Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing a Tool to Assess the Quality of Socio-Demographic Data in Community Health Centres

Summary Objective: The objectives of this study are to 1) create a quality assessment tool for socio-demographic data aligned with the needs of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and based on the data quality framework of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), and 2) test the feasibility of the tool in CHCs. Methods: The tool was developed based on both theoretical and practical knowledge. A review of the literature was performed to identify data quality frameworks and dimensions that could be employed. In addition, informal discussions with Community Health Centres staff members holding various positions were conducted and a team of subject matter experts was established. This approach supported the alignment between the tool (i.e., the indicators developed, the rating scale, and weighting system) and the setting for which it has been designed. The tool was pilot tested in five CHCs across Ontario. Results: The decision to focus on socio-demographic data was based on findings from the discussions with staff members. The team established nine principles for the development of the tool, including the use of computer software, whenever possible, to query the data and ensure consistency of the measurement. Data quality scores ranged from 45 to 74 on a scale of 0 (lowest quality) to 100 (highest data quality), with one CHC that was not able to run all of the queries. The feedback from staff was positive and supports the feasibility of the tool as an application of the CIHI data quality framework in a local setting. Conclusion: Pilot test results demonstrate the feasibility of the tool and an applicability of the CIHI framework as a basis for developing tools for data quality assessment in health care organizations. Citation: Laberge M, Shachak A. Developing a tool to assess the quality of socio-demographic data in community health centres. Appl Clin Inf 2012; 4:1–11 http://dx.doi. org/10.4338/ACI-2012-10-CR-0041
β-Lactam Activity against Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Exhibiting Higher Amoxicillin versus Penicillin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Values: An in vitro Pharmacodynamic Simulation

Background: Activity of simulated serum concentrations after oral therapy with 400 mg cefditoren pivoxil b.i. d. , 500 mg cefuroxime axetil b.i. d. and 875/125 mg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid b.i. d. and t.i. d. regimens was explored over 24 h against Streptococcus pneumoniae.Methods: Computerized pharmacodynamic simulations were performed against strains with penicillin/amoxicillin/cefuroxime/cefditoren minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs, µg/ml) and serotypes: strain 1 (0.25/0.12/1/0.12; serotype 6A), strain 2 (2/4/ 2/0.25; serotype 6B), strain 3 (4/16/4/0.5; serotype 14), and strain 4 (4/16/8/1; serotype 14). Results: Bactericidal activity (≧3 log10 reduction) at 12 and 24 h was obtained against all strains with cefditoren, against strains 1 and 2 with cefuroxime and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid t.i. d. , but only against strain 1 with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid b.i. d. Bactericidal activity at 24 h was related to T > MIC of >30% dosing interval, 1.7–2.0 log10 reductions with T > MIC of 20–30%, and <1 log10 reduction or regrowth with T > MIC of 0%. Conclusions: It is difficult to achieve pharmacodynamic coverage and bactericidal activity by physiological concentrations of oral β-lactams against penicillin-resistant pneumococcal strains exhibiting higher amoxicillin versus penicillin MICs. Cefditoren may offer alternatives.
Co-expression analysis revealed PTCH1-3'UTR promoted cell migration and invasion by activating miR-101-3p/SLC39A6 axis in non-small cell lung cancer: implicating the novel function of PTCH1

Metastasis is the most common cause of mortality for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PTCH1, a receptor of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, is reported to suppress cell proliferation. Interestingly, our previous study showed PTCH1 silencing promoted cell proliferation but inhibited cell migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. However, the precise mechanisms of PTCH1 regulating NSCLC metastasis remain unclear. PTCH1 has multiple splicing variants, which all share the same 3’UTR sequence, meanwhile, emerging studies have shown competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) play important roles in regulating cancer progression. Therefore, we hypothesized the functions of PTCH1-3’UTR in NSCLC in present study to reveal its role as a ceRNA. Here, we find overexpression of PTCH1-3’UTR promotes cell migration, invasion and adhesion, but does not affect cell proliferation in NSCLC cells. By combining weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) analysis and experimental validation, we reported PTCH1-3’UTR acted as a sponge to absorb miR-101-3p and promoted SLC39A6 expression. Moreover, we observed low expression of miR-101-3p and PTCH1 and high SLC39A6 levels were positively correlated with NSCLC progression. Therefore, our results help to understand the function of PTCH1 in NSCLC tumorigenesis and provide novel insights for the prevention of NSCLC metastasis.
Asphaltic binder rheology, asphalt concrete rheology and asphalt concrete mix properties

