Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is neutrophil CD11b a special marker for the early diagnosis of sepsis in neonates? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives Our study aimed to synthesise and analyse the early diagnostic value of neutrophil CD11b (nCD11b) for neonatal sepsis. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science Databases were searched up to June 2018. We used Stata software (V.14.0) to conduct the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic OR (DOR), pretest probability, post-test probability and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve for diagnostic efficiency of n CD11b. Results Nine studies, accounting for 843 neonates, were included. The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, post-test positive probability and post-test negative probability and the area under the SROC curve were 0.82 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.90), 0.93 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.99), 11.51 (95% CI 1.55 to 85.62), 0.19 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.36), 59.50 (95% CI 4.65 to 761.58), 74%, 5% and 0.90, which had accuracy in diagnosing neonatal sepsis. Conclusion The present evidence indicated that nCD11b is a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
LncRNA LINC01857 promotes growth, migration, and invasion of glioma by modulating miR‐1281/TRIM65 axis

The great importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been acknowledged in tumorigenesis gradually. LncRNA LINC01857 is a novel lncRNA and has been reported to promote breast cancer progression. However, the biological roles of LINC01857 in glioma are not explored. In the present research, LINC01857 levels were found to be upregulated in glioma. In addition, LINC01857 expression is negatively correlated with survival rate in glioma patients. Functional investigation revealed that LINC01857 downregulation impaired glioma proliferation and invasiveness. Furthermore, LINC01857 knockdown led to repressed growth of glioma in vivo. We found that LINC01857 could be a sponge for miR‐1281 and inhibits its level to upregulate TRIM65 expression. What's more, we showed that miR‐1281 mimics also attenuated tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. And rescue assays demonstrated that LINC01857 promotes glioma progression through modulating miR‐1281/TRIM65 pathway. Collectively, this study first demonstrated that a novel LINC01857/miR‐1281/TRIM65 signaling regulates glioma progression.
Evolution of Epitope-Specific Memory CD4+ T Cells After Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus

The generation of memory lymphocytes is one of the hallmarks of the specific immune response. The CD4+ T cell response is of critical importance in maintaining long-term protective immunity after clearing many infections. However, accurate characterization of these memory CD4+ T cells has relied mainly on mouse studies and is poorly understood in humans. We have detected and counted epitope-specific populations of CD4+ memory cells in patients who have cleared hepatitis C virus. The kinetics of the recall response and the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR7 suggested the presence of distinct populations. A population of memory cells measured in an ex vivo IFN-γ ELISPOT assay steadily declined after viral clearance. However, memory CD4+ T cells only characterized after short-term culture with Ag and IL-2, and, recognizing the same epitopes, developed into a long-term stable population. Depletion of CCR7+ cells from PBMCs markedly reduced the responses in the culture-positive population while having little effect on the ex vivo responses. The demonstration of these key memory subsets in man opens the way to defining their role in protective immune responses.
Bounded Blame: The Effects of Victim–Perpetrator Relationship and Victimization History on Judgments of Sexual Violence

Individuals often tend to irrationally blame victims for their plight. This research incorporated a bounded rationality framework to examine first-person perspectives (rather than third-person) of both victims’ and nonvictims’ perceptions and judgments of acquaintance and stranger sexual violence. Upon completing individual difference measures, including a just-world belief assessment, participants (N = 296) were randomly assigned to read a scenario in which the vignette victim was either acquainted with or had no prior relationship with the perpetrator. Then, taking the perspective of the vignette victim, participants offered four judgments: the likelihood of reporting the crime, self-blame, perceived control, and sympathy expected from others. Results showed that instances of acquaintance sexual violence were judged more negatively than instances of stranger sexual violence. Moreover, participants who had previously experienced sexual violence reported more negative judgments than nonvictims (except for sympathy expected from others). An exploratory path analysis indicated that as nonvictims’, but not victims’, just-world beliefs became stronger, they indicated a higher willingness to report the crime, perceived more control over the situation, and expected more sympathy from others. We end with a discussion of how the present research can advance our understanding of sexual violence by using a bounded rationality framework and discuss the practical implications that the observed effects have for professionals in the legal system, outside observers, and victims themselves.
Wide-Band Linear Phase SAW Filter Design Using Slanted Transducer Fingers

