve similar short-term and long-term outcomes to those of lobectomy. Besides, it has advantages such as short duration of postoperative thoracic drainage, less drainage volume, short length of hospital stay, better postoperative recovery of pulmonary function and higher quality of life, without increase in the incidence rate of postoperative complications.
Carotid web: an under-recognized and misdiagnosed ischemic stroke etiology

Background Carotid web (CaW) constitutes a possible cause of ischemic stroke, particularly large vessel occlusion syndromes. We aim to evaluate misdiagnosis rates and diagnosis trends for CaW. Methods Based on CT angiography (CTA), we prospectively identified a cohort of patients with symptomatic CaW treated at two comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) from 2014 to 2020 to assess misdiagnosis. Official CTA reports from the CSCs and referring hospitals were then reviewed for mention of CaW. For diagnosis trends, we retrospectively analyzed a CSC electronic medical record, identifying patients with CaW mentioned in an official CTA report from 2011 to 2020. Results For misdiagnosis, 56 patients with symptomatic CaW were identified in the CSCs; 16 (28%) had bilateral CaW, totaling 72 CaWs. Only one CaW (5.5%) was reported at referring facilities, from 14 patients/18 CaWs imaged with CTA. Conversely, 43 (69%) CaWs were reported from 49 patients/62 CaWs at the CSC (p<0.01). For diagnosis trends, from 2011 to 2020, 242 patients at a CSC accounted for 266 CTA reports mentioning CaW. The majority of these reports (n=206, 77%) were associated with stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) ICD-9/ICD-10 codes. The rate of CaW diagnosis adjusted per 1000 patients with stroke/TIA increased over time, 2015 being the most significant point of change ('joinpoint'; p=0.01). The analysis of CaW mentions normalized per 1000 CTA reports also showed increasing rates of diagnosis over time (joinpoint:2014; p<0.02). Conclusion CaW was predominantly identified in patients with strokes/TIAs rather than asymptomatic patients. CaW was commonly overlooked in facilities with lower levels of cerebrovascular certification. Recognition of CaW at a CSC has significantly increased over time, independent of overall imaging and stroke patient volume.
Elaboration et caractérisation d'électrolytes solides pour sondes électrochimiques à oxygène dans le sodium liquide

Ce travail s’inscrit dans le programme de recherche sur les reacteurs nucleaires de « generation IV » a caloporteur sodium. Un des verrous technologiques a lever concerne le controle de la corrosion des materiaux (materiaux de structure, gaines des combustibles, etc.) par le sodium liquide. Un des parametres cle est la teneur en oxygene dissous dans le caloporteur. Cette these porte sur l’elaboration et la caracterisation de materiaux ceramiques de type ThO2 dope avec Y2O3 pour la realisation de sondes potentiometriques a oxygene utilisables dans le sodium liquide. Des travaux ont ete effectues et des sondes ont ete testees par le passe, cependant les sondes presentaient generalement, a l’epoque, une absence de fiabilite dans le temps. L’objectif de cette these est d’elaborer et de caracteriser des electrolytes a base d’oxyde de thorium dope a l’oxyde d’ytrium a l’aide de techniques de synthese permettant de controler la purete, la taille des grains, la compacite, etc. Pour mettre en place les protocoles experimentaux une ceramique modele a ete choisie, la cerine dopee a l’oxyde d’yttrium. Les processus de transport ont ete etudies a l’aide de la spectrocopie d’impedance. Une interpretation des phenomenes de blocage de la conduction ionique dans les deux ceramiques etudiees en fonction de la pression partielle d’oxygene a pu etre proposee.
Time-dependent shift of the relationship between systolic blood pressure and clinical outcome in acute lacunar stroke

Background and aims This study explores the relationship between systolic blood pressure during the acute period of stroke and poor functional outcome in patients with lacunar stroke, emphasizing a possible time-dependent nature of the relationship. Methods Based on multicenter stroke registry data, patients with acute lacunar stroke were identified, and systolic blood pressure levels at eight time points (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h) after stroke onset were extracted at the 15 participating centers in South Korea. Poor functional outcome was defined as a three-month modified Rankin Scale score of 2–6. Non-linear restricted cubic spline and linear models were used for assessing the relationship at each time point. Results A total of 97,349 systolic blood pressure measurements of 3,042 patients were analyzed. At 1 h and 4 h after stroke onset, the relationship between systolic blood pressure and poor outcome showed a non-linear association. The nadir was 155 mmHg at 1 h and 124 mmHg at 4 h. After this time period, a higher systolic blood pressure was associated with a poorer outcome. This linear relationship weakened over time after 12 h (coefficient values of the adjusted linear models: 0.0081 at 8 h, 0.0105 at 12 h, 0.0102 at 24 h, 0.0082 at 48 h, 0.0054 at 72 h). Conclusions Based on our cohort of large number of lacunar stroke patients, our findings suggest that systolic blood pressure levels may follow a time-dependent course in relation to prediction of outcome at three months. The findings may be valuable for hypothesis generation in association with clinical trial development for blood pressure control in acute stroke patients.
A combined stability‐sensitivity analysis of weak and strong reactions of hydrogen/oxygen mixtures

