Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological Detection of the Early Stage of Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment without Objective Memory Impairment

Aim: We investigate the assessment method to detect the early stage of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) using Wechsler Memory Scale – Revised (WMS-R) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Third Edition (WAIS-III). Methods: Three groups (normal group, aMCI group, and early aMCI group), controlled for age and years of education, underwent brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET), WAIS-III, WMS-R, and other tests. The early aMCI group does not fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria of aMCI because patients do not have objective memory impairment, but their clinical symptoms and results of 18F-FDG PET indicate that they should be included in the category of aMCI. Results: The discrepancy of scores between Verbal IQ and General Memory had the highest accuracy in discriminating between normal and early aMCI groups. Conclusion: The cutoff point determined in this study is useful to detect an early stage of aMCI, which may be distinguished from aMCI using the current criteria.
Chemerin Isoforms and Activity in Obesity

Overweight and adiposity are risk factors for several diseases, like type 2 diabetes and cancer. White adipose tissue is a major source for adipokines, comprising a diverse group of proteins exerting various functions. Chemerin is one of these proteins whose systemic levels are increased in obesity. Chemerin is involved in different physiological and pathophysiological processes and it regulates adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, and immune response, suggesting a vital role in metabolic health. The majority of serum chemerin is biologically inert. Different proteases are involved in the C-terminal processing of chemerin and generate diverse isoforms that vary in their activity. Distribution of chemerin variants was analyzed in adipose tissues and plasma of lean and obese humans and mice. The Tango bioassay, which is suitable to monitor the activation of the beta-arrestin 2 pathway, was used to determine the ex-vivo activation of chemerin receptors by systemic chemerin. Further, the expression of the chemerin receptors was analyzed in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle. Present investigations assume that increased systemic chemerin in human obesity is not accompanied by higher biologic activity. More research is needed to fully understand the pathways that control chemerin processing and chemerin signaling.
Oscillations of the bandgap with size in armchair and zigzag graphene quantum dots

We determine here the evolution of the bandgap energy with size in graphene quantum dots (GQDs). We find oscillatory behaviour of the bandgap and explain its origin in terms of armchair and zigzag edges. The electronic energy spectra of GQDs are computed using both the tight binding model and ab initio density functional methods. The results of the tight binding model are analyzed by dividing zigzag graphene quantum dots into concentric rings. For each ring, the energy spectra, the wave functions and the bandgap are obtained analytically. The effect of inter-ring tunneling on the energy gap is determined. The growth of zigzag terminated GQD into armchair GQD is shown to be associated with the addition of a one-dimensional Lieb lattice of carbon atoms with a shell of energy levels in the middle of the energy gap of the inner zigzag terminated GQD. This introduces a different structure of the energy levels at the bottom of the conduction and top of the valence band in zigzag and armchair GQD which manifests itself in the oscillation of the energy gap with increasing size. The evolution of the bandgap with the number of carbon atoms is compared with the notion of confined Dirac Fermions and tested against ab initio calculations of Kohn–Sham and TD-DFT energy gaps.
Roux‐en‐Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Enhances Contraction‐Mediated Glucose Metabolism in Primary Human Myotubes

