Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baseline C-reactive protein levels are predictive of treatment response to a neuroimmune modulator in individuals with an alcohol use disorder: a preliminary study

ABSTRACT Background: Inflammation is implicated in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Ibudilast, a neuroimmune modulator, shows promise for the treatment of AUD. Elevated inflammation, indicated by high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), represents a possible subtype of AUD, which may be associated with treatment response to ibudilast. Objectives: The current study evaluated CRP as a predictor of treatment response to ibudilast; hypothesizing that ibudilast would be more effective at reducing drinking and alcohol cue-reactivity in individuals with higher CRP levels. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial of ibudilast for AUD, which found that ibudilast reduced heavy drinking in individuals with AUD. Fifty-one individuals were randomized to receive ibudilast (n = 24 [16 M/8F]) or placebo (n = 27 [18 M/9F]) for two weeks. Participants provided blood samples at baseline to assess CRP levels, completed daily assessments of alcohol use, and an fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task at study mid-point. Models tested the effects of medication, CRP levels, and their interaction on drinks per drinking day and alcohol cue-reactivity. Results: There was a significant interaction between medication and CRP (F = 3.80, p = .03), such that the ibudilast high CRP group had fewer drinks per drinking day compared to the ibudilast low CRP group. CRP moderated the effect of medication on brain activation in a cluster extending from the left inferior frontal gyrus to the right-dorsal striatum (Z = 4.55, p < .001). This interaction was driven by attenuated cue-reactivity in the ibudilast high CRP group relative to the ibudilast low CRP and placebo high CRP groups. Conclusions: This study serves as an initial investigation into predictors of clinical response to ibudilast treatment and suggests that a baseline proinflammatory profile may enhance clinical efficacy.
Cytosolic DNA sensor activation inhibits HIV infection of macrophages

Cytosolic recognition of microbial DNA in macrophages results in the activation of the interferon (IFN)‐dependent antiviral innate immunity. Here, we examined whether activating DNA sensors in peripheral blood monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs) can inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We observed that the stimulation of MDMs with poly(dA:dT) or poly(dG:dC) (synthetic ligands for the DNA sensors) inhibited HIV infection and replication. MDMs treated with poly(dA:dT) or poly(dG:dC) expressed higher levels of both type I and type III IFNs than untreated cells. Activation of the DNA sensors in MDMs also induced the expression of the multiple intracellular anti‐HIV factors, including IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs: ISG15, ISG56, Viperin, OAS2, GBP5, MxB, and Tetherin) and the HIV restriction microRNAs (miR‐29c, miR‐138, miR‐146a, miR‐155, miR‐198, and miR‐223). In addition, the DNA sensor activation of MDM upregulated the expression of the CC chemokines (RANTES, MIP‐1α, MIP‐1β), the ligands for HIV entry coreceptor CCR5. These observations indicate that the cytosolic DNA sensors have a protective role in the macrophage intracellular immunity against HIV and that targeting the DNA sensors has therapeutic potential for immune activation‐based anti‐HIV treatment.
Top quark forward-backward asymmetry from the $3-3-1$ model

The forward-backward asymmetry A{sub FB} in top quark pair production, measured at the Tevatron, is probably related to the contribution of new particles. The Tevatron result is more than a 2{sigma} deviation from the standard model prediction and motivates the application of alternative models introducing new states. However, as the standard model predictions for the total cross section {sigma}{sub tt} and invariant mass distribution M{sub tt} for this process are in good agreement with experiments, any alternative model must reproduce these predictions. These models can be placed into two categories: One introduces the s-channel exchange of new vector bosons with chiral couplings to the light quarks and to the top quark, and another relies on the t-channel exchange of particles with large flavor-violating couplings in the quark sector. In this work, we employ a model which introduces both s- and t-channel nonstandard contributions for the top quark pair production in proton-antiproton collisions. We use the minimal version of the SU(3){sub C} x SU(3){sub L} x U(1){sub X} model (3-3-1 model) that predicts the existence of a new neutral gauge boson, called Z{sup '}. This gauge boson has both flavor-changing couplings to up and top quarks and chiral coupling to themore » light quarks and to the top quark. This very peculiar model coupling can correct the A{sub FB} for top quark pair production for two ranges of Z{sup '} mass while leading to a cross section and invariant mass distribution quite similar to the standard model ones. This result reinforces the role of the 3-3-1 model for any new physics effect. « less
Assessing Gender Dysphoria: Development and Validation of the Gender Preoccupation and Stability Questionnaire – 2nd Edition (GPSQ-2)

