Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interplay Between Cognitive and Bowel/Bladder Function in Multiple Sclerosis

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bowel/bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its associations with cognitive impairment. Methods We prospectively enrolled 150 MS patients. Patients were administered the Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT), the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score (NBDS), and the Actionable Bladder Symptom Screening Tool (ABSST). The associations between bowel/bladder dysfunction and cognitive function were assessed through hierarchical regression models using the SDMT and clinicodemographic features as independent variables and NBDS and ABSST scores as dependent variables. Results The prevalence of bowel/bladder deficits was 44.7%, with 26 patients (17.3%) suffering from bowel deficits and 60 patients (40%) from bladder deficits. The total NBDS and ABSST scores were correlated with the SDMT (β=-0.10, P<0.001 and β=-0.03, P=0.04, respectively) after correction for demographic features and physical disability. Conclusions Bowel/bladder disorders are common in MS and are associated with both physical and cognitive disability burdens. As SDMT is embedded into routine clinical assessments, a lower score may warrant investigating bowel/bladder dysfunction due to the strong interplay of these factors.
Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis

Objective: This study investigated the association of the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism in the VDR gene with dental caries. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, SinoMed (the Chinese biomedical literature service system), and the Wiley Online Library. Overall comparisons and subgroup analyses based on ethnicity and the presence of dental caries in dentition were performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess associations between gene polymorphisms and the risk of dental caries. Results: Seven articles were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results revealed a significant association of the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism with dental caries in the allele contrast model (C vs. T: OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.07–1.44, I2 = 42%, p = 0.005) and in the recessive genetic model (CC vs. TT/CT: OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.84, I2 = 0%, p = 0.03). A stratified analysis based on ethnicity revealed a significant association between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism and the risk of dental caries in Asians (C vs. T: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.06–1.54, I2 = 60%, p = 0.009). Subgroup analysis based on the presence of dental caries in dentition found a significant association of the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism with permanent tooth caries in the allele contrast model (C vs. T: OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.11–1.77, I2 = 76%, p = 0.005) and the recessive genetic model (CC vs. TT/CT: OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.03–2.00, I2 = 0%, p = 0.03). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the C allele and CC genotype of the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism in the VDR gene are associated with an increased risk of dental caries.
Integrating transcriptome and metabolome analyses of the response to cold stress in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

Cucurbita maxima belong to the genus Cucurbita and are of nutritional and economic importance. Physiological activity, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses of leaf samples from the C. maxima inbreding line IL7 treated at 5 °C and 25 °C were performed. Cold stress resulted in a significant increase in the malondialdehyde content, relative electrical conductivity, soluble protein, sugar content, and catalase activity. A total of 5,553 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 2,871 were up-regulated and 2,682 down-regulated. In addition, the transcription of differentially expressed genes in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway and transcription factor families of AP2/ERF, bHLH, WRKY, MYB, and HSF was activated. Moreover, 114 differentially expressed metabolites were identified by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, particularly through the analysis of carboxylic acids and derivatives, and organooxygen compounds. The demonstration of a series of potential metabolites and corresponding genes highlighted a comprehensive regulatory mechanism. These findings will provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with the response to cold stress in C. maxima.
Deep Learning-Based Coronary Artery Motion Estimation and Compensation for Short-Scan Cardiac CT.

PURPOSE During a typical cardiac short scan, the heart can move several millimeters. As a result, the corresponding CT reconstructions may be corrupted by motion artifacts. Especially the assessment of small structures, such as the coronary arteries, is potentially impaired by the presence of these artifacts. In order to estimate and compensate for coronary artery motion, this manuscript proposes the deep partial angle-based motion compensation (Deep PAMoCo). METHODS The basic principle of the Deep PAMoCo relies on the concept of partial angle reconstructions (PARs), i.e. it divides the short scan data into several consecutive angular segments and reconstructs them separately. Subsequently, the PARs are deformed according to a motion vector field (MVF) such that they represent the same motion state and summed up to obtain the final motion-compensated reconstruction. However, in contrast to prior work that is based on the same principle, the Deep PAMoCo estimates and applies the MVF via a deep neural network to increase the computational performance as well as the quality of the motion compensated reconstructions. RESULTS Using simulated data, it could be demonstrated that the Deep PAMoCo is able to remove almost all motion artifacts independent of the contrast, the radius and the motion amplitude of the coronary artery. In any case the average error of the CT values along the coronary artery is about 25 HU while errors of up to 300 HU can be observed if no correction is applied. Similar results were obtained for clinical cardiac CT scans where the Deep PAMoCo clearly outperforms state-of-the-art coronary artery motion compensation approaches in terms of processing time as well as accuracy. CONCLUSIONS The Deep PAMoCo provides an efficient approach to increase the diagnostic value of cardiac CT scans even if they are highly corrupted by motion.
Comparison of Water Immersion Versus Air Insufflation Colonoscopy Under Various Bowel Preparation Conditions.

