Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responsiveness and Minimal Important Change for Pain and Disability Outcome Measures in Pregnancy-Related Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain (LBP/PGP) are common and negatively impact the lives of many pregnant women. Several patient-based outcome instruments measure treatment effect but there is no consensus about which measure to use with women who have these pain presentations. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the responsiveness of 3 outcome measures in LBP/PGP: Oswestry Disability Index-version 2.0 (ODI), Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), and 0-10 numerical rating scale for pain severity (NRS); and to estimate a minimal important change (MIC) for these measures in pregnancy-related LBP/PGP. DESIGN This was a methodology study using data from a pilot randomised trial (RCT). METHODS Women (n = 124) with pregnancy-related LBP/PGP were recruited to a pilot RCT evaluating the benefit of adding acupuncture to standard care and 90 completed 8-weeks follow-up. Responsiveness was evaluated by examining correlation between change score and the external anchor (6-point global perceived effect scale) and by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. MIC was estimated using anchor-based methods. RESULTS All measures showed good responsiveness, with areas under ROC curve ranging from 0.77 to 0.90. The estimated MICs were 3.1, 11.0, 9.4, 13.3, and 1.3 for ODI, PGQ-total, PGQ-activity, PGQ-symptoms, and NRS, respectively. All the measures, apart from ODI, had MICs larger than the measurement error. LIMITATIONS Lack of optimal "gold standard" or external criterion for assessing responsiveness and MIC was a limitation of this study. CONCLUSION All 3 outcome measures demonstrated good responsiveness. MICs were derived for each instrument. The PGQ at 8 weeks post-randomisation was identified as an appropriate outcome measure for pregnancy-related LBP/PGP since it is specific to these pain presentations and assesses both activity limitations and symptoms. The NRS is an efficient, shorter alternative.
The Biosynthetic Pathway of Major Avenanthramides in Oat

Avenanthramides are a group of N-cinnamoylanthranilic acids, with health-promoting properties mainly found in oat (Avena sativa L.). However, the biosynthetic mechanism for the main three types of avenanthramides (Avn-A, Avn-B and Avn-C) is not completely understood. In the present study, we report molecular identification and functional characterization of three different types of genes from oat encoding 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:hydroxyanthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HHT) and a caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) enzymes, all involved in the biosynthesis of these avenanthramides. In vitro enzymatic assays using the proteins expressed in Escherichia coli showed that oat 4CL could convert p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid to their CoA thioesters. Oat HHTs were only responsible for the biosynthesis of Avn-A and Avn-C using hydroxyanthranilic acid as an acyl acceptor and p-coumaroyl-CoA and caffeoyl-CoA as an acyl donor, respectively. Avn-B was synthesized by a CCoAOMT enzyme through the methylation of Avn-C. Collectively, these results have elucidated the molecular mechanisms for the biosynthesis of three major avenanthramides in vitro and paved the way for metabolic engineering of the biosynthetic pathway in heterologous systems to produce nutraceutically important compounds and make possible genetic improvement of this nutritional trait in oat through marker-assisted breeding.
Survival of Microorganisms on Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices Used at Agricultural Facilities

Bioaerosol is a threat at workplaces, therefore the selection and safe use of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) is important in preventive activities. The aim of the study was to assess the survival of microorganisms on materials used for FFRs construction. The parameters for microorganism growth under model conditions were described using the Gompertz equation, model verification was also carried out using FFRs at the farmers’ workplaces. We found that the factors determining a high survival of microorganisms were as follows: moisture corresponding to the conditions of use and storage of FFRs at workplaces, the presence of sweat and organic dust; inorganic dust and addition of biocide in nonwovens limited the growth of microorganisms, resulting in a shortening of the stationary growth phase and decreased cell numbers (5–6 log). Dust concentration at workplaces was higher than EU occupational exposure limit values and WHO recommendations for airborne particulate matter. Microbial contaminations of the air (103–104 CFU/m3), settled dust (104–106 CFU/g) and FFRs (105 CFU/4cm2) during the grain harvest were high, the main contamination being bacteria (actinomycetes, Pseudomonas fluorescens) and xerophilic fungi. A high correlation was found between the number of microorganisms and the weight of dust on FFRs (R2 = 0.93–0.96).
Estimating the decision curve and its precision from three study designs

