Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Benefit of a Wireless Contralateral Routing of Signals (CROS) Microphone in Unilateral Cochlear Implant Recipients.

OBJECTIVE Assess speech outcomes in unilateral cochlear implant (CI) recipients after addition of a wireless contralateral routing of signals (CROS) microphone. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Ambulatory. PATIENTS Sixteen adult unilateral CI users with nonserviceable hearing on the contralateral side were recruited. Those with AzBio sentence scores of 40 to 80% or Hearing in Noise Test - Quiet (HINT-Q) scores of 60 to 90% with a CI alone were eligible participants. INTERVENTION Speech testing was carried out with the CROS on and off. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Speech recognition. RESULTS In the consonant-nucleus-consonant test presented in quiet from the front, word scores were 64.4 (CI) and 63.8% (CI + CROS) (p = 0.72), and phoneme scores were 80.2 (CI) and 80.8% (CI + CROS) (p = 0.65). In AzBio sentence testing in quiet, with the signals projected from the contralateral, front, or ipsilateral to the CI, speech perception with the CI alone was 60.8, 75.9, and 79.1%. With the addition of the CROS microphone, using the same speaker arrangement, speech perception was 69.8 (p < 0.05), 71.8 (p = 0.05), and 71.8 (p < 0.05). In AzBio sentence testing in noise, speech perception with the CI alone was 18.6, 45.3, and 56.3% when signals were projected from contralateral, front, and ipsilateral sides to the CI. The addition of the CROS microphone led to speech perception of 45.3 (p < 0.05), 45.3 (p = 0.86), and 51.4% (p = 0.27) in the same paradigm. CONCLUSIONS Addition of a wireless CROS microphone to a unilateral CI recipient can improve users' perception of speech in both quiet and noise if speech signals come from the deaf ear, mitigating the head shadow effect.
Trends in types of protein in US adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2010

Abstract Objective To delineate trends in types of protein in US adults from 1999 to 2010, we examined the mean intake of beef, pork, lamb or goat, chicken, turkey, fish, dairy, eggs, legumes, and nuts and seeds (grams per kilogram of body weight) among adults and according to subgroups, including chronic disease status. Design Six cycles of the repeated cross-sectional surveys. Setting National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2010. Participants US adults aged ≥20 years (n 29 145, range: 4252–5762 per cycle). Results Overall, mean chicken (0·47 to 0·52 g/kg), turkey (0·09 to 0·13 g/kg), fish (0·21 to 0·27 g/kg) and legume (0·21 to 0·26 g/kg) intake increased, whereas dairy decreased (3·56 to 3·22 g/kg) in US adults (P <0·03). Beef, lamb or goat intake did not change in adults or among those with a chronic disease. Over time, beef intake declined less, and lamb or goat intake increased more, for those of lower socio-economic status compared with those of higher socio-economic status. Conclusions Despite recommendations to reduce red meat, beef, lamb or goat intake did not change in adults, among those with a chronic disease or with lower socio-economic status.
Structural and In Vitro Functional Comparability Analysis of Altebrel™, a Proposed Etanercept Biosimilar: Focus on Primary Sequence and Glycosylation

The demand for reliable comparability studies of biosimilars grows with their increased market share. These studies focus on physicochemical, structural, functional and clinical properties to ensure that a biosimilar has no significant differences to the originator product and can be released into the market without extensive clinical trials. In the current study, Enbrel® (etanercept, the originator) and Altebrel™ (the proposed biosimilar) underwent direct comparison. “Bottom-up” mass spectrometric analysis was used for primary sequence analysis, evaluation of N/O-glycosylation sites and quantification of methionine oxidation. N/O-glycans were analyzed after permethylation derivatization and the effect of N-glycans on in-vitro functionality of etanercept was assayed. Three enzyme peptide mapping resulted in complete identification of the primary structure. It was confirmed that total ion chromatograms are valuable datasets for the analysis of the primary structure of biodrugs. New N/O-glycan structures were identified and all the N-glycans were quantified. Finally, investigation of the functional properties of N-deglycosylated and non-modified etanercept samples using surface plasmon resonance analysis and in-vitro bioassay showed that N-glycosylation has no significant effect on its in-vitro functionality. Analysis of etanercept and its biosimilar, revealed a high similarity in terms of glycosylation, primary structure and in-vitro functionality.
Perceived HIV-related physical fatigue, sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To get a deeper understanding of correlates of perceived HIV-related fatigue by exploring its associations with sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity level of HIV-infected people. BACKGROUND Previous studies on HIV-related fatigue have mainly focused on physiological and psychological characteristics, but few have considered its associations with sociodemographic variables. In addition, while physical activity has been found to reduce acute fatigue among HIV-infected people, its links with chronic HIV-related fatigue remain to be explored. DESIGN The study employed an observational and cross-sectional survey design. The manuscript was organised according to STROBE guidelines. METHOD A total of 560 people living with HIV in France completed a measure of perceived physical fatigue using the Fatigue Intensity Scale. The predictors targeted sociodemographic characteristics and two measures of individuals' reported level of physical activity. Data were analysed by a stepwise multiple regression model. RESULTS The results showed that lower age, higher physical activity level and socio-economic status were significantly associated with reduced perceived physical fatigue, explaining 25% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS The results highlighted the importance of considering sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics to better characterise HIV-related fatigue, in particular in an era where HIV as a chronic illness challenges questions of quality of life throughout increasingly longer lifespans. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The results of this study have implications for HIV care professionals in terms of improving strategies for managing chronic fatigue or promoting physical activity according to more specific profiles of HIV-infected people.
Masculinity, Injury, and Death: Implications for Anti-Knife-Carrying Messages

