Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of left ventricular geometry and remodeling on prognosis of heart failure in ischemic cardiomyopathy

The benefits of heart failure therapy are based on reversing adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Medical therapy focuses on decreasing the LV diameter and modifying the neurohormonal cascade which promotes heart failure progression. Devices such as cardiac resyn-chronization therapy promote reduction in LV diameter and synchro-nization of biventricular mechanics. Following an acute myocardial infarction, early revascularization is crucial to prevent the progression of LV remodeling and heart failure. Surgical therapies for chronic heart failure like surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) aim at decreasing the left ventricular end ‐ diastolic volume (LV EDV), which promotes decreased wall stress and improved LV mechanics of the border zone and remote myocardium. There are several drawbacks of SVR, pointing to the fact that the clinical improvements have not been proportional to the decreases in LV EDV following surgery. The success of SVR depends on a decrease of at least 30% of LV EDV. It has been demonstrated that with greater decreases in LV EDV ( ≈ 35% – 40%) there was an increase in LVEF. Whereas, with lesser decreases in LV EDV ( ≈ 25% – 30%), the increases in LVEF
Community Food Insecurity and Child Maltreatment Reports: County-Level Analysis of U.S. National Data From 2009 to 2018

Current literature suggests that food insecurity increases child maltreatment risk. Yet, existing evidence is limited to individual-level associations among low-income, high-risk populations based on local, mostly urban data. This study aims to generalize prior findings to community-level associations in general populations, using national data including all urban-rural areas. We examined, for the first time, if food insecurity rates increase child maltreatment report (CMR) rates at the county level after controlling for potential confounders. We examined both within-community longitudinal changes (i.e., within-effects) and inter-community differences (i.e., between-effects) of food insecurity rates and their associations with CMR rates. We also examined differences by age, sex, race/ethnicity, maltreatment type, and urbanicity. We constructed longitudinal county-level data by linking multiple national databases, including all substantiated and unsubstantiated CMR records, the Map the Meal Gap’s community food insecurity estimates, and Census data. The data covered over 96% of U.S. counties from 2009 to 2018. For analysis, we used within-between random effects models. Regarding between-effects, we found that in inter-community comparisons, higher food insecurity rates were significantly associated with increased CMR rates. This association was consistent by age, sex, maltreatment type, and urbanicity. For within-effects, we found that the association between longitudinal changes of food insecurity rates and CMR rates significantly differed by urbanicity. Specifically, longitudinal increases of food insecurity rates significantly increased CMR rates among large urban counties, but not among small urban and rural counties. Study findings highlight the importance of conducting further research to better understand the mechanisms through which food insecurity impact child maltreatment at both individual and community levels. Our community-level findings from general populations especially have significant implications for community-based programs and large-scale policies to achieve population-level impact on child well-being.
Is birthweight influenced equally by maternal and paternal anthropometry?

Abstract Objectives To elucidate the influence of parental biometric factors on fetal birthweight (BW). Study design This prospective study was conducted between 2015 and 2017 in Hadassah University Hospital. Inclusion criteria included singletons that were born to healthy mothers at 37–41 weeks’ gestation and had no growth abnormality or congenital malformation. Maternal and paternal head circumference, weight, and height were measured. Other data including neonatal head circumference and neonatal birthweight were also collected. Neonatal head circumference and birthweight percentiles were converted to sex-specific ranks according to the neonatal Intergrowth 21 charts (rank = 1 for percentile <3, rank = 2 for percentile 3–10, etc.). Results One hundred and ninety-nine trios (mother, father, and neonate) were included in the final analysis. In univariate analysis, maternal head circumference (p = .006), maternal height (p = .001), maternal weight before pregnancy (p < .001), maternal weight at term (p < .001), gestational weight gain (p = .009), paternal height (p = .018), neonatal head circumference (p < .001), and neonatal head circumference percentile rank (p < .001) were significant predictors of neonatal birthweight percentile rank. In multivariate regression, the three factors that were significant independent predictors of neonatal birthweight percentile rank were maternal weight before pregnancy (p = .047), maternal weight at term (p = .01), and neonatal head circumference percentile rank (p < .001). No interaction was found between neonatal sex and any of the tested variables. Neonatal sex-specific multivariate analysis showed that maternal height (p = .013), gestational weight gain (p = .005), and neonatal head circumference percentile rank (p < .001) were predictors of birthweight percentile rank in males. Maternal weight at term (p < .001) and neonatal head circumference percentile rank (p < .001) were predictors of birthweight percentile rank in females. Conclusions Maternal height and weight parameters as well as neonatal head circumference percentile rank were found to be independent predictors of birthweight percentile rank. Paternal parameters did not show any significant association in multivariable analysis. The biological regulation of fetal size is assumed to be the result of strong evolutionary selection. As the fetus must pass through the mother's birth canal, there should be a natural match between maternal and fetal size to ensure the successful birth and survival of mother and offspring.
The Development and Evaluation of a Pediatric Interprofessional Education (IPE) Experience for Occupational and Physical Therapy Graduate Students