Contractile activity (e.g. exercise) invokes various metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle, including improved insulin action and substrate oxidation. However, individuals with metabolic perturbations (i.e. severely obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) and type 2 diabetics) appear to have inherent defects in the ability to respond to contractile activity. Along with significant weight loss, Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery elicits positive metabolic adaptations; however, it is uncertain whether this clinical intervention alters the myocellular milieu to respond to contractile activity. To examine this, skeletal muscle cells were isolated from muscle biopsies obtained from patients before and after RYGB surgery, and differentiated into myotubes. Once fully differentiated, myotubes were electrically stimulated to contract for 24 hours (2 ms bipolar pulse, 1 Hz, and 11.5 V), after which changes in metabolic function and intracellular signaling were examined. Myotubes from severely obese patients prior to RYGB surgery were unresponsive to the metabolic benefits of muscle contractile activity, as indicated by a lack of change in insulin‐stimulated glycogen synthesis (38.6% vs. 38.5% increase over basal for control vs. electrical stimulation) and basal glucose oxidation (4.5 nmol glucose/mg/hr vs. 4.6 nmol glucose/mg/hr control vs. electrical stimulation). Interestingly, myotubes derived from the same patients 1‐month post‐RYGB were responsive to muscle contraction, as indicated by an ~1.4‐fold increase in insulin‐stimulated glycogen synthesis (36.9% vs. 52.9% increase over basal for control vs. electrical stimulation) and an ~1.5‐fold increase in basal glucose oxidation (3.9 nmol glucose/mg/hr vs. 5.5 nmol glucose/mg/hr control vs. electrical stimulation). At the molecular level, while unresponsive before surgery, muscle contraction improved insulin‐stimulated phosphorylation of the Rab‐GTPase AS160 1‐month following RYGB surgery (~1.9‐fold vs. ~2.6‐fold insulin stimulation for control vs. electrical stimulation). These data indicate that RYGB surgery inherently improves the ability of skeletal muscle to respond to contractile activity, suggesting an exercise program should be immediately implemented in these patients to further improve substrate metabolism.
Intestinal Serum amyloid A suppresses systemic neutrophil activation and bactericidal activity in response to microbiota colonization

The intestinal microbiota influence diverse aspects of host physiology, including the development and function of myeloid lineages. Numerous host and microbial factors are known to poise neutrophils and other granulocytes for response to pathogens and danger signals, yet the mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota regulate this process are largely unknown. Using gnotobiotic zebrafish, we identified the immune effector Serum amyloid A (Saa) as one of the most highly induced transcripts in digestive tissues following microbiota colonization. Saa is a conserved secreted protein produced in the intestine and liver with described effects on neutrophils in vitro, however its in vivo functions are poorly defined. We engineered saa mutant zebrafish to test requirements for Saa on innate immunity in vivo. Zebrafish mutant for saa displayed impaired neutrophil responses to wounding but augmented clearance of pathogenic bacteria. At baseline, saa mutants exhibited moderate neutrophilia and altered neutrophil tissue distribution. Molecular and functional analyses of isolated neutrophils revealed that Saa suppresses expression of pro-inflammatory mRNAs and bactericidal activity. Saa’s effects on neutrophils depends on microbiota colonization, suggesting this protein mediates the microbiota’s influence on host innate immunity. To test tissue-specific roles of Saa on neutrophil function, we generated transgenic zebrafish over-expressing saa in the intestine. Transgenic intestinal saa expression was sufficient to partially complement the neutrophil phenotypes in saa mutants. These results indicate Saa produced by the intestine in response to microbiota serves as a systemic signal to neutrophils to restrict aberrant activation, decreasing inflammatory tone and bacterial killing potential while simultaneously enhancing their ability to migrate to wounds.
Circulating Platelets as Mediators of Immunity, Inflammation, and Thrombosis

Platelets, non-nucleated blood components first described over 130 years ago, are recognized as the primary cell regulating hemostasis and thrombosis. The vascular importance of platelets has been attributed to their essential role in thrombosis, mediating myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism. Increasing knowledge on the platelets’ role in the vasculature has led to many advances in understanding not only how platelets interact with the vessel wall but also how they convey changes in the environment to other circulating cells. In addition to their well-described hemostatic function, platelets are active participants in the immune response to microbial organisms and foreign substances. Although incompletely understood, the immune role of platelets is a delicate balance between its pathogenic response and its regulation of thrombotic and hemostatic functions. Platelets mediate complex vascular homeostasis via specific receptors and granule release, RNA transfer, and mitochondrial secretion that subsequently regulates hemostasis and thrombosis, infection, and innate and adaptive immunity.
Adaptive Fuzzy Control for Coordinated Multiple Robots With Constraint Using Impedance Learning

