Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Twenty-first birthday drinking: Extreme-drinking episodes and white matter microstructural changes in the fornix and corpus callosum.

The 21st birthday celebration is characterized by extreme alcohol consumption. Accumulating evidence suggests that high-dose bingeing is related to structural brain changes and cognitive deficits. This is particularly problematic in the transition from adolescence to adulthood when the brain is still maturing, elevating the brain's sensitivity to the acute effects of alcohol intoxication. Heavy drinking is associated with reduced structural integrity in the hippocampus and corpus callosum and is accompanied by cognitive deficits. However, there is little research examining changes in the human brain related to discrete heavy-drinking episodes. The present study investigated whether alcohol exposure during a 21st birthday celebration would result in changes to white matter microstructure by utilizing diffusion tensor imaging measures and a quasi-experimental design. By examining structural changes in the brain from pre- to postcelebration within subjects (N = 49) prospectively, we were able to more directly observe brain changes following an extreme-drinking episode. Region of interest analyses demonstrated increased fractional anisotropy in the posterior fornix (p < .0001) and in the body of the corpus callosum (p = .0029) from pre- to postbirthday celebration. These results suggest acute white matter damage to the fornix and corpus callosum following an extreme-drinking episode, which is especially problematic during continued neurodevelopment. Therefore, 21st birthday drinking may be considered an important target event for preventing acute brain injury in young adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Development is in the details: Age differences in the Big Five domains, facets, and nuances.

We examined the extent to which the Big Five domains, 30 facets, and nuances (uniquely represented by individual questionnaire items) capture age differences in personality, expecting domains to contain the least and nuances the most age-related information. We used an Internet sample (N = 24,000), evenly distributed between ages of 18 and 50 years and tested with a 300-item questionnaire. Separately based on domains, facets, and items, we trained models to predict age in one part of the sample and tested their predictive accuracy in another part. Big Five domains predicted age with an accuracy of r = . 28, whereas facets' (r = .44) and items' (r = .65) predictions were more accurate. Less than 15% of the sample was needed to train models to their optimal accuracy. Residualizing the 300 items for all facets had no impact on their predictive accuracy, suggesting that age differences in specific behaviors, thoughts, and feelings (i.e., items) were not because of domains and facets but mostly unique to nuances. These findings replicated in a multisample dataset tested with another questionnaire. We found little evidence that age differences only appeared nuanced because items referred to age-graded roles or experiences. Therefore, a substantial part of personality development may be uniquely ascribed to narrow personality characteristics, suggesting the possibility for a many-dimensional representation of personality development. Besides theoretical implications, we provide concrete illustrations of how this can open new research avenues by enabling to study systematic variations between traits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
A Most Dangerous Outbreak: New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-1 Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae.

In 2016, a patient with history of travel to India with multiple hospitalizations in India was admitted to an acute care hospital in Nevada. The patient was diagnosed with Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) with resistance to all available antimicrobial drugs. The patient died of septic shock likely related to an infected hip seroma. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae–Klebsiella pneumoniaewas isolated from the wound specimen sent to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for determination of the source underlying the antimicrobial resistance. Testing confirmed the presence of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase1 (NDM-1). No further cases were identified. In September 2019, health officials in Tuscany, Italy, reported an outbreak of a “superbug bacterium,” identified as NDM-1 Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Between November 2018 and May 2019, 350 cases were documented, with most identified as gastrointestinal track carriage (n = 242), with the remaining found in bloodstream, urine, and respiratory track. Rising antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is a worldwide concern. β-Lactams have been the primary agent used to treat these gram-negative infections, with carbapenems used only as the last resort. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are bacteria resistant to the broad-spectrum carbapenem class of antibiotics owing to production of carbapenemase enzymes that make carbapenem antimicrobials ineffective. Furthermore, carbapenemase genes
Predicting the Criminal Records of Male-on-Female UK Homicide Offenders From Crime Scene Behaviors

Offender profiling follows the idea that if offenders’ crime scene actions can be empirically linked to their background characteristics, it will be possible to predict one from the other. There is a lack of research exploring whether homicide offenders’ crime scene actions are predictive of their criminal histories, despite the potential utility of such information. The current study addresses this gap in the literature. A sample of 213 adult male-on-female homicides with sexual or unknown motive was drawn from a U.K.-wide database. Relationships between 13 preconviction variables and 29 crime scene behaviors were explored using a bivariate statistical approach. Subsequently, binary logistic regression models were used to predict the presence, or absence, of specific preconvictions based on a combination of offense behaviors. Analyses highlighted 16 statistically significant associations between key offense behaviors and previous convictions, these associations were often “less likely” to result in previous conviction. The analysis failed to find any association for various other variables, most notably sexual preconvictions. Results indicate offenders’ criminal histories can be predicted from their offense behaviors, though not all preconvictions may be similarly suited. Implications for practice are discussed.
Role of TrkA signaling during tadpole tail regeneration and early embryonic development in Xenopus laevis

