Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring exclusive breastfeeding social support: Scale development and validation in Uganda

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months and continued breastfeeding for at least 2 years. Social support has been widely recognized to influence breastfeeding practices. However, existing scales do not measure exclusive breastfeeding social support (EBFSS), rather they assess social support for any breastfeeding. Further, they are tailored towards high-income settings. Therefore, our objectives were to develop and validate a tool to measure EBFSS in low-income settings. To develop the scale, local and international breastfeeding experts were consulted on modifications to the Hughes' Breastfeeding Social Support Scale. It was then implemented in an observational cohort in Gulu, Uganda, at 1 (n = 238) and 3 (n = 237) months post-partum (NCT02925429). We performed polychoric and polyserial correlations to remove redundant items and exploratory factor analysis at 1 month post-partum to determine the latent factor structure of EBFSS. We further applied confirmatory factor analysis to assess dimensionality of the scale at 3 months post-partum. We then conducted tests of predictive, convergent, and discriminant validity against EBF, self-efficacy, general social support, and depression. The modification of the Hughes' scale resulted in 18 items, which were reduced to 16 after examining variances and factor loadings. Three dimensions of support emerged: Instrumental, Emotional, and Informational, with alpha coefficients of 0.79, 0.85, and 0.83, respectively. Predictive, convergent, and discriminant validity of the resultant EBFSS scale was supported. The EBFSS scale is valid and reliable for measuring EBFSS in northern Uganda and may be of use in other low-income settings to assess determinants of EBF.
Recommended next care following hospital-treated self-harm: Patterns and trends over time

Objective The specific objectives of this study were to examine variation in the care of self-harm patients in hospital settings and to identify the factors that predict recommended next care following self-harm. Methods Data on consecutive presentations to Irish emergency departments (EDs) involving self-harm from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland from 2004 to 2012 were utilised. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between patients’ clinical and demographic characteristics, and recommended next care received. Results Across the study period a total 101,904 self-harm presentations were made to hospital EDs, involving 63,457 individuals. Over the course of the study there was a declining number of presentations resulting in patient admission following attendance with self-harm. Recommended next care varied according to hospital location, with general admission rates ranging from 11% to 61% across administrative health regions. Multinomial logistic regression identified that the factor which most strongly affected next care was the presenting hospital. Being male, older age, method, repeat self-harm, time of attendance and residence of the patient were all identified as influencing care received. Psychiatric admission was most common when highly lethal methods of self-harm were used (OR = 4.00, 95% CI, 3.63–4.41). A relatively large proportion of patients left the ED without being seen (15%) and the risk of doing so was highest for self-harm repeaters (1.64, 1.55–1.74 for those with 5+ presentations). Conclusions The extensive hospital variation in recommended next care indicates that management of self-harm patients may be determined more by where they present than by the needs of the patient. The study outcomes underline the need to standardise the clinical management of self-harm patients in general hospital settings.
Fingolimod confers neuroprotection through activation of Rac1 after experimental germinal matrix hemorrhage in rat pups

Fingolimod, a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor (S1PR) agonist, is clinically available to treat multiple sclerosis and is showing promise in treating stroke. We investigated if fingolimod provides long‐term protection from experimental neonatal germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH), aiming to support a potential mechanism of acute fingolimod‐induced protection. GMH was induced in P7 rats by infusion of collagenase (0.3 U) into the right ganglionic eminence. Animals killed at 4 weeks post‐GMH received low‐ or high‐dose fingolimod (0.25 or 1.0 mg/kg) or vehicle, and underwent neurocognitive testing before histopathological evaluation. Subsequently, a cohort of animals killed at 72 h post‐GMH received 1.0 mg/kg fingolimod; the specific S1PR1 agonist, SEW2871; or fingolimod co‐administered with the S1PR1/3/4 inhibitor, VPC23019, or the Rac1 inhibitor, EHT1864. All drugs were injected intraperitoneally 1, 24, and 48 h post‐surgery. At 72 h post‐GMH, brain water content, extravasated Evans blue dye, and hemoglobin were measured as well as the expression levels of phospho‐Akt, Akt, GTP‐Rac1, Total‐Rac1, ZO1, occludin, and claudin‐3 determined. Fingolimod significantly improved long‐term neurocognitive performance and ameliorated brain tissue loss. At 72 h post‐GMH, fingolimod reduced brain water content and Evans blue dye extravasation as well as reversed GMH‐induced loss of tight junctional proteins. S1PR1 agonism showed similar protection, whereas S1PR or Rac1 inhibition abolished the protective effect of fingolimod. Fingolimod treatment improved functional and morphological outcomes after GMH, in part, by tempering acute post‐hemorrhagic blood–brain barrier disruption via the activation of the S1PR1/Akt/Rac1 pathway.
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Polymorphism and Birth Timing: Pathway Analysis Among African American Women