Absrrucf-Results of a theoretical and experimental study of wideband linear phase SAW bandpass filters are presented, relating to the use of interdigital transducers with slanted electrode fingers. Amplitude and phase performances, which compare favorably with those for conventional designs, are exemplified for 70 MHz filters with 25 percent and 50 percent fractional bandwidths as fabricated on YZ-lithium niobate. Transducer finger tilt angles are restricted to a maximum of +9 dcgrees about the normal to the Z-axis. One compensation technique is described, for maintaining a flat amplitude response across the passband and overcoming the amplitude skew inherent with thew configurations.
“When someone becomes old then every part of the body too becomes old”: Experiences of living with dementia in Kintampo, rural Ghana

Studies have suggested that in African countries, symptoms of cognitive decline are commonly seen as part of “normal ageing” or attributed to supernatural causes. The impact of folk beliefs about causality upon help-seeking is unclear. Likewise, there is a lack of evidence relating to how families cope with living with an older resident with dementia. Our study's aim was to explore the sociocultural beliefs, understandings, perceptions and behaviours relating to living with dementia in Kintampo, Ghana. We conducted in-depth interviews with a total of 28 people, using a series of case studies among 10 older people living with dementia and their families. Results revealed that symptoms of cognitive impairment were generally linked to inexorable bodily decline understood to be characteristic of “normal” ageing. Stigma was therefore perceived to be non-existent. Whilst managing the costs of care was often a challenge, care-giving was largely accepted as a filial duty, commonly shared among female residents of large compound households. Families experimented with biomedical and traditional medicine for chronic conditions they perceived to be treatable. Our findings suggest that whilst families offer a holistic approach to the needs of older people living with chronic conditions including dementia, health and social policies offer inadequate scaffolding to support this work. In the future, it will be important to develop policy frameworks that acknowledge the continued social and economic potential of older people and strengthen the existing approach of families, optimising the management of non-communicable diseases within primary care.
Human Activated T Lymphocytes Modulate IDO Expression in Tumors through Th1/Th2 Balance1

Previous cancer vaccination approaches have shown some efficiency in generating measurable immune responses, but they have rarely led to tumor regression. It is therefore possible that tumors emerge with the capacity to down-regulate immune counterparts, through the local production of immunosuppressive molecules, such as IDO. Although it is known that IDO exerts suppressive effects on T cell functions, the mechanisms of IDO regulation in tumor cells remain to be characterized. Here, we demonstrate that activated T cells can induce functional IDO expression in breast and kidney tumor cell lines, and that this is partly attributable to IFN-γ. Moreover, we found that IL-13, a Th2 cytokine, has a negative modulatory effect on IDO expression. Furthermore, we report IDO expression in the majority of breast and kidney carcinoma samples, with infiltration of activated Th1-polarized T cells in human tumors. These findings demonstrate complex control of immune activity within tumors. Future immune therapeutic interventions should thus include strategies to counteract these negative mechanisms.
Molecular and genetic characterization of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in Venezuela

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria isolated in Venezuela have been poorly characterized. The present study characterized a total of 34 isolates obtained from 27 patients; five of these patients were multi-infected. The bacterial species identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae (17), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9), and Acinetobacter baumannii (8). From these isolates, 85% were identified as carbapenemase-producing bacteria, and the identified carbapenemase genes were blaKPC-2 (10/29 [34.4%]), blaVIM-type (7/29 [24.1%]), blaOXA-23 (7/29 [24.1%]), blaNDM-1 (8/29 [27.5%]), and the coexistence of blaOXA-23/blaNDM-1 (2/29 [6.8%]). Patient 1 was multi-infected by K. pneumoniae ST11 and ST2413 isolates harbouring the blaNDM-1 and blaKPC-2 genes, respectively. The other patients were multi-infected by two or three different bacterial species such as ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates, P. aeruginosa harbouring the blaVIM-type gene, K. pneumoniae ST147 harbouring the blaKPC-2 gene and by A. baumannii harbouring the blaOXA-23 gene. The blaNDM-1 gene in A. baumannii is flanked by an uncommon genetic structure, whereas blaNDM-1 gene in K. pneumoniae revealed a common structure described in different plasmids from Enterobacteriaceae isolates. This study provides new information about the epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in clinical setting in Venezuela.
Nutritional status in hemodialysis patients is inversely related to depression and introversion

