Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Computer-Based Intervention Program Stayingfit Brazil to Promote Healthy Eating Habits: The Results from a School Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Interventions via the Internet are promising regarding the promotion of healthy habits among youth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an adapted version of StayingFit to promote healthy eating habits and the measurement adequacy of anthropometric markers among adolescents. A web school-based 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial examining 7th to 9th grade students was conducted in twelve schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The schools’ students were randomly distributed into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in StayingFit, an online program designed to encourage and guide healthy eating habits and control body weight. Data on food consumption, anthropometry, physical activity level, and sedentary behavior were collected from all of the students at the beginning of and after the 12-month study. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected at baseline. The baseline data indicated high rates of overweight (14.4% overweight and 8.5% obese), insufficiently active (87.6%), and sedentary (63.7%). Furthermore, few adolescents regularly consumed fruits (18.8%) and vegetables/legumes (16.4%). Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. At the end of the follow-up period, students in the intervention group had a 43% increased chance of regularly consuming beans (OR = 1.43, 95% CIs = 1.10–1.86) and a 35% decreased chance of regularly consuming soft drinks (OR = 0.65, 95% CIs = 0.50–0.84). No differences were found between the groups studied with regard to the anthropometric parameters. Despite these modest results, the implementation of a web intervention can be beneficial and help promote positive changes in adolescent eating habits. Trial Registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-7qgnbn.
Enjoyment and affective responses to two regimes of high intensity interval training in inactive women with obesity

ABSTRACT This study examined changes in enjoyment, affective valence, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in obese women performing two regimes of high intensity interval training (HIIT) differing in structure and volume. Nineteen obese and inactive women (age and body mass index = 37.5 ± 10.5 yr and 39.0 ± 4.3 kg/m2) were randomized to 6 wk of traditional (TRAD, n = 10) or periodized interval training (PER, n = 9) which was performed on a cycle ergometer during which structure changed weekly. Two supervised sessions per week were performed in a lab, and one session per week was performed unsupervised. During every lab-based session, perceptual responses including enjoyment, affective valence, and RPE were acquired. Data showed a groupXtraining interaction for enjoyment (p = 0.02) which was lower by 10–25 units during PER versus TRAD. In addition, there was a groupXtimeXtraining interaction for RPE (p = 0.01). RPE did not change in response to TRAD yet varied during PER, with lower RPE values exhibited during brief supramaximal bouts (6.3 ± 0.9) compared to longer intervals (7.3 ± 1.2). Both regimes showed reductions in affective valence during training, with the lowest values equal to 1.5 ± 1.6 in TRAD and −0.2 ± 1.6 in PER. Compared to TRAD, more aversive responses were shown in PER throughout training by 0.4–2.0 units. Data show lower enjoyment and more aversive responses to higher-volume bouts of interval training, which suggests that shorter bouts may be perceived more favourably by obese women.
An Introduction to Machine Learning for Clinicians.

The technology at the heart of the most innovative progress in health care artificial intelligence (AI) is in a sub-domain called machine learning (ML), which describes the use of software algorithms to identify patterns in very large data sets. ML has driven much of the progress of health care AI over the past five years, demonstrating impressive results in clinical decision support, patient monitoring and coaching, surgical assistance, patient care, and systems management. Clinicians in the near future will find themselves working with information networks on a scale well beyond the capacity of human beings to grasp, thereby necessitating the use of intelligent machines to analyze and interpret the complex interactions between data, patients, and clinical decision makers. However, as this technology becomes more powerful it also becomes less transparent, and algorithmic decisions are therefore progressively more opaque. This is problematic because computers will increasingly be asked for answers to clinical questions that have no single right answer, are open-ended, subjective, and value-laden. As ML continues to make important contributions in a variety of clinical domains, clinicians will need to have a deeper understanding of the design, implementation, and evaluation of ML to ensure that current health care is not overly influenced by the agenda of technology entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. The aim of this article is to provide a nontechnical introduction to the concept of ML in the context of health care, the challenges that arise, and the resulting implications for clinicians.
Ecoepidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Outbreak, Israel

A total of 161 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica occurred in the Jerusalem district during 2004–2005; 127 (79%) cases were in a town just outside Jerusalem. Environmental models suggest that in the context of global warming, this outbreak has the potential to extend into Jerusalem.
Ultrasonographic Evidence of Predominance of Acute Extracapsular and Chronic Intrasynovial Patterns in 100 Cases of Psoriatic Hand Dactylitis

