Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling or Not on Blood Flow Signal in Macular Area of Diabetic Patients with Preretinal Membrane

Abstract Purpose To study the effect of intraoperative internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling on the macular vascular structure in patients with diabetic epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods Patients with diabetic ERM were divided into an ERM + ILM peeling group (18 eyes) and an ERM peeling group (19 eyes), all of whom underwent standard vitrectomy and were followed up until 6 months postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Central macular thickness (CMT), Vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) of the superficial as well as deep retinal capillary plexus were compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in BCVA (p = .188, .410, .901, .916) and CMT (p = .164, .128, .110, .105) between the two groups at the week 1, month 1, month 3 and month 6 after operation. In the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), the change in VD (p = .106) and VLD (p = .438) was not affected by ILM peeling, and there was no significant difference in VD (p = .154, .063, .100, .162) and VLD (p = .386, .263, .431, .391) between the two groups during the four follow-up after operation. For the deep capillary plexus (DCP), there was an effect of ILM peeling on the changes in VD (p = .024) and VLD (p = .012), ILM peeling delayed the recovery time of the VD and VLD; The VD (p = .026, .000, .003) and VLD (p = .005, .000, .000) of ERM + ILM peeling group were lower than those of ERM peeling group from the month 1 to the month 6 after operation. Conclusion Intraoperative peeling of the ILM in patients with diabetic ERM delayed the improvement of blood flow signal in the DCP but did not affect the recovery of postoperative BCVA and CMT.
Smoking, alcohol consumption, and 24 gastrointestinal diseases: Mendelian randomization analysis

Background: Whether the positive associations of smoking and alcohol consumption with gastrointestinal diseases are causal is uncertain. We conducted this Mendelian randomization (MR) to comprehensively examine associations of smoking and alcohol consumption with common gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: Genetic variants associated with smoking initiation and alcohol consumption at the genome-wide significance level were selected as instrumental variables. Genetic associations with 24 gastrointestinal diseases were obtained from the UK Biobank, FinnGen study, and other large consortia. Univariable and multivariable MR analyses were conducted to estimate the overall and independent MR associations after mutual adjustment for genetic liability to smoking and alcohol consumption. Results: Genetic predisposition to smoking initiation was associated with increased risk of 20 of 24 gastrointestinal diseases, including 7 upper gastrointestinal diseases (gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal cancer, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, acute gastritis, chronic gastritis, and gastric cancer), 4 lower gastrointestinal diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis), 8 hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, and acute and chronic pancreatitis), and acute appendicitis. Fifteen out of 20 associations persisted after adjusting for genetically predicted alcohol consumption. Genetically predicted higher alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of duodenal ulcer, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, and chronic pancreatitis; however, the association for duodenal ulcer did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for genetic predisposition to smoking initiation. Conclusions: This study provides MR evidence supporting causal associations of smoking with a broad range of gastrointestinal diseases, whereas alcohol consumption was associated with only a few gastrointestinal diseases. Funding: The Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Zhejiang Province; National Natural Science Foundation of China; Key Project of Research and Development Plan of Hunan Province; the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation; the Swedish Research Council; the Swedish Cancer Society.
Development of a feeding simulation to evaluate how feeding distribution in aquaculture affects individual differences in growth based on the fish schooling behavioral model

In this study, we developed a feeding simulation using the fish schooling behavior model to evaluate growth differences from the feeding spatial distribution. In the proposed simulation, feeding behavior was modeled using the fish schooling model to simulate the amount of feed consumed by each individual. Next, body mass growth was calculated based on the amount of feed consumed. A 3.0-m diameter aquaculture tank was used for the simulation. We used three feeding methods to evaluate how feeding distribution affected growth: Feeding A, B, and C. The feed was distributed in a square pattern with one side length of 1.5, 1.0, or 0.5 m for Feeding A, B, and C groups, respectively. The results revealed that individual differences in body mass resulting from each feeding method differed greatly. The individual difference was largest in the Feeding C group. Here, maximum swimming speed was assumed to be proportional to total length. The feeding area of Feeding C was narrow; therefore, the first individual to arrive in the feeding area dominated the feed. Large individuals accessed the feed more easily than did small individuals. Consequently, the growth of large individuals became more rapid, and the individual differences became large in Feeding C. A rearing test can be conducted in a short time, and the optimal aquaculture operation was easily determined using the proposed simulation method. We concluded that the proposed simulation is useful as a decision-making tool for aquaculture management.
Chaperoning of specific tau structure by immunophilin FKBP12 regulates the neuronal resilience to extracellular stress

Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies are characterized by the pathogenic misfolding and aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Understanding how endogenous chaperones modulate tau misfolding could guide future therapies. Here, we show that the immunophilin FKBP12, the 12-kDa FK506-binding protein (also known as FKBP prolyl isomerase 1A), regulates the neuronal resilience by chaperoning a specific structure in monomeric tau. Using a combination of mouse and cell experiments, in vitro aggregation experiments, nuclear magnetic resonance–based structural analysis of monomeric tau, site-specific phosphorylation and mutation, as well as structure-based analysis using the neural network–based structure prediction program AlphaFold, we define the molecular factors that govern the binding of FKBP12 to tau and its influence on tau-induced neurotoxicity. We further demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of tau blocks the binding of FKBP12 to two highly specific structural motifs in tau. Our data together with previous results demonstrating FKBP12/tau colocalization in neurons and neurofibrillary tangles support a critical role of FKBP12 in regulating tau pathology.
Siponimod-Related Bilateral Macular Edema: A Transient and Completely Reversible Disorder

S iponimod, a selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) 1 and 5 modulator, was recently approved for treatment of active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Macular edema (ME) is the build-up of ﬂ uid in the macula, namely between the inner and outer plexiform retinal layers, and can be observed during treatment with S1P modulators that sometimes can be massive and alarming (1). We report a case of severe and bilateral siponimod-associated ME, completely resolved 13 days after immediate therapy discontinuation. A 50-year-old relapse-onset multiple sclerosis (RMS) female patient had been treated for 12 years
Neutrophil Depletion Attenuates Acute Liver Stress after Exhaustive Exercise in Mice

ABSTRACT Purpose Exhaustive exercise induces acute liver stress; however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Methods We investigated the effects of neutrophil depletion in male C57BL/6J mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: sedentary with control antibody (n = 20), sedentary with antineutrophil antibody (n = 20), exhaustive exercise with control antibody (n = 20), and exhaustive exercise with antineutrophil antibody (n = 20). Antineutrophil antibodies (1A8) or control antibodies were administered intraperitoneally before running on a treadmill. Immediately and at 24 h after running to exhaustion on a treadmill at a 7% gradient and a speed of 24 m·min−1, blood neutrophil counts were measured by flow cytometry. Plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also measured. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was performed to calculate the liver stress score, and hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Exercise increased blood neutrophil and neutrophil infiltration into the liver. Plasma AST and ALT activities were significantly higher immediately after exhaustive exercise than after sedentary control (AST, sedentary with control antibody: 52.2 ± 0.4, exhaustive exercise with control antibody: 210.0 ± 19.8; ALT, sedentary with control antibody: 29.8 ± 2.2, exhaustive exercise with control antibody: 87.2 ± 15.8). However, AST and ALT activities were significantly decreased with the 1A8 antibody (AST, 102.2 ± 12.9; ALT, 39.2 ± 4.0). In addition, the liver stress score increased after exercise but was significantly reduced by prior 1A8 antibody administration. The 1A8 antibody treatment also decreased hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α levels after exhaustive exercise. Conclusions These results suggested that neutrophils play a critical role in increasing liver stress by regulating inflammation.
Thermal diffusivity of aromatic polyimide thin films by temperature wave analysis

The heat transport properties of aromatic polyimide thin films have become more important in the use for the electric insulation in the microelectronic devices with highly integrated circuits. The various kinds of measuring methods have been applied to obtain the anisotropic thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of thin films, however, if the specimens are soft and transparent, the conventional methodology requires highly advanced technology in preparing the specimens for the measurement and the results obtained vary widely. The purpose of this study is to apply the temperature wave analysis (TWA) method to measure the thermal diffusivity of thin films and spin-coated layers of aromatic polyimide in the thickness direction at various temperatures. The TWA is an absolute method to determine the thermal diffusivity by using the phase shift of temperature wave. We have performed measurements on the five different chemical structures of aromatic polyimide, including polyimide isoindoloquinazolinedione .
Inequities in home care use among older Canadian adults: Are they corrected by public funding?