Background Timing of birth is a major determinant of newborn health. African American women are at increased risk for early birth, particularly via the inflammatory pathway. Variants of the IL1RN gene, which encode the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein, are implicated in early birth. The biological pathways linking these variables remain unclear. Evidence also suggests that inflammatory pathways differ by race; however, studies among African American women are lacking. Objectives We assessed whether an IL1RN variant was associated with timing of birth among African American women and whether this relationship was mediated by lower anti-inflammatory IL-1Ra production or related to a decrease in inhibition of proinflammatory IL-1&bgr; production. Methods A candidate gene study using a prospective cohort design was used. We collected blood samples at 28–32 weeks of gestation among African American women experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy (N = 89). IL1RN single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2637988 was genotyped, and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-1Ra and IL-1&bgr; production was quantified. Medical record review determined timing of birth. Results Women with GG genotype gave birth earlier than women with AA/AG genotypes (b* = .21, p = .04). There was no indirect effect of IL1RN SNP rs2637988 allele status on timing of birth through IL-1Ra production, as evidenced by a nonsignificant product of coefficients in mediational analyses (ab = .006, 95% CI [−0.05, 0.13]). Women with GG genotype showed less inhibition of IL-1&bgr; production for a unit positive difference in IL-1Ra production than women with AA/AG genotypes (b* = .93, p = .03). Greater IL-1&bgr; production at 28–32 weeks of pregnancy was marginally associated with earlier birth (b* = .21, p = .05). Discussion Women with GG genotype may be at risk for earlier birth because of diminished IL-1&bgr; inhibition, allowing for initiation of a robust inflammatory response upon even mild immune challenge. Study of inflammatory contributions to early birth among African American women may be key to identifying potential prognostic markers of risk and targeted preventive interventions.
Mining Public Opinion about Economic Issues: Twitter and the U.S. Presidential Election

Opinion polls have been the bridge between public opinion and politicians in elections. However, developing surveys to disclose people's feedback with respect to economic issues is limited, expensive, and time-consuming. In recent years, social media such as Twitter has enabled people to share their opinions regarding elections. Social media has provided a platform for collecting a large amount of social media data. This paper proposes a computational public opinion mining approach to explore the discussion of economic issues in social media during an election. Current related studies use text mining methods independently for election analysis and election prediction; this research combines two text mining methods: sentiment analysis and topic modeling. The proposed approach has effectively been deployed on millions of tweets to analyze economic concerns of people during the 2012 US presidential election.
Effect of a urease inhibitor and ceiling fans on ascites in broilers. 2. Blood variables, ascites scores, and body and organ weights.

Restricted ventilation was used to experimentally induce ascites in commercial male broilers. The role of a dietary urease inhibitor (0, 125, and 250 ppm) and ceiling fans to reduce ascites was investigated. At 6 wk of age, birds were bled, euthanatized, weighed, scored for ascites, and heart, liver, and small intestine weights were obtained. Random samples were analyzed for intestinal ammonia. Blood samples were analyzed for blood gases, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, and uric acid. Birds fed 125 and 250 ppm urease inhibitor were significantly (P < .001) lighter at 6 wk, when compared with controls. Urease inhibitor (125 and 250 ppm) significantly decreased large intestine ammonia. Urease inhibitor significantly increased small intestine (250 ppm) and liver weights (125 and 250 ppm), whereas urease inhibitor at 125 ppm decreased right ventricular heart weight. Urease inhibitor had no effect on ascites scores, blood gases, or blood ammonia, but hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, red blood cell count, and uric acid were significantly (P < .05) decreased by 125 ppm urease inhibitor.
Factors Associated With Primary Care Physician Knowledge of the Recommended Regimen for Treating Gonorrhea

Background The recommended regimen for treating uncomplicated gonorrhea has changed over time, due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. We assessed physician knowledge of the recommendation for treating uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea in adolescents and adults using ceftriaxone and azithromycin dual therapy. Methods We analyzed DocStyles 2015 survey data from 1357 primary care physicians practicing for at least 3 years who provided screening, diagnosis, or treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to one or more patients in an average month. Logistic regression and &khgr;2 analyses were used to identify factors associated with knowledge of dual therapy. Results Among the options of treatment with ceftriaxone alone, azithromycin alone, both of these, or spectinomycin plus levofloxacin, 64% of physicians correctly preferred ceftriaxone plus azithromycin. Knowledge of the recommended dual therapy decreased with increasing years of practice, ranging from 74% among physicians with 3–9 years of practice to 57% among those practicing for ≥24 years (adjusted odds ratio, ORa, for ≥24 vs 3–9 years of practice, 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35–0.70). Knowledge of dual therapy decreased with higher socioeconomic status of patients (ORa for high income vs poor/lower middle income patients, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32–0.69). Physicians who pursued continuing medical education using journals, podcasts, and government health agencies were more likely to report dual therapy than those who did not use these sources (ORa, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.31–3.33). Conclusions Knowledge of the recommended regimen for treating gonorrhea decreased with increasing years of practice and with higher socioeconomic status of patients.
A Rationally Designed TNF-α Epitope-Scaffold Immunogen Induces Sustained Antibody Response and Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice

