Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the impact of education level on the sense of coherence and opinion concerning carrying out preventive vaccination

Introduction. Objective. The objective of the present study was to take into consideration the education of the respondents while learning about their views and attitudes towards both compulsory and recommended preventive vaccination in Poland. Materials and methods. An interview survey was conducted among 370 respondents – students and young parents residing in the Lublin province of eastern Poland. The research tools were an authors’ questionnaire and a Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOS-29). Results. The majority of respondents with secondary education (77.40%), undergraduate education (63.71%), and graduate education (55.07%) stated that sometimes preventive vaccination may have life-threatening consequences. A very small percentage of both groups of respondents with secondary and undergraduate education expressed the opinion that such situations often happen (1.69% vs. 1.61%), but this opinion was not shared by any of the respondents with graduate education. Analyzing the dependency between the sense of coherence and one’s level of education, a significant difference between the respondents with secondary education and undergraduate education was observed. Although differences between respondents with graduate education and respondents with undergraduate education existed, they were not very significant. Conclusions. The educational background of the respondents has an impact on their opinions on preventive vaccination. The great majority of respondents believed that vaccination is necessary in order to avoid many dangerous diseases. Respondents with graduate education evaluated preventive vaccination in a positive or a very positive way. The subjects differed in their global sense of coherence together with its components. The general sense of coherence stood at an average level, with the mean of 129.02 points. The highest results were obtained by the respondents in the area of resourcefulness, which is a belief that they had at their disposal remedial resources, including preventive vaccination.
Efficacy and Safety of Topical 3% Diquafosol Ophthalmic Solution for the Treatment of Multifactorial Dry Eye Disease: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Purpose: A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical 3% diquafosol in treating patients with dry eye disease (DED). Methods: Nine qualified randomized controlled trials incorporating 1,467 patients were included. Two of the reviewers selected the studies and independently assessed the risk of bias. The outcome measures were Schirmer score, tear film break-up time (TFBUT), rose bengal staining score, and corneal fluorescein staining score. To confirm the effect of diquafosol on dryness after cataract surgery, we performed a subgroup analysis according to the presence or absence of surgery. Results: We observed statistically significant improvements in scores on the Schirmer test (weighted mean difference 0.74 mm at 4 weeks; 95% CI: 0.24–1.24; I2 = 0%), fluorescein stain, rose bengal stain, and TFBUT after treatment with diquafosol compared with the group using other eye drops. As a result of the subgroup analysis of DED after cataract surgery, diquafosol was found to be more effective than the other eye drops with regard to TFBUT and rose bengal staining. Conclusions: Topical diquafosol could be an effective treatment for DED, and also for DED after cataract surgery. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes for the different clinical types of DED are warranted to determine the efficacy and limitations of diquafosol for these different clinical types of DED.
Denoising of neuronal signal from mixed systemic low-frequency oscillation using peripheral measurement as noise regressor in near-infrared imaging

Abstract. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive functional imaging technique measuring hemodynamic changes including oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin. Low frequency (LF; 0.01 to 0.15 Hz) band is commonly analyzed in fNIRS to represent neuronal activation. However, systemic physiological artifacts (i.e., nonneuronal) likely occur also in overlapping frequency bands. We measured peripheral photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal concurrently with fNIRS (at prefrontal region) to extract the low-frequency oscillations (LFOs) as systemic noise regressors. We investigated three main points in this study: (1) the relationship between prefrontal fNIRS and peripheral PPG signals; (2) the denoising potential using these peripheral LFOs, and (3) the innovative ways to avoid the false-positive result in fNIRS studies. We employed spatial working memory (WM) and control tasks (e.g., resting state) to illustrate these points. Our results showed: (1) correlation between signals from prefrontal fNIRS and peripheral PPG is region-dependent. The high correlation with peripheral ear signal (i.e., O2Hb) occurred mainly in frontopolar regions in both spatial WM and control tasks. This may indicate the finding of task-dependent effect even in peripheral signals. We also found that the PPG recording at the ear has a high correlation with prefrontal fNIRS signal than the finger signals. (2) The systemic noise was reduced by 25% to 34% on average across regions, with a maximum of 39% to 58% in the highly correlated frontopolar region, by using these peripheral LFOs as noise regressors. (3) By performing the control tasks, we confirmed that the statistically significant activation was observed in the spatial WM task, not in the controls. This suggested that systemic (and any other) noises unlikely violated the major statistical inference. (4) Lastly, by denoising using the task-related signals, the significant activation of region-of-interest was still observed suggesting the manifest task-evoked response in the spatial WM task.
Etiology and Risk Factors for Mortality in an Adult Community-acquired Pneumonia Cohort in Malawi