Neurotrophic signaling regulates neural cell behaviors in development and physiology, although its role in regeneration has not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the role of neurotrophic signaling in Xenopus laevis tadpole tail regeneration. After the tadpole tails were amputated, the expression of neurotrophin ligand family genes, especially ngf and bdnf, was up‐regulated as regeneration proceeded. Moreover, notochordal expression of the NGF receptor gene TrkA, but not that of other neurotrophin receptor genes TrkB and TrkC, became prominent in the regeneration bud, a structure arising from the tail stump after tail amputation. The regenerated tail length was significantly shortened by the pan‐Trk inhibitor K252a or the TrkA inhibitor GW‐441756, but not by the TrkB inhibitor ANA‐12, suggesting that TrkA signaling is involved in elongation of regenerating tails. Furthermore, during Xenopus laevis embryonic development, TrkA expression was detected in the dorsal mesoderm at the gastrula stage and in the notochord at the neurula stage, and its knockdown led to gastrulation defects with subsequent shortening of the body axis length. These results suggest that Xenopus laevis TrkA signaling, which can act in the mesoderm/notochord, plays a key role in body axis elongation during embryogenesis as well as tail elongation during tadpole regeneration.
Bioresponsive Microspheres for On-demand Delivery of Anti-inflammatory Cytokines for Articular Cartilage Repair.

Despite innovations in surgical interventions, treatment of cartilage injury in osteoarthritic joints remains a challenge due to concomitant inflammation. Obstructing a single dominant inflammatory cytokine has shown remarkable clinical benefits in rheumatoid arthritis, and similar strategies are being suggested to target inflammatory pathways in osteoarthritis (OA). Here we describe the utility of gelatin microspheres that are responsive to proteolytic enzymes typically expressed in arthritic flares, resulting in on-demand and spatiotemporally controlled release of anti-inflammatory cytokines for cartilage preservation and repair. These microspheres were designed with a net negative charge to sequester cationic anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the magnitude of the negative charge potential increased with an increase in crosslinking density. Collagenase-mediated degradation of the microspheres was dependent on the concentration of the enzyme. Release of anti-inflammatory cytokines from the loaded microspheres directly correlated with the degradation of the gelatin matrix. Exposure of the IL-4 and IL-13 loaded microspheres reduced the inflammation of chondrocytes up to 80%. Hence, the delivery of these microspheres in an OA joint can attenuate the stimulation of chondrocytes and the resulting secretion of catabolic factors such as proteinases and nitric oxide. The microsphere format also allows for minimally invasive delivery and is less susceptible to mechanically-induced drug release. Consequently, bioresponsive microspheres can be an effective tool for cartilage preservation and arthritis treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Kainic acid hyperphosphorylates tau via inflammasome activation in MAPT transgenic mice

The excitotoxicity induced by kainic acid (KA) is thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the mechanisms underlying this excitotoxicity remain unknown. In the current study, we investigated the dynamic changes in tau phosphorylation and their associations with the excitotoxicity induced by intraperitoneal injection of KA in the mouse brain. We found that KA-induced excitotoxicity led to sustained hyperphosphorylation of tau in MAPT transgenic (Tg) mice. By using cultured microglia and mouse brains, we showed that KA treatment specifically induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which was characterized by activation of the major biomarkers of ER, such as ATF6, GRP78, and IRE1, and resulted in stimulation of inflammasomes. KA receptors (KARs), such as Girk1, were determined to be involved in this KA-induced ER stress. ER stress was also shown to activate inflammasomes by stimulating the expression of the two major components of inflammasomes, nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) protein 3 (NLRP3) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and eventually causing the production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Inhibition of NLRP3 or NF-κB by Bay11-7082 resulted in reduction of KA-induced IL-1β production. Our results also revealed the positive effects of IL-1β on tau phosphorylation, which was blocked by Bay11-7082. Notably, the results indicate that Bay11-7082 acts against KA-induced neuronal degeneration, tau phosphorylation, and memory defects via inflammasomes, which further highlight the protective role of Bay11-7082 in KA-induced neuronal defects.
Association of Common Carotid Artery Measurements with N-terminal Pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Elderly Participants