BACKGROUND To investigate the differences between water immersion (WI) and air insufflation (AI) for colonoscopy under various bowel preparation conditions. METHODS In this study, 526 outpatients were randomly assigned to two groups, namely a WI group (n = 263) and an AI group (n = 263). During the procedure, the quality of bowel preparation, abdominal pain score, cecal intubation rate (CIR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), the intubation times, and other indicators were recorded. After reaching the cecum, each group of patients was subdivided into one of four grades (excellent, good, fair, and poor) according to the quality of bowel preparation. RESULTS Under various bowel preparation conditions, the pain scores of the AI group were higher than those of the WI group (P < .05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in CIR (P > .05). For the WI group compared with the AI group, the cecal intubation time (CIT) was prolonged under good bowel preparation (P = .045) and fair bowel preparation (P < .001). No significant differences were observed between the two groups on ADR in all patients (P = .476). CONCLUSION Compared with AI colonoscopy, WI colonoscopy can decrease colonoscopy-related pain in patients for unsedated colonoscopy under various bowel preparation conditions, but there is no significant difference in CIR. WI colonoscopy requires longer CIT in patients with good and fair bowel preparation conditions. WI colonoscopy does not significantly increase ADR.
Concentration-dependent duality of bFGF in regulation of barrier properties of human brain endothelial cells

Multiple paracrine factors regulate barrier properties of human brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs). Understanding precise mode of action of these factors remains a challenging task because of the limited availability of functionally competent BCECs and use of serum-containing medium. In the present study we employed defined protocol for producing BCECs from human inducible pluripotent stem cells. We found that autocrine secretion of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is necessary for the establishment a tight BCECs barrier, as revealed by measurements of trans-endothelial electric resistance (TEER). In contrast, exogenous bFGF in concentrations exceeding 4 ng/ml inhibited TEER and proliferation of BCECs in a concentration-dependent manner. Exogenous bFGF did not significantly affect expression and distribution of tight junction proteins claudin-5, occludin and ZO-1. Treatment with FGF receptor blocker PD173074 (15 μM) suppressed inhibitory effects of bFGF and induced nuclear translocation of protein ZO-1. Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI-3K) with LY294002 (25 μM) significantly potentiated inhibitory effect of bFGF on TEER indicating that PI-3K signalling pathway partially suppress inhibitory effects of bFGF on TEER. In conclusion we show that autocrine bFGF secretion is necessary for the proper barrier function of BCECs, whereas exogenous bFGF suppresses barrier resistance in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate a dual role for bFGF in the regulation of BCEC barrier function.
Nitric oxide improves high zinc tolerance in maize plants

ABSTRACT A short-term experiment was carried out to study the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on some growth parameters and mineral nutrients of maize grown at high zinc (Zn). Maize seedlings were planted in pots containing perlite and subjected to 0.05 or 0.5 mM Zn in nutrient solution. Nitric oxide (0.1 mM) was sprayed to the leaves of maize seedlings. High Zn reduced total dry matter, chlorophyll (Chl.) content and leaf relative water content (RWC), but increased proline content and membrane permeability. Foliar application of NO significantly increased chlorophyll content, RWC and growth of plants treated with high Zn, and significantly reduced their membrane permeability and proline contents. High Zn resulted in increased leaf and root Zn, but lower concentrations of leaf phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe). Foliar application of NO lowered leaf and root Zn and increased leaf and root nitrogen (N) and leaf Fe in the high Zn plants. These results clearly demonstrated that externally-applied NO induced growth improvement in maize plants was found to be associated with reduced membrane permeability under high zinc. Results can be concluded that NO may be involved in nutritional and physiological changes in plants subjected to high Zn.
Beyond dopamine: Further evidence of cholinergic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (Commentary on Keo et al., 2021)