ABSTRACT The Gender Preoccupation and Stability Questionnaire (GPSQ) is a 14-item measure used to assess the effectiveness of medical, surgical, social, and psychological interventions in trans and gender diverse adults who experience gender dysphoria. One major limitation of the GPSQ is that it was not developed for use with adolescents. This study aims to validate a revised version of the GPSQ, the Gender Preoccupation and Stability Questionnaire—2nd Edition (GPSQ-2) with the aim of adapting the measure to be applicable to individuals aged 13 and above. This research was conducted in three stages: 1) development of the GPSQ-2 to address previously identified issues with validity and comprehensibility of the GPSQ and to increase the applicability of the measure to adolescents; 2) pilot testing, using a purposive sample and semi-structured interviews, to assess the relevance, comprehensibility, and comprehensiveness of the GPSQ-2; and 3) validation using a community sample to assess the psychometric properties of the GPSQ-2. The pilot study was conducted with seven participants (Mage = 28.43, SD = 15.50; age range: 13–59). The GPSQ-2 was found to be easy to understand, relevant to individuals who experienced gender dysphoria, and that it did not have any identifiable omissions. The validation study was conducted with 141 participants (Mage = 36.44; SD = 14.76; age range 14–73). The GPSQ-2 was found to be a reliable and valid 14-item scale with two factors: preoccupation and stability. The GPSQ-2 is a structurally sound measure of gender dysphoria that can be used in populations aged 13 and above.
An observational investigation of the faical microbiota and metabonome of gastrostomy fed children, on blended and formula diets

ABSTRACT Gastrostomy fed children traditionally have a Formulae diet (FD), which fulfills nutritional requirements; however, many families are adopting Blended diets (BD), which are what the whole family would eat. We undertook an observational investigation of the colonic microbiota and metabonome in a small group of gastrostomy fed children, who were either on an FD or BD, and compared, where possible to their siblings (17 FD, 28 BD, 19 HS). There was no increase in complications in tube blockage or infection rates, but a significant improvement in the prevalence of bowel problems, a reduction in medication and an increase in quality of life. Metataxonomic analysis showed that the FD group was significantly different to the Sibling group, and that families did not cluster together. Whole sample metabonomics showed no differences between groups; however, univariate analysis of biologically important metabolites did differ. Changing to a BD resulted in no increase in complications or risks, but improved the overall quality of life for the children and families.
Assisted reproductive technology and neonatal intensive care unit: A retrospective observational study from a single center

An increasing number of infants are being conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART). The effects of infertility treatments (IFTs) on infant outcomes have been extensively debated; however, a consensus has not yet been reached. In the present study, we investigated the impact of IFTs on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) managements using data collected at a single large NICU center.
Microbiome and metabolome in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease of unknown etiology, involving complex interactions between the gut microbiome and host immune response. The microbial dysbiosis is well documented in IBD and significantly influences the host metabolic pathways. Thus, a metabolomic fingerprint resulting from the influence of gut dysbiosis in IBD could aid in assessing the disease activity. PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, and Web of Science were searched for studies exploring the association between microbiome and metabolome in IBD patients in the last 5 years. Additionally, references of cited original articles and reviews were further assessed for relevant work. We provide a literature overview of the recent metabolomic studies performed on patients with IBD. The findings report alterations in the metabolite levels of these patients. We also discuss the gut dysbiosis observed in IBD and its influence on host metabolic pathways such as lipids, amino acids, short‐chain fatty acids, and others. IBD, being a chronic idiopathic disease, requires routine monitoring. The available non‐invasive markers have their limitations. The metabolite changes account for both dysbiosis and its influence on the host's immune response and metabolism. A metabolome approach would thus facilitate the identification of surrogate metabolite markers reflecting the disease activity.
Application of differential evolution algorithm to model-based well log-data inversion

One of the main objectives of well-log data inversion is to find properties of the earth formation from measurements of physical phenomena. Inverse problems associated with many geophysical measurements are often nonunique and multimodal. Consequently, the gradient-type optimization methods to obtain model parameters become ineffective since the accuracy and the convergence of these methods depend highly on initial position and search direction in the parameter space. Evolutionary-type of methods - genetic algorithm, differential evolution, for example arc well suited for such problems. In this paper we apply differential evolution algorithm to invert for the resistivities of the mud and formation, and the diameter of invasion in a borehole.
The Remarkable Genetics of Helicobacter pylori