Although knives are the most common homicide instrument in Britain, factors that influence knife-carrying tolerance (i.e., the extent to which it is seen as acceptable and justified) and perceptions of anti-knife messages (i.e., slogans and posters aimed at reducing knife crime) have not been examined, which the current article will cover by featuring progressively related studies. In Study 1, 227 men took part in a study on factors associated with knife-carrying. In Study 2, 200 participants took part in an experimental study on anti-knife slogans. In Study 3, 169 men took part in a study on existing anti-knife injury posters. In Study 4, 151 men took part in a study on anti-knife CGI posters featuring an avatar with different types of knife injury. Study 1 proposes a structural equation model that shows the intercorrelations between physical defense ability, limited trust in authority, limited control over one’s status and the need for respect, and how they predict aggressive masculinity (i.e., macho culture), which, in turn, predicts knife-carrying tolerance. The model also reveals two significant latent factors: saving face inter-male competition (i.e., honor) and perceived social ecological constraints (i.e., socioeconomic limitations). Study 2 shows that the injury slogan was rated as most persuasive. Study 3 shows that the fresh injury poster was rated as most persuasive, emotional, and believable. Study 4 shows that it was the eye injury that was rated as most persuasive, emotional, and believable. The article supports protection motivation theory and offers practical insights into tackling knife crime.
Independent Review Of Research Proposals From Ethical Point Of View In Pakistan.

BACKGROUND Ethics is a part of subject philosophy and gained importance in research after the Nuremberg Code that led to Helsinki's Declaration on research ethics. In most developed countries stringent measures are taken to implement ethics in research. Awareness is on the rise in developing countries too. METHODS This cross-sectional part of mixed methods design of study is part of a PhD thesis. Data was collected from medical institutions including medical colleges, medical universities, dental colleges, and teaching hospitals of Pakistan. Questionnaires were developed, and final version was adopted after pretesting. Questionnaires were sent via registered post. RESULTS A total of 78 institutions responded. Out of 78, 48 (61.5%) were in public sector and 30(38.5%) in private sector. Seventy-four (94%) had institutional review boards. The numbers of members ranged from 1 to 15 with 40(54%) having number of members from 3 to 7. Out of 74 with IRBs, 17(23%) had members from community, 11(15%) had religious scholars and 8(11%) had members from legal background. Sixty-four (86.5%) responded that they had time frames for research proposal processing that ranged from one to 26 weeks (6.2±5.6). CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that most of the medical institutions where research is conducted and approved through deficient research ethical boards in terms of their constitution. Research ethics is not a priority area for most of the institutions. Representation of society at large is missing. National action is required at government level.
Advance Care Planning Outcomes in African Americans: An Empirical Look at the Trust Variable.

CONTEXT Racial disparities in rates of hospice use, a marker of quality of end-of-life (EOL) care, have been a long-standing problem. Although distrust has been cited as a main reason for the preference of intensive EOL care among African Americans, the role of trust has not been closely analyzed in predicting EOL care in the context of advance care planning (ACP) outcomes. OBJECTIVES The goal of this review was to empirically examine the role of trust in ACP outcomes. METHODS For this systematic review, we utilized methods adapted from the GRADE process developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. The research question guiding this review was "What is the quantitative influence of trust in the health care system or health care providers on the ACP process for African Americans? " We searched Medline, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published between 1975 and 2016. RESULTS We identified nine quantitative studies that measured and evaluated trust as a predictor or correlate of ACP preferences. Of the studies, eight were observational and one was a pre-post-test study. Three studies were designated as low quality, and six studies were of moderate quality. CONCLUSION Distrust has been cited as a central reason for African Americans' tendency to choose life-sustaining treatments over comfort-focused care; however, our findings do not support this hypothesis. The majority of studies found no significant differences in trust between African Americans and their White counterparts. Further, we found that trust was not associated with ACP outcomes in the majority of studies.
The renaissance of comparative biochemistry.