In this paper, dynamic mechanical analysis is used to characterize the influence of the aggregate as well as the binder on mixture properties. Binder and mixture rheological data is reviewed. A novel method of mixture property analysis is introduced. The paper is presented in the following parts: (1) Discussion of Testing Methodology, (2) Low Temperature Properties: the influence of the aggregate on low temperature brittleness; (3) Higher Temperature Properties: the influence of the aggregate on high temperature mixture properties; (4) Fatigue Life: leads for a fundamental understanding of the binder properties which affect fatigue life; (5) Moisture Sensitivity: evaluating asphalt/aggregate adhesion using dynamic mechanical analysis; and Conclusions.
Parents of Children with Mental Illness: Exploring the Caregiver Experience and Caregiver-Focused Interventions

Serious mental illness in children can significantly impact the parents who care for these children in both positive and negative ways. Caregiver strain and enrichment manifests in all areas of parents' lives, including work, mental and physical health, and social and family relationships. Research has identified numerous predictors of caregiver strain such as severity of child's illness and impairment, race, and social support. These parents need strengths-based, parent-focused interventions to help them care for themselves and their family in a healthy, effective manner. A brief summary describes 4 types of interventions for parents of children with mental illness and the supporting research. Education, support, and skill building are all important components in parent interventions. A parent focus for interventions and research will decrease caregiver strain and create a healthier environment for the entire family.
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase is a novel target for proliferation-associated high-risk myeloma

Treatment of high-risk patients is a major challenge in multiple myeloma. This is especially true for patients assigned to the gene expression profiling-defined proliferation subgroup. Although recent efforts have identified some key players of proliferative myeloma, genetic interactions and players that can be targeted with clinically effective drugs have to be identified in order to overcome the poor prognosis of these patients. We therefore examined maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) for its implications in hyper-proliferative myeloma and analyzed the activity of the MELK inhibitor OTSSP167 both in vitro and in vivo. MELK was found to be significantly overexpressed in the proliferative subgroup of myeloma. This finding translated into poor overall survival in patients with high vs. low MELK expression. Enrichment analysis of upregulated genes in myeloma cells of MELKhigh patients confirmed the strong implications in myeloma cell proliferation. Targeting MELK with OTSSP167 impaired the growth and survival of myeloma cells, thereby affecting central survival factors such as MCL-1 and IRF4. This activity was also observed in the 5TGM.1 murine model of myeloma. OTSSP167 reduced bone marrow infiltration and serum paraprotein levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we revealed a strong link between MELK and other proliferation-associated high-risk genes (PLK-1, EZH2, FOXM1, DEPDC1) and MELK inhibition also impaired the expression of those genes. We therefore conclude that MELK is an essential component of a proliferative gene signature and that pharmacological inhibition of MELK represents an attractive novel approach to overcome the poor prognosis of high-risk patients with a proliferative expression pattern.
Conditions for Codeposition of Al and Cr on Ni Base Superalloys by Pack Cementation Process

Abstract Both theoretical and experimental studies were carried out to identify pack powder compositions and coating conditions suitable for codeposition of Al and Cr by the pack cementation process. It has been demonstrated that for pack powders containing chloride salts as activators and elemental Al and Cr as source materials, codeposition of Al and Cr occurs when the partial pressures PAlCl and PCrCl are comparable or when PAlCl /PCrCl is close to one. But, only Al or Cr may be deposited when PAlCl /PCrCl is much larger or smaller than one. Pack powder compositions suitable for codeposition of Al and Cr depend very much on the type of activators used. For pack powders containing 25 wt-% of source elements of Al and Cr, codeposition of Al and Cr may occur when the Al content is within the range 1·25–1·90 wt-% for the packs activated by 3 wt-%NH4 Cl, and 1·85–1·95 wt-% for the pack activated by 4 wt-%CrCl3 . 6H2O. However, codeposition of Al and Cr may be not achievable with pack powders activated by NaCl and CrCl3 . Elemental Al and Cr may be used as source materials for codeposition purposes instead of Cr–Al master alloys as conventionally recommended. The coatings formed by codeposition at 1100°C showed a complex structure consisting of three or four major distinctive layers depending on the pack powder composition and coating conditions used, suggesting that the coatings were formed by a sequential deposition mechanism. Both Al and Cr were deposited in the initial and interim stages. However, only Cr was deposited in the final stage, producing a Cr rich top surface layer.
Smartwatch feedback device for high-quality chest compressions by a single rescuer during infant cardiac arrest: a randomized, controlled simulation study