The Helicobacter pylori genome is more thoroughly mixed by homologous recombination than by any other organism that has been investigated, leading to apparent “free recombination” within populations. A recent mBio article by F. ABSTRACT The Helicobacter pylori genome is more thoroughly mixed by homologous recombination than by any other organism that has been investigated, leading to apparent “free recombination” within populations. A recent mBio article by F. Ailloud, I. Estibariz, G. Pfaffinger, and S. Suerbaum (mBio 13:e01811-22, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01811-22) helps to elucidate the cellular machinery that is used to achieve these unusual rates of genetic exchange. Specifically, they show that the UvrC gene, which is part of the repair machinery for DNA damage caused by ultraviolet light, has evolved an additional function in H. pylori, allowing very short tracts of DNA—with a mean length of only 28 bp—to be imported into the genome during natural transformation.
A stylized two-stage debridement strategy using an electric dermatome and a Versajet™ hydrosurgery system for deep axillary burns

Abstract Treatment of axillary contracture after extensive deep burns is a serious clinical challenge. Various surgical intervention for releasing contracture using skin grafts, flaps and artificial skin have been used, but no consensus on the optimal treatment has been obtained. A standardized two-stage debridement strategy using an electric dermatome (for eschar) and the Versajet™ hydrosurgery system (for slough) can be an appropriate debridement strategy that provides reliable wound bed preparation in cases of for axillary deep burns. Using this approach focus on management of acute axillary burns, it is possible to avoid engraftment failure and prevent contracture caused by prolonged infection. This treatment strategy can be standardized and can be performed easily, even by non-experts.
Keratitis‐ichthyosis‐deafness syndrome with lethal p.Ala88Val variant and severe hypercalcemia

Keratitis‐ichthyosis‐deafness (KID) syndrome is a rare genetic disease caused by pathogenic variants in connexin 26 (gene GJB2), which is part of the transmembrane channels of the epithelia. Connexin 26 is expressed mainly in the cornea, the sensory epithelium of the inner ear, and in the skin keratinocytes, which are the three main target organs in KID syndrome. Approximately a dozen pathogenic variants have been described to date, including some lethal forms. Patients with lethal pathogenic variants present with severe symptoms from birth and die from sepsis during the first year of life. We present a premature female patient with KID syndrome carrying the lethal p.Ala88Val pathogenic variant in GJB2. In addition to the respiratory distress associated with this variant, our patient presented severe hypercalcemia of unexplained origin refractory to treatment. This abnormality has not been reported earlier in other patients with KID syndrome with the same variant.
The potential addictive mechanism involved in repetitive nonsuicidal self-injury: The roles of emotion dysregulation and impulsivity in adolescents

Abstract Background and aims Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent in adolescents and is associated with various mental health problems. Repetitive NSSI (R-NSSI), as an extreme manifestation of NSSI, is a growing concern and has been proposed as a behavioral addiction. However, little is known about the potential addictive mechanisms of NSSI. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of emotion dysregulation and the moderating effect of impulsivity using the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model in adolescents who repeatedly engage in NSSI. Methods A total of 3,915 adolescents (mean age = 13.21 years, SD = 0.87, 57.6% male) were recruited from three middle schools. Relevant questionnaires were used to evaluate childhood maltreatment, emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and NSSI. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted separately for adolescents with occasional NSSI (O–NSSI) and R-NSSI to assess the relationship between childhood maltreatment, emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and NSSI frequency. Results Our study found that childhood maltreatment was directly related to NSSI and indirectly related to NSSI through emotion dysregulation in both the R-NSSI and O–NSSI groups. Furthermore, impulsivity played a moderating role in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and NSSI in the R-NSSI group but not in the O–NSSI group. Discussion and conclusions The findings suggest that a high level of impulsivity and a high level of emotion dysregulation may be important risk addictive factors of NSSI through childhood maltreatment. Strengthening the emotion regulation skills and inhibitory control of adolescents with NSSI would be helpful to reduce their self-injury behaviors and maintain their mental health. This finding also supports the validity of the I-PACE model for evaluating R-NSSI.
Bleeding and ischaemic events after first bleed in anticoagulated atrial fibrillation patients: risk and timing.

