Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Knowledge of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Among Participants in a Web-Based Survey of Sexually Active Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-Sectional Study

Background Awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is increasing, but little is known about the functional knowledge of PrEP and its impact on willingness to use PrEP. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the functional knowledge of PrEP among a sample of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) participating in a Web-based survey of sexually active MSM. Methods Men at least 18 years old, residing in the United States, and reporting sex with a man in the previous 6 months were recruited through social networking websites. PrEP functional knowledge included the following 4 questions (1) efficacy of consistent PrEP use, (2) inconsistent PrEP use and effectiveness, (3) PrEP and condom use, and (4) effectiveness at reducing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify respondent characteristics associated with PrEP functional knowledge. In a subsample of participants responding to HIV prevention questions, we compared willingness to use PrEP by response to PrEP functional knowledge using logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, and education level. Results Among 573 respondents, PrEP knowledge was high regarding adherence (488/573, 85.2%), condom use (532/573, 92.8%), and STIs (480/573, 83.8%), but only 252/573 (44.0%) identified the correct efficacy. Lower functional PrEP knowledge was associated with minority race/ethnicity (P=.005), lower education (P=.01), and not having an HIV test in the past year (P=.02). Higher PrEP knowledge was associated with willingness to use PrEP (P=.009). Younger age was not associated with higher PrEP functional knowledge or willingness to use PrEP. Conclusions PrEP knowledge was generally high in our study, including condom use and consistent use but may be lacking in higher risk MSM. The majority of respondents did not correctly identify PrEP efficacy with consistent use, which could impact motivation to seek out PrEP for HIV prevention. Targeted messaging to increase PrEP knowledge may increase PrEP use.
Analysis of Tissue and Circulating Tumor DNA by Next-Generation Sequencing of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Targeted Therapeutics

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has limited treatment options. Molecular analysis of its mutational landscape may enable the identification of novel therapies. However, biopsy is not routinely performed in HCC. The utility of analyzing cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) is not established. We performed 32 ctDNA NGS analyses on 26 patients; 10 of these patients had tissue NGS (236 to 626 genes). ctDNA was evaluated using an assay that detects single nucleotide variants, amplifications, fusions, and specific insertion/deletion alterations in 54 to 70 genes. The ctDNA demonstrated that 23 of 26 patients (88.5%) had ≥1 characterized alteration, and all these individuals had ≥1 potentially actionable alteration. The most frequently mutated gene was TP53 (16 of 26 patients, 61.5%). There were 47 unique characterized molecular alterations among 18 total gene alterations [variants of unknown significance (VUS) excluded)]. ctDNA and tissue NGS frequently showed different profiles, perhaps due to length of time between tissue and blood samples [median = 370 days (range, 29 to 876 days)]. Serial ctDNA evaluation in an illustrative patient treated with capecitabine demonstrated emergence of a new TP53 alteration after progression. In conclusion, ctDNA profiling is feasible in advanced HCC, and serial assessment using ctDNA NGS can reveal genomic changes with time. NGS of ctDNA provides a minimally invasive alternative for identifying potentially actionable gene alterations and potential molecular targeted therapies. Dynamic changes in molecular portfolio associated with therapeutic pressure in difficult-to-biopsy patients can be observed. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(5); 1114–22. ©2018 AACR.
Parking Spaces in the Age of Shared Autonomous Vehicles: How Much Parking Will We Need and Where?

The world is on the cusp of a new era in mobility given that the enabling technologies for autonomous vehicles (AVs) are almost ready for deployment and testing. Although the technological frontiers for deploying AVs are being crossed, transportation planners and engineers know far less about the potential impact of such technologies on urban form and land use patterns. This paper attempts to address those issues by simulating the operation of shared AVs (SAVs) in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, by using the real transportation network with calibrated link-level travel speeds and a travel demand origin–destination matrix. The model results suggest that the SAV system can reduce parking land by 4.5% in Atlanta at a 5% market penetration level. In charged-parking scenarios, parking demand will move from downtown to adjacent low-income neighborhoods. The results also reveal that policy makers may consider combining charged-parking policies with additional regulations to curb excessive vehicle miles traveled and alleviate potential social equity problems.
Biomechanics of diving: the influence of the swimming speed on the kinematics of lower limbs of professional divers.

