Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Psychosocial Exposures, Hair Cortisol Levels, and Disease Risk

BACKGROUND: Early psychosocial exposures are increasingly recognized as being crucial to health throughout life. A possible mechanism could be physiologic dysregulation due to stress. Cortisol in hair is a new biomarker assessing long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. The objective was to investigate whether early-life adverse psychosocial circumstances influence infant cortisol levels in hair and health outcomes in children prospectively until age 10. METHODS: A cohort study in the general community using a questionnaire covering 11 psychosocial items in the family during pregnancy and the cumulative incidence of diagnoses until age 10 years in 1876 children. Cortisol levels in hair were measured by using a radioimmunoassay in those with sufficient hair samples at age 1, yielding a subsample of n = 209. RESULTS: Children with added psychosocial exposures had higher infant cortisol levels in hair (B = 0.40, P < .0001, adjusted for gender and size for gestational age) in a cumulative manner and were significantly more often affected by 12 of the 14 most common childhood diseases, with a general pattern of increasing odds ratios. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the model of physiologic dysregulation as a plausible mechanism by which the duration and number of early detrimental psychosocial exposures determine health outcomes. The model indicates that the multiplicity of adversities should be targeted in future interventions and could help to identify children who are at high risk of poor health. Furthermore, given the prolonged nature of exposure to a stressful social environment, the novel biomarker of cortisol in hair could be of major importance.
Circadian periodicity of the results of frequently used laboratory tests in elderly subjects.

The circadian rhythms of twenty-one chemical serum parameters (albumin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, carbon dioxide content, chloride, cholesterol, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), creatinine, glucose, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), gamma glutamyl transferase (Gamma--GT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), inorganic phosphorus, iron, potassium, total bilirubin, total protein, sodium, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, uric acid) and of urinary volume and oral temperature were studied, in October 1981, in a group of 49 elderly subjects (23 men, 73 +/- 6 years of age, and 26 women, 77 +/- 8 years of age) institutionalized at the Berceni Hospital for the aged. Statistically significant circadian rhythms as a group phenomenon were found in all functions except alkaline phosphatase, GOT, and LDH. The timing and the extent of these rhythms are presented. The circadian time structure of body chemistry appears well maintained in old age. Some circadian rhythms show a large enough amplitude to require the establishment of time qualified reference ("normal") ranges (e.g. serum iron). In most others, the circadian amplitudes are small and at present of little or no diagnostic importance. They are, however, of physiologic and pathophysiologic interest indicating an intricate time sequence of metabolic events in the human body.
Real-time, digital imaging of fast neutrons and γ rays with a single fast liquid scintillation detector

Scanning-based methods for the spatial characterization of radioactivity represent an important application of radiation instrumentation. In this paper, the use of a single, fast liquid scintillation detector for this purpose is described which enables radionuclides that emit both γ rays and neutrons to be characterized at the same time, in real-time. This approach combines the use of an autonomous astronomical mount, fast digital mixed-field analyzer and scintillation/high-Z collimator to enable an image of the origin of both neutrons and γ rays to be constructed on-the-fly as the data are detected. The events are detected, digitized, discriminated, logged and assigned to a corresponding component in one of two separate images (either neutron of γ ray) before the eyes of the user. In particular, this technique has potential uses for the environmental characterization of radioactive contamination in nuclear facilities, security applications and in accident response scenarios. The technique complements current, established γ-ray imaging capabilities that rely on inorganic scintillators, to the combined assay of neutron- and γ-ray emitters. This opens up the assessment to neutron-emitting fissile materials and heavy actinides that are susceptible to spontaneous fission. The research is topical since the system is not reliant on now-scarce quantities of 3He and could readily exploit non-hazardous high-flashpoint scintillation liquids. Of particular novelty in this paper is the real-time acquisition of a mixed-field image, improved spatial resolution due to a refined collimator geometry and the characterization of an accelerator-borne field.
Optimizing Phylogenetic Queries for Performance

The vast majority of phylogenetic databases do not support declarative querying using which their contents can be flexibly and conveniently accessed and the template based query interfaces they support do not allow arbitrary speculative queries. They therefore also do not support query optimization leveraging unique phylogeny properties. While a small number of graph query languages such as XQuery, Cypher, and GraphQL exist for computer savvy users, most are too general and complex to be useful for biologists, and too inefficient for large phylogeny querying. In this paper, we discuss a recently introduced visual query language, called PhyQL, that leverages phylogeny specific properties to support essential and powerful constructs for a large class of phylogentic queries. We develop a range of pruning aids, and propose a substantial set of query optimization strategies using these aids suitable for large phylogeny querying. A hybrid optimization technique that exploits a set of indices and “graphlet” partitioning is discussed. A “fail soonest” strategy is used to avoid hopeless processing and is shown to produce dividends. Possible novel optimization techniques yet to be explored are also discussed.
Age norms for grating acuity and contrast sensitivity measured by Lea tests in the first three years of life.