The decision curve plots the net benefit (NB) of a risk model for making decisions over a range of risk thresholds, corresponding to different ratios of misclassification costs. We discuss three methods to estimate the decision curve, together with corresponding methods of inference and methods to compare two risk models at a given risk threshold. One method uses risks (R) and a binary event indicator (Y) on the entire validation cohort. This method makes no assumptions on how well‐calibrated the risk model is nor on the incidence of disease in the population and is comparatively robust to model miscalibration. If one assumes that the model is well‐calibrated, one can compute a much more precise estimate of NB based on risks R alone. However, if the risk model is miscalibrated, serious bias can result. Case–control data can also be used to estimate NB if the incidence (or prevalence) of the event ( Y=1 ) is known. This strategy has comparable efficiency to using the full (R,Y) data, and its efficiency is only modestly less than that for the full (R,Y) data if the incidence is estimated from the mean of Y. We estimate variances using influence functions and propose a bootstrap procedure to obtain simultaneous confidence bands around the decision curve for a range of thresholds. The influence function approach to estimate variances can also be applied to cohorts derived from complex survey samples instead of simple random samples.
Validation of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy among pregnant Australian women

Introduction Globally, over half of pregnancies in developed countries are unplanned. Identifying and understanding the prevalence and complexity surrounding pregnancy preparation among Australian women is vital to enable sensitive, responsive approaches to addressing preconception and long-term health improvements for these women with varying motivation levels. Aim This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a comprehensive pregnancy planning/intention measure (London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy) in a population of pregnant women (over 18 years of age) in Australia. Methods A psychometric evaluation, within a cross-sectional study comprising cognitive interviews (to assess comprehension and acceptability) and a field test. Pregnant women aged over 18 years were recruited in early pregnancy (approximately 12 weeks’ gestation). Reliability (internal consistency) was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, corrected item-total correlations and inter-item correlations, and stability via a test-retest. Construct validity was assessed using principal components analysis and hypothesis testing. Results Six women participated in cognitive interviews and 317 in the field test. The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy was acceptable and well comprehended. Reliability testing demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha = 0.81, all corrected item-total correlations >0.20, all inter-item correlations positive) and excellent stability (weighted kappa = 0.92). Validity testing confirmed the unidimensional structure of the measure and all hypotheses were confirmed. Conclusions The London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy is a valid and reliable measure of pregnancy planning/intention for the Australian population. Implementation of this measure into all maternity healthcare, research and policy settings will provide accurate population-level pregnancy planning estimates to inform, monitor and evaluate interventions to improve preconception health in Australia.
HLA Expression in Uveal Melanoma: An Indicator of Malignancy and a Modifiable Immunological Target

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, and gives rise to metastases in 50% of cases. The presence of an inflammatory phenotype is a well-known risk factor for the development of metastases. This inflammatory phenotype is characterized by the presence of high numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages, and a high expression of the HLA Class I and II antigens. An abnormal expression of HLA Class I may influence cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) as well as Natural Killer (NK) cell responses. We provide a comprehensive review regarding the inflammatory phenotype in UM and the expression of locus- and allele-specific HLA Class I and of Class II antigens in primary UM and its metastases. Furthermore, we describe the known regulators and the role of genetics (especially chromosome 3 and BRCA-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1 status)), and, last but not least, the effect of putative therapeutic treatments on HLA expression.
Metacontrol of decision-making strategies in human aging