Objective According to the guidelines, rescuers should provide chest compressions (CC) ~1.5 inches (40 mm) for infants. Feedback devices could help rescuers perform CC with adequate rates (CCR) and depths (CCD). However, there is no CC feedback device for infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We suggest a smartwatch-based CC feedback application for infant CPR. Participants and methods We created a smartwatch-based CC feedback application. This application provides feedback on CCD and CCR by colour and text for infant CPR. To evaluate the application, 30 participants were divided randomly into two groups on the basis of whether CC was performed with or without the assistance of the smartwatch application. Both groups performed continuous CC-only CPR for 2 min on an infant mannequin placed on a firm table. We collected CC parameters from the mannequin, including the proportion of correct depth, CCR, CCD and the proportion of correct decompression depth. Results Demographics between the two groups were not significantly different. The median (interquartile range) proportion of correct depth was 99 (97–100) with feedback compared with 83 (58–97) without feedback (P = 0.002). The CCR and proportion of correct decompression depth were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.482 and 0.089). The CCD of the feedback group was significantly deeper than that of the control group [feedback vs. control: 41.2 (39.8–41.7) mm vs. 38.6 (36.1–39.6) mm; P=0.004]. Conclusion Rescuers who receive feedback of CC parameters from a smartwatch could perform adequate CC during infant CPR.
Genetic polymorphism of delta-aminolevulinate dehydrase in several population groups in Israel.

The genetic polymorphism of red cell delta aminolevulinate dehydrase (ALADH) has been investigated in several population groups in Israel: Ashkenazi Jews, non-Ashkenazi Jews from North Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and the Balkans, and Arabs. The distribution of the ALADH genes was not homogeneous (chi 2 = 36.83; d.f. = 8; p less than 0.0005). A significantly higher frequency of the ALADH2 gene was observed among the Ashkenazi Jews (0.2021) than among the non-Ashkenazi Jews and Arabs (gene frequencies 0.0825-0.1290) or all the other population samples so far studied (Liberia, Japan, Italy, Germany and Spain).
Diagnostic outcomes of exome sequencing in patients with syndromic or non-syndromic hearing loss

Hereditary hearing loss (HL) is a common sensory disorder, with an incidence of 1–2 per 1000 newborns, and has a genetic etiology in over 50% of cases. It occurs either as part of a syndrome or in isolation and is genetically very heterogeneous which poses a challenge for clinical and molecular diagnosis. We used exome sequencing to seek a genetic cause in a group of 56 subjects (49 probands) with HL: 32 with non-syndromic non-GJB2 HL and 17 with syndromic HL. Following clinical examination and clinical exome sequencing, an etiological diagnosis was established in 15 probands (15/49; 30%); eight (8/17;47%) from the syndromic group and seven (7/32; 21%) from the non-syndromic non-GJB2 subgroup. Fourteen different (half of them novel) non-GJB2 variants causing HL were found in 10 genes (CHD7, HDAC8, MITF, NEFL, OTOF, SF3B4, SLC26A4, TECTA, TMPRSS3, USH2A) among 13 probands, confirming the genetic heterogeneity of hereditary HL. Different genetic causes for HL were found in a single family while three probands with apparent syndromic HL were found to have HL as a separate clinical feature, distinct from the complex phenotype. Clinical exome sequencing proved to be an effective tool used to comprehensively address the genetic heterogeneity of HL, to detect clinically unrecognized HL syndromes, and to decipher complex phenotypes in which HL is a separate feature and not part of a syndrome.
HIV-Stigma in Nigeria: Review of Research Studies, Policies, and Programmes

Nigeria has about 3.8 million people living with HIV, the second largest globally. Stigma and discrimination are major barriers to testing, treatment uptake, and adherence. In this review, we synthesized information on research studies, policies, and programmes related to HIV-stigma in Nigeria. This was with a view to identify critical areas that research and programmes must address in order to accelerate the progress towards zero (new infections, discrimination, and death) target by year 2030. Existing studies were mostly devoted to stigma assessment using varieties of measures. Research, policies, and programmes in the past two decades have made very useful contributions to stigma reduction. We identified the need for a consistent, valid, and objective measure of stigma at different levels of the HIV response. Nigeria does not lack relevant policies; what needs to be strengthened are design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of context-specific stigma reduction programmes.
Outage Probability and Throughput of SWIPT Relay Networks with Differential Modulation

In this paper, we investigate the application of differential modulation in simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) relay networks. Considering time switching (TS) and power splitting (PS) receiver architectures, we adopt a moments-based approach to derive novel expressions for the outage probability and throughput of SWIPT relay systems with the amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying protocol. We quantify the impact of several system parameters involving the energy conversion efficiency and the TS and PS ratio assumptions, imposed on the energy harvesting (EH) relay terminal. Our results reveal that the throughput performance of the TS protocol is superior to that of the PS protocol at lower receive signal-to-noise (SNR) values, which is in contrast to point-to-point SWIPT systems. A Monte Carlo simulation study is presented to corroborate the proposed analysis.
Constructing a Syndromic Terminology Resource for Veterinary Text Mining

Public health surveillance systems rely on the automated monitoring of large amounts of text. While building a text mining system for veterinary syndromic surveillance, we exploit automatic and semi-automatic methods for terminology construction at different stages. Our approaches include term extraction from free-text, grouping of term variants based on string similarity, and linking to an existing medical ontology.
Comparison of the 2017 and 2015 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Reports: Impact on Grouping and Outcomes

