Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Foundational Studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences

This article critically reviews the foundational studies carried out by Felitti in the US and Bellis in the UK and their colleagues examining the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult health and morbidity. These studies have paved the way for much research on childhood adversity and its impact on child development and brain functioning at a family level. ACEs have gained traction in the UK in terms of policy targeting dysfunctional families through early intervention to stop the intergenerational effects of adverse childhood experiences. This article questions the foundational research that argues for family-level, parent-based intervention, especially in light of substantial evidence about the biological embedding of poverty and the direct links between disadvantage and child development. It also hopes to raise awareness about the contested nature of ACEs and their growing influence on family policy.
Vasopressin as Possible Treatment Option in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rather common, presenting with prevalent early problems in social communication and accompanied by repetitive behavior. As vasopressin was implicated not only in salt-water homeostasis and stress-axis regulation, but also in social behavior, its role in the development of ASD might be suggested. In this review, we summarized a wide range of problems associated with ASD to which vasopressin might contribute, from social skills to communication, motor function problems, autonomous nervous system alterations as well as sleep disturbances, and altered sensory information processing. Beside functional connections between vasopressin and ASD, we draw attention to the anatomical background, highlighting several brain areas, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, medial preoptic area, lateral septum, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, amygdala, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and even the cerebellum, either producing vasopressin or containing vasopressinergic receptors (presumably V1a). Sex differences in the vasopressinergic system might underline the male prevalence of ASD. Moreover, vasopressin might contribute to the effectiveness of available off-label therapies as well as serve as a possible target for intervention. In this sense, vasopressin, but paradoxically also V1a receptor antagonist, were found to be effective in some clinical trials. We concluded that although vasopressin might be an effective candidate for ASD treatment, we might assume that only a subgroup (e.g., with stress-axis disturbances), a certain sex (most probably males) and a certain brain area (targeting by means of virus vectors) would benefit from this therapy.
Age-related performance on an emotional Stroop task in adolescence.

Author affiliations: 1 Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK 2 Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK 3 Department of Education, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK 4 Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
Prognostic impact of preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio for surgically resected gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Abstract Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was shown to be prognostic value in various malignancies. There are limited data about predictive or prognostic role of NLR during gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) patients. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of preoperative NLR in patients with GIST. We retrospectively enrolled 72 primary GIST patients who received initial curative surgical resection with or without adjuvant imatinib therapy. The preoperative NLR in the peripheral blood was calculated. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify potential predictors of tumor outcomes. The NLR cut-off value of 4.18 was selected. Multivariate analysis revealed that high NLR was associated with a unfavorable prognosis of GISTs (P < .05). Tumor size, tumor location, and age were significantly correlated with the NLR (P < .05). High NLR was an unfavorable prognostic factor of overall survival in GISTs and may be a useful preoperative biomarker of the prognosis of GISTs.
Hip Arthroscopy: extra-articular Procedures

Hip preservation is one of the fastest growing fields in orthopaedics and indications of intra-articular procedures are well established. In the last decade, extra-articular procedures have gained momentum and arthroscopic solutions to peri-articular hip pathologies have been offered. It should be noted that many of these pathologies are well-treated conservatively and only those who fail conservative management should be treated operatively. These indications can be divided into 5 categories: greater trochanteric pain syndrome; internal hip snapping; anterior inferior iliac spine/sub-spine impingement; sciatic nerve entrapment; and proximal hamstring injuries. This article reviews the anatomy, patient history and physical examination, imaging, non-operative treatment, endoscopic operative treatment and outcomes of each category. While indications for hip arthroscopy, specifically extra-articular procedures, are rising steadily, there is not enough data to support its superiority over open procedures. Current literature consists of case studies, case reports, and expert opinions and lacks large, randomised control studies.
Digest: Linking coordinated shifts in plant resource allocation to a chromosomal inversion *

Local adaptation in plants often requires coordinated shifts among resources. Lowry et al. provide evidence for physiological and genomic mechanisms underpinning adaptive shifts in yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus), such as the transition between annual and perennial life histories. In M. guttatus, differential activity of gibberellins, governed partially by a chromosomal inversion, is responsible for shifts between growth, reproduction, and herbivore defense (secondary compound production).
European recommendations on organisation of interventional care in acute stroke (EROICAS)