Abstract Interprofessional competence is needed to improve health care outcomes. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of theoretically grounded interprofessional education (IPE) experiences to advance interprofessional competencies for occupational and physical therapy doctoral students. In addition, a pretest/postest survey was designed to determine the participants’ perceptions of knowledge attainment, roles, and attitudes. Two cohorts of students (N = 115) completed surveys pre and post IPE experiences. Statistically significant changes were found on perception of roles and knowledge attainment. Additional studies are needed to determine if IPE leads to behavioral changes in practice and improves patient outcomes.
The economics of moonshots: Value in rare disease drug development

The authors review the literature surrounding the economics of rare disease drug development and access before advancing the case for novel approaches to funding treatments. To fund the next stage of rare disease drugs, which will likely center on gene therapies and molecular medicine, they discuss value frameworks as well as patient- led models of finance, and how these may fit into the existing frameworks in the US to incentivize rare disease drug development and access.
Gain-of-function IKZF1 variants in humans cause immune dysregulation associated with abnormal T/B cell late differentiation

IKZF1/IKAROS is a key transcription factor of lymphocyte development expressed throughout hematopoiesis. Heterozygous germline IKZF1 haploinsufficient (IKZF1HI) and dominant-negative (IKZF1DN) variants in humans cause B cell immune deficiency and combined immunodeficiency. Here, we identified previously unidentified heterozygous IKZF1 variants (R183C/H) located in the DNA binding domain in eight individuals with inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic symptoms, and abnormal plasma cell (PC) proliferation. Leukocytes of patients exhibited specific defects including impaired IL-2 production by T cells, T helper (TH) skewing toward TH2, low numbers of regulatory T cells (Treg), eosinophilia, and abnormal PC proliferation. In contrast to IKZF1HI and IKZF1DN, IKZF1R183H/C proteins showed increased DNA binding associated with increased gene expression of TH2 and PC differentiation, thus demonstrating that IKZF1R183H/C behave as gain-of-function (GOF) alleles. In vitro treatment with lenalidomide, known to degrade IKZF1, corrected TH2 and PC abnormalities caused by IKZF1R183H/C. These data extend the spectrum of pathological mechanisms associated with IKZF1 deficiencies and highlight the role of IKZF1 in late lymphoid differentiation stages. Description IKZF1 gain-of-function variants cause immune dysregulation in humans. IKZF1 variants cause immune dysregulation IKZF1 encodes the master transcription factor IKAROS, which has crucial roles at multiple stages of lymphocyte development and hematopoiesis. Genetic variants in IKZF1 have been reported in patients with leukemia and immunodeficiencies. Using whole-exome sequencing in families with clinical presentation of autoimmune, allergic, inflammatory, and lymphoproliferative symptoms, Hoshino et al. identified a heterozygous mutation in IKZF1 at position R183. IKZF1R183H/C variants functioned as gain-of-function alleles, causing a novel disease entity characterized by eosinophilia, abnormal plasma cell proliferation, and impaired T cell differentiation including increased T helper 2 and low regulatory T cells. Degradation of IKZF1 using lenalidomide rescued some of these defects in in vitro assays, suggesting that lenalidomide may be a promising approach to treat patients with IKZF1R183H/C variants.
lncRNA MEG3 restrained the M1 polarization of microglia in acute spinal cord injury through the HuR/A20/NF‐κB axis

The M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation restrict the treatment of acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), and long non‐coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) expression is lessened in ASCI. However, the function and mechanism of lncRNA MEG3 in the M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation in ASCI are unclear. The expressions of lncRNA MEG3 in ASCI mouse spinal cord tissues and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated primary microglia and BV2 cells were quantified through a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. In‐vitro assays were conducted to explore the function of lncRNA MEG3 in the M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation in ASCI. RNA degradation, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull‐down, cycloheximide‐chase, and ubiquitination analyses were carried out to probe into the mechanism of lncRNA MEG3 in the M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation in ASCI. The lncRNA MEG3 expression was lessened in the ASCI mouse spinal cord tissues and LPS‐treated primary microglia and BV2 cells, and the overexpression of lncRNA MEG3 restrained the M1 polarization of microglia and the neuroinflammation by regulating the NF‐κB signaling pathway. For the investigation of the potential mechanism of such, the overexpression of lncRNA MEG3 restrained the M1 polarization of microglia through the HuR/A20/NF‐κB axis and boosted the motor function recovery and neuroinflammation relief in the mice with SCI. The overexpression of lncRNA MEG3 restrained the M1 polarization of microglia through the HuR/A20/NF‐κB axis.
The genetic basis of a novel reproductive strategy in Sulawesi ricefishes: How modularity and a low number of loci shape pelvic brooding