Rationale: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document has modified the grading system directing pharmacotherapy, but how this relates to the previous one from 2015 and to comorbidities, hospitalizations, and mortality risk is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the GOLD groups from 2015 to 2017 and to assess the impact on severity, comorbidities, and mortality within each group. Methods: We prospectively enrolled and followed, for a mean of 5 years, 819 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (84% male) in clinics in Spain and the United States. We determined anthropometrics, lung function (FEV1%), dyspnea score (modified Medical Research Council scale), ambulatory and hospital exacerbations, and the body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) and Charlson indexes. We classified patients by the 2015 and 2017 GOLD ABCD system, and compared the differential realignment of the same patients. We related the effect of the reclassification in BODE and Charlson distribution as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and all‐cause mortality between the two classifications. Measurements and Main Results: Compared with 2015, the 2017 grading decreased by half the proportion of patients in groups C and D (20.5% vs. 11.2% and 24.6% vs. 12.9%; P < 0.001). The distribution of Charlson also changed, whereas group D was higher than B in 2015, they become similar in the 2017 system. In 2017, the BODE index and risk of death were higher in B and D than in A and C. The mortality risk was better predicted by the 2015 than the 2017 system. Conclusions: Compared with 2015, the GOLD ABCD 2017 classification significantly shifts patients from grades C and D to categories A and B. The new grading system equalizes the Charlson comorbidity score in all groups and minimizes the differences in BODE between groups B and D, making the risk of death similar between them.
Amino acid-dependent signaling via S6K1 and MYC is essential for regulation of rDNA transcription

Dysregulation of RNA polymerase I (Pol I)-dependent ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription is a consistent feature of malignant transformation that can be targeted to treat cancer. Understanding how rDNA transcription is coupled to the availability of growth factors and nutrients will provide insight into how ribosome biogenesis is maintained in a tumour environment characterised by limiting nutrients. We demonstrate that modulation of rDNA transcription initiation, elongation and rRNA processing is an immediate, co-regulated response to altered amino acid abundance, dependent on both mTORC1 activation of S6K1 and MYC activity. Growth factors regulate rDNA transcription initiation while amino acids modulate growth factor-dependent rDNA transcription by primarily regulating S6K1-dependent rDNA transcription elongation and processing. Thus, we show for the first time amino acids regulate rRNA synthesis by a distinct, post-initiation mechanism, providing a novel model for integrated control of ribosome biogenesis that has implications for understanding how this process is dysregulated in cancer.
Differential TRAF3 Utilization by a Variant Human CD40 Receptor with Enhanced Signaling

CD40 is required for T cell-dependent humoral immunity, but it can also contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and B cell malignancy. The TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)2 and TRAF6 adaptor proteins are positive regulators of CD40 signaling required to activate downstream kinase cascades and transcription factors. In contrast, TRAF3 can serve as a negative regulator of CD40 signaling, and CD40 signals are amplified in TRAF3−/− B cells. We previously reported a gain-of-function polymorphism of the human CD40 receptor, hCD40-P227A, which signals in an amplified manner to B lymphocytes. In this study, we show that hCD40-P227A binds more TRAF3 and TRAF5, as well as certain associated proteins, than wild-type–CD40. Studies in TRAF-deficient B cell lines revealed that hCD40-P227A uses TRAF3 as a positive rather than negative regulator. Although located outside of any known TRAF binding sites, the P227A polymorphism can alter TRAF binding and dramatically changes the role played by TRAF3 in CD40 signaling.
Increased plasma/serum levels of prolactin in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Background: Prolactin (PRL), a polypeptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland, is involved in the regulation of humoral and cell mediated immune responses. PRL levels have been investigated in several autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however, yielded different and inconsistent results. This study aims to derive a more precise evaluation on plasma/serum PRL levels in SLE patients, as well as the potential influential factors. Methods: Studies published from 1 January 1987 to 31 December 2015 in English, which comparing plasma/serum PRL levels between SLE group and control group were searched in PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by fixed-effects or random-effect model analysis. Heterogeneity test was performed by the Q statistic and quantified using I2, publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test. Results: Five-hundred and forty-seven articles were obtained after searching databases, and 12 studies with 429 SLE patients and 326 controls were finally included. Meta-analysis revealed that, compared with the control group, the SLE group had significantly higher plasma/serum PRL levels (P < 0.001), with the SMD of 1.26 and 95%CI (0.70，1.82). Subgroup analyses showed that SLE patients from Asia and Europe had higher plasma/serum PRL levels. However, no significant change in plasma/serum PRL levels was observed in SLE patients from America (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, our study suggests that SLE patients have higher plasma/serum PRL level, but with a regional difference.