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the swimming speed during diving on the biomechanical parameters describing the movement of selected measurement points of the lower limb in professional divers. METHODS The study involved a group of 4 professional divers whose movement was recorded during underwater swimming at slow (approx. 0.4 m·s-1), medium (approx. 0.5 m·s-1), and fast (approx. 0.8 m·s-1) pace. RESULTS During swimming at medium speed, the divers made a smaller displacement (along the axes Y) of the midpoint of fin than during swimming at fast speed. The range of motion in the ankle joint increased in fast speed in comparison with low and medium swimming speed. The same relationship was noted for the obtained velocity and angular acceleration in the hip, knee and ankle joints. The authors observed that during swimming at slow pace the divers choose movement ensuring high swimming comfort while the efficiency of motion is a secondary factor. On the other hand, during swimming at higher pace, the applied movement pattern ensures far greater efficiency rather than swimming comfort. CONCLUSION The conducted analysis showed that divers adjust the movement of their lower limbs to the swimming pace.
A Review of Apps for Calming, Relaxation, and Mindfulness Interventions for Pediatric Palliative Care Patients

Patients and families increasingly use mobile apps as a relaxation and distraction intervention for children with complex, chronic medical conditions in the waiting room setting or during inpatient hospitalizations; and yet, there is limited data on app quality assessment or review of these apps for level of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, or applicability for palliative pediatric patients. The pediatric palliative care study team searched smartphone application platforms for apps relevant to calming, relaxation, and mindfulness for pediatric and adolescent patients. Apps were reviewed using a systematic data extraction tool. Validated Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) scores were determined by two blinded reviewers. Apps were then characterized by infant, child, adolescent, and adult caregiver group categories. Reviewer discussion resulted in consensus. Sixteen of the 22 apps identified were included in the final analysis. The apps operated on either iOS or Android platforms. All were available in English with four available in Spanish. Apps featured a relaxation approach (12/16), soothing images (8/16), and breathing techniques (8/16). Mood and sleep patterns were the main symptoms targeted by apps. Provision of mobile apps resource summary has the potential to foster pediatric palliative care providers’ knowledge of app functionality and applicability as part of ongoing patient care.
Intraocular Lens Power Calculation after Refractive Surgery: A Comparative Analysis of Accuracy and Predictability

Purpose To compare the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using conventional regression formulae or the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) IOL power calculator for previous corneal refractive surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 96 eyes from 68 patients that had undergone cataract surgery after keratorefractive surgeries. We calculated the formula with two approaches: IOL powers using the ASCRS IOL power calculator and IOL powers using conventional formulae with previous refractive data (Camellin, Jarade, Savini, and clinical history method) or without prior data (0, 2 and, 4 mm total mean power in topography, Wang-Koch-Maloney, Shammas, Seitz, and Maloney). Two conventional IOL formulae (the SRK/T and the Hoffer Q) were calculated with the single K and double K methods. Mean arithmetic refractive error and mean absolute error were calculated at the first postoperative month. Results In conventional formulae, the Jarade method or the Seitz method, applied in the Hoffer Q formula with the single K or double K method, have the lowest prediction errors. The least prediction error was found in the Shammas-PL method in the ASCRS group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 10 lowest mean absolute error conventional methods, the Shammas-PL method and the Barrett True-K method calculated with using the ASCRS calculator, without using preoperative data. Conclusions The Shammas-PL formula and the Barrett True-K formula, calculated with the ASCRS calculator, without using history, were methods comparable to the 10 most accurate conventional formulae. Other methods using the ASCRS calculator show a myopic tendency.
Confirmation of Aedes koreicus (Diptera:Culicidae) in Belgium and description of morphological differences between Korean and Belgian specimens validated by molecular identification