Differences in regional gene expression may partly explain the selective vulnerability of specific brain regions to neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease. In this article by Keo et al. (2021), the authors examined differential regional gene expression in the anterior and posterior cingulate structural covariate networks (patterns of covariance of grey matter density) of the healthy human brain. They demonstrate a number of highly expressed genes in the cingulate networks which show reduced grey matter integrity in Parkinson’s disease, compared to the rest of the cortex. They show that these highly expressed genes are enriched in pathways including synaptic transmission, as well as cholinergic cell markers. Although it is unclear whether this differential pattern of expression is also seen in Parkinson’s disease brains, these findings highlight the potential importance of synaptic dysfunction and cholinergic transmission in Parkinson’s disease.
Innovative mark–recapture experiment shows patterns of selection on transcript abundance in the wild

A fundamental aspect of evolutionary biology is natural selection on trait variation. Classically, selection has been estimated primarily on external morphological traits such as beak size and coloration, or on easily assayable physiological traits such as heat‐tolerance. As technologies and methods improved, evolutionary biologists began examining selection on molecular traits such as protein sequences and cellular processes. In a From the Cover paper in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Ahmad et al. continue this trend by estimating parasite‐driven selection on the molecular trait of transcript abundance in a wild population of brown trout (Salmo trutta) by uniquely combining a mark–recapture experimental design with noninvasive RNA sampling. Using transcript abundance to estimate selection allows for many different traits (each unique gene's transcript counts) to be tested in a single experiment, providing the opportunity to examine trends in selection. Ahmad et al. find directional selection strength on transcript counts is generally low and normally distributed. Surprisingly, transcripts under nonlinear selection showed a disruptive selection bias, contradicting previous comparative studies and theoretical work. This highlights the importance of within‐generation selection studies, where mechanisms may differ from longer time frames. Their paper also highlights the benefits of a cost‐effective 3′ RNA sequencing technique to measure gene expression.
Experience and attitudes on vaccinations recommended during pregnancy: survey on an Italian sample of women and consultant gynecologists

ABSTRACT Active immunization in pregnancy is recommended for the influenza and the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines. Evidence indicates vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations and pertussis in early infancy. We investigate vaccine uptake in pregnant and non-pregnant women through a sample of young women and consultant gynecologists, along with the potential predisposing and/or enabling factors affecting attitudes to vaccination (knowledge, beliefs, barriers). A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and September 2019, with a sample of 251 women and 14 consultant gynecologists at the Local Health Authority (ASL01) of the Abruzzo Region (Italy), using an anonymous, self-report questionnaire survey. Among the participants, 5.6% of women had received influenza vaccination, 16.4% had received Tdap during pregnancy and only 1.2% had received both vaccines. The assessment of the psychometric attitudinal variables has suggested a more positive willingness to receive Tdap than influenza vaccine among women, as the former is considered more important for the maternal and neonatal health. Health care workers have reported vaccine safety concerns, lack of information, and misconceptions about the need for vaccination as barriers to immunization in pregnant women. The results of this study will contribute to defining the goals and strategies to increase vaccine uptake under the current recommendations, through promoting effective training programs for all health care workers involved (gynecologists, obstetricians, public health physicians).
Early Resolution Of Bilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Due To Acute Carbon Monoxide Intoxication With Normobaric Oxygen, Systemic Steroid, Dextran And Piracetam Treatment

Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) is a well-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality. Acute accidental poisoning is associated with a range of adverse health related effects. CO affects multiple organ systems but it cause permanent damage especially in neurologic and cardiovascular systems. Association of acute CO poisoning with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a rare entity. In this paper, we present a case of bilateral SSHL due to acute CO intoxication in a 25-year-old female patient who refused to have hyperbaric oxygen treatment. A favourable result was achieved with normobaric oxygen, systemic steroid, dextran and piracetam treatments. Presented as poster in XVIII IFOS World Congress, Rome, 25-30 June 2005.
Metagenomic analysis of mother-infant gut microbiome reveals global distinct and shared microbial signatures