Background Although care use should parallel needs, enabling and predisposing circumstances including the socio-demographic inequities of socioeconomic status (SES), gender, or isolation often intervene to diminish care. We examine whether availability of state-funded medical and support services at home can rebalance these individual and social inequities, and do this by identifying if and how intersecting social identities predict homecare use among older Canadian adults. Methods Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) of 30,097 community-dwelling adults aged 45 to 85, we performed recursive partitioning regression tree analysis using Chi-Squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID). Combinations of individual and social characteristics including sociodemographic, family-related, physical and psychological measures and contextual indicators of material and social deprivation were explored as possible predictors of formal and informal care use. Results Diminished function i.e. increased need, indicated by Activities of Daily Living, was most strongly aligned with formal care use while age, living arrangement, having no partner, depression, self-rated health and chronic medical conditions playing a lesser role in the pathway to use. Notably, sex/gender, were not determinants. Characteristics aligned with informal care were first—need, then country of birth and years since immigration. Both ‘trees’ showed high validity with low risk of misclassification (4.6% and 10.8% for formal and informal care, respectively). Conclusions Although often considered marginalised, women, immigrants, or those of lower SES utilised formal care equitably. Formal care was also differentially available to those without the financial or human resources to receive informal care. Need, primarily medical but also arising from living arrangement, rather than SES or gender predicted formal care, indicating that universal government-funded services may rebalance social and individual inequities in formal care use.
Development and Contribution of a Serious Game to Improve Nursing Students' Clinical Reasoning in Acute Heart Failure: A Multimethod Study

Clinical reasoning is essential for nurses and nursing students to recognize and intervene when hospitalized patients present acute heart failure. Serious games are digital educational interventions that could foster the development of clinical reasoning through an engaging and intrinsically motivating learning experience. However, elements from a playful approach (eg, rewards, narrative elements) are often absent or poorly integrated in existing serious games, which may limit their contribution to learning. Thus, we developed and studied the contribution of a novel serious game on nursing students' engagement, intrinsic motivation, and clinical reasoning in the context of acute heart failure. We adopted a multimethod design and randomized 28 participants to receive two serious game prototypes in a different sequence, one that fully integrated elements of a playful approach (SIGN@L-A) and one that offered only objectives, feedback, and a functional aesthetic (SIGN@L-B). Through self-reported questionnaires, participants reported higher levels of engagement and intrinsic motivation after using SIGN@L-A. However, negligible differences in clinical reasoning scores were found after using each serious game prototype. During interviews, participants reported on the contribution of design elements to their learning. Quantitative findings should be replicated in larger samples. Qualitative findings may guide the development of future serious games.
Large-sized SmBCO single crystals with Tc over 93 K grown in atmospheric ambient by crystal pulling

Sm1+xBa2−xCu3Oz (SmBCO) single crystals were grown under atmospheric ambient by the top-seeded solution growth method. Inductively coupled plasma results indicate that there is negligible Sm substitution for Ba sites in the grown SmBCO crystals, although they crystallized from different Ba–Cu–O solvents with a wide composition range (Ba/Cu ratio of 0.5–0.6). As a result, these crystals show high superconducting critical transition temperature values (Tc) of over 93 K with a sharp transition width after oxygenation. A large-sized crystal with an a–b plane of 23 × 22 mm2 and a c-axis of 19 mm was obtained at a high growth rate of nearly 0.13 mm h−1. In short, with more controllable thermodynamic parameters, SmBCO single crystals can readily achieve both large size and high superconducting properties.
Time to early resuscitative intervention association with mortality in trauma patients at risk for hemorrhage

