Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain MRI Findings in Pediatric-Onset Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Challenges in Differentiation from Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Differentiating pediatric-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis could be challenging, especially in cases presenting with only brain manifestations. Our purpose was to investigate brain MR imaging features that may help distinguish these 2 entities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined initial brain MR imaging studies of 10 patients with pediatric-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (female/male ratio, 7:3) and 10 patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (female/male ratio, 2:8). The mean age of the patients was 10.3 ± 5.6 and 8.7 ± 5.3 years, respectively. Brain lesions were evaluated with respect to location, extent, expansion, T1 hypointensity, contrast enhancement/pattern, and diffusion characteristics. The χ2 test (Yates or Fisher exact χ2tests) was used to compare differences between groups. RESULTS: Cerebral subcortical ± juxtacortical and pons ± middle cerebellar peduncle were the most frequent locations involved in both neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (n = 5 and 4, respectively) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n = 9 and 7, respectively). Thalamic lesions were more frequent in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (P = .020) and were detected only in 1 patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. None of the patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder had hypothalamic, internal capsule, or cortical lesions. The internal capsule involvement was found to be significantly different between groups (P = .033). There was no significant difference in terms of extent, expansion, T1 hypointensity, contrast enhancement/pattern, and diffusion characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a considerable overlap in brain MR imaging findings, thalamic and internal capsule involvement could be used to differentiate pediatric-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
Comparisons of Estimated Intakes and Plasma Concentrations of Selected Fatty Acids in Pregnancy

The growing interest in potential health effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) makes it important to evaluate the method used to assess the fatty acid intake in nutrition research studies. We aimed to validate the questionnaire-based dietary intake of selected PUFAs: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), and arachidonic acid (AA) within the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), by comparing 345 women’s reported intake with concentration of plasma biomarkers. The applied questionnaire- and biomarker data reflect dietary intake from around the same time point in mid-pregnancy and relationships were investigated by use of Pearson and Spearman correlation and linear regression statistics. We demonstrated moderate but consistent adjusted correlations between dietary intake estimates and the corresponding plasma biomarker concentrations (differences in plasma concentration per 100 mg/day greater intake of 0.05 (95% CI: 0.02; 0.08)) and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.08) percentage of total plasma fatty acids for EPA and DHA, respectively). The associations strengthened when restricting the analyses to women with ALA intake below the median intake. We found a weak correlation between the dietary intake of ALA and its plasma biomarker with a difference in plasma concentration of 0.07 (95% CI: 0.03; 0.10) percent of total plasma fatty acids per 1 g/day greater intake, while the dietary intake of LA and AA did not correlate with their corresponding biomarkers.
Surface Modification of Liposomes by a Lipopolymer Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen for Theranostic Delivery in Prostate Cancer

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a marker for diagnosis and targeted delivery of therapeutics to advanced/metastasized prostate cancer. We report a liposome-based system for theranostic delivery to PSMA-expressing (PSMA+) LNCaP cells. A lipopolymer (P3) comprising of PSMA ligand (PSMAL), polyethylene glycol (PEG2000), and palmitate was synthesized and post-inserted into the surface of preformed liposomes. These P3-liposomes were loaded with doxorubicin and radiolabeled with 99mTc radionuclide to study their theranostic characteristics. Differential expression of PSMA on LNCaP and PC3 cells was confirmed by immunoblotting as well as by uptake of PSMAL labeled with 18F radionuclide. We found that the uptake of 99mTc-labeled P3-liposomes by LNCaP cells was >3-fold higher than 99mTc-labeled Plain-liposomes; the amount of doxorubicin delivered to LNCaP cells was also found to be >3-fold higher by P3-liposomes. Cell-based cytotoxicity assay results showed that doxorubicin-loaded P3-liposomes were significantly more toxic to LNCaP cells (p < 0.05), but not to PSMA-negative PC3 cells. Compared to doxorubicin-loaded Plain-liposomes, the IC50 value of doxorubicin-loaded P3-liposomes was reduced by ~5-fold in LNCaP cells. Together, these results suggest that surface functionalization of liposomes with small PSMA-binding motifs, such as PSMAL, can provide a viable platform for specific delivery of theranostics to PSMA+ prostate cancer.
Single-Pill Triple-Combination Therapy: An Alternative to Multiple-Drug Treatment of Hypertension