Humans employ different strategies when making decisions. Previous research has reported reduced reliance on model-based strategies with aging, but it remains unclear whether this is due to cognitive or motivational factors. Moreover, it is not clear how aging affects the metacontrol of decision making, that is the dynamic adaptation of decision-making strategies to varying situational demands. In this cross-sectional study, we tested younger and older adults in a sequential decision-making task that dissociates model-free and model-based strategies. In contrast to previous research, model-based strategies led to higher payoffs. Moreover, we manipulated the costs and benefits of model-based strategies by varying reward magnitude and the stability of the task structure. Compared to younger adults, older adults showed reduced model-based decision making and less adaptation of decision-making strategies. Our findings suggest that aging affects the metacontrol of decision-making strategies and that reduced model-based strategies in older adults are due to limited cognitive abilities.
Supportive Care Needs of Patients With Lung Cancer in Mainland China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer necessitate a variety of supportive care needs. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted that target specifically the supportive care needs of patients with lung cancer in Mainland China. Cross-cultural studies indicate that supportive care needs vary by cultural background. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the supportive care needs of patients with lung cancer in the cultural context of China. PURPOSE This study aimed to describe the level of supportive care required by patients with lung cancer in China and to examine the relationships between supportive care needs and demographic factors and between supportive care needs and treatment variables. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study design was adopted. Five hundred fifty-four patients with lung cancer were recruited using a convenience sampling method from inpatient departments in four tertiary teaching hospitals that are affiliated with a medical university in Anhui Province, China. The Nursing Professional Social Support Needs Scale and background information list were used as the data collection instruments. A Wilcoxon rank sum test and a Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were conducted to examine the differences among the professional supportive care needs of patients of different demographic characteristics and under different treatment conditions. RESULTS Participants self-reported the highest scores in the domain of informational needs (M = 3.67, interquartile range = 1.25). The most common supportive care need was "to be cared for by nurses with skilled venipuncture techniques. " There were significant differences in needs across different genders, age groups, educational levels, and income levels (p < .05). Patients with metastasis and other illnesses had greater supportive care needs in terms of total and subscale scores in Stages III and IV (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with serious diseases and heavy socioeconomic burdens have greater supportive care needs. Therefore, healthcare providers should improve their awareness and expertise to identify the needs of their patients and to provide supportive care to patients with lung cancer. In addition, patients with high supportive care needs should be identified.
Early network dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

Small aggregates of β-amyloid peptide can hyperactivate neurons, which compromises neural networks Aggregation of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in brain regions serving memory and cognition is thought to initiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) (1). Despite myriad studies of the neurobiological effects of the peptide, two central questions remain unsettled: What forms of Aβ are the principal bioactive neurotoxins in humans, and precisely how do these forms undermine neuronal function? Attempts to therapeutically lower or neutralize Aβ in humans have so far failed to definitively slow AD symptoms, and successful approaches may require answers to these two queries. On page 559 of this issue, Zott et al. (2) provide compelling evidence that the first answer is soluble Aβ dimers, and the second answer is through hyperexcitability of glutamatergic neurons when the dimers interfere with the reuptake of extracellular glutamate.
Intervention for burnout among chemistry education undergraduates in Nigeria

Objective The aim of this study was to determine how effectively rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) could help university undergraduate students in chemistry to manage academic burnout. Methods We surveyed 468 undergraduates in the chemistry education program for eligibility and included the first 30 students who showed symptoms of high burnout. We randomly assigned 15 students each to the experimental and control groups. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory for college students was used to assess students’ burnout at two different periods. The intervention was delivered using a manual for managing burnout. Results: Pre-test results indicated no significant difference in the burnout scores of the control group (mean = 51.43, standard deviation (SD) = 2.74) and experimental group (mean = 52.31, SD = 3.59), t(28) = 0.749. At post-test, the main effect of time on students’ burnout was significant: F(2.27) = 41.91, ηp2 = 0.599. The main effect of group on undergraduates’ burnout was also significant: F(1.28) = 1043.67, ηp2 = 0.974. There was a significant time × group interaction effect on burnout among participants: F(2.27) = 41.43, ηp2 = 0.597. Conclusion Our study findings showed that chemistry students could be helped to manage burnout symptoms, based on REBT theory. REBT methodology should be promoted among university undergraduates with symptoms of academic burnout.
Patterns of systemic and local inflammation in patients with asthma hospitalised with influenza