Objective. To use ultrasonography to study whether the duration of psoriatic dactylitis was associated with different patterns of extracapsular and synovial-based involvement. Methods. One hundred cases of hand dactylitis from 85 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were consecutively enrolled in a multicenter cross-sectional study and divided into 2 groups according to dactylitis duration (shorter or longer than the median: 20 weeks). All dactylitis fingers were investigated using high-frequency ultrasound both in greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD), evaluating the presence of flexor tenosynovitis, soft tissue edema, subcutaneous PD signal (PDS), extensor tendon involvement, and joint synovitis. Results. Cases with a shorter dactylitis duration (< 20 weeks) had a significantly higher prevalence of GS flexor tenosynovitis of grade > 2, PD flexor tenosynovitis, soft tissue edema, and subcutaneous PDS (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p = 0.001, respectively). However, the presence of synovitis in GS and PD mode (in both cases at proximal interphalangeal level) was more frequent in patients with longer dactylitis duration (p < 0.001). When detected in the chronic form, flexor tenosynovitis was grade 2 or lower. Conclusion. In a large cohort of PsA hand dactylitis, we found a predominant extracapsular inflammation (flexor tenosynovitis and soft tissue edema) in early cases and a high prevalence of joint synovitis at proximal interphalangeal level in the chronic form. However, longitudinal imaging studies are needed to clarify these aspects.
Plaque quantification by coronary computed tomography angiography using intravascular ultrasound as a reference standard: a comparison between standard and last generation computed tomography scanners.

AIMS The emerging role of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) as a non-invasive tool for atherosclerosis evaluation is supported by data reporting a good correlation between CCTA and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for plaque volume quantification. Aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a last generation CT-scanner may improve coronary plaque volume assessment using IVUS as standard-of-reference. METHODS AND RESULTS From a registry of 1915 consecutive, all-comers, patients who underwent a clinically indicated IVUS evaluation we enrolled 59 patients who underwent CCTA with a 64-slice CT (Group 1) and 59 patients who underwent CCTA with whole-heart coverage CT scanner (Group 2). Patients who underwent CCTA with unfavourable heart rhythm were not excluded from the analysis. Image quality (4-point Likert scale) focused on plaque analysis was evaluated. Plaque volume quantification by CCTA was compared to IVUS. No difference in clinical characteristics was found between Group 1 and Group 2. Plaque volume quantification by CCTA was considered not feasible in 11 plaques of Group 1 and in 4 plaques of Group 2 (P = 0.09). Higher correlation for plaque volume quantification by CCTA vs. IVUS was demonstrated in Group 2 when compared with Group 1 (r = 0.9888 vs. 0.9499; P < 0.0001). The Bland-Altman analysis showed plaque volume overestimation by CCTA of 11.9 mm3 in Group 1 and 4 mm2 in Group 2 (P < 0.001). Effective radiation dose of CCTA was significantly lower in Group 2 vs. Group 1 (2.7 ± 0.9 vs. 8.1 ± 3.6 mSv, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS CCTA using a new scanner generation showed to be an accurate non-invasive tool to assess and quantify coronary plaque volume.
Development and Assessment of Leishmania major- and Leishmania tropica-Specific Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays for the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Tunisia.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains one of the world's most prevalent neglected diseases, particularly in developing countries. Identification of the involved Leishmania species is an important step in the diagnosis and case management process. In this study, we tested simple, rapid, and highly sensitive loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for Leishmania DNA species-specific detection from cutaneous lesions. Two LAMP assays, targeting cysteine protease B (cpb) gene, were developed to detect and identify Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica species. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification specificity was examined using DNA samples from other Leishmania species and Trypanosoma species. No cross-reactions were detected. The developed LAMP assays exhibited sensitivity with a detection limit of 20 fg and 200 fg for L. major and L. tropica, respectively. Both tests were applied on clinical samples of CL suspected patients living in endemic Tunisian regions and compared with kinetoplast DNA quantitative PCR (qPCR), microscopic, and conventional cpb-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Our LAMP tests were able to discriminate between L. major and L. tropica species and showed a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 100%. However, when compared with the performance of the diagnostic tests with latent class analysis (LCA), our LAMP assays show a sensitivity of 100%. These assays can be used as a first-line molecular test for early diagnosis and prompt management of CL cases in public health programs.
Sympathetic Markers are Different Between Clinical Responders and Nonresponders After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