Five recently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and respective meta-analyses provide strong evidence that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) combined with best medical treatment (BMT), including intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (IV thrombolysis, IVT) for eligible patients, improves the outcomes of appropriately selected patients with acute ischemic stroke in the setting of proximal occlusions in the carotid circulation (large vessel occlusion, LVO). Four out of the five studies were stopped early after a first RCT showed the superiority of EVT combined with medical management over medical management alone. Such premature trial termination will on average lead to overestimation of the treatment effect. Nonetheless, since all fiveRCTs showed consistent benefit of EVT over optimal medical management alone, and a dose–effect relation (reperfusion rates vs. clinical outcome), the benefit of EVT is considered established. After the publication of the ‘‘Consensus statement by ESO-Karolinska Stroke Update’’ as timely response to the new evidence, the purpose of EROICAS is to provide recommendations based on a structured collaborative process conducted by six relevant European professional societies.
Investigation of Flow Pattern and Pressure Loss of A V 94 . 2 . 5 Gas Turbine Air Intake System Using 3 D Numerical Modeling

Air intake system of a 160 MW gas turbine cycle has been modeled and analyzed using numerical simulation in a full 3D perspective. Analysis was carried out using the commercial numerical simulation software, FLUENT 6.3. Inputs and Boundary condition gathered from the design working condition of a Siemens V94.2 gas turbine, installed in the Khoramshahr power plant. This paper deals with flow pattern simulation in order to improve the pressure loss and flow characteristic of the gas turbine compressor inlet. The understanding developed with reference to recirculation flows and non-uniform flow over the whole air intake system, provides valuable insights to designers for optimization of components for better efficiency. Key-words: Gas turbine; Air intake; Numerical Simulation; Flow Pattern; Pressure Loss
Reproducibility of interictal spike propagation in children with refractory epilepsy

Interictal spikes are a characteristic feature of invasive electroencephalography (EEG) recordings in children with refractory epilepsy. Spikes frequently co‐occur across multiple brain regions with discernable latencies, suggesting that spikes can propagate through distributed neural networks. The purpose of this study was to examine the long‐term reproducibility of spike propagation patterns over hours to days of interictal recording.
MicroRNAs as regulators and effectors of hematopoietic transcription factors

Hematopoiesis is a highly‐regulated development process orchestrated by lineage‐specific transcription factors that direct the generation of all mature blood cells types, including red blood cells, megakaryocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Under homeostatic conditions, the hematopoietic system of the typical adult generates over 1011 blood cells daily throughout life. In addition, hematopoiesis must be responsive to acute challenges due to blood loss or infection. MicroRNAs (miRs) cooperate with transcription factors to regulate all aspects of hematopoiesis, including stem cell maintenance, lineage selection, cell expansion, and terminal differentiation. Distinct miR expression patterns are associated with specific hematopoietic lineages and stages of differentiation and functional analyses have elucidated essential roles for miRs in regulating cell transitions, lineage selection, maturation, and function. MiRs function as downstream effectors of hematopoietic transcription factors and as upstream regulators to control transcription factor levels. Multiple miRs have been shown to play essential roles. Regulatory networks comprised of differentially expressed lineage‐specific miRs and hematopoietic transcription factors are involved in controlling the quiescence and self‐renewal of hematopoietic stem cells as well as proliferation and differentiation of lineage‐specific progenitor cells during erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis, and lymphopoiesis. This review focuses on hematopoietic miRs that function as upstream regulators of central hematopoietic transcription factors required for normal hematopoiesis.
A meta-analysis on verbal working memory in children and adolescents with ADHD

Abstract Objective: Previous meta-analyses have demonstrated verbal working memory (WM) dysfunction in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, the findings are inconsistent. The main objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the performance of children and adolescents with ADHD in the Digit Span Backwards (DSB) subtest from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. We also sought to provide an updated meta-analysis on WM in children and adolescents with ADHD. Method: PubMed, PsyINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to locate studies published between 1990 and 2016 that report DSB scores both of children and adolescents with ADHD and matched controls. Potential moderator variables were also analyzed. Results: Forty-nine studies comparing children and adolescents with ADHD (n = 4956) against healthy controls (n = 3249) generated a medium-sized effect (Hedges’ g) of 0.56 (95% CI [0.49, 0.64]), indicating poorer verbal WM performance in those with ADHD. A subgroup meta-analysis of studies with participants aged 8–16 years only demonstrated low heterogeneity (I2 = 17.06, cf. 55.50 for the main analysis). Moreover, the meta-regression showed a negative association (β = –.05, p = .02) between DSB performance differences and increasing age, indicating that for every one year increase in age the effect size decreased by . 05. Conclusion: These results, which emanated from the largest meta-analysis concerning verbal WM in ADHD reported to date, reinforce WM as a key domain of cognitive dysfunction in ADHD, and point to age as the main variable influencing DSB performance difficulties.
Ethanol Exposure Increases miR-140 in Extracellular Vesicles: Implications for Fetal Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Maturation.