Increasing time to early resuscitative intervention in hemorrhagic shock after injury assoc w/ increasing 30d & 24h mortality–suggests early resuscitation initiation is key & crucial to start in the field if prehospital time prolonged. @Pitttrauma @PittTTMRC @PittEMSDocs. BACKGROUND Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death after injury. Others have shown that delays in massive transfusion cooler arrival increase mortality, while prehospital blood product resuscitation can reduce mortality. Our objective was to evaluate if time to resuscitation initiation impacts mortality. METHODS We combined data from the Prehospital Air Medical Plasma (PAMPer) trial in which patients received prehospital plasma or standard care and the Study of Tranexamic Acid during Air and ground Medical Prehospital transport (STAAMP) trial in which patients received prehospital tranexamic acid or placebo. We evaluated the time to early resuscitative intervention (TERI) as time from emergency medical services arrival to packed red blood cells, plasma, or tranexamic acid initiation in the field or within 90 minutes of trauma center arrival. For patients not receiving an early resuscitative intervention, the TERI was calculated based on trauma center arrival as earliest opportunity to receive a resuscitative intervention and were propensity matched to those that did to account for selection bias. Mixed-effects logistic regression assessed the association of 30-day and 24-hour mortality with TERI adjusting for confounders. We also evaluated a subgroup of only patients receiving an early resuscitative intervention as defined above. RESULTS Among the 1,504 propensity-matched patients, every 1-minute delay in TERI was associated with 2% increase in the odds of 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.020; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.006–1.033; p < 0.01) and 1.5% increase in odds of 24-hour mortality (aOR, 1.015; 95% CI, 1.001–1.029; p = 0.03). Among the 799 patients receiving an early resuscitative intervention, every 1-minute increase in TERI was associated with a 2% increase in the odds of 30-day mortality (aOR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.005–1.038; p = 0.01) and 24-hour mortality (aOR, 1.023; 95% CI, 1.005–1.042; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Time to early resuscitative intervention is associated with morality in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock. Bleeding patients need resuscitation initiated early, whether at the trauma center in systems with short prehospital times or in the field when prehospital time is prolonged. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thinning found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – Correlation with disease duration and severity

Purpose: The retinal involvement of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a novel idea about a possible correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in different spectra of ALS patients. Finding the association of RNFL with disease duration and severity will help identify a novel noninvasive biomarker. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study and was conducted with a suitable proforma. We included the ALS cases based on the revised El Escorial criteria. Healthy controls were age and gender matched. We used the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) to assess the operational status of the patients. We measured RNFL thickness in the four quadrants with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and analyzed it. Results: We included 30 cases (60 eyes) and 10 healthy controls (20 eyes) having a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 49.5 (11.1) years with a median of 50 years, and a majority of them (65%) were middle aged (between 41 and 60 years). We found statistically significant differences in RNFL thicknesses between ALS patients and healthy controls. On segmental analysis, the right eye superior and nasal quadrants and the left eye superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants were significantly affected, along with a gross asymmetry found between the left and right eyes among ALS patients. There was a significant decrease in average RNFL thickness in definite ALS patients than probable ALS patients, with significantly reduced average RNFL thickness in moderate to severe ALS patients. On correlation analysis, disease duration showed a good negative correlation with bilateral average RNFL thickness, and the ALSFRS-R score demonstrated a good positive correlation with bilateral average RNFL thickness, which was statistically significant. Thus, a reduced bilateral RNFL thickness is associated with a decreased ALSFRS-R score. Conclusion: The retinal changes can serve as a marker for diagnosing and monitoring patients with ALS.
A Simple Preoperative Score Predicting Failure Following Decompression Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Background Context. Proper patient selection is crucial for the outcome of surgically treated degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). Nevertheless, there is still not a clear consensus regarding the optimal treatment option for patients with DLSS. Purpose. To investigate the treatment failure rate and introduce a simple, preoperative score to aid surgical decision-making. Study Design/Setting. Retrospective observational study Patient Sample. Four hundred forty-five patients who underwent surgical decompression for DLSS. Outcome Measures. Treatment failure (defined as conversion to a fusion of a previously decompressed level) of lumbar decompression Materials and Methods. Several risk factors associated with worse outcomes and treatment failures, such as age, body mass index, smoking status, previous surgery, low back pain (LBP), facet joint effusion, disk degeneration, fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscles, the presence of degenerative spondylolisthesis and the facet angulation, were investigated. Results. At a mean follow-up of 44±31 months, 6.5% (29/445) of the patients underwent revision surgery with spinal fusion at an average of 3±9 months following the lumbar decompression due to low back or leg pain. The baseline LBP (≥7) [odds ratio (OR)=5.4, P<0.001], the presence of facet joint effusion (>2 mm) in magnetic resonance imaging (OR=4.2, P<0.001), and disk degeneration (Pfirrmann >4) (OR=3.2, P=0.03) were associated with an increased risk for treatment failure following decompression for DLSS. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a score≥6 points yielded a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 64% for predicting a treatment failure following lumbar decompression for DLSS in the present cohort. Conclusions. The newly introduced score quantifying amounts of LBP, facet effusions, and disk degeneration, could predict treatment failure and the need for revision surgery for DLSS patients undergoing lumbar decompression without fusion. Patients with scores >6 have a high chance of needing fusion following decompression surgery. Level of Evidence. Retrospective observational study, Level III