Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive behavioural therapy-based interventions for gastroduodenal disorders of gut-brain interaction: A systematic review

Objective: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is increasingly used to manage Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs). This systematic review aimed to review the evidence for the effectiveness of CBT-based interventions for patients with gastroduodenal DGBIs. Methods: Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Scopus were searched in July 2022. Studies were included if they investigated the effects of a CBT-based intervention on gastrointestinal symptoms and/or psychological outcomes pre- and post-intervention in patients with gastroduodenal DGBIs. Case studies, studies not in English, and studies with patients under 18 years were excluded. Results were synthesised narratively, and standardised effect sizes were calculated where possible. Results: Nine studies (seven RCTs and two pre/post studies) were identified, with data reported in 10 articles (total N=602). The studies investigated patients with functional dyspepsia (n=7), rumination syndrome (n=1), and supragastric belching (n=1). The studies had heterogeneous interventions, methodologies, and outcomes, precluding meta-analysis, as well as a moderate-high risk of bias and high drop-outs rates. Findings demonstrated decreased gastrointestinal symptoms and improved anxiety, depression, and quality of life, from pre- to post-intervention, with medium to large effect sizes for symptoms and small to large effect sizes for psychological outcomes. Efficacy was maintained at follow-up, up to one year later. Conclusions: This review suggests promising evidence that CBT effectively improves gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological outcomes in patients with gastroduodenal DGBIs. However, heterogeneity, risk of bias, and lack of statistical reporting were noted, indicating the need for more robust research and standardisation.
Dysregulation of gut microbiota composition in individuals with personality disorders: A systemic review and meta-analysis

Background: Anxiety disorders are the most frequent mental comorbidity in people with functional GI difficulties, and abdominal discomfort is one of the most known physical signs of sadness. Successful top-down treatments using antidepressants and psychosocial therapies in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) further define personality illnesses as more than merely CNS disorders, but disorders with highly extensive systemic interconnections. Therefore, we recently conducted a systematic review of the observational literature comparing the gut microbiota composition of persons with personality difficulties with healthy control. Methods: This review was written according to the guidelines established by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Not a single rule was broken, yet a more thorough search strategy did provide more relevant results. Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid, Global Health, PsycINFO, etc. were searched thoroughly using the phrases gut microbiota, psychological disorders, personality disorders, composition, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, etc. Results: Researchers did discover widespread differences in the gut microbiota of patients and controls under each category of personality disorder. They also found that there are distinct bacterial taxa that had differing abundances in patients with these three psychiatric illnesses compared to healthy controls. They found a great deal of variation in study designs and reporting, such as in the inclusion and exclusion of study populations, sampling feces for study of gut microbiota; taking into account or adjusting for important factors known to impact gut microbiota composition; storing feces; processing feces; analyzing feces. Conclusion: Our systematic review did find that psychological disorders appeared to exhibit different overall compositional differences compared to controls . There was a general trend toward the finding of increased abundances of bacteria involved in glutamate and GABA metabolism, and lower abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria in psychological disorders
Disrupted Limbic-Prefrontal Effective Connectivity in Response to Fearful Faces in Lifetime Depression

Depression is associated with negative emotional biases which are often studied using images of fearful facial expressions. Brain imaging studies of depression with fearful face stimuli have extensively focused on the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, but the results have been inconsistent, potentially due to small studied sample sizes (typically N<50). It remains unclear whether there are altered activations in these regions in response to fearful faces, and if any alterations are a characteristic of depressive state or of past experience of depression. Moreover, it is not clear if there are changes in effective connectivity between these regions. To address these questions, we investigated activations of the amygdala and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), as well as effective connectivity between these regions, in response to fearful face stimuli in a comparatively large, deeply-phenotyped, population-based sample of participants who had a clinically-verified diagnosis of major depressive disorder during their lifetime (lifetime depression). Brain imaging was conducted in a subsample of the Generation Scotland cohort. While in the scanner, control participants with no history of depression (N=664) and participants with lifetime depression (N=290) completed an implicit facial emotion processing task with neutral and fearful face stimuli. Case-control differences in activations of the amygdala and the DLPFC were assessed using a region-of-interest approach. Changes in effective connectivity between these regions were assessed with dynamic causal modelling. Compared to controls, lifetime depression was associated with increased activation in the left amygdala (small volume corrected PFWE=0.031, cluster volume 4 voxels; mean activation change {beta}=0.0715, P=0.0314) and the left DLPFC (small volume corrected PFWE=0.002, cluster volume 33 voxels) in response to fearful faces compared to baseline. Effective connectivity analysis indicated significantly increased inhibition from the left amygdala to the left DLPFC (effect -0.15, probability 0.82), again related to the contrast of fearful faces to baseline. These results did not appear to be attributed to acute depressive illness severity or antidepressant medication status. Our findings indicate that lifetime (past or present) experience of depression is related to small increases in activity of both the amygdala and the DLPFC in response to fearful faces, with complementary evidence of stronger inhibitory input from the amygdala to the DLPFC. These results substantially contribute to addressing uncertainties in the past literature and suggest disruption of 'bottom-up' limbic-prefrontal connectivity in depression.
Genetic and phenotype analyses of primary lateral sclerosis datasets from international cohorts

Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is the rarest form of motor neurone disease (MND). It is characterized by upper motor neuron degeneration, leading to progressive weakness, spasticity and functional disability. Although PLS does not typically shorten life substantially, it gradually impacts quality of life as the diseases progresses. There is no established genetic cause of PLS. One of the biggest challenges faced by people with PLS is delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, since the initial symptoms can be similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of MND. In the absence of a concrete genetic test that differentiates PLS from other MNDs, this delay in diagnosis is inevitable. Understanding the genetic basis of PLS might help in reducing the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis, and it will improve our understanding of the disease biology favouring the development of a treatment. The aim of our study is to collect a large international PLS genetic and clinical dataset to investigate its genetic and phenotypic landscapes as well as to evaluate whether genetic testing should be advised in PLS. Through Project MinE and AnswerALS, we accessed whole-genome sequencing data of 120 PLS, 7405 ALS and 2444 controls. We identified variants in several MND genes such as FIG4, FUS, SPG7, SPG11 and SQSTM1 genes among others and repeat expansions in the ATXN1 (12.2%) and NIPA1 (7.3%) genes, but none in the C9orf72 and ATXN2 genes. Overall PLS patients harboured fewer clinically actionable MND-associated variants than ALS patients (p = 0.0001), however, depending on the panel, up to 11% of people with PLS might benefit from genetic testing. By looking at the clinical characteristics of these cohorts, the age of symptom onset was not younger for people with PLS than for those with ALS in both Project MinE and AnswerALS. On such bases, we advise that the current diagnostic criteria that discourage the use of genetic testing and rely on age of onset should be reconsidered.
Consistency Improvement in Combinatory Spanning Tree Enumeration Method

The paper addresses the problem of consistency improvement in group decision-making. The research is done in the context of studies performed by the Laboratory for Decision Support Systems of IIR of NASU (http://dss-lab.org.ua/). Particularly, the paper focuses on the problem of improving the consistency of pair comparison matrices (PCM) in AHP-based group decision support method called “enumeration of all spanning trees” or “combinatory algorithm”. Quite often expert judgments do not satisfy consistency requirements. PCM provided by an individual expert can be inconsistent within itself, while matrices built by several experts in the context of the same decision-making procedure can be mutually inconsistent. Combinatory methods of expert judgment aggregation are designed to utilize the redundancy of expert data most thoroughly. But such aspects as satisfactory PCM consistency level and ways of consistency improvement still need to be studied more carefully. The task, tackled in the current paper, is to study the opportunities for development of a converging consistency improvement procedure, allowing to achieve satisfactory levels of initially inconsistent expert judgments in combinatory aggregation methods.
Factors influencing participation in sports, exercise, and physical activity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a protocol for a qualitative secondary data analysis

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is one of the most common paediatric spinal complaints (2-3% of children < 16 years). Regular physical activity is recommended and has been associated with significant improvements in quality of life, reduced pain, and improved function in AIS. However, participation rates remain low amongst individuals with AIS with limited research examining why. This qualitative study aims to identify factors influencing participation in sports, exercise, and physical activities in AIS. Methods and analysis: A qualitative interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology study will be conducted. This study will use a subtle-realist view to enable a focus on the most common experiences of individuals with AIS considering factors influencing participation in exercise, sports, and physical activity. This will be a secondary data analysis (SDA) of a single centre qualitative study completed at a tertiary scoliosis centre during 2022. Participant data drawn from semi structured interviews of individuals <18 years old with a diagnosis of AIS will be included in a six-phase thematic analysis. Rigor will be enhanced through a qualitative checklist, reflexivity, researchers with expertise in the phenomena of interest, and additional researchers from the parent study to critique. Patient and public involvement has been utilised since conceptualisation to improve transparency of reporting. Ethics and dissemination: Full ethical approval was given for this SDA and the parent study by the Health Research Authority (IRAS 289888) and Health and Care Research Wales approval (REC reference: 21/WM/0076). Dissemination will be via peer reviewed publication and conference presentation with results being used to inform future research projects. Registration details: No prior registration has been used for this protocol due to the empirical nature of this secondary data analysis.
Multi-omics analysis in primary T cells elucidates mechanisms behind disease associated genetic loci

