julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Weak associations between personality and contraceptive choice
2022-10-27

Prospective randomized controlled trials on hormonal contraceptive (HC) effects on the brain are rare due to a number of methodological challenges. Thus, much of the evidence on HC effects on the brain comes from cross-sectional studies comparing HC-users to non-users. In interpreting these findings, it is of importance to be aware of potential confounds associated with women’s contraceptive choices. Previous studies have discussed age, education, social status, sexual orientation, relationship status, and tolerability of HC. Given the current trend toward a reduction in HC use and increased skepticism toward HC it seems relevant to also identify variables associated with women’s attitudes toward HC and whether they may represent confounds for neuroscientific studies. In the present study, we investigated whether women’s personality characteristics were associated with their choice to use or not use HC in the present, past and future and the type of HC chosen. 1,391 females aged 18–45 years participated in an online survey including the HEXACO-60 personality questionnaire, as well as two different measures of gender role, and provided information about their current and previous contraceptive status, as well as experiences with and attitudes toward contraceptive use. We compared (i) current, previous and never-users of HC, (ii) prospective users of HC to women who opposed future HC use, and (iii) current users of IUDs to current users of oral contraceptives. Results revealed that associations between personality and the decision to use or not use HC were negligible, while differences in personality were observed corresponding to contraceptive type. Current users of IUDs showed higher agreeableness and extraversion compared to current users of oral contraceptives. The results suggest that personality is more strongly associated to the choice of contraceptive type rather than the choice between hormonal and non-hormonal options.
Aetiologies and clinical presentation of central nervous system infections in Vietnamese patients: a prospective study
2022-10-27

Abstract Knowledge of the clinical presentation of central nervous system (CNS) infections and the causative pathogens is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and rapid initiation of appropriate treatment to prevent severe neurological sequelae. The aim of this study is to understand the aetiology of CNS infections based on the clinical presentation of Vietnamese patients. A prospective hospital-based cohort study was conducted between May 2014 and May 2017. We screened 137 patients with clinically suspected CNS infection for fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens using their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood cultures. In addition, DNA or RNA extracted from CSF samples were subjected to nucleic acid testing (NAT) with a selective panel of bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. At least one pathogen could be detected in 41% (n = 56) of the patients. The main pathogens causing CNS infections were Streptococcus suis (n = 16; 12%) and Neisseria meningitidis (n = 9; 7%), followed by Herpes simplex virus 1/2 (n = 4; 3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4; 3%). Other pathogens were only identified in a few cases. Patients with bacterial CNS infections were significantly older, had a worse outcome, a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a higher rate of speech impairment and neck stiffness than patients with viral or tuberculous CNS infections. In northern Vietnam, adults are mostly affected by bacterial CNS infections, which have a severe clinical course and worse outcomes compared to viral or tuberculous CNS infections. Clinicians should be aware of the regional occurrence of pathogens to initiate rapid and appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Degree of incrementality is modulated by experimental context – ERP evidence from German quantifier restriction
2022-10-27

The current ERP study investigates the role of non-linguistic context in incremental semantic comprehension. Using picture-sentence verification, we examined the neurophysiological correlates of contextual adaptation effects. We manipulated experiment-inherent frequency and tested whether a relatively high ratio of experimental to filler sentences constrains the contextual restriction of the German quantifier <i>alle</i> (“all”). While previous results indicate that the truth evaluation may be postponed when the experimental setting is completely ambiguous with respect to a potentially following restriction, the current study used a higher ratio of non-restricted vs. restricted sentences than the previous one (4:1 vs. 1:1) and thereby tested whether a low restriction probability increases the likelihood of an immediate truth evaluation. Our results show that experiment-inherent frequency distributions immediately modulate the N400 amplitude, analogous to previous studies on speaker reliability.
Orbital variability of the optical linear polarization of the γ -ray binary LS i +61° 303 and new constraints on the orbital parameters
2022-10-27

&lt;p&gt;We studied the variability of the linear polarization and brightness of the γ-ray binary LS I +61 303. High-precision BVR photopolarimetric observations were carried out with the Dipol-2 polarimeter on the 2.2 m remotely controlled UH88 telescope at Mauna Kea Observatory and the 60 cm Tohoku telescope at Haleakala Observatory (Hawaii) over 140 nights in 2016--2019. We determined the position angle of the intrinsic polarization θ≃11∘, which can either be associated with the projection of the Be star's decretion disk axis on the plane of sky, or can differ from it by 90∘. Using the Lomb-Scargle method, we performed timing analyses and period searches of our polarimetric and photometric data. We found statistically significant periodic variability of the normalized Stokes parameters q and u in all passbands. The most significant period of variability, PPol=13.244±0.012 d, is equal to one half of the orbital period Porb=26.496 d. Using a model of Thomson scattering by a cloud that orbits the Be star, we obtained constraints on the orbital parameters, including a small eccentricity e&lt;0.2 and periastron phase of φp≈0.6, which coincides with the peaks in the radio, X-ray, and TeV emission. These constraints are independent of the assumption about the orientation of the decretion disk plane on the sky. We also extensively discuss the apparent inconsistency with the previous measurements of the orbital parameters from radial velocities. By folding the photometry data acquired during a three-year time span with the orbital period, we found a linear phase shift of the moments of the brightness maximum, confirming the possible existence of superorbital variability.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
Off-label Use of an External Hand Fixator for Craniomaxillofacial Fractures – an Anatomical Feasibility Study
2022-10-27