Rationale: In the context of rapid antiretroviral therapy rollout and an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases, there are few contemporary data describing the etiology and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To describe the current etiology of CAP in Malawi and identify risk factors for mortality. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of adults hospitalized with CAP to a teaching hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Etiology was defined by blood culture, Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen detection, sputum mycobacterial culture and Xpert MTB/RIF, and nasopharyngeal aspirate multiplex PCR. Measurements and Main Results: In 459 patients (285 [62.1%] males; median age, 34.7 [interquartile range, 29.4–41.9] yr), 30-day mortality was 14.6% (64/439) and associated with male sex (adjusted odds ratio, 2.60 [95% confidence interval, 1.17–5.78]), symptom duration greater than 7 days (2.78 [1.40–5.54]), tachycardia (2.99 [1.48–6.06]), hypoxemia (4.40 [2.03–9.51]), and inability to stand (3.59 [1.72–7.50]). HIV was common (355/453; 78.4%), frequently newly diagnosed (124/355; 34.9%), but not associated with mortality. S. pneumoniae (98/458; 21.4%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (75/326; 23.0%) were the most frequently identified pathogens. Viral infection occurred in 32.6% (148/454) with influenza (40/454; 8.8%) most common. Bacterial–viral coinfection occurred in 9.1% (28/307). Detection of M. tuberculosis was associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44 [1.19–5.01]). Conclusions: In the antiretroviral therapy era, CAP in Malawi remains predominantly HIV associated, with a large proportion attributable to potentially vaccine-preventable pathogens. Strategies to increase early detection and treatment of tuberculosis and improve supportive care, in particular the correction of hypoxemia, should be evaluated in clinical trials to address CAP-associated mortality.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of safety-engineered syringes in reducing HBV, HCV, and HIV burden in Egypt

ABSTRACT Introduction: The objective of this study was to estimate the effects and costs of safety-engineered syringes (SS) as a prevention strategy from HBV, HCV, and HIV infections versus conventional syringes (CS). Methods: A decision-analytic model with five health states was constructed. The clinical parameters and utilities were derived using published data. Direct medical costs from the health care system perspective were sourced from national data. All costs and effects were discounted at 3.5% annually. Results: The estimate of total quality adjusted life years (QALYs) while using SS were 10.87 compared to 9.20 for the use of CS in the Egyptian population exposed to unsafe injection practices. The total costs for using SS and CS were EGP2,870 and EGP81,794 (I$1,130 and I$32,202), respectively, per 5.9 injections per person per year. Adopting SS resulted in better outcomes (difference; 1.66 QALYs) and total savings (EGP-78,924/I$-31,073) per person. Conclusion: Introducing SS in the Egyptian health care system might help in preventing transmission of blood-borne infections that are acquired through health care settings. The overall benefit of investing in this technology is far more than CS. These findings encourage the urgent adoption of SS by health care delivery institutions in similar resource-limited settings.
Perinatal exposure to the SSRI paroxetine alters the methylome landscape of the developing dentate gyrus

Evidence in humans and rodents suggests that perinatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants can have serious long‐term consequences in offspring exposed in utero or infancy via breast milk. In spite of this, there is limited knowledge of how perinatal SSRI exposure impacts brain development and adult behaviour. Children exposed to SSRIs in utero exhibit increased internalizing behaviour and abnormal social behaviour between the ages of 3 and 6, and increased risk of depression in adolescence; however, the neurobiological changes underlying this behaviour are poorly understood. In rodents, perinatal SSRI exposure perturbs hippocampal gene expression and alters adult emotional behaviour (including increased depression‐like behaviour). The present study demonstrates that perinatal exposure to the SSRI paroxetine leads to DNA hypomethylation and reduces DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) mRNA expression in the hippocampus during the second and third weeks of life. Next‐generation sequencing identified numerous differentially methylated genomic regions, including altered methylation and transcription of several dendritogenesis‐related genes. We then tested the hypothesis that transiently decreasing Dnmt3a expression in the early postnatal hippocampus would mimic the behavioural effects of perinatal SSRI exposure. We found that siRNA‐mediated knockdown of Dnmt3a in the dentate gyrus during the second to third week of life produced greater depression‐like behaviour in adult female (but not male) offspring, akin to the behavioural consequences of perinatal SSRI exposure. Overall, these data suggest that perinatal SSRI exposure may increase depression‐like behaviours, at least in part, through reduced Dnmt3a expression in the developing hippocampus.
Sleep deprivation differentially affects subcomponents of cognitive control