AIMS To determine the risk of subsequent adverse clinical outcomes in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who experienced a new bleeding event. METHODS AND RESULTS Anticoagulated AF patients were followed in two prospective cohort studies. Information on incident bleeding was systematically collected during yearly follow-up visits and events were adjudicated as major bleeding or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis guidelines. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or all-cause death. Time-updated multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models were used to compare outcomes in patients with and without incident bleeding. Median follow-up was 4.08 years [interquartile range (IQR): 2.93-5.98]. Of the 3277 patients included (mean age 72 years, 28.5% women), 646 (19.7%) developed a new bleeding, 297 (9.1%) a major bleeding and 418 (12.8%) a CRNMB. The incidence of the primary outcome was 7.08 and 4.04 per 100 patient-years in patients with and without any bleeding [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-1.61; P < 0.001; median time between a new bleeding and a primary outcome 306 days (IQR: 23-832)]. Recurrent bleeding occurred in 126 patients [incidence, 8.65 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 7.26-10.30)]. In patients with and without a major bleeding, the incidence of the primary outcome was 11.00 and 4.06 per 100 patient-years [aHR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.69-2.46; P < 0.001; median time to a primary outcome 142 days (IQR: 9-518)], and 59 had recurrent bleeding [11.61 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 8.99-14.98)]. The incidence of the primary outcome was 5.29 and 4.55 in patients with and without CRNMB [aHR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.76-1.15; P = 0.53; median time to a composite outcome 505 days (IQR: 153-1079)], and 87 had recurrent bleeding [8.43 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 6.83-10.40)]. Patients who had their oral anticoagulation (OAC) discontinued after their first bleeding episode had a higher incidence of the primary composite than those who continued OAC (63/89 vs. 159/557 patients; aHR: 4.46, 95% CI: 3.16-6.31; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In anticoagulated AF patients, major bleeding but not CRNMB was associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes, part of which may be explained by OAC discontinuation. Most events occurred late after the bleeding episode, emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up in these patients.
Asymptotic theory of charged particle transfer reactions at low energies and nuclear astrophysics

An asymptotic theory is proposed for the peripheral transfer [Formula: see text] reaction at low energies within the three-body ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) model by combining the dispersion theory and DWBA, where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a transferred particle. The contribution of the three-body ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) Coulomb dynamics of the transfer mechanism both to the peripheral partial amplitudes for the partial wave [Formula: see text] and to the DWBA amplitude is investigated. The results of the analysis of the differential cross sections of the specific proton transfer reactions at above-barrier energies are presented. New estimates and their uncertainties are obtained for values of the asymptotic normalization coefficients for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] as well as for the direct astrophysical [Formula: see text] factors at stellar energy of the radiative capture [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] reactions.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance phenotyping of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction

Abstract Aims The 2016 European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Guidelines defined a new category: heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) of 40–49%. This new category was highlighted as having limited evidence and research was advocated into underlying characteristics, pathophysiology, and diagnosis. We used multi-parametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to define the cardiac phenotype of presumed non-ischaemic HFmrEF. Methods and results Patients (N = 300, 62.7 ± 13 years, 63% males) with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure with no angina symptoms, history of myocardial infarction, or coronary intervention were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent clinical assessment and CMR including T1 mapping, extracellular volume (ECV) mapping, late gadolinium enhancement, and measurement of myocardial blood flow at rest and maximal hyperaemia. Of 273 patients in the final analysis, 93 (34%) patients were categorized as HFmrEF, 46 (17%) as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and 134 (49%) as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Nineteen (20%) patients with HFmrEF had evidence of occult ischaemic heart disease. Diffuse fibrosis and hyperaemic myocardial blood flow were similar in HFmrEF and HFpEF, but HFmrEF showed significantly lower native T1 (1311 ± 32 vs. 1340 ± 45 ms, P < 0.001), ECV (24.6 ± 3.2 vs. 26.3 ± 3.1%, P < 0.001), and higher myocardial perfusion reserve (2.75 ± 0.84 vs. 2.28 ± 0.84, P < 0.001) compared with HFrEF. Conclusion Patients with HFmrEF share most phenotypic characteristics with HFpEF, including the degree of microvascular impairment and fibrosis, but have a high prevalence of occult ischaemic heart disease similar to HFrEF. Further work is needed to confirm how the phenotype of HFmrEF responds to medical therapy.
Prospects for gamma-ray observations of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 ($\gamma$-NLSy1) galaxies are thought to harbour relatively low-mass black holes (10$^6$-10$^8$ M$_{\odot}$) accreting close to the Eddington limit. They show characteristics similar to those of blazars, such as flux and spectral variability in the gamma-ray energy band and radio properties which point toward the presence of a relativistic jet. These characteristics make them an intriguing class of sources to be investigated with the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory. We present our extensive set of simulations of all currently known $\gamma$-ray emitters identified as NLS1s (20 sources),investigating their detections and spectral properties, taking into account the effect of both the extra-galactic background light in the propagation of gamma-rays and intrinsic absorption components.We find that the prospects for observations of $\gamma$-NLSy1 with CTA are promising. In particular, the brightest sources of our sample, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022, and PKS 1502+036 can be detected during high/flaring states, the former two even in the case in which the emission occurs within the highly opaque central regions, which prevent $\gamma$ rays above few tens of GeV to escape. In this case the low-energy threshold of CTA will play a key role. If, on the other hand, high-energy emission occurs outside the broad line region, we can detect the sources up to several hundreds of GeV-depending on the intrinsic shape of the emitted spectrum. Therefore, CTA observations will provide valuable information on the physical conditions and emission properties of their jets.