Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship of platelet distribution width with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet distribution width (PDW) is associated with cardiovascular events in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we hypothesized that elevated PDW can predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients. Methods We recruited PD patients for a single-center retrospective cohort study from 1 January 2007, to 30 June 2020. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were made to determine the PDW cutoff value for predicting all-cause mortality. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to improve the equilibrium between groups. The relation of PDW with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to determine whether there was a linear relationship between PDW and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Results A total of 720 PD patients were screened, and 426 PD patients were enrolled after PSM. After adjusting for confounders, Cox proportional hazards models showed that the PDW value was positively correlated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.162, 95% CI 1.057–1.278, p = 0.002 and HR = 1.200, 95% CI 1.041–1.382, p = 0.012). The adjusted RCS analysis further showed that the relationship of PDW with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was linear (p for nonlinearly = 0.143 and 0.062). Conclusion Elevated PDW is independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients.
Diagnostic value of multi-parameter ultrasound evaluation in sepsis complicated by acute kidney injury

Abstract Background This study aimed to discuss the diagnostic value of multi-parameter ultrasound evaluation in sepsis complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods Patients were divided into an AKI group (n = 50) and a non-injury group (n = 50) based on the presence of AKI. The clinical characteristics were collected, and renal function parameters between the two groups were compared, including 24-h urine volume, serum creatinine, urea, serum cystatin C (CysC), renal parenchymal thickness (RPT), renal artery resistance index (RI), and multi-parameter ultrasound scoring (MPUS). Additionally, logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the influencing factors of sepsis complicated with AKI. The prediction value was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results In the AKI group, creatinine, CysC, urea, MPUS score, RPT, and RI values were significantly higher, while the 24-h urine volume was lower than those in the non-injury group (p < 0.01). Moreover, multivariate logistic analysis indicated that high CysC and RI values were independent risk factors, whereas high 24-h urine volume and low MPUS were independent protective factors for sepsis-induced AKI. The ROC curve demonstrated that RI (AUC = 0.906) was more effective than 24-h urine volume (AUC = 0.797), CysC (AUC = 0.730), and MPUS (AUC = 0.794) in identifying sepsis-induced AKI. Conclusion High RI values increase the risk of sepsis-induced AKI, whereas low MPUS may reduce it. RI showed high diagnosis values for sepsis complicated with AKI.
Evolutionary trade-off between heat shock resistance, growth at high temperature, and virulence expression in Salmonella Typhimurium

ABSTRACT Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of foodborne pathogens throughout our food production chain is of utmost importance. In this study, we reveal that Salmonella Typhimurium can readily and reproducibly acquire vastly increased heat shock resistance upon repeated exposure to heat shock. Counterintuitively, this boost in heat shock resistance was invariantly acquired through loss-of-function mutations in the dnaJ gene, encoding a heat shock protein that acts as a molecular co-chaperone of DnaK and enables its role in protein folding and disaggregation. As a trade-off, however, the acquisition of heat shock resistance inevitably led to attenuated growth at 37°C and higher temperatures. Interestingly, loss of DnaJ also downregulated the activity of the master virulence regulator HilD, thereby lowering the fraction of virulence-expressing cells within the population and attenuating virulence in mice. By connecting heat shock resistance evolution to attenuation of HilD activity, our results confirm the complex interplay between stress resistance and virulence in Salmonella Typhimurium. IMPORTANCE Bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium are equipped with both stress response and virulence features in order to navigate across a variety of complex inhospitable environments that range from food-processing plants up to the gastrointestinal tract of its animal host. In this context, however, it remains obscure whether and how adaptation to one environment would obstruct fitness in another. In this study, we reveal that severe heat stress counterintuitively, but invariantly, led to the selection of S. Typhimurium mutants that are compromised in the activity of the DnaJ heat shock protein. While these mutants obtained massively increased heat resistance, their virulence became greatly attenuated. Our observations, therefore, reveal a delicate balance between optimal tuning of stress response and virulence features in bacterial pathogens.
Longitudinal Changes in Choroidal Thickness and Eye Growth in Childhood 2 3 Contact Lens and Visual Optics Laboratory School of Optometry and Vision Science