Objective Numerous studies have reported an association between common carotid artery (CCA) parameters and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between CCA parameters and hemodynamic stress on the left ventricle in elderly patients remains unclear. Methods We assessed CCA parameters, including the height-adjusted CCA interadventitial diameter (diameter/height), mean intima-media thickness (IMT), number of plaques, plaque score, resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) with ultrasonography, using serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels as a marker for hemodynamic stress on the left ventricle in 1,315 participants ≥70 years old without CVD. Of these participants, 706 had hypertension, defined as taking antihypertensive medications, having a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, and/or having a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. Results After adjusting for the confounding factors, the CCA interadventitial diameter/height was significantly associated with the log NT-proBNP in both the normotensive group (β=0.125, p=0.002) and hypertensive group (β=0.080, p=0.029). The RI was significantly associated with the log NT-proBNP in the hypertensive group (β=0.176, p<0.001) but not in the normotensive group. In addition, the PI was significantly associated with the log NT-proBNP in the hypertensive group (β=0.156, p<0.001) but not in the normotensive group. However, no significant association was observed between the mean IMT, number of plaques, and plaque score and log NT-proBNP. Conclusion CCA measurements may be useful markers for hemodynamic stress on the left ventricle in elderly patients.
Hay or silage? How the forage preservation method changes the volatile compounds and sensory properties of Caciocavallo cheese.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the forage preservation method (silage vs. hay) on volatile compounds and sensory properties of a traditional Caciocavallo cheese during ripening. A brown-midrib sudangrass hybrid was cultivated on a 7-ha field and at harvesting it was half ensiled in plastic silo bags and half dried to hay. Forty-four lactating cows were equally allotted into 2 groups fed a isonitrogenous and isoenergetic total mixed ration containing as the sole forage either sorghum hay (H group) or sorghum silage (S group). Milk from the 2 groups was used to produce 3 batches/diet of Caciocavallo ripened for 30, 60, and 90 d. Milk yield and composition as well as cheese chemical and fatty acid composition were not markedly affected by the diet treatment and ripening time. By contrast, ripening induced increased levels of the appearance attribute "yellowness," along with the "overall flavor," the odor/flavor attributes "butter" and "hay," the "salty," "bitter," and "umami" tastes, and the texture attribute "oiliness," whereas the appearance attribute "uniformity" and the texture attribute "elasticity" were reduced. The silage-based diet induced higher perceived intensities of several attributes such as "yellowness"; "overall flavor"; "butter"; "grass" and "hay" odor/flavors; "salty," "bitter," and "umami" tastes; and "tenderness" and "oiliness" textures. In S cheese we also observed higher amounts of ketones and fatty acids. Conversely, H cheese showed the terpene α-pinene, which was not detected in S cheese, and a higher intensity of the appearance attribute "uniformity. " These differences allowed the trained panel to discriminate the products, determined an increased consumer liking for 90-d ripened cheese, and tended to increase consumer liking for hay cheese.
Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Papillary Large-balloon Dilation for Common Bile Duct Stones

Objective Endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation (EPLBD) for common bile duct (CBD) stone removal has been confirmed to be safe and effective in the short term. The long-term outcomes of EPLBD, which have not been sufficiently evaluated, were therefore investigated in this study. Methods For patients who had undergone endoscopic CBD stone removal with EPLBD between October 2011 and December 2015, follow-up surveys were conducted using a postal survey, telephone interview, or medical record review in August 2017. The main outcome measurement was the recurrence rate of CBD stones after complete stone removal with EPLBD in patients who received follow-up for more than one year. Risk factors for such recurrence were secondarily analyzed. Results Of the 98 patients treated using EPLBD, 93 (95%) were followed up after complete stone removal and analyzed for the long-term outcomes. During the mean follow-up period of 33.7±16.6 months, CBD stones recurred in 16 patients (17%) with a mean interval of 12.7±12.7 months. Univariate analyses showed that a large stone size, multiple stones, a large distal CBD diameter, and a history of cholecystectomy were significant risk factors for stone recurrence (p=0.022, 0.013, 0.001 and 0.035, respectively). The large distal CBD diameter was the only significant risk factor for stone recurrence in a multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.227; p=0.031). Conclusion The long-term outcomes of EPLBD for CBD stones, including the rate of stone recurrence, were found to be acceptable. A large distal CBD diameter was an independent risk factor for stone recurrence.
The association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and valvular heart disease.

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) disease has become the commonest cause of end-stage liver disease. Patients with NAFLD have an increased risk of associated extrahepatic conditions, including structural and functional cardiovascular disease. Still, it is unknown if there is an association between NAFLD and valvular heart disease (VHD). OBJECTIVE to determine the association between NAFLD and VHD. METHODS We performed a single center retrospective study in EMMS Nazareth Hospital from April 2010 to April 2018. All patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD and who had an echocardiography performed within one year were included. Subjects age and sex-matched, who had echocardiography performed in the same period were included in the control group. RESULTS The mean age of the NAFLD group was 41.5±11.7 vs. 42.8±10.8 years of the control group (P=0.2). The prevalence of aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, mitral stenosis and mitral insufficiency were significantly higher in NAFLD patients compared to the control group (1.2% vs. 0.22%, 1.32% vs. 0.32%, 0.66% vs. 0.27%, and 1.87% vs. 0.41%, respectively; P < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, NAFLD was found to be independent risk factor for VHD (OR 2.39, 95% CI 2.17-2.78, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS VHD was significantly seen more frequently in NAFLD patients compared to controls. Prospective studies are needed to validate our findings and to elucidate the pathogenesis of VHD in patients with NAFLD.
Effects of high saturated fat on myocardial contractile and mitochondrial function in heart failure