In this paper, we investigate fuzzy neural network (FNN) control using impedance learning for coordinated multiple constrained robots carrying a common object in the presence of the unknown robotic dynamics and the unknown environment with which the robot comes into contact. First, an FNN learning algorithm is developed to identify the unknown plant model. Second, impedance learning is introduced to regulate the control input in order to improve the environment–robot interaction, and the robot can track the desired trajectory generated by impedance learning. Third, in light of the condition requiring the robot to move in a finite space or to move at a limited velocity in a finite space, the algorithm based on the position constraint and the velocity constraint are proposed, respectively. To guarantee the position constraint and the velocity constraint, an integral barrier Lyapunov function is introduced to avoid the violation of the constraint. According to Lyapunov’s stability theory, it can be proved that the tracking errors are uniformly bounded ultimately. At last, some simulation examples are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the designed control.
Computational Design and Optimization of Nerve Guidance Conduits for Improved Mechanical Properties and Permeability.

Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are tubular tissue engineering scaffolds used for nerve regeneration. The poor mechanical properties and porosity have always compromised their performances for guiding and supporting axonal growth. Therefore, in order to improve the properties of NGCs, the computational design approach was adopted to investigate the effects of different NGC structural features on their various properties, and finally design an ideal NGC with mechanical properties matching human nerves and high porosity and permeability. Three common NGC designs, namely hollow luminal, multichannel, and microgrooved, were chosen in this study. Simulations were conducted to study the mechanical properties and permeability. The results show that pore size is the most influential structural feature for NGC tensile modulus. Multichannel NGCs have higher mechanical strength but lower permeability compared to other designs. Square pores lead to higher permeability but lower mechanical strength than circular pores. The study finally selected an optimized hollow luminal NGC with a porosity of 71% and tensile modulus of 8 MPa to achieve multiple design requirements. The use of computational design and optimization was shown to be promising in future NGC design and nerve tissue engineering research.
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus pseudodendrites: For topical antivirals or not?

Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). VZV causes varicella (chickenpox) as a primary infection, usually affecting young children, then the virus lies dormant in sensory nerves. Later when reactivated, it causes shingles, manifesting with typical dermatomal rash and pain. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) manifests as shingles in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. It can involve any layer of the eye, and has potential for the loss of vision. It is treated using oral antivirals, which is shown to reduce viral shedding and dissemination, incidence and severity of ocular complications, and post-herpetic neuralgia. The cornea is the most frequently involved tissue in HZO, and one of the hallmark is the presence of pseudodendrites seen with fluorescein staining. Unlike “true” dendritic ulcer seen in herpes simplex keratitis, pseudodendrites are heaped up epithelium or mucus plaques without ulceration or terminal bulbs. Having worked in several centres around New Zealand, a variation of treatment methodologies have been noted for the treatment of HZO pseudodendrites, ranging from intensive acyclovir/other ointments to the basic lubricating drop. The main question I had is “Are topical antivirals actually necessary for HZO pseudodendrites? ” We have included a few other questions surrounding the treatment of HZO here to gauge what common practice is around the country. Thirty ophthalmology vocational registrars were surveyed across the country using an anonymous online questionnaire with a response rate of 57%. Questions and responses are shown in Figure 1.
Functional Electrical Stimulation Changes Muscle Oxygenation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease During Moderate-Intensity Exercise: A Secondary Analysis