5 Corresponding author Abstract In 2008, specimens resembling Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus (Edwards) (also Ochlerotatus koreicus or Hulecoeteomyia kore- ica) were found in Belgium during a national mosquito survey (MODIRISK). Small but consistent differences were, how- ever, observed between the specimens described from Peninsula Korea and those found in Belgian. To achieve the correct identification a detailed morphological comparison was made between the Belgian specimens and reference material from Korean mainland and island populations housed at the Smithsonian Institution (Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WR- BU), Washington, USA). The identification was furthermore supported by molecular evidence based on the ND4 region (mtDNA) of available Korean and Belgian mosquito specimens. Morphological and molecular comparison confirmed the initial identification of Aedes koreicus. Based on morphological characteristics, the species collected in Belgium most likely originated from Jeju-do, an island south of the Korean Peninsula. The observed dissimilarities between Korean and Belgian specimens resembled a number of morphological differences mentioned previously between female adults col- lected on the Korean Peninsula and Jeju-do. This is the first report of Aedes koreicus outside its natural distribution range. A correct and rapid identification of new invading and spreading vector species is crucial for the implementation of effec- tive control measurements. Hence a correct and easy accessible description of all possible variations of species arriving in new areas is highly recommended. Therefore, a comparative morphological study on the Smithsonian material of the species from Korean mainland, island population and from Belgium is given, pictures of the main aberrant characteristics and scanning electron microscope images of all stages of the species are included and molecular confirmation of the iden- tification based on the mtDNA ND4 region is provided.
Humanized TREM2 mice reveal microglia-intrinsic and -extrinsic effects of R47H polymorphism

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes late-onset dementia. The R47H variant of the microglial receptor TREM2 triples AD risk in genome-wide association studies. In mouse AD models, TREM2-deficient microglia fail to proliferate and cluster around the amyloid-&bgr; plaques characteristic of AD. In vitro, the common variant (CV) of TREM2 binds anionic lipids, whereas R47H mutation impairs binding. However, in vivo, the identity of TREM2 ligands and effect of the R47H variant remain unknown. We generated transgenic mice expressing human CV or R47H TREM2 and lacking endogenous TREM2 in the 5XFAD AD model. Only the CV transgene restored amyloid-&bgr;–induced microgliosis and microglial activation, indicating that R47H impairs TREM2 function in vivo. Remarkably, soluble TREM2 was found on neurons and plaques in CV- but not R47H-expressing 5XFAD brains, although in vitro CV and R47H were shed similarly via Adam17 proteolytic activity. These results demonstrate that TREM2 interacts with neurons and plaques duing amyloid-&bgr; accumulation and R47H impairs this interaction.
Emergency Department Pain Management Following Implementation of a Geriatric Hip Fracture Program

Introduction Over 300,000 patients in the United States sustain low-trauma fragility hip fractures annually. Multidisciplinary geriatric fracture programs (GFP) including early, multimodal pain management reduce morbidity and mortality. Our overall goal was to determine the effects of a GFP on the emergency department (ED) pain management of geriatric fragility hip fractures. Methods We performed a retrospective study including patients age ≥65 years with fragility hip fractures two years before and two years after the implementation of the GFP. Outcomes were time to (any) first analgesic, use of acetaminophen and fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in the ED, and amount of opioid medication administered in the first 24 hours. We used permutation tests to evaluate differences in ED pain management following GFP implementation. Results We studied 131 patients in the pre-GFP period and 177 patients in the post-GFP period. In the post-GFP period, more patients received FICB (6% vs. 60%; difference 54%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 45–63%; p<0.001) and acetaminophen (10% vs. 51%; difference 41%, 95% CI 32–51%; p<0.001) in the ED. Patients in the post-GFP period also had a shorter time to first analgesic (103 vs. 93 minutes; p=0.04) and received fewer morphine equivalents in the first 24 hours (15mg vs. 10mg, p<0.001) than patients in the pre-GFP period. Conclusion Implementation of a GFP was associated with improved ED pain management for geriatric patients with fragility hip fractures. Future studies should evaluate the effects of these changes in pain management on longer-term outcomes.
Ab initio search for cohesion-enhancing impurity elements at grain boundaries in molybdenum and tungsten