AIM To determine age norms in the first three years of life for grating visual acuity and contrast sensitivity obtained with Lea grating test and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test. METHODS Lea grating test was used to estimate binocular grating acuity and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test was used to estimate contrast sensitivity in 600 healthy infants and children. Age ranged from 3 to 36mo subdivided into 12 groups subjected for full ophthalmologic and pediatric examinations. RESULTS The grating acuity developed along the first three years of life. It ranged from 1.88±0.32 c/d at 3mo to 30.95±0.77 c/d at 36mo. The most rapid development was during the first 12mo and the slowest development was from 30 to 36mo. The contrast sensitivity showed rapid development in the first two years of life. Its mean value ranged from 4.23±1.17 at 3mo to 78.26±8.21 at 24mo. It was constant at the highest score (80) thereafter. CONCLUSION Age norms for grating acuity along with contrast sensitivity offer a more comprehensive measure of spatial vision and should be incorporated in clinical practice for better visual assessment in preverbal and nonverbal children.
Learning to Interact With Learning Agents

AI and machine learning methods are increasingly interacting with and seeking information from people, robots, and other learning agents. Consequently, the learning dynamics of these agents creates fundamentally new challenges for existing methods. Motivated by the application of learning to offer personalized deals to users, we highlight these challenges by studying a variant of the framework of "online learning using expert advice with bandit feedback. " In our setting, we consider each expert as a learning agent, seeking to more accurately reflect real-world applications. The bandit feedback leads to additional challenges in this setting: at time t, only the expert it that has been selected by the central algorithm (forecaster) receives feedback from the environment and gets to learn at this time. A natural question to ask is whether it is possible to be competitive with the best expert j* had it seen all the feedback, i.e., competitive with the policy of always selecting expert j*. We prove the following hardness result — without any coordination between the forecaster and the experts, it is impossible to design a forecaster achieving no-regret guarantees. We then consider a practical assumption allowing the forecaster to guide the learning process of the experts by blocking some of the feedback observed by them from the environment, i.e., restricting the selected expert it to learn at time t for some time steps. With this additional coordination power, we design our forecaster LIL that achieves no-regret guarantees, and we provide regret bounds dependent on the learning dynamics of the best expert j*.
Weak convergence of obliquely reflected diffusions

Burdzy and Chen (1998) proved results on weak convergence of multidimensional normally reflected Brownian motions. We generalize their work by considering obliquely reflected diffusion processes. We require weak convergence of domains, which is stronger than convergence in Wijsman topology, but weaker than convergence in Hausdorff topology.
Evaluation of fractioned nitric oxide in chronic cough patients

Introduction: Cough exceeding 3-8 weeks was defined as chronic cough in various guides. Asthma is the most common cause of chronic-specific cough. Causes other than asthma include prolonged bacterial bronchitis and upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). Nitric oxide (NO) causes vascular smooth muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, and oxidant effects via its metabolite, peroxynitrite. An increase in NO results in inflammation, vasodilatation, and bronchial edema. Materials and Methods: The study group included 90 patients aged 6-17 years selected from individuals presenting to the Pediatric Immunology and Allergic Diseases Clinic with cough persisting for 4 weeks and 30 other patients representing to the control group. Patients with a history of premature birth and long-term ventilatory support, neuromotor retardation, or chronic lung and heart disease received systemic corticosteroid therapy in the previous 4 weeks, a chest deformity, with any chronic disease or received immunotherapy were excluded from the study. Results: The most common diagnosis among the 90 patients in this study was asthma, observed in 27 (30%). Fractional exhaled NO values were highest in the asthma group at 39.5 ± 26.6 parts per billion (ppb) and lowest in the UACS group at 11.6 ± 4.0 ppb. Values in the control group were 17.8 ± 11.1 ppb. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Fractional exhaled NO measurement can be used as a quick and reliable diagnostic method in patients presenting with chronic cough due to its high positive predictive value, its practical nature, the fact that it is a noninvasive method and that it does not require the use of medication.
Job Strain and Health Behaviors: Results of a Prospective Study