ABSTRACT Although hemodialysis (HD) is a life-sustaining treatment for the majority of patients with end-stage renal disease, it may adversely affect their psychological status. Depression is highly prevalent among these patients, and it is associated with malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have demonstrated that depression is positively associated with neuroticism and introversion in HD patients. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between depression, personality traits (extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, psychoticism) and nutritional status among HD patients. Fifty-two HD patients were assessed via questionnaires for depression (CES-D) and personality traits (EYSENCK, EPQ). Nutritional assessment was conducted through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometry measurements (height, post-dialysis weight). The study revealed novel significant correlations. Both post-dialysis weight and phase angle were negatively related to introversion (r = −0.314, p < 0.05 and r = −0.542, p < 0.01, respectively) and depression (r = −0.456, p < 0.01 and r = −0.467, p < 0.01, respectively). This study demonstrates that both depression and introversion are inversely related to adequate nourishment in HD patients and suggests that personality plays an important role in the nutritional status of these patients.
Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment in the Dominican Republic: Perspectives of Focus Group Participants in the Santo Domingo Area

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the Dominican Republic, and high rates persist despite existing Pap smear screening programs. The purpose of this study was to explore Dominican women’s knowledge and attitudes regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening practices, and perceived barriers and facilitators to early detection of cervical cancer. Method: Six focus groups (N = 64) were conducted in Spanish in urban, suburban, and rural locations, in private and public school settings, community and workplace settings, in or near Santo Domingo, as part of a larger study on barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccine implementation. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and translated from Spanish to English. Qualitative data analysis used inductive and deductive approaches. Results: Knowledge regarding HPV and cervical cancer varied across groups, but all agreed there was significant stigma and fear regarding HPV. Most women reported having Pap screening at least yearly. Follow-up of abnormal Pap testing was less consistent, with cost and uncertainty about provider recommendations identified as barriers. Discussion: Broader examination of provider-level and health system barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer prevention in the Dominican Republic is essential, in order to inform interventions to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening and treatment programs and reduce preventable deaths.
Low prevalence of depression and anxiety is linked to statutory retirement ages rather than personal work exit: a national survey

Background. Common mental disorder prevalence decreases substantially around the conventional retirement age for men in the UK, but trends for older women are more continuous. Prevalence changes in depression and anxiety around retirement are less clear, as is the role of risk factors. The aim of this study was to establish whether work status, age or other known risk factors account for the reduced prevalence of depressive episode and anxiety disorder around retirement ages for men and for women. Method. The British Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (BPMS) 2000 was analysed, including 1875 men and 2253 women aged 45–75 years. Diagnoses were from the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Logistic models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, social network, work status, life events, physical illness and disability. Results. There are marked reductions in the prevalence of depressive episode after 60 years for women [60% lower prevalence, 95% confidence interval (CI) 40–80] and 65 years for men (90% lower prevalence, 95% CI 70–100), compared to the youngest age groups. For anxiety disorder, the reduction in prevalence was 80% (95% CI 60–90) for men and 40% (95% CI 20–60) for women. In fully adjusted multivariate models, the strong association between diagnoses and age groups remained, for both genders. Work status was a significant factor for men but not for women. Conclusion. There is a discontinuity in the prevalence of depressive episode for both men and women, coinciding with statutory retirement ages. No studied risk factor reduced the associations between age group and disorders. This population scale recovery may provide a model for understanding non-genetic factors.
Evaluation of antitumor effect of oxygen nanobubble water on breast cancer‐bearing BALB/c mice

Hypoxia is a condition of low oxygen level which poses a common feature of most cancers. In the current study, we investigated effect of water containing oxygen nanobubble (ONB) on tumor growth in breast cancer 4T1‐bearing mice during 14‐day treatment period. Tumor‐bearing mice were randomly divided into three groups (six mice per group), including the ONB group drinking water containing ONB, the air nanobubble (ANB) group drinking water containing ANB, and control group drinking normal water. Tumor weight and size were measured in 2‐day interval during 14‐day treatment. mRNA expression of p53, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF), and cyclin D/Cdk2 genes were measured in the treated and control mice. After 8, 12, and 14 days of treatment, tumor size in ONB group was significantly decreased by 40.5%, 32.8%, and 28%, respectively, when compared with the control group. In addition, ANB group showed a significant reduction in tumor burden as well. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of p53 in tumor cells of ONB and ANB group was found to be 36‐fold (P = 0.0001) and 33‐fold (P = 0.0001) higher than that in the control group, respectively. There was a ninefold increase in mRNA expression of VEGF gene in tumor cells of ANB mice than that in control mice; however, there was no significant changes in ONB group. Expression of HIF gene was significantly lower in tumor cells of ONB and ANB group than in the control group. It is concluded that drinking ONB water has potential to inhibit tumor growth, however more preclinical and proof‐of‐concept studies are needed to confirm its safety and therapeutic effect.
A Combinatorial Approach to Role Discovery