BACKGROUND Neural stem cells (NSCs) generate most of the neurons of the adult brain in humans, during the mid-first through second-trimester period. This critical neurogenic window is particularly vulnerable to prenatal alcohol exposure, which can result in diminished brain growth. Previous studies showed that ethanol (EtOH) exposure does not kill NSCs, but, rather, results in their depletion by influencing cell cycle kinetics and promoting aberrant maturation, in part, by altering NSC expression of key neurogenic miRNAs. NSCs reside in a complex microenvironment rich in extracellular vesicles, shown to traffic miRNA cargo between cells. METHODS We profiled the miRNA content of extracellular vesicles from control and EtOH-exposed ex vivo neurosphere cultures of fetal NSCs. We subsequently examined the effects of one EtOH-sensitive miRNA, miR-140-3p, on NSC growth, survival, and maturation. RESULTS EtOH exposure significantly elevates levels of a subset of miRNAs in secreted extracellular vesicles. Overexpression of one of these elevated miRNAs, miR-140-3p, and its passenger strand relative, miR-140-5p, significantly increased the proportion of S-phase cells while decreasing the proportion of G0 /G1 cells compared to controls. In contrast, while miR-140-3p knockdown had minimal effects on the proportion of cells in each phase of the cell cycle, knockdown of miR-140-5p significantly decreased the proportion of cells in G2 /M phase. Furthermore, miR-140-3p overexpression, during mitogen-withdrawal-induced NSC differentiation, favors astroglial maturation at the expense of neural and oligodendrocyte differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the dysregulated miRNA content of extracellular vesicles following EtOH exposure may result in aberrant neural progenitor cell growth and maturation, explaining brain growth deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
Translational neuropathic pain research

Abstract The traditional translational approach in neuropathic pain research has mainly consisted to date in translating basic findings from animal models of nerve injury to the clinic. Because of the difficulty to extrapolate mechanisms from animals to humans, an inverse translational approach (“top–down”) has been advocated and contributed to the development of therapy. In particular, a number of treatments such as neurostimulation techniques have been initially assessed in patients and then translated to animal models for further investigation of their mechanisms. Therapeutic approaches based on an in-depth assessment of sensory phenotypes, suggestive of mechanisms, have also been implemented. The biggest trend in recent translational research is to investigate mechanisms or predict therapeutic response in patients by integrating multimodal approaches. The present narrative review emphasizes these various aspects of translational research in neuropathic pain.
The plant body as a network of semi-autonomous agents: a review

Plants can solve amazingly difficult tasks while adjusting their growth and development to the environment. They can explore and exploit several resources simultaneously, even when the distributions of these vary in space and time. The systematic study of plant behaviour goes back to Darwin's book The power of movement in plants. Current research has highlighted that modularity is a key to understanding plant behaviour, as the production, functional specialization and death of modules enable the plant to adjust its movement to the environment. The adjustment is assisted by a flow of information and resources among the modules. Experiments have yielded many results about these processes in various plant species. Theoretical research, however, has lagged behind the empirical studies, possibly owing to the lack of a proper modelling framework that could encompass the high number of components and interactions. In this paper, I propose such a framework on the basis of network theory, viewing the plant as a group of connected, semi-autonomous agents. I review some characteristic plant responses to the environment through changing the states of agents and/or links. I also point out some unexplored areas, in which a dialogue between plant science and network theory could be mutually inspiring. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Liquid brains, solid brains: How distributed cognitive architectures process information’.
Detection of extranodal and spleen involvement by FDG‐PET imaging predicts adverse survival in untreated follicular lymphoma

Predicting early clinical failure in patients with untreated follicular lymphoma (FL) is important but difficult. This study aimed to determine the incidence and patterns of extranodal (EN) and spleen disease using PET/CT, and assess their utility in predicting early clinical failure. PET/CT images from 613 cases of untreated FL (2003‐2016) were reviewed. The location and number of EN sites, patterns of bone involvement, and splenic involvement were recorded. Outcomes were assessed using event‐free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and early clinical failure at 24 months (EFS24). So, 49% (301/613) of patients had PET/CT‐detected EN involvement, and 28% (171/613) had spleen involvement. The presence of ≥2 EN sites, spleen, bone or soft tissue involvement all predicted failure to achieve EFS24. Presence of ≥2 EN sites and bone involvement pattern were also predictive of OS in a univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis with FLIPI‐2 factors, spleen involvement, pattern of bone involvement, and soft tissue involvement independently predicted a lower EFS (HR 1.49 (1.11‐2.00), P = . 007; HR 1.71 (1.10‐2.65), P = . 017; and HR 1.67 (1.06‐2.62), P = . 026, respectively). When the multivariate analysis was performed using PRIMA‐PI factors (marrow and B2M), the number of EN sites was an independent prognostic factor for inferior OS (HR 2.28; P = .05). Baseline PET/CT identifies EN involvement in nearly half of patients with untreated FL. The presence of ≥2 EN sites, bone, soft tissue, or splenic involvement predicts early clinical failure. These results, when combined with other factors, may better identify high‐risk patients and guide therapy.
Coping strategy in persons with low vision or blindness – an exploratory study