Abstract Background The lack of resources limits the treatment of craniomaxillofacial fractures in low-income countries (LIC). Therefore, Barton bandage and/or interdental wiring are considered being gold standard in these regions. The fracture reduction is maintained by permanent occlusion for 6 weeks, which often leads to limited compliance and dissatisfying results. Furthermore, in these conditions the healing of nasopharyngeal fistula is difficult. During humanitarian missions CMF need to be treated by trauma surgeons. The aim of this cadaver-based study is to evaluate the feasibility of the use of an external face fixator (EFF) for the treatment of CMF, its biomechanical values and to define the optimal pin insertion points and angles. Material and methods A commercially available AO hand fixator was used. Craniomaxillofacial fractures type Le Fort 1-3 with split fracture of the hard palate were treated with EFF on 13 anatomical specimens. The fractures were created using a chisel. The pins were placed in specific anatomical regions. The maximal pull-out force [N] of the pins was analysed by a tensile force gauge. As a reference, Fmax of the mandibular pins was evaluated. Computer tomography (CT) scans were performed on the healthy, fractured and EFF-treated skulls. After reduction and EFF placement an adequate reposition was shown in the CT scans. Results The pull-out forces for the single pins were as follows: mandibular pins (n=15, median 488N), supraorbital pins (n=15, median 455.0N), zygomatic pins (n=14, median 269.1N), medial hard palate pins (n=12, median 208.4N) and lateral hard palate pins (n=8, median 49.6N). Conclusions The results of the presented study on the cadaver show, that the operation technique is feasible, and the stability of the EFF is sufficient for maintaining the reduction. In addition, the required pins can be safely inserted into the described areas and a good reduction result can be achieved. The technique of the EFF offers a feasible alternative to the non-surgical treatment of CMF in LIC. Thus, the gap between the open reduction and internal fixation techniques (mini-plates) used in High-income countries and the Barton bandage used in LIC can be closed. Trial registration: A vote of the local ethics committee was obtained (13.01.2022, Ethikkommission Land Salzburg, Austria). EK Nr: 1198/2021 Level of evidence: Level 2
Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty
2022-10-28

This study explores how researchers’ analytical choices affect the reliability of scientific findings. Most discussions of reliability problems in science focus on systematic biases. We broaden the lens to emphasize the idiosyncrasy of conscious and unconscious decisions that researchers make during data analysis. We coordinated 161 researchers in 73 research teams and observed their research decisions as they used the same data to independently test the same prominent social science hypothesis: that greater immigration reduces support for social policies among the public. In this typical case of social science research, research teams reported both widely diverging numerical findings and substantive conclusions despite identical start conditions. Researchers’ expertise, prior beliefs, and expectations barely predict the wide variation in research outcomes. More than 95% of the total variance in numerical results remains unexplained even after qualitative coding of all identifiable decisions in each team’s workflow. This reveals a universe of uncertainty that remains hidden when considering a single study in isolation. The idiosyncratic nature of how researchers’ results and conclusions varied is a previously underappreciated explanation for why many scientific hypotheses remain contested. These results call for greater epistemic humility and clarity in reporting scientific findings.
DNA methylation biomarkers for noninvasive detection of triple‐negative breast cancer using liquid biopsy
2022-10-28

Abstract Noninvasive detection of aberrant DNA methylation could provide invaluable biomarkers for earlier detection of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) which could help clinicians with easier and more efficient treatment options. We evaluated genome‐wide DNA methylation data derived from TNBC and normal breast tissues, peripheral blood of TNBC cases and controls and reference samples of sorted blood and mammary cells. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between TNBC and normal breast tissues were stringently selected, verified and externally validated. A machine‐learning algorithm was applied to select the top DMRs, which then were evaluated on plasma‐derived circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) samples of TNBC patients and healthy controls. We identified 23 DMRs accounting for the methylation profile of blood cells and reference mammary cells and then selected six top DMRs for cfDNA analysis. We quantified un‐/methylated copies of these DMRs by droplet digital PCR analysis in a plasma test set from TNBC patients and healthy controls and confirmed our findings obtained on tissues. Differential cfDNA methylation was confirmed in an independent validation set of plasma samples. A methylation score combining signatures of the top three DMRs overlapping with the SPAG6, LINC10606 and TBCD/ZNF750 genes had the best capability to discriminate TNBC patients from controls (AUC = 0.78 in the test set and AUC = 0.74 in validation set). Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of cfDNA‐based methylation signatures as noninvasive liquid biopsy markers for the diagnosis of TNBC.
PhotoTOP: PFAS Precursor Characterization by UV/TiO2 Photocatalysis
2022-10-28