Abstract Hypertension (HTN) affects an estimated 76.4 million US adults. Despite improvements in blood pressure (BP) control rates and the availability of effective antihypertensive agents, only 50% of these individuals achieve BP control. It is now recognized that many patients will require ≤ 2 antihypertensive agents to achieve BP control. Both the current US and reappraisal of the 2007 European guidelines include dual-combination regimens among recommended treatments for initial HTN therapy. For patients requiring 3 drugs, the combination of agents with complementary mechanisms of action (ie, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blocker, calcium channel blocker, and diuretic) has been recognized as rational and effective. Three single-pill triple-drug combinations have recently been approved for use in HTN in the United States: valsartan (VAL)/amlodipine (AML)/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ); olmesartan medoxomil (OM)/AML/HCTZ; and aliskiren (ALI)/VAL/HCTZ. Triple-combination regimens have resulted in a greater proportion of patients achieving BP control compared with dual-combination regimens, with significantly lower BP levels documented after only 2 weeks at maximum doses. Single-pill combinations offer convenience to address barriers to BP control such as poor adherence to therapy and therapeutic inertia. Additional benefits of combining antihypertensive agents from different classes include improved efficacy, safety, and reduction of cardiovascular risk. In patients with essential HTN for whom dual therapy is inadequate, single-pill triple-drug therapy can offer a simplified and effective treatment strategy.
Protocol for a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of information quality frameworks in eHealth

Introduction Electronic health (eHealth) applications have become a very large repository of health information which informs critical decisions relating to the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients. Poor information quality (IQ) within eHealth may compromise patient safety. Evaluation of IQ in eHealth is therefore necessary to promote patient safety. An IQ framework specifies what aspects of information to assess and how to conduct the assessment. This systematic review aims to identify dimensions within existing IQ frameworks in eHealth and develop a new IQ framework for the assessment of eHealth. Method and analysis We will search Embase, Medline, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Maternity and Infant Care, PsycINFO (American Psychological Association), Global Health, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Health Management Information Consortium and reference lists of relevant publications for articles published in English until November 2018. Studies will be selected by two independent reviewers based on prespecified eligibility criteria. Two reviewers will independently extract data in each eligible study using a prepiloted Microsoft Excel data extraction form. Thematic synthesis will be employed to define IQ dimensions and develop a new IQ framework for eHealth. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review as primary data will not be collected. The result of the review will be disseminated through publication in an academic journal and scientific conferences. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018097142.
Unravelling the invasion history of the Asian tiger mosquito in Europe

Multiple introductions are key features for the establishment and persistence of introduced species. However, little is known about the contribution of genetic admixture to the invasive potential of populations. To address this issue, we studied the recent invasion of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in Europe. Combining genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms and historical knowledge using an approximate Bayesian computation framework, we reconstruct the colonization routes and establish the demographic dynamics of invasion. The colonization of Europe involved at least three independent introductions in Albania, North Italy and Central Italy that subsequently acted as dispersal centres throughout Europe. We show that the topology of human transportation networks shaped demographic histories with North Italy and Central Italy being the main dispersal centres in Europe. Introduction modalities conditioned the levels of genetic diversity in invading populations, and genetically diverse and admixed populations promoted more secondary introductions and have spread farther than single‐source invasions. This genomic study provides further crucial insights into a general understanding of the role of genetic diversity promoted by modern trade in driving biological invasions.
Cognitive regulation of ventromedial prefrontal activity evokes lasting change in the perceived self‐relevance of persuasive messaging

Persuasive messages can change people's thoughts, feelings, and actions, but these effects depend on how people think about and appraise the meaning of these messages. Drawing from research on the cognitive control of emotion, we used neuroimaging to investigate neural mechanisms underlying cognitive regulation of the affective and persuasive impact of advertisements communicating the risks of binge drinking, a significant public health problem. Using cognitive control to up‐regulate (vs. down‐regulate) responses to the ads increased: negative affect related to consequences of excessive drinking, perceived ad effectiveness, and ratings of ad self‐relevance made after a one‐hour delay. Neurally, these effects of cognitive control were mediated by goal‐congruent modulation of ventromedial prefrontal cortex and distributed brain patterns associated with negative emotion and subjective valuation. These findings suggest that people can leverage cognitive control resources to deliberately shape responses to persuasive appeals, and identify mechanisms of emotional reactivity and integrative valuation that underlie this ability. Specifically, brain valuation pattern expression mediated the effect of cognitive goals on perceived message self‐relevance, suggesting a role for the brain's valuation system in shaping responses to persuasive appeals in a manner that persists over time.
Modeling of variables related to problematic social media usage: Social desirability tendency example.