Purpose: Coping strategies employed by people with visual disability can influence their quality of life (QoL). We aimed to assess coping in patients with low vision or blindness. Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, 60 patients (25–65 years) with <6/18 best-corrected vision (BCVA) in the better eye and vision loss since ≥6 months were recruited after the institutional ethics clearance and written informed consent. Age, gender, presence of other chronic illness, BCVA, coping strategies (Proactive Coping Inventory, Hindi version), and vision-related quality of life (VRQoL; Hindi version of IND-VFQ33) were recorded. Range, mean (standard deviation) for continuous and proportion for categorical variables. Pearson correlation looked at how coping varied with age and with VRQoL. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test compared coping scores across categorical variables. Statistical significance was taken at P < 0.05. Results: Sixty patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. There were 33 (55%) women; 25 (41.7%) had low vision, 5 (8.3%) had economic blindness, and 30 (50.0%) had social blindness; 27 (45.0%) had a co-morbid chronic illness. Total coping score was 142 ± 26.43 (maximum 217). VRQoL score (maximum 100) was 41.9 ± 15.98 for general functioning; 32.1 ± 12.15 for psychosocial impact, and 41.1 ± 17.30 for visual symptoms. Proactive coping, reflective coping, strategic planning, and preventive coping scores correlated positively with VRQoL in general functioning and psychosocial impact. Conclusion: Positive coping strategies are associated with a better QoL. Ophthalmologists who evaluate visual disability should consider coping mechanisms that their patients employ and should refer them for counseling and training in more positive ways of coping.
Localized Control of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Miami, FL, via Inundative Releases of Wolbachia-Infected Male Mosquitoes

Abstract As part of the response to autochthonous Zika transmission in the United States, the City of South Miami implemented a 6-mo period in which Wolbachia-infected WB1 Aedes aegypti (L.) males were released into an ∼170-acre area. Intracellular Wolbachia bacteria infections in Ae. aegypti cause early embryonic arrest (known as cytoplasmic incompatibility [CI]) and egg hatch failure, and inundative introductions have been suggested as a potential control tool. Throughout the release period, the Ae. aegypti population was monitored within both the release area and an equivalent area that did not receive WB1 male releases. The results show a significant reduction in egg hatch at the area receiving WB1 males, which is consistent with expectations for CI. Similarly, the number of Ae. aegypti was significantly reduced at the area receiving WB1 males, relative to the untreated area. The observed population reduction and results encourage additional work and replication of the Wolbachia biopesticide approach against Ae. aegypti, as an additional tool to be integrated with existing control tools for the control of this medically important vector and nuisance pest.
Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Supports Independent Membrane-Interfacial Fusion Peptide and Transmembrane Domains in Subunit 2 of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Protein, a Structured and Aqueous-Protected Connection between the Fusion Peptide and Soluble Ectodomain, and the Importance of Membrane Apposi

The influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein has HA1 and HA2 subunits, which form an initial complex. HA1's bind host cell sialic acids, which triggers endocytosis, HA1/HA2 separation, and HA2-mediated fusion between virus and endosome membranes. We report hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) on the HA2 subunit without HA1. HA2 contains the fusion peptide (FP), soluble ectodomain (SE), transmembrane domain (TM), and endodomain. FP is a monomer by itself, while SE is a trimer of hairpins that includes an interior bundle of residue 38-105 helices, turns, and residue 154-178 strands packed antiparallel to the bundle. FP and TM extend from the same side of the SE hairpin, and fusion models often depict a FP/TM complex with membrane traversal of both domains that is important for membrane pore expansion. The HDX-MS data of this study do not support this complex and instead support independent FP and TM with respective membrane-interfacial and traversal locations. The data also show a low level of aqueous exposure of the 22-38 segment, consistent with retention of the 23-35 antiparallel β sheet observed in the initial HA1/HA2 complex. We propose the β sheet as a semirigid connector between FP and SE that enables close membrane apposition prior to fusion. The I173E mutant exhibits greater exchange for residues 22-69 and 150-191, consistent with dissociation of SE C-terminal strands from interior N-helices. Similar trends are observed for the G1E mutant as well as less exchange for G1E FP. Fusion is highly impaired with either mutant, which correlates with reduced membrane apposition and, for G1E, FP binding to SE rather than the target membrane.