We report high throughput density functional theory (DFT) calculations to simulate segregation of s- and p-elements in Mo and W. First, the preference of solutes for interstitial or substitutional positions in the bulk is evaluated and then the segregation energies for the solutes to interstitial and different substitutional sites at a grain boundary (GB) and a free surface (FS) are computed. We show that several solutes change their site preference from substitutional to interstitial position upon segregation to the GB. With the segregation energies to GB and FS, the changes in cohesion can be calculated and GB cohesion enhancing solutes can be identified. The results show striking similarity for both W and Mo. In addition, we collected the available literature data from experimental and theoretical side, which we consequently compare to our results. From our results and the comparison to literature, we identify B, C and Be as potential alloying additions for an increased GB cohesion in Mo and W.
Pho4 mediates phosphate acquisition in Candida albicans and is vital for stress resistance and metal homeostasis

This study provides the first evidence that the phosphate-responsive transcription factor Pho4 is vital for survival of Candida albicans to diverse and physiologically relevant stresses. Pho4 is important for C. albicans pathogenesis, and thus these findings illustrate how metabolic adaptation promotes C. albicans survival in the host.
Toxic effects of 4‐methylthio‐3‐butenyl isothiocyanate (Raphasatin) in the rat urinary bladder without genotoxicity

We recently reported that 4‐methylthio‐3‐butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC) exerts chemopreventive effects on the rat esophageal carcinogenesis model at a low dose of 80 ppm in a diet. In contrast, some isothiocyanates (ITCs) have been reported to cause toxic effects, promotion activity, and/or carcinogenic potential in the urinary bladder of rats. In the present study, we investigated whether MTBITC had toxic effects in the urinary bladder similar to other ITCs, such as phenethyl ITC (PEITC). First, to examine the early toxicity of MTBITC, rats were fed a diet supplemented with 100, 300 or 1000 ppm MTBITC for 14 days. Treatment with 1000 ppm MTBITC caused increased organ weights and histopathological changes in the urinary bladder, producing lesions similar to those of 1000 ppm PEITC. In contrast, rats treated with 100 or 300 ppm MTBITC showed no signs of toxicity. Additionally, we performed in vivo genotoxicity studies to clarify whether MTBITC may exhibit a carcinogenic potential through a genotoxic mechanism in rats. Rats were treated with MTBITC for 3 days at doses of 10, 30 or 90 mg kg−1 body weight by gavage, and comet assays in the urinary bladder and micronucleus assays in the bone marrow were performed. No genotoxic changes were observed after treatment with MTBITC at all doses. Overall, these results suggested that the effects of MTBITC in the rat urinary bladder are less than those of PEITC, but that MTBITC could have toxic effects through a nongenotoxic mechanism in the urinary bladder of rats at high doses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
L-Arginine Availability and Metabolism Is Altered in Ulcerative Colitis