To unravel the complexity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products and environmental samples, sum parameters that provide relevant information on chemical characteristics are necessary since not all PFAS can be captured by target analysis in case of missing reference standards or if they are not extractable or amenable to the analytical method. Therefore, we evaluated photocatalysis (UV/TiO<sub>2</sub>) as a further total oxidizable precursor approach (PhotoTOP) to characterize perfluoroalkyl acid precursors via their conversion to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Photocatalysis has the advantage that no salts are needed, allowing direct injection with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry without time-consuming and potentially discriminating sample cleanup. OH radicals were monitored with OH probes to determine the reactivity. For eight different precursors (diPAPs, FTSAs, FTCAs, <i>N</i>-EtFOSAA, PFOSA), mass balance was achieved within 4 h of oxidation, and also, in the presence of matrix, complete conversion was possible. The PhotoTOP was able to predict the precursor chain length of known and here newly identified precursors qualitatively when applied to two PFAS-coated paper samples and technical PFAS mixtures. The length of the perfluorinated carbon chain (n) was mostly conserved in the form of PFCAs (n-1) with only minor fractions of shorter-chain PFCAs. Finally, an unknown fabric sample and a polymer mixture (no PFAS detectable in extracts) were oxidized, and the generated PFCAs indicated the occurrence of side-chain fluorinated polymers.
Methylene blue dosing strategies in critically ill adults with shock—A retrospective cohort study
2022-10-28

Background Shock increases mortality in the critically ill and the mainstay of therapy is the administration of vasopressor agents to achieve hemodynamic targets. In the past, studies have found that the NO-pathway antagonist methylene blue improves hemodynamics. However, the optimal dosing strategy remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the hemodynamic and ICU outcome parameters of three different dosing strategies for methylene blue. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in shock treated with methylene blue. Shock was defined as norepinephrine dose &amp;gt;0.1 μg/kg/min and serum lactate level &amp;gt;2 mmol/l at the start of methylene blue administration. Different demographic variables, ICU treatment, and outcome parameters were evaluated. To compare the differences in the administration of vasopressors or inotropes, the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) was calculated at different time points after starting the administration of methylene blue. Response to methylene blue or mortality at 28 days were assessed. Results 262 patients from July 2014 to October 2019 received methylene blue. 209 patients met the inclusion criteria. Three different dosing strategies were identified: bolus injection followed by continuous infusion ( n = 111), bolus injection only (no continuous infusion; n = 59) or continuous infusion only (no bolus prior; n = 39). The groups did not differ in demographics, ICU scoring system, or comorbidities. In all groups, VIS decreased over time, indicating improved hemodynamics. Cardiogenic shock and higher doses of norepinephrine increased the chance of responding to methylene blue, while bolus only decreased the chance of responding to methylene blue treatment. 28-day mortality increased with higher SAPSII scores and higher serum lactate levels, while bolus injection followed by continuous infusion decreased 28-day mortality. No severe side effects were noted. Conclusion In this cohort, methylene blue as a bolus injection followed by continuous infusion was associated with a reduced 28-day mortality in patients with shock. Prospective studies are needed to systematically evaluate the role of methylene blue in the treatment of shock.
Geology of giant quartz veins and their host rocks from the Eastern Pyrenees (Southwest Europe)
2022-10-28

Giant Quartz Veins (GQVs) are ubiquitous in different tectonic settings and, besides being often related to hydrothermal ore deposits, also represent large-scale fingerprints of the structural and geochemical history of the rocks in which they are hosted. Here we present detailed geological maps and interpretations of three key areas of the Eastern Pyrenees where GQVs are well exposed. The studied rocks record different styles of deformation and are representative of common settings of the Pyrenees where GQVs are present: pre-Variscan metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, late Variscan granitoids, and Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. GQVs in the study areas formed along pre-existing brittle and ductile structures or at locations with lithological heterogeneities, and have alteration haloes of silicified host rocks. The geological maps and interpretations presented here contribute to gain insights into the formation mechanisms of GQVs and into the structural constraints on fluid flow and mineral reactions at different depths of the Earth’s crust.
Resistance patterns among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients and trends-over-time analysis of national surveillance data in Gabon, Central Africa
2022-10-28