STUDY OBJECTIVES Although sleep deprivation has long been known to negatively affect cognitive performance, the exact mechanisms through which it acts and what cognitive domains are affected most is still disputed. The current study provides a theory-driven approach to examine and explain the detrimental effects of sleep loss with a focus on attention and cognitive control. METHODS Twenty-four participants (12 females; age: 24 ± 3 years) completed the experiment that involved laboratory-controlled over-night sleep deprivation and two control conditions, namely, a normally rested night at home and a night of sleep in the laboratory. Using a stop signal task in combination with electroencephalographic recordings, we dissociated different processes contributing to task performance such as sustained attention, automatic or bottom-up processing, and strategic or top-down control. At the behavioral level, we extracted reaction times, response accuracy, and markers of behavioral adjustments (post-error and post-stop slowing), whereas at the neural level event-related potentials (ERP) found in context of response inhibition (N2/P3) and error monitoring (ERN/Pe) were obtained. RESULTS It was found that 24 hr of sleep deprivation resulted in declined sustained attention and reduced P300 and Pe amplitudes, demonstrating a gradual breakdown of top-down control. In contrast, N200 and ERN as well as the stop-signal reaction time showed higher resilience to sleep loss signifying the role of automatic processing. CONCLUSIONS These results support the notion that sleep deprivation is more detrimental to cognitive functions that are relatively more dependent on mental effort and/or cognitive capacity, as opposed to more automatic control processes.
Statin therapy and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent hyporesponsiveness in patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease

Abstract Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are frequently used among patients with renal anemia, while a significant proportion of patients exhibit ESA hyporesponsiveness despite adequate dosing. Previous studies have suggested an inverse association between ESA hyporesponsiveness and statin use among patients receiving dialysis therapy. However, studies based on predialysis patients are extremely limited. Based on electronic medical records of a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China between April 2010 and April 2015, we investigated the association between statin use and ESA hyporesponsiveness among patients with predialysis-chronic kidney disease (CKD). Altogether 232 patients with CKD initiating ESA therapy and with hemoglobin levels monitored for at least 6 months were included in our analyses. Among them, 77 (38.5%) were long-term statin users (regular statin treatment for more than 3 months) before ESA initiation. Overall, 6.5% of the statin users and 17.1% of nonusers were considered to have ESA hyporesponsiveness. Long-term statin therapy was significantly associated with a lower proportion of ESA hyporesponsiveness in fully adjusted model (odds ratio 0.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.64). We found that long-term statin therapy was inversely associated with ESA hyporesponsiveness among predialysis patients with CKD. Further studies are needed to validate our observations, and to explore the potential mechanisms between ESA resistance and statin therapy.
The use of cyclododecane in Swiss archaeological contexts

Cyclododecane (CDD) has been used since 2004 by the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland in a wide range of situations. This article summarises various practical experiences from our institution in the eld as well as in the laboratory. Experiences during excavations in Basel led to the development of the ‘sandwich technique’ for block-lifting fragile artefacts, described in this paper. The long-term storage of Romanpaintedwall plaster liftedwith CDDbrought compatibility problems to light, in particularwith ethyl silicate. Investigating thepotential contaminationbyCDDof samples for C dating has also been a topic of concern, as has the residue question, which has been addressed in two graduate-level projects through FTIR, GC–MS and gravimetric methods. Health and safety issues were investigated with exposure measurements that reproduced work scenarios, for example in a trench or under a fume hood depending on the applicationmethod. Finally, a ow chart for decision-making is provided as a tool to help determine whether CDD is suitable for block-lifting, especially when further treatment is required.
Elder Caregiving in South-Asian Families in the United States and India

Provision of care to the elderly has been identified as a chronic stressor that places caregivers at risk for physical and emotional problems (Aneshensel, Pearlin, Mullan, Zarit, & Whitlach, 1995). Providing care to an elderly relative often restricts the personal life, social life, and employment of the caregiver. It is also associated with increased psychological distress (Donaldson, Tarrier, & Burns, 1998; Schulz, O’Brien, Bookwala, & Fleissner, 1995). For example, up to 48% of dementia caregivers have been identified as being at risk for psychiatric symptomatology (Brodarty & Hadzi-Pavlovic, 1990; Draper, Poulos, Cole, Poulos, & Ehrlich, 1992). Caregivers may have less time to spend with friends, fulfill family obligations, or to pursue leisure activities (Gilleard, Gilleard, Gledhill, & Whittick, 1984; Kosberg & Cairl, 1986; Zarit, Reever, & Bach- Petersen, 1980). Furthermore, caregivers are often faced with difficult care giving tasks while faced with verbal, physical aggression, confusion (Teri, Truax, Logsdon, Uomoto, Zarit, & Vitaliano, 1992) and behavior problems of demented care recipients. Because the progression of the care receivers’ illnesses and care needs are difficult to foresee, caregivers feel uncertain about their own abilities to carry out all the tasks for their own well being as the well being of the recipient (Poulshok & Deimling, 1984).
Sensorineural Impairments, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and 10-Year Incidence of Cognitive Impairment and Decline in Midlife: The Beaver Dam Offspring Study.