The study of chemical diversity has a long history in the field of plant systematics. Methods for separating and identifying chemical compounds, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, were developed in the early 1900s (reviewed by Marston, 2007), with plant pigments such as chlorophylls and carotenoids among the first targets of analysis (Twsett, 1906). These technological advances gave way to tailored approaches designed to survey major classes of plant metabolites (e.g., phenolics, terpenoids, sugars) across diverse taxa (Harborne, 1973). The techniques developed by Harborne and others could often be implemented with relatively simple equip­ ment and materials, opening the door for many botanists to begin exploring chemical diversity in their own systems. Indeed, by the 1950s, studies in this area had emerged as a distinct discipline, “bio­ chemical systematics” or “chemosystematics” (Alston and Turner, 1963; Gibbs, 1963, 1974). With a sudden wealth of new comparative data, the field of chemosystematics put forward new phylogenetic hypotheses, many of which have come to be strongly supported with other sources of information (Grayer et al., 1999). One classic example is that of the Gesneriaceae, in which early phytochemical surveys supported the division of the Old World Cyrtandroideae and the mostly New World Gesnerioideae (including the South America/ South Pacific disjunct Coronanthereae). The former subfamily pro­ duces anthocyanins and chalcones or aurones, while the latter pro­ duces novel 3­ deoxyanthocyanins and flavones (Harborne, 1966, 1967). Subsequent molecular systematics studies have supported the monophyly of Gesnerioideae (Smith et al., 1997; Woo et al., 2011), consistent with a single origin of 3­ deoxyanthocyanins from anthocyanin­ producing ancestors. As comparative biochemical studies expanded, many classes of plant metabolites were found to exhibit complex evolutionary histories, with multiple gains and losses across the phylogeny. For instance, mustard oils, the glucosinolate­ derived compounds in­ volved in defense against herbivores, are found in 15 plant families and appear to have evolved twice, once in the Malpighiales and once in the Brassicales, with a secondary loss in one lineage (Ettlinger and Kjaer, 1968; Rodman et al., 1998). The evolutionary pattern presented by betalain pigments is even more intriguing, wherein following a single origin near the base of the Caryophyllales, mul­ tiple lineages have lost these nitrogenous compounds and reverted to the ancestral state of producing anthocyanin pigments, seem­ ingly after millions of years without them (Brockington et al., 2015; COMMENTARY
The effect of sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide 1 agonists on cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population—with CVD accounting for two out of every three deaths in patients with diabetes. In 2008, the FDA suggested that CVD risk should be evaluated for any new antidiabetic therapy, leading to a multitude of large CVD outcome trials to assess CVD risk from these medications. Interestingly, several of these outcome trials with new novel antidiabetic therapies have demonstrated a clear and definite CVD advantage at mid‐term follow up in high‐risk patients with T2DM. In this review, we discuss two relatively new classes of diabetic drugs, sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide 1 agonists, and their efficacy in improving cardiovascular outcomes.
Association of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus With Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE To assess neonatal respiratory morbidity in pregnancies with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at imminent risk of late preterm delivery in a modern U.S. cohort. METHODS Secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial in which women with singleton pregnancies at high risk for delivery between 34 0/7 and 36 5/7 weeks of gestation were allocated to betamethasone or placebo. The primary outcome for the trial and this secondary analysis was a composite outcome of neonatal respiratory morbidity in the first 72 hours of life. Secondary outcomes included neonatal severe respiratory complications, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission greater than or equal to 3 days, and hyperbilirubinemia. We examined associations between neonatal morbidities and GDM status after adjustment for baseline differences and study group allocation using modified Poisson regression. Models incorporating a product interaction term between GDM status and treatment arm (betamethasone or placebo) were also evaluated. RESULTS Of the 2,831 women enrolled in the trial, 306 (10.8%) had GDM. Women with GDM were significantly older and were more likely to be parous and to have hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than those without GDM, but they were similar regarding race, gestational age at randomization (35.6 weeks) and at delivery (36.1 weeks), and study group assignment. Neonates born to women with GDM were no more likely to meet the primary outcome than those born to women without GDM, even after adjusting for differences in age, parity, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (12.1% vs 13.1%, adjusted RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.61-1.17), nor were they more likely to have severe respiratory complications or prolonged NICU admission. CONCLUSION Maternal GDM is not associated with increased neonatal respiratory morbidity in this study population who were at high risk for late preterm birth.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus-related insomnia: evaluating a new treatment approach