The evolution of complex phenotypes like reproductive strategies is challenging to understand, as they often depend on multiple adaptations that only jointly result in a specific functionality. Sulawesi ricefishes (Adrianichthyidae) evolved a reproductive strategy termed as pelvic brooding. In contrast to the more common transfer brooding, female pelvic brooders carry an egg bundle connected to their body for weeks until the fry hatches. To examine the genetic architecture of pelvic brooding, we crossed the pelvic brooding Oryzias eversi and the transfer brooding Oryzias nigrimas (species divergence time: ∼3.6 my). We hypothesize, that a low number of loci and modularity have facilitated the rapid evolution of pelvic brooding. Traits associated to pelvic brooding, like rib length, pelvic fin length, and morphology of the genital papilla, were correlated in the parental species but correlations were reduced or lost in their F1 and F2 hybrids. Using the Castle‐Wright estimator, we found that generally few loci underlie the studied traits. Further, both parental species showed modularity in their body plans. In conclusion, morphological traits related to pelvic brooding were based on a few loci and the mid‐body region likely could evolve independently from the remaining body parts. Both factors presumably facilitated the evolution of pelvic brooding.
National mapping of schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and anaemia in Yemen: Towards better national control and elimination

Background Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are known to be endemic in Yemen. However, the distribution of both diseases had not previously been assessed by a well-structured national mapping study covering all governorates. The main aim of this study was, therefore, to map the prevalence of SCH and STH in Yemen in order to better inform implementation of effective national control and elimination interventions. The assessment of the distribution of anaemia was also included as a well-known consequence of infection with both SCH and STH. Secondarily, the study aimed to provide a broad indication of the impact of large-scale treatment on the distribution of infection. Methodology and principal findings To achive these aims, 80,432 children (10–14 years old) from 2,664 schools in 332 of Yemen’s 333 districts were included, in 2014, into this national cross-sectional survey. Countrywide, 63.3% (210/332) and 75.6% (251/332) of districts were found to be endemic for SCH and STH respectively. More districts were affected by intestinal than urogenital SCH (54.2% and 31.6% respectively). SCH infection was mostly mild and moderate, with no districts reporting high infection. One quarter (24.4%) of Yemeni districts had high or moderate levels of Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Infection with Trichuris trichiura was the second most common STH (44.9% of districts infected) after A. lumbricoides (68.1%). Hookworm was the least prevalent STH (9.0%). Anaemia was prevalent in 96.4% of districts; it represented a severe public health problem (prevalence ≥ 40%) in 26.5% of districts, and a mild to moderate problem in two thirds of the districts (33.7% and 36.1% respectively). Conclusion This study provided the first comprehensive mapping of SCH, STH, and anaemia across the country. This formed the basis for evaluating and continuing the national control and elimination programme for these neglected tropical diseases in Yemen.
Development of a rating scale for objective assessment of performance in laparoscopic appendicectomy surgery

Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) is the most common index procedure for junior surgical trainees. Despite the shift towards competency‐based training, there is no method of quantitatively assessing performance during LA. This study aimed to obtain expert consensus regarding the items required to create a LA Rating Scale (LARS).
Videoconferencing and Appearance-Related Anxiety’s Impact on Body Dissatisfaction: An Australian Investigation

The pandemic resulted in increased use of videoconferencing. This study investigated whether Appearance-Related Anxiety, Videoconferencing Appearance-Focused Behaviours, and Weekly Videoconferencing Time contributed to state body dissatisfaction in 191 community Australians. Results indicated moderate to strong positive correlations between the three constructs, a weak negative correlation for weekly video time, although no correlation for total week video time. The three constructs predicted state body dissatisfaction when controlling for age and gender and Appearance Related Anxiety mediated Videoconferencing Appearance-Focused Behaviours and body dissatisfaction. The impact of videoconference communication on body dissatisfaction is discussed.
Quantity and specificity of action-plans as predictors of weight loss: analysis of data from the Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study (NDPS)