(2015) Longitudinal changes in choroidal thickness and eye growth in childhood. Notice: Changes introduced as a result of publishing processes such as copy-editing and formatting may not be reflected in this document. For a definitive version of this work, please refer to the published source: Abstract: 26 Purpose: To examine longitudinal changes in choroidal thickness and axial length 27 in a population of children with a range of refractive errors. Methods: One hundred and one children (41 myopes and 60 non-myopes), aged 29 10-15 years participated in this prospective, observational longitudinal study. For 30 each child, 6-month measures of choroidal thickness (using enhanced depth imaging 31 optical coherence tomography) and axial ocular biometry were collected 4 times over 32 an 18 month period. Linear mixed models were used to examine the longitudinal 33 changes in choroidal thickness and the relationship between changes in choroidal 34 thickness and axial eye growth over the study period. Results: A significant group mean increase in subfoveal choroidal thickness was 36 observed over 18 months (mean increase 13 ± 22 µm, p<0.001). Myopic children 37 exhibited significantly thinner choroids compared to non-myopic children (p<0.001), 38 although there was no significant time by refractive group interaction (p=0.46), 39 indicating similar changes in choroidal thickness over time in myopes and non-40 myopes. However, a significant association between the change in choroidal 41 thickness and the change in axial length over time was found (p<0.001, β =-0.14). 42 Children showing faster axial eye growth exhibited significantly less choroidal 43 thickening over time compared to children showing slower axial eye growth. Conclusions: A significant increase in choroidal thickness occurs over an 18 month 45 period in normal 10 to 15 year old children. Children undergoing faster axial eye 46 growth exhibited less thickening and in some cases, a thinning of the choroid. These 47 findings support a potential role for the choroid in the mechanisms regulating eye 48 growth in childhood.
Biogeographic Perspectives on Human Genetic Diversification

Abstract Modern humans originated in Africa 300,000 yr ago, and before leaving their continent of origin, they underwent a process of intense diversification involving complex demographic dynamics. Upon exiting Africa, different populations emerged on the four other inhabited continents, shaped by the interplay of various evolutionary processes, such as migrations, founder effects, and natural selection. Within each region, continental populations, in turn, diversified and evolved almost independently for millennia. As a backdrop to this diversification, introgressions from archaic species contributed to establishing different patterns of genetic diversity in different geographic regions, reshaping our understanding of our species’ variability. With the increasing availability of genomic data, it has become possible to delineate the subcontinental human population structure precisely. However, the bias toward the genomic research focused on populations from the global North has limited our understanding of the real diversity of our species and the processes and events that guided different human groups throughout their evolutionary history. This perspective is part of a series of articles celebrating 40 yr since our journal, Molecular Biology and Evolution, was founded (Russo et al. 2024). The perspective is accompanied by virtual issues, a selection of papers on human diversification published by Genome Biology and Evolution and Molecular Biology and Evolution.
RNAvigate: efficient exploration of RNA chemical probing datasets

Abstract Chemical probing technologies enable high-throughput examination of diverse structural features of RNA, including local nucleotide flexibility, RNA secondary structure, protein and ligand binding, through-space interaction networks, and multistate structural ensembles. Deep understanding of RNA structure–function relationships typically requires evaluating a system under structure- and function-altering conditions, linking these data with additional information, and visualizing multilayered relationships. Current platforms lack the broad accessibility, flexibility and efficiency needed to iterate on integrative analyses of these diverse, complex data. Here, we share the RNA visualization and graphical analysis toolset RNAvigate, a straightforward and flexible Python library that automatically parses 21 standard file formats (primary sequence annotations, per- and internucleotide data, and secondary and tertiary structures) and outputs 18 plot types. RNAvigate enables efficient exploration of nuanced relationships between multiple layers of RNA structure information and across multiple experimental conditions. Compatibility with Jupyter notebooks enables nonburdensome, reproducible, transparent and organized sharing of multistep analyses and data visualization strategies. RNAvigate simplifies and accelerates discovery and characterization of RNA-centric functions in biology.
The influence of sleep factors and dietary habits on the disease pattern of ulcerative colitis patients with long and short disease courses – a multicentre cross-sectional analysis

Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease characterized by chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory disorders and is associated with environmental changes. Aim To explore the disease patterns of Chinese UC patients and to determine controllable related environmental factors. Methods This multicentre cross-sectional study was performed using a questionnaire survey. Data on clinical characteristics and environmental factors were collected. Patients with a disease course ≥5 years were defined as the long course group, and those with a disease course < 5 years were defined as the short course group. Results A total of 588 effective questionnaires were collected. The proportion of the chronic continuous pattern was the highest among patients with a long disease course (46.8%), and in patients with a short disease course, the proportion of the active to remission pattern was the highest (53.3%). In patients with a long disease course, a higher proportion of patients with adequate sleep was found in the active to remission pattern than in the chronic intermittent (72.1% vs. 43.3%, p = 0.008) and chronic continuous (72.1% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.016) patterns. In patients with a short disease course, the frequency of shellfish and shrimp was higher in the chronic continuous pattern group than in the active to remission pattern group (P = 0.001 and 0.017 respectively). Conclusions For early diagnosis patients, dietary guidance should be actively carried out. With the prolongation of the disease course, attention should be given to the sleep quality of patients.
Efficacy of intraoperative systemic lidocaine on quality of recovery after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Introduction Many clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of intraoperative systemic lidocaine administration in major abdominal surgeries. We tested the hypothesis that systemic lidocaine is associated with an enhanced early quality of recovery in patients following laparoscopic colorectal resection. Patients and Methods We randomly allocated 126 patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal surgery in a 1:1 ratio to receive either lidocaine (1.5 mg kg−1 bolus over 10 min, followed by continuous infusion at 2 mg kg−1 h−1 until the end of surgery) or identical volumes and rates of saline. The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery-15 score assessed 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were areas under the pain numeric rating scale curve over time, 48-h morphine consumption, and adverse events. Results Compared with saline, systemic lidocaine improved the Quality of Recovery-15 score 24 h postoperatively, with a median difference of 4 (95% confidence interval: 1–6; p = 0.015). Similarly, the area under the pain numeric rating scale curve over 48 h at rest and on movement was reduced in the lidocaine group (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, these differences were not clinically meaningful. Lidocaine infusion reduced the intraoperative remifentanil requirements but not postoperative 48-h morphine consumption (p < 0.001 and p = 0.34, respectively). Additionally, patients receiving lidocaine had a quicker and earlier return of bowel function, as indicated by a shorter time to first flatus (log-rank p < 0.001), yet ambulation time was similar between groups (log-rank test, p = 0.11). Conclusions In patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery, intraoperative systemic lidocaine resulted in statistically but not clinically significant improvements in quality of recovery (see Graphical Abstract). Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR1900027635.
Managing MIDAS : harmonising the management of Multi-Internationally Designated Areas

An Internationally Designated Area (IDA) is a natural area internationally recognised by a global or regional designation mechanism. Among these, there are 263 areas where different IDAs fully or partially overlap thus carrying double, triple or even quadruple international designations. These areas are named Multi-Internationally Designated Areas (MIDAs) for the purpose of this publication. Following up on Resolution WCC-2012-Res-052 adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, September 2012), this Guidance addresses specific issues related to the management of MIDAs, and includes recommendations for harmonising the management, systematic conservation and sustainable use of these areas aimed at the local, national and international stakeholders of MIDAs.
Associations between food insecurity and diabetes risk factors in US adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016

Objective: To evaluate the associations between household food insecurity and diabetes risk factors among lower-income US adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Household food security status was measured using the 18-item Food Security Survey Module. Simple and multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the association between food security status and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), HbA1C and homoeostatic model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The analyses were adjusted for household and adolescent demographic and health characteristics. Setting: USA. Participants: 3412 US adolescents aged 12–19 years with household incomes ≤300 % of the federal poverty line from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2007–2016. Results: The weighted prevalence of marginal food security was 15·4 % and of food insecurity was 32·9 %. After multivariate adjustment, adolescents with food insecurity had a 0·04 % higher HbA1C (95 % CI 0·00, 0·09, P-value = 0·04) than adolescents with food security. There was also a significant overall trend between severity of food insecurity and higher HbA1C (P trend = 0·045). There were no significant mean differences in adolescents’ FPG, OGTT or HOMA-IR by household food security. Conclusions: Food insecurity was associated with slightly higher HbA1c in a 10-year sample of lower-income US adolescents aged 12–19 years; however, other associations with diabetes risk factors were not significant. Overall, this suggests slight evidence for an association between food insecurity and diabetes risk in US adolescents. Further investigation is warranted to examine this association over time.
Beyond Addiction: Rethinking Problematic Internet use from a Motivational Framework.