The TNF-α biological inhibitors have significantly improved the clinical outcomes of many autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis. However, the practical uses are limited due to high costs and the risk of anti-drug antibody responses. Attempts to develop anti-TNF-α vaccines have generated encouraging data in animal models, however, data from clinical trials have not met expectations. In present study, we designed a TNF-α epitope-scaffold immunogen DTNF7 using the transmembrane domain of diphtheria toxin, named DTT as a scaffold. Molecular dynamics simulation shows that the grafted TNF-α epitope is entirely surface-exposed and presented in a native-like conformation while the rigid helical structure of DTT is minimally perturbed, thereby rendering the immunogen highly stable. Immunization of mice with alum formulated DTNF7 induced humoral responses against native TNF-α, and the antibody titer was sustained for more than 6 months, which supports a role of the universal CD4 T cell epitopes of DTT in breaking self-immune tolerance. In a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, DTNF7-alum vaccination markedly delayed the onset of collagen-induced arthritis, and reduced incidence as well as clinical score. DTT is presumed safe as an epitope carrier because a catalytic inactive mutant of diphtheria toxin, CRM197 has good clinical safety records as an active vaccine component. Taken all together, we show that DTT-based epitope vaccine is a promising strategy for prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Comparison of Static Balance and the Role of Vision in Elite Athletes

Abstract When prescribing balance exercises to athletes in different sports, it may be important to recognize performance variations. Indeed, how athletes from different sports perform on balance tests is not well understood. The goal of the present study was to compare static balance and the role of vision among elite sprinters, jumpers and rugby players. The modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance (mCTSIB) was used to assess the velocity of the center-of-pressure (CoP) on a force platform during a 30 s bipedal quiet standing posture in 4 conditions: firm surface with opened and closed eyes, foam surface with opened and closed eyes. Three-factor ANOVA indicated a significant main effect for groups (F=21.69, df=2, p<0.001, η2 = 0.34). Significant main effect of vision (F=43.20, df=1, p<0.001, η2 = 0.34) and surface (F=193.41, df=1, p<0.001, η2 = 0.70) as well as an interaction between vision (eyes open, eyes closed) and surface (firm and foam) (F=21.79, df=1, p=0.001) were reported in all groups. The subsequent Bonferroni-Dunn post hoc test indicated that rugby players displayed better static balance than sprinters and jumpers (p=0.001). The comparison of sprinters and jumpers did not reveal significant differences (p>0.05). The nature of the sport practiced and the absence of visual control are linked to modify static balance in elite athletes. Coaches and strength and conditioning professionals are recommended to use a variety of exercises to improve balance, including both exercises with opened and closed eyes on progressively challenging surfaces in order to make decisions about tasks and sensory availability during assessment and training.
Higher Cystatin C Levels Are Associated With Neurocognitive Impairment in Older HIV+ Adults

Objective: The study aims to determine whether cystatin C is associated with HIV disease and HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Methods: Participants included 124 (HIV+ n = 77; HIV− n = 47) older adults (age ≥ 50 years) examined at the University of California, San Diego HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program. Cystatin C, a biomarker of kidney functioning that has been linked to poor health outcomes, was measured in blood. Participants completed a comprehensive neurocognitive assessment that was used to define both global and domain NCI. Results: The HIV+ group had significantly higher cystatin C concentrations than the HIV− group (d = 0.79 P < 0.001). Among HIV+ participants, those with NCI had higher cystatin C concentrations than those without NCI (d = 0.42, P = 0.055), particularly among participants taking tenofovir (d = 0.78, P = 0.004). A receiver–operator characteristic curve identified that cystatin C levels ≥0.75 mg/L were associated with NCI in the HIV+ group. Using this binary variable and including relevant covariates, multivariate modeling confirmed that NCI was associated with higher cystatin C levels (OR = 3.0; P = 0.03). Conclusions: Our results confirm that HIV+ older adults have higher cystatin C than HIV− older adults and further identify that cystatin C may be associated with NCI in this population, particularly if they use tenofovir. This blood biomarker may be a useful clinical tool to identify older HIV+ persons at greater risk for cognitive decline.
Intrinsic functional architecture of the macaque dorsal and ventral lateral frontal cortex