In this study, we present the most extensive dataset of chromatin conformation data with matching gene expression and chromatin accessibility from primary T cells to date. We use this data to enhance our understanding of the different mechanisms by which GWAS variants impact gene regulation and revealing how natural genetic variation alter chromatin accessibility and structure in primary cells at an unprecedented scale. Capitalizing on this vast dataset, we refine the mapping of GWAS loci to implicated regulatory elements, such as CTCF binding sites and other enhancer elements, aiding gene assignment. Importantly, we uncover BCL2L11 as the probable causal gene within the RA locus rs13396472, despite the GWAS variants' intronic positioning relative to ACOXL and we identify mechanisms involving SESN3 dysregulation in the RA locus rs4409785. Given these genes' significant role in T cell development and maturation, our work is vital for deepening our comprehension of autoimmune disease pathogenesis and suggesting potential treatment targets.
The epidemiological investigation of hypertension in northern Henan Province

Background/purpose: To understand the epidemiological status and risk factors of hypertension in northern Henan province, aim to provide a basis for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in northern Henan Province. Methods: To collect the clinical data in Xinxiang Central Hospital from 2019-2021, those data were classified and analyzed according to the basic information of investigation subjects including gender, ethnicity, age, smoking, marital status, occupation, education, and potential risk factors including hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, chronic renal insufficiency, gastrointestinal ulcers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebral hemorrhage. Results: A total of 770 clinical data of investigation subjects were collected, there are 621 males and 149 females, accounting for 80.65% and 19.35%, respectively; age range of investigation subjects was 20-97 years old; there were 248 males with hypertension, accounting for 32.21% in the total population, and there were 92 females with hypertension, accounting for 27.06% in the total population; there were 329 people with a history of smoking, and 346 people were never smoking, accounting for 49.10% and 51.64% in the total investigation population, respectively; in this investigation, the proportion of married people is the highest (638/670, 95.22%); the main occupational population was peasant farmer (353/670, 52.69%), followed by (164/670, 24.48%); the number of people with middle school/vocational school education was the highest(338/670, 50.45%), followed by primary school education (249/670, 37.16%). the results of statistical analysis demonstrated that the incidence of hypertension is related to gender (P<0.01), hyperlipidemia (P<0.05), diabetes mellitus (P<0.001) and ischemic stroke (P<0.001), and had no relation to smoking, family history of coronary heart disease, family history of angina pectoris, history of heart failure, history of coronary intervention, history of peripheral arterial disease, chronic renal insufficiency, history of peptic ulcer disease, history of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and history of cerebral hemorrhage (P>0.05). Conclusion: There is a certain regional specificity in the epidemiology of hypertension in the northern Henan Province, and the incidence of hypertension was related to gender, age, occupation, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and ischemic stroke, those evidences may provide clinical significance for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in northern Henan province.
Infection, Inflammation, and Poststroke Cognitive Impairment

Background Infection and inflammation are risk factors for dementia in population-based cohorts, however studies in stroke are scarce. We determined the prevalence of stroke-associated infection and routinely measured inflammatory biomarkers during hospitalization for stroke, and their associations with global and domain-specific cognition acutely and at 6-months. Methods A prospective stroke cohort completed the Oxford Cognitive Screen [≤]2 weeks and at 6 months. Global post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) was defined as proportion of domains impaired and domain-specific impairment was binarized as present/absent. Infection, inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein-CRP, white cell count-WCC, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio-NLR), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome-SIRS, were ascertained throughout admission through linkage to electronic patient records-EPRs supplemented by hand-searches. Associations of infection, inflammatory markers, and SIRS, with acute and 6-month global and domain-specific cognitive impairment were analyzed using multivariable regression adjusting for demographic/vascular factors and stroke severity. Results Among 255 patients (mean/SD age=73.9/12.6 years, 46.3% female, mean/SD education=12.6/3.7 years, median NIHSS=5, range 0-30), infection was present in 90 (35.3%) patients at mean/SD 4.4/6.9 days post-stroke, most commonly pneumonia (47/90, 52%) and urinary tract infection (39/90, 43%). Admission WCC was elevated in 64 (25.1%, mean/SD=9.5/3.2x109/L), CRP in 105 (41.2%, mean/SD=27.5/50.9 mg/L), NLR in 97 (55.7%, mean/SD=5.5/4.5) and SIRS in 53 (26.6% with 45.2% positive overall during admission). Infection was associated with acute and 6-month PSCI (p<0.05adj) with stronger associations acutely for severe infection (infection+SIRS,p=0.02adj). Acute impairments in language, executive function and attention domains and 6-month impairment in number processing (all p<0.05adj) were associated with infection. No significant relationships were found for any biomarker and cognitive impairment. Conclusion Infection and elevations in routinely measured inflammatory biomarkers are common after stroke, however only infection is a risk factor for PSCI, suggesting that the rise in these biomarkers may be non-specific. Infection may present a tractable target for reducing PSCI.
Clinical assessment of a low-cost, hand-held, smartphone-attached intraoral imaging probe for 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy monitoring and guidance