This article sheds light on the potential of a motivational framework to enhance the understanding of problematic Internet use and facilitate an in-depth analysis of the potentially pathological manifestations that become apparent in individuals' interactions with Internet applications. The motivational framework operates under the assumption that the origins of problematic Internet behaviors can be traced back to the appetitive dimension of these particular behaviors in the context of the individual's specific needs and personal history. In this framework, the Internet is not perceived as a mere instrument for multiple actions but as a genuine environment wherein individuals have the capacity to express and potentially satisfy their distinct needs. Consequently, the motivational framework advocates a model for understanding problematic Internet use that posits active agency on the part of individuals as they actively seek strategies for the management and regulation of their emotions through online activities. As a result, the framework recommends caution in categorizing dysregulated behaviors on the Internet as behavioral addictions. Instead, it advocates for a thorough evaluation of individuals exhibiting problematic use of Internet services and applications, emphasizing an assessment that scrutinizes the persistence and significance of specific Internet behaviors over time, along with an exploration of the underlying motivations driving these behaviors. Through this lens, the understanding of symptom development is significantly enriched. Recognizing the specific motivations that guide individual behaviors within the online environment emerges as a crucial component in improving case formulation and developing personalized treatment approaches.
Deep Learning System for Travel Speed Predictions on Multiple Arterial Road Segments

Accurate travel speed prediction is a critical tool for incidence response management. The complex dynamics of transport systems render model-based prediction extremely challenging. However, the large amounts of available vehicle speed data contain the complex interdependencies of the target travel speed; the data itself can be used to generate accurate predictions using deep learning methods. In this work, a deep learning methodology involving feature generation, model development, and model deployment is presented. The authors demonstrate the high performance of deep learning methods (relative to more traditional benchmarks) in predicting travel speeds from 5–30 min in advance, for a challenging arterial road network. In this study, different deep learning architectures that exploit both spatial and temporal information for several time frames are compared and analyzed. Finally, the authors demonstrate the integration of their deep learning method into a visualization system that can be directly applied for vehicle speed prediction in real time. The model-selection analysis and data-to-visualization framework in this manuscript provide a step towards decision support for incident management; for practical implementation, the predictive power of deep learning models under incident conditions should continue to be investigated and improved.
REPRODUCCIÓN DE PECES CARTILAGINOSOS. UNA REVISIÓN DE ALGUNAS ADAPTACIONES REPRODUCTIVAS / REPRODUCTION IN CARTILAGINOUS FISH. A REVIEW OF SOME REPRODUCTIVE ADAPTATIONS

Resumen . En este trabajo se presenta una revision sucinta de la morfologia de algunas especializaciones reproductivas de Condrictios, que han contribuido a la supervivencia del grupo desde sus origenes. La importancia biologica y comercial de esos animales, asi como el evidente decline de las poblaciones naturales, hace necesaria la generacion de todos los conocimientos posibles sobre su historia de vida. Dentro de este contexto se exponen las diferencias de los distintos modelos madurativos del testiculo cistico, de los conductos espermaticos y de las glandulas anexas. Asimismo, se detalla la microestructura estructura ovarica y la foliculogenesis, haciendo referencia a las particularidades presentes y la de la glandula oviductal. Finalmente, se exponen las diferentes modalidades que conllevan al desarrollo de los embriones y se pormenoriza la estructura uterina. Palabras clave: reproduccion, chondrichthyes, histologia. Abstract. This paper presents a brief review of some reproductive specializations of chondrichthyan, which have contributed to the survival of the group since its origin. Biological and commercial importance of these animals, and the apparent decline of natural populations, requires the generation of all possible knowledge of his life story. Within this context the differences in the various models of cystic maturation, of sperm ducts and glands were exposed. Also, the ovary and folliculogenesis microstructure are detailed, as well as the oviductal gland architecture. Finally, the different modalities that lead to the development of embryos and uterine structure are exposed. Keywords: reproduction, chondrichthyes, histology.
Last Glacial to Holocene Changes in Temperature and Seasonality on the Coastal Area of Japan Sea, Japan

Thermal climate changes from the Last Glacial through to the present on the coastal area of Hokuriku region, Japan, along the Japan Sea were quantitatively reconstructed using the pollen profile from Lake Mikata (Fukui Prefecture, central Japan) sediment core, Japanese surface pollen dataset, and Japanese meteorological dataset. The best-modern-analogues method firstly proposed by Guiot (1990) and recently revised/improved by Nakagawa et al. (2002) was adopted to infer climate indices from fossil pollen data. The change in seasonality is especially highlighted in this paper. Our results show that the seasonality (summer to winter temperature anomaly) during the Last Glacial was about 3 e bigger than the present. This may reflect that, given that the sea level during the Last Glacial was much lower than the present, the heat transport to the Japan Sea by the Tsushima current was not active and the coastal area along the Japan Sea was more efficiently cooled down by the winter monsoon.