Abstract Objective: Insomnia frequently occurs alongside distressing tinnitus, and greater tinnitus severity is associated with more sleep disturbance. Insomnia and tinnitus probably share common underlying processes and sleep studies show striking similarities between primary and tinnitus-related insomnia. This is the first study to evaluate outcomes following insomnia-specific Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBTi) for tinnitus-related insomnia in a “real world” clinic. Design: Treatment was six-sessions of group-based CBTi. Measures of insomnia, sleep diaries, tinnitus distress, psychological distress, anxiety and depression were completed pre-intervention, post-intervention and at six-weeks follow up. Study Sample: Participants were 24 adults with chronic, distressing tinnitus and associated sleep disturbance. Twenty-two completed treatment. Results: CBTi was associated with significant improvements from pre-intervention to post-intervention maintained at follow up in insomnia, sleep-diary measures, tinnitus distress, psychological distress, anxiety and depression, largely maintained at follow-up. Reliable improvements were reported in insomnia (by 67% of patients), tinnitus distress (by 50% of patients) and psychological distress (by 38% of patients) post-intervention. Conclusions: The results suggest that CBTi is associated with reduced insomnia and distress for patients reporting chronic and distressing tinnitus with related insomnia. Further research into CBTi for this population, using utilising robust, randomised controlled designs, is warranted.
Screening human cell lines for viral infections applying RNA-Seq data analysis

Monitoring viral infections of cell cultures is largely neglected although the viruses may have an impact on the physiology of cells and may constitute a biohazard regarding laboratory safety and safety of bioactive agents produced by cell cultures. PCR, immunological assays, and enzyme activity tests represent common methods to detect virus infections. We have screened more than 300 Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia RNA sequencing and 60 whole exome sequencing human cell lines data sets for specific viral sequences and general viral nucleotide and protein sequence assessment applying the Taxonomer bioinformatics tool developed by IDbyDNA. The results were compared with our previous findings from virus specific PCR analyses. Both, the results obtained from the direct alignment method and the Taxonomer alignment method revealed a complete concordance with the PCR results: twenty cell lines were found to be infected with five virus species. Taxonomer further uncovered a bovine polyomavirus infection in the breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 most likely introduced by contaminated fetal bovine serum. RNA-Seq data sets were more sensitive for virus detection although a significant proportion of cell lines revealed low numbers of virus specific alignments attributable to low level nucleotide contamination during RNA preparation or sequencing procedure. Low quality reads leading to Taxonomer false positive results can be eliminated by trimming the sequence data before analysis. One further important result is that no viruses were detected that had never been shown to occur in cell cultures. The results prove that the currently applied testing of cell cultures is adequate for the detection of contamination and for the risk assessment of cell cultures. The results emphasize that next generation sequencing is an efficient tool to determine the viral infection status of human cells.
Incorporating local adaptation into forecasts of species’ distribution and abundance under climate change

Populations of many species are genetically adapted to local historical climate conditions. Yet most forecasts of species’ distributions under climate change have ignored local adaptation (LA), which may paint a false picture of how species will respond across their geographic ranges. We review recent studies that have incorporated intraspecific variation, a potential proxy for LA, into distribution forecasts, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and make recommendations for how to improve forecasts in the face of LA. The three methods used so far (species distribution models, response functions, and mechanistic models) reflect a trade‐off between data availability and the ability to rigorously demonstrate LA to climate. We identify key considerations for incorporating LA into distribution forecasts that are currently missing from many published studies, including testing the spatial scale and pattern of LA, the confounding effects of LA to nonclimatic or biotic drivers, and the need to incorporate empirically based dispersal or gene flow processes. We suggest approaches to better evaluate these aspects of LA and their effects on species‐level forecasts. In particular, we highlight demographic and dynamic evolutionary models as promising approaches to better integrate LA into forecasts, and emphasize the importance of independent model validation. Finally, we urge closer examination of how LA will alter the responses of central vs. marginal populations to allow stronger generalizations about changes in distribution and abundance in the face of LA.