Purpose. To assess the association between job demands, job decision latitude, and job strain (defined by Karasek as a combination of high demands and low decision latitude) and cardiovascular disease-related health behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise, and overweight. Design. Cross-sectional and prospective. Setting. Nine New York City public and private sector worksites. Subjects. Two hundred eighty-five male employees, aged 30 to 60, in a wide variety of white-collar and blue-collar job titles. Measures. Medical examinations and surveys, which included demographic, health behavior, and job characteristics data. Results. Prospectively, among 189 men, increase in job decision latitude over 3 years was associated with decrease in cigarette smoking, by analysis of covariance, controlling for age, race, education, marital status, and number of children at home (F (8, 180) = 4.37, p = . 005). The largest increase in latitude occurred among the 13 men who quit smoking. However, change in job characteristics was not associated with change in overweight or alcohol use. Cross-sectional analyses did not produce consistent associations. Conclusions. The effectiveness of smoking cessation may be aided by modification of structural features of the work environment, such as job decision latitude. This study is limited by the small number of subjects who were engaged in high risk behaviors.
Diagnosis and treatment considerations for women with COPD

The worldwide prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is growing faster in women than in men. Over the past two decades, COPD‐related mortality rates have also grown faster in women, and since the year 2000 more women than men have died from COPD. The greater prevalence of COPD and related mortality reported for men in earlier epidemiological studies may be due to under‐diagnosis of women. In addition, factors such as prevalence of symptoms, triggering stimuli, response to treatment, susceptibility to smoking, frequency of exacerbations, impairment in quality of life response to oxygen therapy, presence of malnutrition, airway hyper‐responsiveness and depression are more frequently seen in women with COPD. Despite these differences, the current guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of men or women with COPD are the same. It is important for healthcare professionals to recognise the gender differences in patients with COPD to optimise assessment, monitoring and treatment of this disease. This article reviews the clinical differences between men and women with COPD, current treatment guidelines and its implications for improvement in the management of women with COPD.
Robotic renal transplantation: first European case

A kidney from a 56‐year‐old mother was transplanted to her 37‐year‐old daughter laparoscopically using the daVinci HDSi surgical system. The kidney was introduced into the abdomen through a 7‐cm suprapubic incision used also for the uretero‐vescical anastomosis. Vascular anastomoses were carried out through a total of three additional ports. Surgery lasted 154 min, including 51 min of warm ischemia of the graft. Urine production started immediately after graft reperfusion. Renal function remains optimal at the longest follow‐up of 3 months. The technique employed in this case is discussed in comparison with the only other two contemporary experiences, both from the USA. Furthermore, possible advantages and disadvantages of robotics in kidney transplantation are discussed extensively. We conclude that the daVinci surgical system allows the performance of kidney transplantation under optimal operative conditions. Further experience is needed, but it is likely that solid organ transplantation will not remain immune to robotics.
Intrinsic Regulation of CGRP Release by Dental Pulp Sympathetic Fibers

Neurotransmission from sympathetic and peptidergic afferent fibers participates in the regulation of pulpal blood flow (PBF) via opposing effects. In this study, we directly tested the hypothesis that activation of pulpal sympathetic terminals inhibits exocytosis of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide (iCGRP) from peptidergic afferents innervating bovine dental pulp. The results demonstrate that norepinephrine inhibits capsaicin-evoked iCGRP release. The application of α-adrenergic antagonists (phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine) increased spontaneous release of iCGRP. Moreover, administration of agents that evoke the release of sympathetic neurotransmitters (guanethidine or reserpine) inhibited capsaicin-evoked iCGRP release. Collectively, these results indicate that sympathetic neurotransmission inhibits exocytosis from pulpal peptidergic afferent fibers. Analysis of these data supports the hypothesis that peripheral sympathetic vasomotor control may operate by a direct mechanism (vasoconstriction) as well as by an indirect mechanism (e.g., inhibition of exocytosis from afferent fibers). Since capsaicin-sensitive neurons are nociceptors, it is possible that certain sympathetic neurotransmission may modulate pain.
Understanding of blood pressure by people with type 2 diabetes: a primary care focus group study.