Social media usage has been popular for the last decade. Individuals use their social media environments for various reasons such as to socialize, play games, have fun and share posts. Overuse of these environments may lead to negative psychological and behavioral consequences for individuals. Additionally, it increases the worries about potential addicted/problematic use of social media. In this study, it is aimed to determine the level of problematic social media usage of participants who are active social media users and to analyze the relationships between problematic social media usage and various personal characteristics and social variables. Study in relational screening model is carried out with the participation of 580 volunteers. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data obtained through various scale according to the research model. The structural equation modeling analysis shows that there is a significant relationship between problematic social media usage and the daily time of social media usage, the use of frequency of social media for recognition, publicity, communication/interaction and education, loneliness, and social anxiety. The variable which shows higher correlation between problematic social media usage is social anxiety.
The effects of stocking density on turkey tom performance and environment to 16 weeks of age.

Stocking density (SD) of turkey toms (n = 2,868 Nicholas Select) was evaluated in 2 16-wk trials. Poults were randomly allocated to 1 of 8 independently ventilated rooms (6.71 × 10.06 m) for each trial, to reach a final target SD of 30, 40, 50, or 60 kg/m2. Air quality was monitored (carbon dioxide and ammonia) throughout the trial, and ventilation was adjusted to balance these parameters across all rooms. Within each trial, body weight and feed consumption were recorded (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk of age). Body weight gain and mortality-corrected feed-to-gain ratio (F: Gm) were calculated for each 4-wk interval. Uniformity was assessed at 12 and 16 wk of age (20 birds per replicate). Mortality and culled birds were recorded daily and necropsied to determine cause of death or illness. Room temperature was recorded hourly, and litter moisture and temperature (trial 2) were evaluated weekly from 12 to 16 wk. A 1-way ANOVA was performed to evaluate the effects of SD on room temperature. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between SD and all other measured variables (linear, Proc Reg; quadratic, Proc RSReg in SAS 9.4). Differences were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. Body weight decreased as SD increased at 12 (quadratic) and 16 wk (linear). Body weight gain decreased in the last 4 wk (12 to 16, linear) and over the course of the trial (0 to 12, quadratic; 0 to 16, linear) as SD increased. Feed consumption demonstrated a linear relationship with increasing SD, increasing from week 4 to 8 and decreasing from week 12 to 16. The F: Gm ratio increased linearly with increasing SD for all time periods beginning at week 4. Flock uniformity and total percent mortality were unaffected by SD. Litter moisture demonstrated a quadratic effect and litter temperature increased (quadratic) as SD increased. Overall, increasing SD negatively impacted aspects of bird performance, including body weight, body weight gain, and feed efficiency. Feed consumption was negatively impacted later in production (week 12 to 16). Finally, overall mortality and uniformity were not affected.
P2X7 receptor in cardiovascular disease: The heart side

The P2X7 receptor is a ligand‐gated purinergic receptor activated by extracellular ATP. The receptor is highly expressed in immune cells and in the brain, and, upon activation, the P2X7 receptor allows a cation flux, leading to the distinct activation of intracellular signalling pathways as the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and modulation of cell survival. Through these molecular mechanisms, P2X7 is known to play important roles in physiology and pathophysiology of a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurological, respiratory and more recently cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies demonstrated that the P2X7 could modulate the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to the secretion of pro‐inflammatory factors and worsen the cardiac disease phenotypes. This review discusses the critical molecular function of P2X7 in the modulation of the onset, progression and resolution of cardiovascular diseases and analyses the putative future use of P2X7‐based therapies that modulate the IL‐1β secretion arm and direct P2X7 antagonists.
Changes in gene DNA methylation and expression networks accompany caste specialization and age‐related physiological changes in a social insect