Stability and sensitivity analysis are used to examine the ignition/reaction characteristics of dilute hydrogen-oxygen mixtures. The analysis confirms the existence of two distinct regions of ignition and fast reaction previously labeled “weak” and “strong” ignition, both of which are located in the explosive pressure-temperature domain and separated by a region related to the “extended” classical second limit. The stability analysis is based on an eigenanalysis of the Green's function matrix of the governing kinetic equations. The magnitudes of the largest (and system controlling) eigenvalue allow the strengths of the two processes to be quantified, giving a clear definition to the terms “weak” and “strong. ” The sensitivities of the largest eigenvalue to the reaction rate constants of the mechanism pinpoint the elementary steps controlling the two ignition processes and the subsequent reaction. The associated eigenvectors yield the direction of change in species concentrations and temperature during the course of reaction. These vectors are found to be nearly constant during the induction period of both “weak” and “strong. ” ignition, thus producing constant overall stoichiometric reactions. The subsequent reaction of major reactants associated with “weak” ignition also has a constant overall reaction vector, although, different than that during the induction period. However, the vector describing the reaction of major reactants associated with “strong. ” ignition is found never to be constant, but continuously changing beyond the induction period.
Systemic GFP silencing is associated with high transgene expression in Nicotiana benthamiana

Gene silencing in plants using topical dsRNA is a new approach that has the potential to be a sustainable component of the agricultural production systems of the future. However, more research is needed to enable this technology as an economical and efficacious supplement to current crop protection practices. Systemic gene silencing is one key enabling aspect. The objective of this research was to better understand topically-induced, systemic transgene silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana. A previous report details sequencing of the integration site of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) transgene in the well-known N. benthamiana GFP16C event. This investigation revealed an inadvertent co-integration of part of a bacterial transposase in this line. To determine the effect of this transgene configuration on systemic silencing, new GFP transgenic lines with or without the transposase sequences were produced. GFP expression levels in the 19 single-copy events and three hemizygous GFP16C lines produced for this study ranged from 50–72% of the homozygous GFP16C line. GFP expression was equivalent to GFP16C in a two-copy event. Local GFP silencing was observed in all transgenic and GFP16C hemizygous lines after topical application of carbon dot-based formulations containing a GFP targeting dsRNA. The GFP16C-like systemic silencing phenotype was only observed in the two-copy line. The partial transposase had no impact on transgene expression level, local GFP silencing, small RNA abundance and distribution, or systemic GFP silencing in the transgenic lines. We conclude that high transgene expression level is a key enabler of topically-induced, systemic transgene silencing in N. benthamiana.
Parabiosis modeling: protocol, application and perspectives

Parabiosis is a surgical method of animal modeling with a long history. It has been widely used in medical research, particularly in the fields of aging, stem cells, neuroscience, and immunity in the past two decades. The protocols for parabiosis have been improved many times and are now widely accepted. However, researchers need to consider many details, from surgical operation to perioperative management, to reduce mortality and maintain the parabiosis union. Although parabiosis has certain inevitable limitations, it still has broad application prospects as an irreplaceable animal model in the medical research field.
Vasculo‐toxic and pro‐inflammatory action of unbound haemoglobin, haem and iron in transfusion‐dependent patients with haemolytic anaemias

Increasing evidence suggests that free haem and iron exert vasculo‐toxic and pro‐inflammatory effects by activating endothelial and immune cells. In the present retrospective study, we compared serum samples from transfusion‐dependent patients with β‐thalassaemia major and intermedia, hereditary spherocytosis and sickle cell disease (SCD). Haemolysis, transfusions and ineffective erythropoiesis contribute to haem and iron overload in haemolytic patients. In all cohorts we observed increased systemic haem and iron levels associated with scavenger depletion and toxic ‘free’ species formation. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation markers were significantly increased compared to healthy donors. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, oxidative stress markers remained significantly associated with both haem‐ and iron‐related parameters, while soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM‐1), soluble endothelial selectin (sE‐selectin) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) showed the strongest association with haem‐related parameters and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM‐1), sVCAM‐1, interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with iron‐related parameters. While hereditary spherocytosis was associated with the highest IL‐6 and TNFα levels, β‐thalassaemia major showed limited inflammation compared to SCD. The sVCAM1 increase was significantly lower in patients with SCD receiving exchange compared to simple transfusions. The present results support the involvement of free haem/iron species in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction and sterile inflammation in haemolytic diseases, irrespective of the underlying haemolytic mechanism, and highlight the potential therapeutic benefit of iron/haem scavenging therapies in these conditions.