Background Patients with asthma are at risk of hospitalisation with influenza, but the reasons for this predisposition are unknown. Study setting A prospective observational study of adults with PCR-confirmed influenza in 11 UK hospitals, measuring nasal, nasopharyngeal and systemic immune mediators and whole-blood gene expression. Results Of 133 admissions, 40 (30%) had previous asthma; these were more often female (70% versus 38.7%, OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.67–8.18; p=0.0012), required less mechanical ventilation (15% versus 37.6%, Chi-squared 6.78; p=0.0338) and had shorter hospital stays (mean 8.3 versus 15.3 days, p=0.0333) than those without. In patients without asthma, severe outcomes were more frequent in those given corticosteroids (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.02–6.96; p=0.0466) or presenting >4 days after disease onset (OR 5.49, 95% CI 2.28–14.03; p=0.0002). Influenza vaccination in at-risk groups (including asthma) were lower than intended by national policy and the early use of antiviral medications were less than optimal. Mucosal immune responses were equivalent between groups. Those with asthma had higher serum interferon (IFN)-α, but lower serum tumour necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, CXCL8, CXCL9, IL-10, IL-17 and CCL2 levels (all p<0.05); both groups had similar serum IL-13, total IgE, periostin and blood eosinophil gene expression levels. Asthma diagnosis was unrelated to viral load, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-5 or IL-13 levels. Conclusions Asthma is common in those hospitalised with influenza, but may not represent classical type 2-driven disease. Those admitted with influenza tend to be female with mild serum inflammatory responses, increased serum IFN-α levels and good clinical outcomes. Patients with asthma hospitalised with influenza are commonly female and lack classical type 2 nasal mucosal inflammation. They have good prognosis with enhanced type 1 interferon production and reduced systemic inflammation. http://bit.ly/2Ovzz7O
Eco‐Compatible Solvent‐Processed Organic Photovoltaic Cells with Over 16% Efficiency

Recent advances in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) have enabled the rapid increase in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. However, this progress is achieved using highly toxic solvents, which are not suitable for the scalable large‐area processing method, becoming one of the biggest factors hindering the mass production and commercial applications of OPVs. Therefore, it is of great importance to get good eco‐compatible processability when designing efficient OPV materials. Here, to achieve high efficiency and good processability of the NFAs in eco‐compatible solvents, the flexible alkyl chains of the highly efficient NFA BTP‐4F‐8 (also known as Y6) are modified and BTP‐4F‐12 is synthesized. Combining with the polymer donor PBDB‐TF, BTP‐4F‐12 shows the best PCE of 16.4%. Importantly, when the polymer donor PBDB‐TF is replaced by T1 with better solubility, various eco‐compatible solvents can be applied to fabricate OPV cells. Finally, over 14% efficiency is obtained with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the processing solvent for 1.07 cm2 OPV cells by the blade‐coating method. These results indicate that the simple modification of the side chain can be used to tune the processability of active layer materials and thus make it more applicable for the mass production with environmentally benign solvents.
Approach to the Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient

During recent decades, understanding of the molecular mechanisms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has improved considerably, resulting in better risk stratification of patients and increased survival rates. Age, white blood cell count (WBC), and specific genetic abnormalities are the most important factors that define risk groups for ALL. State-of-the-art diagnosis of ALL requires cytological and cytogenetical analyses, as well as flow cytometry and high-throughput sequencing assays. An important aspect in the diagnostic characterization of patients with ALL is the identification of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, which warrants the addition of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) to the chemotherapy backbone. Data that support the benefit of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in high risk patient subsets or in late relapse patients are still questioned and have yet to be determined conclusive. This article presents the newly published data in ALL workup and treatment, putting it into perspective for the attending physician in hematology and oncology.
Teleost Gasdermin E Is Cleaved by Caspase 1, 3, and 7 and Induces Pyroptosis

Key Points Tongue sole GSDME is cleaved mainly by CASP1 and induces pyroptosis. CASP3/7 also cleave tongue sole GSDME and switch apoptosis to secondary pyroptosis. CASP1-dependent cleavage of GSDME is preserved in a large number of teleost species. Pyroptosis is a newly defined gasdermin (GSDM)-dependent inflammatory type of programmed cell death. Different from mammals, which have a panel of pyroptotic GSDM members (e.g., GSDMA–E), teleosts possess only GSDME. The pyroptotic activity and regulation mechanism of teleost GSDME remain to be elucidated. In this work, we investigated the activity of the teleost Cynoglossus semilaevis (tongue sole) GSDME (CsGSDME) in association with different caspases (CASPs). We found that CsGSDME exerted pyroptotic and bactericidal activities through its N-terminal domain. Unlike human GSDME, which is exclusively cleaved by CASP3, CsGSDME was cleaved by C. semilaevis CASP (CsCASP) 1 with high efficiency and by CsCASP3 and 7 with comparatively low efficiencies, and all cleavages occurred at the 243FEVD246 site in the interdomain linker region of CsGSDME. Mutation of Phe243 to Asp/Ala and Asp246 to Ala in 243FEVD246 altered the cleavage preference of CsCASP1, 3, and 7. Treatment with loss-of-function CsCASP mutants or inhibition of CsCASP activity resulted in failure of CsGSDME cleavage. CsCASP1-cleaved CsGSDME induced pyroptosis, whereas CsCASP3/7-cleaved CsGSDME and F243 mutants induced switching of cell death from apoptosis to pyroptosis. Analysis of 54 teleost GSDME sequences revealed a conserved tetrapeptide motif that fits well to the inherent cleavage site of CASP1. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrate a hitherto, to our knowledge, unrecognized GSDME cleavage mode in teleosts that is clearly different from that in mammals, thus providing an important insight into the activation mechanism of CASP-mediated, GSDM-executed pyroptosis in teleosts.
The golgin PpImh1 mediates reversible cisternal stacking in the Golgi of the budding yeast Pichia pastoris

ABSTRACT The adhesive force for cisternal stacking of Golgi needs to be reversible – to be initiated and undone in a continuous cycle to keep up with the cisternal maturation. Microscopic evidence in support of such a reversible nature of stacking, in the form of ‘TGN peeling,’ has been reported in various species, suggesting a potential evolutionarily conserved mechanism. However, knowledge of such mechanism has remained sketchy. Here, we have explored this issue in the budding yeast Pichia pastoris which harbors stacked Golgi. We observed that deletion of GRIP domain golgin P. pastoris (Pp)IMH1 increases the peeling of late cisterna, causing unstacking of the Golgi stack. Our results suggest that the PpImh1 dimer mediates reversible stacking through a continuous association–dissociation cycle of its GRIP domain to the middle and late Golgi cisterna under the GTP hydrolysis-based regulation of Arl3-Arl1 GTPase cascade switch. The reversible cisternal stacking function of PpImh1 is independent of its vesicle-capturing function. Since GRIP domain proteins are conserved in plants, animals and fungi, it is plausible that this reversible mechanism of Golgi stacking is evolutionarily conserved. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: In light of cisternal maturation, Golgi stacking needs to be reversible. The evolutionarily conserved GRIP domain golgin PpImh1 is implicated in such reversible cisternal stacking, suggesting a novel, but conserved mechanism.