Abstract Objective Investigate associations between quantity, content and specificity of action-plans and weight loss in a diabetes prevention study. Design Prospective cohort study nested within a randomised controlled trial. Participants completed action-planning worksheets during intervention sessions. Main outcome measures Action-plans were coded in terms of: number of plans set, their content, and specificity. Multivariate regression analyses assessed associations with weight loss at four-months. Results 890 planning-worksheets from 106 participants were analysed. Participants wrote a mean of 2.12 (SD = 1.20) action-plans per worksheet, using a mean of 2.20 (SD = 0.68) specificity components per action-plan. Quantity of action-plans per worksheet decreased over time (r = −0.137, p < 0.001) and increased quantity was associated with reduced specificity [r = −. 215, p < 0.001]. Walking (34.9% of action-plans) and reducing high fat/sugar snacks (26.1%) were the most commonly planned lifestyle actions. In multivariate modelling, increased quantity of action-plans was associated with greater weight loss (R2 = 0.135, Unstandardised Beta = 0.144, p = 0.002). Specificity was not significantly associated with weight-loss (p = 0.096). Conclusion Producing more action-plans was associated with greater weight loss. Further research should directly compare more versus less specific action-plans and explore ways to sustain engagement in action-planning. Our findings imply that participants should freely set numerous action-plans, rather than being encouraged to focus on specificity Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2055026 .
Outcomes of primary root canal therapy: An updated systematic review of longitudinal clinical studies published between 2003 and 2020

Abstract Background A comprehensive effort to evaluate outcomes of primary root canal therapy (RCT) between 1966 and 2002 was published by Ng et al. (2007, International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921; 2008, International Endodontic Journal, 41, 6). Changes in endodontic materials and treatment methods warrant an updated analysis of outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to (1) quantify the success rates of primary RCT published between 2003 and 2020; and (2) investigate the influence of some characteristics known/suspected to be associated with treatment outcomes. Methods An electronic search was performed in the following databases (01‐01‐2003 to 12‐31‐2020): Pubmed, Embase, CINHAL, Cochrane and Web of Science. Included study designs were longitudinal clinical studies (randomized control trials, cohort studies, retrospective observational studies). Studies with at least twelve‐months of post‐operative review and success rates based on clinical and radiographic criteria were analysed. The terms ‘strict’ (complete resolution of periapical lesion) or ‘loose’ (reduction in size of existing periapical lesion) were used to describe the outcome criteria. Weighted, pooled success rates were calculated. Random effects meta‐regression models were used to investigate potential sources of statistical heterogeneity. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate for quality assessment of the included studies. Results Forty‐two studies were included in the review. Meta‐analyses showed that the weighted pooled success rates were estimated to be 92.6% (95% CI: 90.5%–94.8%) under ‘loose criteria’ and 82.0% (95% CI: 79.3%–84.8%) under ‘strict’ criteria. The most significant areas of study heterogeneity were year of publication and qualification of operator. The majority (64.29%) of studies were considered to be of low quality of evidence. Discussion Biological factors continue to have the most significant impact on RCT outcomes. The technological method of instrumentation had no significant effect. The quality of evidence was based primarily on study design and only randomized control trials were considered to be ‘high’ quality of evidence. Conclusions The reported success rates show improvement over time. Weighted success rates for studies with a minimum of four‐years follow‐up had better outcomes, compared to those with less than four years, when ‘strict criteria’ were used. Registration PROSPERO database (CRD42021226311).
Novel oxygen sensing mechanism in the spinal cord involved in cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia

As blood oxygenation decreases (hypoxemia), mammals mount cardiorespiratory responses, increasing oxygen to vital organs. The carotid bodies are the primary oxygen chemoreceptors for breathing, but sympathetic-mediated cardiovascular responses to hypoxia persist in their absence, suggesting additional high-fidelity oxygen sensors. We show that spinal thoracic sympathetic preganglionic neurons are excited by hypoxia and silenced by hyperoxia, independent of surrounding astrocytes. These spinal oxygen sensors (SOS) enhance sympatho-respiratory activity induced by CNS asphyxia-like stimuli, suggesting they bestow a life-or-death advantage. Our data suggest the SOS use a mechanism involving neuronal nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX). We propose NOS1 serves as an oxygen-dependent sink for NADPH in hyperoxia. In hypoxia, NADPH catabolism by NOS1 decreases, increasing availability of NADPH to NOX and launching reactive oxygen species–dependent processes, including transient receptor potential channel activation. Equipped with this mechanism, SOS are likely broadly important for physiological regulation in chronic disease, spinal cord injury, and cardiorespiratory crisis.
How to Avoid Alarm Overload with Centralized Alarm Management

In 1999, the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users' Association (EEMUA) released its general guide to the design, management, and procurement of alarm systems for industrial plants.The guidance document (EEMUA 191), however, is vague about applications to specific facilities, such as electric power plants. This article specifies EEMUA 191 standards and practices applicable to the electric power industry and spells out specific variations in alarming practices that are tailored for today's power plants.