Abstract We previously showed that functional electrical stimulation during cycle ergometry (FES-cycling) increased oxygen consumption (VO2), indicating that metabolism during exercise was increased. However, the effects on muscle oxygenation have never been studied. The aim of this secondary analysis was to analyse changes in muscle oxygenation during an FES-cycling session. Eight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme were enrolled. Each participant carried out 30 minutes of cycle ergometry with a constant load at 50% of peak oxygen uptake, either (i) with FES or (ii) without (Placebo-FES). Oxygenation of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle over time was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during both sessions. External power output on the cycle ergometer was the same in both conditions. There were no differences in dyspnoea between the groups, although the concentrations of deoxygenated haemoglobin and myoglobin (deoxy(Hb + Mb)) in the VL were significantly greater during Placebo-FES than FES-Cycling (respectively +212 ± 65% vs. +84 ± 29%; p < 0.001), as was the decrease in muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) (p < 0.001). When adjusted for VO2, there was a greater increase over time in the deoxy(Hb + Mb)/VO2 ratio during Placebo-FES than FES-cycling (p < 0.0001). FES-cycling could be a useful strategy to decrease muscular deoxy(Hb + Mb) and limit decreases in muscle StO2, however this should be confirmed in larger studies.
Overexpression of Nudt7 decreases bile acid levels and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in the liver[S]

Lipid metabolism requires CoA, an essential cofactor found in multiple subcellular compartments, including the peroxisomes. In the liver, CoA levels are dynamically adjusted between the fed and fasted states. Elevated CoA levels in the fasted state are driven by increased synthesis; however, this also correlates with decreased expression of Nudix hydrolase (Nudt)7, the major CoA-degrading enzyme in the liver. Nudt7 resides in the peroxisomes, and we overexpressed this enzyme in mouse livers to determine its effect on the size and composition of the hepatic CoA pool in the fed and fasted states. Nudt7 overexpression did not change total CoA levels, but decreased the concentration of short-chain acyl-CoAs and choloyl-CoA in fasted livers, when endogenous Nudt7 activity was lowest. The effect on these acyl-CoAs correlated with a significant decrease in the hepatic bile acid content and in the rate of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation, as estimated by targeted and untargeted metabolomics, combined with the measurement of fatty acid oxidation in intact hepatocytes. Identification of the CoA species and metabolic pathways affected by the overexpression on Nudt7 in vivo supports the conclusion that the nutritionally driven modulation of Nudt7 activity could contribute to the regulation of the peroxisomal CoA pool and peroxisomal lipid metabolism.
Design and Accuracy of an Instrumented Insole Using Pressure Sensors for Step Count

Despite the accessibility of several step count measurement systems, count accuracy in real environments remains a major challenge. Microelectromechanical systems and pressure sensors seem to present a potential solution for step count accuracy. The purpose of this study was to equip an insole with pressure sensors and to test a novel and potentially more accurate method of detecting steps. Methods: Five force-sensitive resistors (FSR) were integrated under the heel, the first, third, and fifth metatarsal heads and the great toe. This system was tested with twelve healthy participants at self-selected and maximal walking speeds in indoor and outdoor settings. Step counts were computed based on previously reported calculation methods, individual and averaged FSR-signals, and a new method: cumulative sum of all FSR-signals. These data were compared to a direct visual step count for accuracy analysis. Results: This system accurately detected steps with success rates ranging from 95.5 ± 3.5% to 98.5 ± 2.1% (indoor) and from 96.5 ± 3.9% to 98.0 ± 2.3% (outdoor) for self-selected walking speeds and from 98.1 ± 2.7% to 99.0 ± 0.7% (indoor) and 97.0 ± 6.2% to 99.4 ± 0.7% (outdoor) for maximal walking speeds. Cumulative sum of pressure signals during the stance phase showed high step detection accuracy (99.5 ± 0.7%–99.6 ± 0.4%) and appeared to be a valid method of step counting. Conclusions: The accuracy of step counts varied according to the calculation methods, with cumulative sum-based method being highly accurate.
On-Channel Integrated Optofluidic Pressure Sensor with Optically Boosted Sensitivity