Background Sensorineural impairments and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and disease (CVD) in midlife may be important predictors of future cognitive health but longitudinal studies that include multiple sensorineural measures in middle-aged adults are lacking. Methods Hearing, vision and olfaction, CVRF and CVD were measured at the Beaver Dam Offspring Study baseline (2005-2008) examination. The Mini-Mental State Examination and Trail Making Tests A and B were administered at all phases and additional cognitive function measures were obtained at 5 (2010-2013) and 10 years (2015-2017). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between baseline sensorineural impairments, CVRF, CVD and 10-year cumulative incidence of cognitive impairment and decline. Results There were 2556 participants (22-84 years) without cognitive impairment at baseline and data from at least one follow-up. In a multivariable model including age, sex, education and head injury, visual impairment (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.59, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.34, 5.02), olfactory impairment (HR=3.18, 95% CI=1.53, 6.59), CVD (HR=2.37, 95% CI=1.24, 4.52) and not consuming alcohol in the past year(HR=2.21, 95% CI = 1.16, 4.19) were associated with the 10-year cumulative incidence of cognitive impairment. Current smoking and diabetes were associated with increased risk, and exercise decreased risk, of 10-year decline in cognitive function. Conclusions Visual and olfactory impairments, CVRF and CVD were associated with the 10-year cumulative incidence of cognitive impairment and decline in middle-aged adults. Identifying modifiable factors associated with cognitive decline and impairment in midlife may provide opportunities for prevention or treatment and improve cognitive health later in life.
High-Resolution Evolutionary Analysis of Within-Host Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Despite the breakthroughs in the treatment of HCV infection in recent years, we have a limited understanding of how virus diversity generated within individuals impacts the evolution and spread of HCV variants at the population scale. Addressing this gap will be important for building models for molecular epidemiology, which can identify main sources of disease transmission and evaluate the risks of drug-resistance mutations emerging and disseminating in a population. Here, we have undertaken a high-resolution analysis of HCV within-host evolution from four individuals co-infected with HIV. Specifically, we used long-read, deep-sequenced data of the full-length HCV envelope glycoprotein, longitudinally sampled from acute to chronic HCV infection to investigate the underlying viral evolutionary dynamics. In three individuals we found strong statistical support for population structure maintaining within-host HCV genetic diversity. Furthermore, we found significant variation in rates of molecular evolution among different regions of the HCV envelope region, both within and between individuals. Lastly, we report the first estimate of the within-host population genetic rate of recombination for HCV (0.28 x 10-7 recombinations per site per day; interquartile range: 0.13-1.05 x 10-7), which is two orders of magnitude lower than that estimated for HIV-1, and four orders of magnitude lower than the nucleotide substitution rate of the HCV envelope gene. Together, these observations indicate that population structure and strong genetic linkage shapes within-host HCV evolutionary dynamics. These results will guide the future investigation of potential HCV drug resistance adaptation during infection, and at the population scale.
Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine Induces Apoptosis in Murine Neurons: Evidence for NO-Dependent Caspase-9 Activation

Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) may be present in the brain in the course of some infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), although little is known about its role. This investigation was performed to study the effect of fMLP on neuron apoptosis. Our results showed that fMLP treatment of primary cultures of neurons was able to induce morphological features of apoptosis in cell cultures, as well as activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, through the upregulation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. This effect contextually occurred to the pro-apoptotic protein Bax activation and cytochrome c release. The in vitro fMLP treatment was also able to induce, in a dose-dependent manner, the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression accompanied by an up-regulation of nitric oxide (NO) release. When neuron cultures were pre-treated with 1400 W, a selective iNOS inhibitor, all of the apoptotic features were significantly reversed. Overall, these results demonstrated that fMLP treatment of neurons leads to intrinsic apoptosis activation, through iNOS expression regulation, suggesting a role for fMLP in CNS neurodegenerative processes.
Hemispheric processing of lexical information in Chinese character recognition and its relationship to reading performance

Abstract Hemispheric predominance has been well documented in the visual perception of alphabetic words. However, the hemispheric processing of lexical information in Chinese character recognition and its relationship to reading performance are far from clear. In the divided visual field paradigm, participants were required to judge the orthography, phonology, or semantics of Chinese characters, which were presented randomly in the left or right visual field. The results showed a right visual field/left hemispheric superiority in the phonological judgment task, but no hemispheric advantage in the orthographic or semantic task was found. In addition, reaction times in the right visual field for phonological and semantic tasks were significantly correlated with the reading test score. These results suggest that both hemispheres involved in the orthographic and semantic processing of Chinese characters, and that the left lateralized phonological processing is important for Chinese fluent reading.