ABSTRACT Emerging evidence indicates maternal microbiota as one major reservoir for pioneering microbes in infants. However, the global distinct and identical features of mother–infant gut microbiota at various taxonomic resolutions and metabolic functions across cohorts and potential of infant microbial prediction based on their paired mother’s gut microbiota remain unclear. Here, we analyzed 376 mother–infant dyads (468 mother and 1024 infant samples) of eight studies from six countries and observed higher diversity at species and strain levels in maternal gut microbiota but not their metabolic functions. A number of 290 species were shared in at least one mother–infant dyad, with 26 species (five at strain level) observed across cohorts. The profile of mother–infant shared species and strains was further influenced by delivery mode and feeding regimen. The mother-sourced species in infants exhibited similar strain heterogeneity but more metabolic functions compared to other-sourced species, suggesting the comparable stability and fitness of shared and non-shared species and the potential role of shared species in the early gut microbial community, respectively. Predictive models showed moderate performance accuracy for shared species and strains occurrences in infants. These generalized mother–infant shared species and strains may be considered as the primary targets for future work toward infant microbiome development and probiotics exploration.
LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOREFINERY ECONOMIC EVALUATION

The production economics of biomass-derived fuels and bio-based chemicals is a major challenge. Furthermore, the raw material, the conversion process and the by-products – all significantly influence the production economics. The large number of alternative production routes and by-products requires a simple approach for estimating production economics. Conclusions on the relative feasibilities of the production routes can be drawn even with limited information on the capital cost for a given technology and with uncertainty regarding the process parameters – such as product yield. In this paper, the relative feasibilities of lignocellulosic biomass upgrading routes for biofuel components and chemicals were studied on the basis of production costs. An economic evaluation method for biorefining of lignocellulosic biomass is presented. The application of the model using hemicellulose or lignin as a raw material for biofuels or chemicals, coupled with high-value fiber use of cellulose, was found as the most feasible production route. Hydrogen production from biomass, coupled with hydrogasification and methanation from forest biomass, appeared feasible due to high energy yield.
InGaAs quantum well-dots based GaAs subcell with enhanced photocurrent for multijunction GaInP/GaAs/Ge solar cells

MOCVD-grown GaAs single-junction solar cells (SC) with quantum well-dots (QWD) were fabricated and tested. The QWD were formed by the deposition of In0.4Ga0. 6As layers separated with GaAs spacers. A remarkable improvement of photocurrent was achieved and the reduction of open-circuit voltage was partly suppressed by decreasing the spacers’ growth rate as well as increasing their thickness up to 40 nm. Based on the experimentally obtained characteristics of these single-junction SCs we estimated that using QWD media in the middle (GaAs-based) subcell can provide 1 abs. %, increasing the efficiency of the triple-junction GaInP/GaAs/Ge SCs.
‘Like a Chicken in a Cage’: Civil Resistance, militant Islamist Rulers and Traditional Authorities in Southern Somalia

ABSTRACT This article explores civilian agency and civil resistance under Islamist insurgents’ rule in southern Somalia in the period 2006 to 2012. After almost two decades of civil war, local institutions were weakened and the communities could not resist tight Islamist control. The traditional authorities either fled or chose to cooperate with the new rulers. However, while treading a fine line, traditional authorities were still able to raise community concerns and influence the Islamist rulers’ behaviour through limited forms of civil resistance. Although not changing the overall political situation, traditional authorities were instrumental in reducing tension and improving civilian life.
Greenfield or M&A? The Role of Economic Policy Uncertainty in Home and Host Countries

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of economic policy uncertainty in home and host countries on the choice of foreign establishment mode. Using 777 foreign subsidiary establishments made by Chinese firms from 2004 to 2015, we find that firms prefer M&A compared to greenfield investment as the establishment mode when the host country is experiencing high economic policy uncertainty. Firms that face high economic policy uncertainty in their home country prefer cross-border M&A when entering the host country. Economy policy uncertainty in the home country is the main factor when economic policy uncertainties in both the home and host countries are considered.
Programmable Bloch polaritons in graphene

When light-matter polaritons travel in periodic media, they acquire properties akin to Bloch quasi-particles in crystals. Efficient control of photons is enabled by hybridizing light with matter. The resulting light-matter quasi-particles can be readily programmed by manipulating either their photonic or matter constituents. Here, we hybridized infrared photons with graphene Dirac electrons to form surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and uncovered a previously unexplored means to control SPPs in structures with periodically modulated carrier density. In these periodic structures, common SPPs with continuous dispersion are transformed into Bloch polaritons with attendant discrete bands separated by bandgaps. We explored directional Bloch polaritons and steered their propagation by dialing the proper gate voltage. Fourier analysis of the near-field images corroborates that this on-demand nano-optics functionality is rooted in the polaritonic band structure. Our programmable polaritonic platform paves the way for the much-sought benefits of on-the-chip photonic circuits.