Background:L-arginine (L-Arg) is the substrate for both inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS2) and arginase (ARG) enzymes. L-Arg is actively transported into cells by means of cationic amino acid transporter (SLC7) proteins. We have linked L-Arg and arginase 1 activity to epithelial restitution. Our aim was to determine if L-Arg, related amino acids, and metabolic enzymes are altered in ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods:Serum and colonic tissues were prospectively collected from 38 control subjects and 137 UC patients. Dietary intake, histologic injury, and clinical disease activity were assessed. Amino acid levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were measured by real-time PCR. Colon tissue samples from 12 Crohn's disease patients were obtained for comparison. Results:Dietary intake of arginine and serum L-Arg levels were not different in UC patients versus control subjects. In active UC, tissue L-Arg was decreased, whereas L-citrulline (L-Cit) and the L-Cit/L-Arg ratio were increased. This pattern was also seen when paired involved (left) versus uninvolved (right) colon tissues in UC were assessed. In active UC, SLC7A2 and ARG1 mRNA levels were decreased, whereas ARG2 and NOS2 were increased. Similar alterations in mRNA expression occurred in tissues from Crohn's disease patients. In involved UC, SLC7A2 and ARG1 mRNA levels were decreased, and NOS2 and ARG2 increased, when compared with uninvolved tissues. Conclusions:Patients with UC exhibit diminished tissue L-Arg, likely attributable to decreased cellular uptake and increased consumption by NOS2. These findings combined with decreased ARG1 expression indicate a pattern of dysregulated L-Arg availability and metabolism in UC.
Association of body mass index with bladder cancer risk: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Prospective epidemiologic studies on the association between body mass index (BMI) and bladder cancer yielded inconsistent findings. This study sought to quantitatively summarize the evidence by performing a dose-response meta-analysis on prospective cohort studies. Eligible studies were retrieved via PubMed and Embase databases, and by manual review of the references. Linear and nonlinear trend analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between BMI and bladder cancer risk. Meta-analyses on the categories of overweight and obesity were also conducted. The summary relative risk (SRR) was estimated. Heterogeneity across the studies was explored through subgroup analyses based on gender, age, year of publication, sample size, assessment of BMI, geographic location, physical activity and family history of cancer. A total of 14 prospective cohort studies involving 12,642 cases were included. Result of the dose-response analysis showed a nonlinear positive relationship between BMI and bladder cancer (SRR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, P-nonlinearity =0.031), suggesting that per 5 kg/m2 increment on BMI corresponded to a 3.1 % increase of bladder cancer risk, especially BMI exceed 30kg/m2. Furthermore, significant positive association was also observed between obesity category and bladder cancer risk (SRR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.03-1.17). In summary, this dose-response meta-analysis suggests a nonlinear positive association between BMI and bladder cancer risk. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms.
Medication administration errors and related deviations from safe practice: an observational study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of medication administration errors, medication administration-related deviations from safe practice as well as factors associated with these errors in medical and surgical units of public hospitals in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. BACKGROUND Several studies have been published on the incidence of medication administration errors, but only a few have studied the incidence of medication administration-related deviations from safe practice. Context-specific research on the incidence of medication administration errors and associated factors (patient acuity, bed occupancy, staffing levels, medication administrators' qualifications, dose calculation skills, level of hospital, unit type, medication administration route and interruptions) within the continent of Africa is lacking. DESIGN A cross-sectional, observational design. METHODS Direct observation was conducted incorporating a previously validated checklist based on basic medication guidelines including the five rights, asepsis and medication documentation. In addition, a knowledge test on dose calculations was performed. Medication administration to 315 patients (1847 medications administered) was observed between February-August 2015 in medical and surgical units from eight public hospitals. Twenty-five medication administrators completed dose calculations. RESULTS In total, 296 medication errors were identified, of which most were wrong-time errors and omissions. Interruptions and patient acuity were significantly associated with wrong-dose and wrong-route errors, respectively. Most medication administration-related deviations from safe practice were related to patient identification or asepsis. Sixteen of 50 dosage calculations were answered incorrectly. Incorrect answers most often occurred in the calculation of parenteral dosages. CONCLUSIONS Medication administration errors, especially wrong-time errors and omissions, are prevalent in public hospitals in the Gauteng Province. Interruptions lower the risk of wrong-dose errors, while patient acuity exacerbates this risk. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Factors associated with wrong-time errors and omissions should be addressed. Patient identification and asepsis protocols should be adhered to. Dosage calculation training is indicated.