Social insects provide systems for studying epigenetic regulation of phenotypes, particularly with respect to differentiation of reproductive and worker castes, which typically arise from a common genetic background. The role of gene expression in caste specialization has been extensively studied, but the role of DNA methylation remains controversial. Here, we perform well replicated, integrated analyses of DNA methylation and gene expression in brains of an ant (Formica exsecta) with distinct female castes using traditional approaches (tests of differential methylation) combined with a novel approach (analysis of co‐expression and co‐methylation networks). We found differences in expression and methylation profiles between workers and queens at different life stages, as well as some overlap between DNA methylation and expression at the functional level. Large portions of the transcriptome and methylome are organized into “modules” of genes, some significantly associated with phenotypic traits of castes and developmental stages. Several gene co‐expression modules are preserved in co‐methylation networks, consistent with possible regulation of caste‐specific gene expression by DNA methylation. Surprisingly, brain co‐expression modules were highly preserved when compared with a previous study that examined whole‐body co‐expression patterns in 16 ant species, suggesting that these modules are evolutionarily conserved and for specific functions in various tissues. Altogether, these results suggest that DNA methylation participates in regulation of caste specialization and age‐related physiological changes in social insects.
Implementation of d-Spline-based incremental performance parameter estimation method with ppOpen-AT

In automatic performance tuning (AT), a primary aim is to optimize performance parameters that are suitable for certain computational environments in ordinary mathematical libraries. For AT, an important issue is to reduce the estimation time required for optimizing performance parameters. To reduce the estimation time, we previously proposed the Incremental Performance Parameter Estimation method (IPPE method). This method estimates optimal performance parameters by inserting suitable sampling points that are based on computational results for a fitting function. As the fitting function, we introduced d-Spline, which is highly adaptable and requires little estimation time. In this paper, we report the implementation of the IPPE method with ppOpen-AT, which is a scripting language (set of directives) with features that reduce the workload of the developers of mathematical libraries that have AT features. To confirm the effectiveness of the IPPE method for the runtime phase AT, we applied the method to sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV), in which the block size of the sparse matrix structure blocked compressed row storage (BCRS) was used for the performance parameter. The results from the experiment show that the cost was negligibly small for AT using the IPPE method in the runtime phase. Moreover, using the obtained optimal value, the execution time for the mathematical library SpMV was reduced by 44% on comparing the compressed row storage and BCRS (block size 8).
Association of housing first implementation and key outcomes among homeless persons with problematic substance use.

OBJECTIVES Housing First is a supportive housing model for persons with histories of chronic homelessness that emphasizes client-centered services, provides immediate housing, and does not require treatment for mental illness or substance abuse as a condition of participation. Previous studies of Housing First have found reduced governmental costs and improved personal well-being among participants. However, variations in real-world program implementation require better understanding of the relationship between implementation and outcomes. This study investigated the effects of Housing First implementation on housing and substance use outcomes. METHODS Study participants were 358 individuals with histories of chronic homelessness and problematic substance use. Clients were housed in nine scatter-site Housing First programs in New York City. Program fidelity was judged across a set of core Housing First components. Client interviews at baseline and 12 months were used to assess substance use. RESULTS Clients in programs with greater fidelity to consumer participation components of Housing First were more likely to be retained in housing and were less likely to report using stimulants or opiates at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Consistently implemented Housing First principles related to consumer participation were associated with superior housing and substance use outcomes among chronically homeless individuals with a history of substance use problems. The study findings suggest that program implementation is central to understanding the potential of Housing First to help clients achieve positive housing and substance use outcomes.
Impacts of skipping breakfast and late dinner on the incidence of being overweight: a 3‐year retrospective cohort study of men aged 20–49 years

BACKGROUND Most studies on the dietary habits and overweight status of men aged 20-49 years have been cross-sectional, with longitudinal studies being scarce. One-quarter of Japanese men aged 20-49 years skip breakfast or have dinner within 2 h of bedtime (late dinner); therefore, the effects of these eating habits on men's increasing body weight need to be determined. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study using health check-up data provided from several health insurance societies in Japan. Participants comprised 45 524 men employees aged 20-49 years who were followed up for 3 years. The primary outcome investigated was body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg m-2 . We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis and calculated the odds ratios for skipping breakfast and late dinner, as well as baseline age, body mass index, smoking status, eating speed, snack-eating status, alcohol drinking frequency, physical activity, sleep habits, and the interaction between skipping breakfast and late dinner. RESULTS Of the participants, 17 706 (38.8%) skipped breakfast and 25 987 (57.1%) had a late dinner. At the 3-year follow-up, 5093 (11.2%) had a BMI ≥25 kg m-2 . The odds ratios of men skipping breakfast and having a late dinner were 1.18 (95% confidence interval = 1.04-1.33) and 0.92 (95% confidence interval = 0.84-1.01), respectively. The interaction between these factors was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that skipping breakfast among men aged 20-49 years was one predictor of being overweight; however, having dinner within 2 h of bedtime was not a predictor.