BACKGROUND For many people with type 2 diabetes most care is provided in primary care. While people with both diabetes and hypertension are at increased risk of complications, little is known about their understanding of blood pressure. AIM To explore the understanding and beliefs about the importance of blood pressure held by people with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN OF STUDY Framework analysis of qualitative research using focus groups. SETTING Thirty-two participants were recruited from four general practices and a religious meeting group in Nottingham. Discussions took place in five community centres providing familiar surroundings for participants. METHOD In order to get views expressed fully, white, Asian, and African-Caribbean participants met in five separate groups. Facilitators were fluent in the appropriate language and one member of the research team was present at all focus groups. RESULTS Some participants, including those with raised blood pressure, were not aware of the increased importance of achieving good blood pressure control. No participants mentioned the increased risk of eye or kidney disease as a result of the combination of diabetes and raised blood pressure. Participants' perceptions regarding the control of blood sugar and blood pressure were different: blood sugar control was seen as their responsibility but blood pressure control was seen as the responsibility of the doctor. There was scepticism regarding the diagnosis of raised blood pressure, of targets and the management of blood pressure. There was also scepticism about the advice and education about diabetes given in primary care. CONCLUSIONS People with type 2 diabetes require more knowledge of the increased risks they have from raised blood pressure, although this alone is unlikely to improve blood-pressure control. Strategies to increase the degree of control over and responsibility taken for the control of blood pressure need development and may require the specific development of participatory and negotiating skills among people with type 2 diabetes. Increasing the participation of these people in their own care will require doctors and nurses to work in a different way.
Long-term follow-up of very low birthweight children

Background: The survival rates for very low birthweight (VLBW; birthweight 1500 g) children are increasing, but they run a greater risk than controls of developing neurosensory disabilities and other functional problems during childhood. However, there is a great need for more knowledge regarding long-term outcome to adulthood in VLBW subjects. Aims: To evaluate long-term outcomes in a regional cohort of VLBW children born in 1987-88 regarding hospital readmissions, morbidity, neurological conditions, cognitive function, reading skills, school achievements, behaviour, growth, general health, and social functioning in relation to gender, neonatal risk factors, disability and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Different responses of the right superior temporal sulcus to visual movement feedback during self‐generated vs. externally generated hand movements

An important implication of several recent accounts of motor control is that sensory feedback from self‐generated movements is relatively attenuated based on predictions issued by the agent's motor system. Such a relative attenuation of sensory information during actions has already been demonstrated in the somatosensory domain. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a virtual reality‐based setup to investigate a potential attenuation of brain responses to realistic visual movement feedback during active vs. passive right‐hand movements. The participants’ right unseen hand was rotated either by the participants themselves or by the experimenter, while the participants received visual movement feedback via a photorealistic virtual 3D hand driven by their real hand movements, or received no visual feedback. We observed a significant interaction between movement type (active vs. passive) and movement feedback (vision vs. no vision) in the right superior temporal sulcus (STS), which showed relatively attenuated blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signal differences in movements with vs. without visual feedback when those movements were actively vs. passively executed. This finding suggests that STS activity caused by visual feedback from the moving body may be attenuated based on the agent's motor predictions.
Fibreoptic phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.

BACKGROUND Phototherapy is used to treat newborn infants with hyperbilirubinaemia. Fibreoptic phototherapy is a new mode of phototherapy which is reported to lower serum bilirubin (SBR) while minimising disruption of normal infant care. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of fibreoptic phototherapy. SEARCH STRATEGY The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Collaboration was used including searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and discussion with experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of fibreoptic phototherapy in the management of newborn infants with hyperbilirubinaemia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Thirty-one studies were identified of which 24 met inclusion criteria. They evaluated the efficacy of fibreoptic phototherapy in a number of different clinical situations and patient populations. MAIN RESULTS Fibreoptic phototherapy was more effective at lowering SBR than no treatment but less effective than conventional phototherapy (percentage change in SBR after 24 hours of treatment: WMD -10.7%, 95%CI -18.14, -3.26 and WMD 3.59%, 95%CI 1.27, 5.92 respectively). Fibreoptic phototherapy was equally as effective as conventional phototherapy in preterm infants and when two fibreoptic devices were used simultaneously (change in SBR after 24 hours of treatment: WMD 1.7%, 95%CI -2.65, 6.05 and change in SBR per day over whole treatment period: WMD 2.82%, 95%CI -1.84, 7.48 respectively). A combination of fibreoptic and conventional phototherapy was more effective than conventional phototherapy alone (duration of phototherapy: WMD -12.51 hr, 95%CI -16.00, -9.02, meta-analysis affected by heterogeneity). No conclusion can be made on the superiority of one fibreoptic device over another as the two studies comparing them (one favouring BiliBlanket, the other finding no difference) did not contain a common outcome measure. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Fibreoptic phototherapy has a place in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. It is probably a safe alternative to conventional phototherapy in term infants with physiological jaundice. No trials have been identified which support the widely-held view that fibreoptic devices interfere less with infant care or impact less on parent-child bonding.