A novel optofluidic sensor that measures the local pressure of the fluid inside a microfluidic channel is presented. It can be integrated directly on-channel and requires no additional layers in fabrication. The detection can be accomplished at a single wavelength; and thereby, only a single laser diode and a single photodetector are required. This renders the sensor to be compact, cheap and easy to fabricate. Basically, the sensor consisted of a Fabry–Pérot microresonator enclosing the fluidic channel. A novel structure of the Fabry–Pérot was employed to achieve high-quality factor, that was essential to facilitate the single wavelength detection. The enhanced performance was attributed to the curved mirrors and cylindrical lenses used to avoid light diffraction loss. The presented sensor was fabricated and tested with deionized water liquid and shown to exhibit a sensitivity up to 12.46 dBm/bar, and a detection limit of 8.2 mbar. Numerical simulations are also presented to evaluate the mechanical–fluidic performance of the device.
Recent Advances of Hierarchical and Sequential Growth of Macromolecular Organic Structures on Surface

The fabrication of macromolecular organic structures on surfaces is one major concern in materials science. Nanoribbons, linear polymers, and porous nanostructures have gained a lot of interest due to their possible applications ranging from nanotemplates, catalysis, optoelectronics, sensors, or data storage. During decades, supramolecular chemistry has constituted an unavoidable approach for the design of well-organized structures on surfaces displaying a long-range order. Following these initial works, an important milestone has been established with the formation of covalent bonds between molecules. Resulting from this unprecedented approach, various nanostructures of improved thermal and chemical stability compared to those obtained by supramolecular chemistry and displaying unique and unprecedented properties have been developed. However, a major challenge exists: the growth control is very delicate and a thorough understanding of the complex mechanisms governing the on-surface chemistry is still needed. Recently, a new approach consisting in elaborating macromolecular structures by combining consecutive steps has been identified as a promising strategy to elaborate organic structures on surface. By designing precursors with a preprogrammed sequence of reactivity, a hierarchical or a sequential growth of 1D and 2D structures can be realized. In this review, the different reaction combinations used for the design of 1D and 2D structures are reported. To date, eight different sequences of reactions have been examined since 2008, evidencing the intense research activity existing in this field.
Cross-sectional survey on job satisfaction and its associated factors among doctors in tertiary public hospitals in Shanghai, China

Objectives Doctors in public hospitals in China face considerable pressure and excessive workloads, which are likely to predispose them to job dissatisfaction. We explored the job satisfaction of doctors and examined the influence of diverse sociodemographic characteristics. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Setting Eleven tertiary public hospitals in Shanghai, China. Participants The questionnaire was designed based on the fifth National Health Service General Research, which was based on the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to 897 doctors randomly (using random number tables) and 730 were returned completed (response rate=81.4%). Doctors who volunteered and provided informed, written consent participated. Primary outcome measures The dependent variable was doctors’ job satisfaction. Results Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and SAS. Overall, 64.8% of participants were dissatisfied with their jobs. Factors that were statistically significant to doctors’ job satisfaction in the univariate analysis were entered into the logistic regression analysis, including doctors’ professional title, department, work hours, work requirements (reflected as the number of patients they diagnosed and treated monthly), life and work stress, and the types of patients that doctors treated or expected to treat. The results of the logistic regression analysis suggested that doctors’ job satisfaction was related to their professional title, types of patients that doctors treated or expected to treat, as well as their work stress. Conclusions There is an urgent need for public hospitals in China to establish a more reasonable promotion and management system for doctors, encourage patients to accept the two-way referral, pay more attention to less-experienced staff and help doctors release their work stress.
Perinatal risk factors in Tourette's and chronic tic disorders: a lesson from epidemiology

The role of perinatal factors in the pathophysiology of TD/CTD has been repeatedly suggested but never systematically analyzed. The recently published article by Brander et al [1] proposes a relationship between the occurrence of TD/CTD and several adverse perinatal events. The study cohort consisted of all live singleton births over a 30 year period in a single country. Follow up was done over a 40 year period. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.