Abstract Objective Routinely generated surveillance data are important for monitoring the effectiveness of MDR-TB control strategies. Incidence of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) is a key indicator for monitoring MDR-TB. Methods In a longitudinal nationwide retrospective study, 8 years (2014–2021) of sputum samples from presumptively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients from all regions of Gabon were referred to the national tuberculosis reference laboratory. Samples were analysed using GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Genotype MTBDRsl version 2/Line Probe Assay. Results Of 3057 sputum samples from presumptive tuberculosis patients, both from local hospital and from referral patients, 334 were RR-TB. The median patient age was 33 years (interquartile range 26–43); one third was newly diagnosed drug-resistant tuberculosis patients; one-third was HIV-positive. The proportion of men with RR-TB was significantly higher than that of women (55% vs 45%; p &lt; 0.0001). Patients aged 25–35 years were most affected (32%; 108/334). The cumulative incidence of RR-TB was 17 (95% CI 15–19)/100,000 population over 8 years. The highest incidences were observed in 2020 and 2021. A total of 281 samples were analysed for second-line drug resistance. The proportions of study participants with MDR-TB, pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB were 90.7% (255/281), 9% (25/281) and 0.3% (1/281), respectively. The most-common mutations in fluoroquinolones resistance isolates was gyrA double mutation gyrA MUT3B and MUT3C (23%; 4/17). Most (64%; 6/8) second-line injectable drugs resistance isolates were characterised by missing both rrs WT2 and MUT2 banding. Conclusion The increasing incidence of MDR-TB infection in Gabon is alarming. It is highest in the 25–35 years age category. The incidence of MDR-TB infection in treatment-naïve patients calls for case finding and contact tracing strategy improvement.
Open quantum rotors: Connecting correlations and physical currents
2022-10-28

We consider a finite one-dimensional chain of quantum rotors interacting with a set of thermal baths at different temperatures. When the interaction between the rotors is made chiral, such a system behaves as an autonomous thermal motor, converting heat currents into nonvanishing rotational ones. Such a dynamical response is strongly pronounced in the range of the Hamiltonian parameters for which the ground state of the system in the thermodynamic limit exhibits a quantum phase transition. Such working points are associated with large quantum coherence and multipartite quantum correlations within the state of the system. This suggests that the optimal operating regime of such a quantum autonomous motor is one of maximal quantumness.
Mindfulness and skills-based eHealth intervention to reduce distress in cancer-affected patients in the Reduct trial: Intervention protocol of the make it training optimized
2022-10-28

Introduction Cancer-affected patients experience high distress due to various burdens. One way to expand psycho-oncological support is through digital interventions. This protocol describes the development and structure of a web-based psycho-oncological intervention, the Make It Training optimized. This intervention is currently evaluated in the Reduct trial, a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods The Make It Training optimized was developed in six steps: A patient need and demand assessment, development and acceptability analysis of a prototype, the formation of a patient advisory council, the revision of the training, implementation into a web app, and the development of a motivation and evaluation plan. Results Through a process of establishing cancer-affected patients’ needs, prototype testing, and patient involvement, the Make It Training optimized was developed by a multidisciplinary team and implemented in a web app. It consists of 16 interactive self-guided modules which can be completed within 16 weeks. Discussion Intervention protocols can increase transparency and increase the likelihood of developing effective web-based interventions. This protocol describes the process and results of developing a patient-oriented intervention. Future research should focus on the further personalization of web-based psycho-oncological interventions and the potential benefits of combining multiple psychotherapeutic approaches.
Horizontal transfer and phylogenetic distribution of the immune evasion factor tarP
2022-10-28

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major human pathogen, uses the prophage-encoded tarP gene as an important immune evasion factor. TarP glycosylates wall teichoic acid (WTA) polymers, major S. aureus surface antigens, to impair WTA immunogenicity and impede host defence. However, tarP phages appear to be restricted to only a few MRSA clonal lineages, including clonal complexes (CC) 5 and 398, for unknown reasons. We demonstrate here that tarP -encoding prophages can be mobilized to lysogenize other S. aureus strains. However, transfer is largely restricted to closely related clones. Most of the non-transducible clones encode tarM , which generates a WTA glycosylation pattern distinct from that mediated by TarP. However, tarM does not interfere with infection by tarP phages. Clonal complex-specific Type I restriction-modification systems were the major reasons for resistance to tarP phage infection. Nevertheless, tarP phages were found also in unrelated S. aureus clones indicating that tarP has the potential to spread to distant clonal lineages and contribute to the evolution of new MRSA clones.
Spectrum of ANCA-specificities in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A retrospective multicentre study
2022-10-28

In addition to MPO, the spectrum of ANCA antigen specificities includes various other target antigens such as PR3, BPI, PTX3, and OLM4, potentially segregating further EGPA subgroups. A lower prevalence of MPO-ANCA was detected in this study compared with other studies. OLM4 is reported as novel ANCA antigen-specificity in EGPA, and thus AAV.