Investigations of the cellular and connectional organization of the lateral frontal cortex (LFC) of the macaque monkey provide indispensable knowledge for generating hypotheses about the human LFC. However, despite numerous investigations, there are still debates on the organization of this brain region. In vivo neuroimaging techniques such as resting-state fMRI can be used to define the functional circuitry of brain areas producing results largely consistent with gold-standard invasive tract-tracing techniques and offering the opportunity for cross-species comparison within the same modality. Our results using resting-state fMRI from macaque monkeys to uncover the intrinsic functional architecture of the LFC corroborate previous findings and inform current debates. Specifically, we show that i) the region in the midline and anterior to the superior arcuate sulcus is divided in two areas separated by the posterior supraprincipal dimple; ii) the cytoarchitectonically defined area 6DC/F2 contains two connectional divisions; and, iii) a distinct area occupies the cortex around the spur of the arcuate, updating what was previously proposed to be the border between dorsal and ventral motor/premotor areas. Within the ventral LFC specifically, the derived parcellation clearly suggests the presence of distinct areas i) with a somatomotor/orofacial connectional signature (putative area 44), ii) with an occulomotor connectional signature (putative frontal eye fields), and iii) premotor areas possibly hosting laryngeal and arm representations. Our results illustrate in detail the intrinsic functional architecture of the macaque LFC, thus providing valuable evidence for debates on its organization.
Production performance of laying hens fed L-tryptophan.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementing L-tryptophan to a nutritionally complete diet would influence egg production rate and egg shell quality in laying hens. One hundred and twenty layers (Rhode Island Red x White Leghorn) were randomly allocated into three groups. Birds were fed a basal diet or diets supplemented with L-tryptophan at 250 or 500 mg/kg for 405 days from 25 wk of age. Hen day egg production and daily egg output were proportionately higher with higher levels of supplemental dietary L-tryptophan; the differences were significant (P less than .05) for layers fed the 500 mg tryptophan/kg diet. The improvement in egg production by dietary L-tryptophan was greatest during the latter part of the laying period. These findings suggest that supplemental L-tryptophan improves the egg production rate in laying hens.
Gonad Transcriptome Analysis of High-Temperature-Treated Females and High-Temperature-Induced Sex-Reversed Neomales in Nile Tilapia

Background: Nowadays, the molecular mechanisms governing TSD (temperature-dependent sex determination) or GSD + TE (genotypic sex determination + temperature effects) remain a mystery in fish. Methods: We developed three all-female families of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and the family with the highest male ratio after high-temperature treatment was used for transcriptome analysis. Results: First, gonadal histology analysis indicated that the histological morphology of control females (CF) was not significantly different from that of high-temperature-treated females (TF) at various development stages. However, the high-temperature treatment caused a lag of spermatogenesis in high-temperature-induced neomales (IM). Next, we sequenced the transcriptome of CF, TF, and IM Nile tilapia. 79, 11,117, and 11,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the CF–TF, CF–IM, and TF–IM comparisons, respectively, and 44 DEGs showed identical expression changes in the CF–TF and CF–IM comparisons. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that three individuals in CF and three individuals in TF formed a cluster, and three individuals in IM formed a distinct cluster, which confirmed that the gonad transcriptome profile of TF was similar to that of CF and different from that of IM. Finally, six sex-related genes were validated by qRT-PCR. Conclusions: This study identifies a number of genes that may be involved in GSD + TE, which will be useful for investigating the molecular mechanisms of TSD or GSD + TE in fish.
Assessment of evaluations made to healthy eating policies in Europe: a review within the EATWELL Project

Abstract Objective To identify and assess healthy eating policies at national level which have been evaluated in terms of their impact on awareness of healthy eating, food consumption, health outcome or cost/benefit. Design Review of policy documents and their evaluations when available. Setting European Member States. Subjects One hundred and twenty-one policy documents revised, 107 retained. Results Of the 107 selected interventions, twenty-two had been evaluated for their impact on awareness or knowledge and twenty-seven for their impact on consumption. Furthermore sixteen interventions provided an evaluation of health impact, while three actions specifically measured any cost/benefit ratio. The indicators used in these evaluations were in most cases not comparable. Evaluation was more often found for public information campaigns, regulation of meals at schools/canteens and nutrition education programmes. Conclusions The study highlights the need not only to develop harmonized and verifiable procedures but also indicators for measuring effectiveness and success and for comparing between interventions and countries. EU policies are recommended to provide a set of indicators that may be measured consistently and regularly in all countries. Furthermore, public information campaigns should be accompanied by other interventions, as evaluations may show an impact on awareness and intention, but rarely on consumption patterns and health outcome.
Consumer use and response to online third‐party raw DNA interpretation services

With the availability of raw DNA generated from direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) testing companies, there has been a proliferation of third‐party online services that are available to interpret the raw data for both genealogy and/or health purposes. This study examines the current landscape and downstream clinical implications of consumer use of third‐party services.