We provide a new formulation for theproblem of role discovery in graphs. Our definition is structural:two vertices should be assigned to the same roleif the roles of their neighbors, when viewed as multi-sets, are similar enough. An attractive characteristic of our approachis that it is based on optimizing a well-defined objective function, and thus, contrary to previous approaches, the role-discovery task can be studied with the tools of combinatorial optimization. We demonstrate that, when fixing the number of roles to be used, the proposed role-discovery problem is np-hard, while another (seemingly easier) version of the problem is np-hard to approximate. On the positive side, despite the recursive nature of our objective function, we can show that finding a perfect (zero-cost) role assignmentwith the minimum number of roles can be solved in polynomial time. We do this by connecting the zero-cost role assignment with the notion of equitable partition. For the more practical version of the problem with fixed number of roleswe present two natural heuristic methods, and discuss how to make them scalable in large graphs.
Getting involved: the extent and impact of patient and public involvement in the Swedish health system

Abstract Patient and public involvement (PPI) is framed as beneficial for individuals and for the health system. However, little is known about the extent of involvement, or of its impact. Based on data from Sweden, we show that apart from voting in regional elections (76%), more people reported involvement as individual patients (23%) than part of collective activities (5%) or activities relating to a citizen perspective (4%). There was no correlation between how many people participated and the estimated impact – which was generally low. More extensive involvement is thus not linked to the potential to influence decisions. We argue that to achieve the benefits associated with PPI it is crucial to understand more about people's motivation for being involved and what underlies low estimates of impact. This requires a more systematic approach to involvement, how it is evaluated and its results communicated to participants and the society. We also argue that a future challenge for the Swedish health system, and for other similar health systems, is to support long-term collective involvement in the midst of growing individualization of health services and involvement opportunities primarily intended for patients.
Determinants of inappropriate admission of elderly people in county-level hospitals: a cross-sectional study in rural China

Objective The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics and determinants of inappropriate admission to hospital of elderly people in rural China. Design A cross-sectional study of a comparison between the elderly and non-elderly groups of people. Setting The survey was conducted on the largest county-level general hospitals in four counties in central and western China. Participants A total of 652 rural patients admitted in hospitals were surveyed, who were divided into two groups according to age: elderly group (n=230, age ≥60 years) and non-elderly group (n=422, age <60 years). Primary measures The Chinese version of the appropriateness evaluation protocol was used to evaluate the inappropriate admission rates. The interactive regression models based on the relationship of age (elderly and non-elderly) with other factors and binary logistic regression models were used in the analysis of the specific factors and determinants of the inappropriate admission of elderly people. Result The inappropriate admission rate for the rural elderly was 30%, which was lower than that of the non-elderly people (40.8%). Compared with the non-elderly group, women in the elderly group (OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.73) had a lower incidence of inappropriate admission, and elderly people with chronic diseases (OR=3.33, 95% CI 1.23 to 9.04) were more prone to being inappropriately admitted than non-elderly people with chronic diseases. The binary logistic regression analysis shows that county, age (OR=0.94. 95% CI 0.90 to 0.99), gender (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.98), department and response to doctor’s admission request were the determinants of the inappropriate admission of elderly patients. Conclusion The inappropriate admission rate of elderly people in rural China was high. We found that gender and chronic disease are the specific factors that were specific to non-elderly people. County, age, gender, department and response to a doctor’s admission request had substantial influence on the inappropriate admission of the elderly in rural China.
Use of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in individuals with traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: To evaluate the extent to which the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is confounded by symptoms that are transdiagnostic between psychopathology and neurological sequelae. Methods: Sixty-one adults with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) completed the PAI over the first year post-injury. Items that discriminated brain-injured individuals from a normative sample were identified using effect size analyses and were then subjected to principal components analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation. To explore whether the items identified in the PCA may be considered transdiagnostic in nature, an expert rating task and correlations with objective outcome measures were employed. Results: Effect sizes analyses identified 21 items that discriminated adults with TBI from the normative sample. Eight items associated with component 1 of the PCA were considered to be transdiagnostic. These items reflected health concerns and thinking problems from the Somatic Complaints, Depression and Schizophrenia scales. Items belonging to the other components reflected behaviours that are commonly associated with TBI, but not considered transdiagnostic. Conclusion: Using a comprehensive and multi-modal approach, results demonstrated good convergent validity for a small sub-set of items as being transdiagnostic. Overall, the findings support the PAI as a useful measure of psychiatric and emotional disturbances among persons with TBI.