Abstract. Significance India has one of the highest rates of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the world, with an incidence of 15 per 100,000 and more than 70,000 deaths per year. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of medical infrastructure and routine screening, especially in rural areas. New technologies for oral cancer detection and timely treatment at the point of care are urgently needed. Aim Our study aimed to use a hand-held smartphone-coupled intraoral imaging device, previously investigated for autofluorescence (auto-FL) diagnostics adapted here for treatment guidance and monitoring photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence (FL). Approach A total of 12 patients with 14 buccal mucosal lesions having moderately/well-differentiated micro-invasive OSCC lesions (<2 cm diameter and <5 mm depth) were systemically (in oral solution) administered three doses of 20 mg / kg ALA (total 60 mg / kg). Lesion site PpIX and auto-FL were imaged using the multichannel FL and polarized white-light oral cancer imaging probe before/after ALA administration and after light delivery (fractionated, total 100 J / cm2 of 635 nm red LED light). Results The handheld device was conducive for access to lesion site images in the oral cavity. Segmentation of ratiometric images in which PpIX FL is mapped relative to auto-FL enabled improved demarcation of lesion boundaries relative to PpIX alone. A relative FL (R-value) threshold of 1.4 was found to segment lesion site PpIX production among the patients with mild to severe dysplasia malignancy. The segmented lesion size is well correlated with ultrasound findings. Lesions for which R-value was >1.65 at the time of treatment were associated with successful outcomes. Conclusion These results indicate the utility of a low-cost, handheld intraoral imaging probe for image-guided PDT and treatment monitoring while also laying the groundwork for an integrated approach, combining cancer screening and treatment with the same hardware.
Effects of SF6 plasma treatment on the properties of InGaZnO thin films

The effects of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) plasma on the properties of amorphous InGaZnO (a-IGZO) thin films were examined. The properties of the a-IGZO thin films were characterized by Hall effect measurement, dynamic secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The IGZO thin films treated with SF6 plasma before annealing had a very high resistance mainly owing to the inclusion of S into the film surface, as evidenced by SIMS profiles. On the other hand, the samples treated with SF6 plasma after annealing showed better electrical properties with a Hall mobility of 10 cm2/(V·s) than the untreated samples or the samples SF6 plasma-treated before annealing. This was attributed to the increase in the number of oxygen vacancy defects in the a-IGZO thin films owing to the enhanced out-diffusion of O to the ambient and the increase in the number of F-related donor defects originating from the incorporation of a much larger amount of F than of S into the film surface, which were confirmed by XPS and SIMS.
Improving the accuracy of wearable sensor orientation using a two-step complementary filter with state machine-based adaptive strategy

Magnetic and inertial sensors have been widely used in human motion analysis, where accurate orientation estimation is important. Regardless of methods, sensor fusion process faces two major challenges: external acceleration and magnetic disturbance. By analyzing the existing literature, we found that a suitable base sensor fusion algorithm integrated with proper adaptive strategies is essential. In this paper, we first implemented a quaternion-based two-step complementary filter as the base sensor fusion algorithm. Its attitude estimation is immune to magnetic disturbance, and it contains two separate tuning parameters for different conditions of external acceleration and magnetic disturbance. With this base algorithm, we proposed a novel finite state machine-based adaptive strategy. Two state machines were developed to cope with external acceleration and magnetic disturbance. To validate the performance of the proposed sensor fusion method systematically, we developed a battery of tests representing daily-living environments, including acceleration distorted condition, magnetically distorted condition, and combined distorted condition. Also, a real-world experiment was performed to validate the orientation estimation accuracy on foot trajectory calculation. The results demonstrate that the proposed sensor fusion method performs well against external acceleration and magnetic disturbance compared with the existing methods. Especially, the proposed sensor fusion method showed a very high accuracy in the 60 s continuous combined distorted condition, where the root mean square errors of the roll, pitch and yaw were 0.63°, 0.83° and 0.96°, respectively. The accuracy of foot trajectory estimation was significantly improved with the orientation estimated by the proposed method. In conclusion, the proposed sensor fusion method is encouraging for human motion-related applications in daily-living environments. In addition, the proposed state machine based adaptive strategy is simple and robust, and can be easily integrated into other base sensor fusion algorithms.