by JULIE HELENE RENNISON Lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissue may play a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Accumulation of myocardial lipids and ceramide is associated with decreased contractile function, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and electron transport chain (ETC) complex activities. We hypothesized that the progression of heart failure would be exacerbated by elevated myocardial lipids and a ceramide-induced inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and ETC activities. Rats were fed a normal (14% kcal fat) or high fat diet (60% kcal fat) for two weeks. Heart failure was induced by coronary artery ligation. High fat feeding prior to ligation surgery increased surgical mortality, consequently the study was modified so that all rats remained on the normal diet prior to ligation surgery. Following ligation surgery, rats were fed a normal (HF) or high fat diet (HF+FAT) for eight weeks. Sham-operated animals were fed a normal diet. State 3 respiration and ETC complex activities were increased in subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SSM) of HF+FAT, despite elevated myocardial ceramide. No further progression of left ventricular dysfunction was evident in HF+FAT.
Prognostic Value of the Leuko-glycemic Index in Acute Myocardial Infarction. Results from the SCAR Multicenter Registry

Background: Leukocytosis and hyperglycemia correlate with worse short-term prognosis in patients with acute coronarysyndrome, but their new relationship, called leuko-glycemic index (LGI), has been scarcely evaluated.Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of LGI in patients with ST-segment-elevation acutemyocardial infarction (STEMI) and its added value to classical risk scores.Methods: Patients diagnosed with STEMI from the SCAR (Acute Coronary Syndromes in Argentina) Multicenter Registrywere analyzed. The final endpoint was death or in-hospital Killip-Kimball 3-4 (KK 3-4). The LGI was analyzed as a continuousvariable and in quartiles according to 25, 50 and 75 percentile values.Results: The study evaluated 405 out of 476 patients with final STEMI diagnosis. Presence of the primary endpoint significantlyincreased per LGI quartile: 0%, 7.60%, 9.30% and 30.60% (p < 0.0001). The LGI area under the ROC curve for the compositeendpoint was 0.77 [(95% CI 0.71-0.88); p = 0.0001]; the best prognostic cut-off value was 1000. Presence of death or KK 3-4was 0% and 13% in STEMI patients with LGI below or above 1000, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model,LGI was independently associated with death or KK 3-4. The area under the ROC curve of the TIMI risk score for STEMIwas 0.58. The addition of LGI increased its discriminatory capacity to 0.66 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The LGI was an independent predictor of adverse outcome in STEMI patients (death or KK 3-4), adding prognosticvalue to the TIMI risk score.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates with reduced vancomycin susceptibility from bloodstream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Introduction. Vancomycin has become the first-line therapy for most infections caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococci.Aim. To evaluate the vancomycin MIC, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types and clonality of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolates recovered from neonates with true primary bloodstream infections (BSI). Methodology. CoNS isolates were prospectively recovered from blood cultures of non-repetitive patients admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary-care hospital during a 3-year period. BSI was defined based on established criteria. Micro-organisms were identified phenotypically and by PCR. MIC-values for vancomycin and oxacillin were determined by broth dilution method and E-test. The SCCmec type conferring methicillin resistance was determined by multiplex PCR. The heterogeneous vancomycin (hV) resistance phenotype was screened on brain heart infusion agar containing 4 µg ml-1 of vancomycin. The clonality was investigated by PFGE.Results. Seventy-four CoNS isolates were recovered from blood cultures of neonates during the study period but only 40 (54 %) were associated with true primary BSI. Nine (22.5%) babies died. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most prevalent species (95 %; 38/40). All S. epidermidis isolates were methicillin-resistant (MR). SCCmec type IV was predominant (55.3 %; 21/38). Most (80.0 %; 32/38) isolates exhibited vancomycin MIC-values of 2-4 µg ml-1 not associated with the SCCmec type or clonality. Sixteen (42.1%) isolates displayed hV resistance. All babies who died were harbouring MR-S. epidermidis exhibiting vancomycin MICs of 2-4 µg ml-1.Conclusion. The findings of this study demonstrated that blood invasive MR-S. epidermidis isolates recovered at NICU tend to show decreased vancomycin susceptibility making therapy of those fragile patients difficult.