BACKGROUND Clinical response to left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), as measured by health-related quality of life, varies among patients after implantation; however, it is unknown which pathophysiological mechanisms underlie differences in clinical response by health-related quality of life. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare changes in sympathetic markers (β-adrenergic receptor kinase-1 [βARK1], norepinephrine [NE], and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol [DHPG]) between health-related quality of life clinical responders and nonresponders from pre- to post-LVAD implantation. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis on a subset of data from a cohort study of patients from pre- to 1, 3, and 6 months after LVAD implantation. Clinical response was defined as an increase of 5 points or higher on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary score from pre- to 6 months post-LVAD implantation. We measured plasma βARK1 level with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and plasma NE and DHPG levels with high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Latent growth curve modeling was used to compare the trajectories of markers between groups. RESULTS The mean (SD) age of the sample (n = 39) was 52.9 (13.2) years, and most were male (74.4%) and received LVADs as bridge to transplantation (69.2%). Preimplantation plasma βARK1 levels were significantly higher in clinical responders (n = 19) than in nonresponders (n = 20) (P = .001), but change was similar after LVAD (P = .235). Preimplantation plasma DHPG levels were significantly lower in clinical responders than in nonresponders (P = .002), but the change was similar after LVAD (P = .881). There were no significant differences in plasma NE levels. CONCLUSIONS Preimplantation βARK1 and DHPG levels are differentiating factors between health-related quality of life clinical responders and nonresponders to LVAD, potentially signaling differing levels of sympathetic stimulation underlying clinical response.
Depletion of Virion-Associated Divalent Cations Induces Parvovirus Minute Virus of Mice To Eject Its Genome in a 3′-to-5′ Direction from an Otherwise Intact Viral Particle

ABSTRACT We describe a structural rearrangement that can occur in parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVMp) virions following prolonged exposure to buffers containing 0.5 mM EDTA. Such particles remain stable at 4°C but undergo a conformational shift upon heating to 37°C at pH 7.2 that leads to the ejection of much of the viral genome in a 3′-to-5′ direction, leaving the DNA tightly associated with the otherwise intact capsid. This rearrangement can be prevented by the addition of 1 mM CaCl2 or MgCl2 prior to incubation at 37°C, suggesting that readily accessible divalent cation binding sites in the particle are critical for genome retention. Uncoating was not seen following the incubation of virions at pH 5.5 and 37°C or at pH 7.2 and 37°C in particles with subgenomic DNA, suggesting that pressure exerted by the full-length genome may influence this process. Uncoated genomes support complementary-strand synthesis by T7 DNA polymerase, but synthesis aborts upstream of the right-hand end, which remains capsid associated. We conclude that viral genomes are positioned so that their 3′ termini and coding sequences can be released from intact particles at physiological temperatures by a limited conformational rearrangement. In the presence of divalent cations, incremental heating between 45°C and 65°C induces structural transitions that first lead to the extrusion of VP1 N termini, followed by genome exposure. However, in cation-depleted virions, the sequence of these shifts is blurred. Moreover, cation-depleted particles that have been induced to eject their genomes at 37°C continue to sequester their VP1 N termini within the intact capsid, suggesting that these two extrusion events represent separable processes.
Assessment of Groundwater Quality in CKDu Affected Areas of Sri Lanka: Implications for Drinking Water Treatment

This study investigated the water quality of the groundwater that was collected from the chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) prevailing areas in the dry zone of Sri Lanka to assess its suitability for drinking purposes, and for the first time a Water Quality Index (WQI) with emphasis on proposing appropriate drinking water treatment method was developed. A total of 88 groundwater samples were collected in dry (December 2016) and wet (May 2017) seasons; high concentrations of water hardness, fluoride, salinity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the general alkaline nature of water were the main issues that were observed for disease incidence. The chemical weathering of the underlying bedrock, followed by ion exchange and precipitation processes, primarily controlled groundwater geochemistry. During the 1985–2017 period, the variations of the annual rainfall and temperature were minimal, which suggests no evidence for major climatic changes within the study areas. Almost all of the samples from the CKDu regions show a low alkali hazard and most of the samples show a medium to high salinity hazard. The DOC of the studied samples was mainly composed of the organic fractions in the following order, as fulvic acids > humic acids > aromatic protein II > soluble microbial by-products, and the molecular weights (MW) of these fractions ranged from 100–3000 Da. Based on the water quality index (WQI) calculations, it was found that only 3.8% in the wet season and 2.6% in the dry season of total water samples were categorized as the “excellent” type, and all other water sources require a further treatment before consumption. As there is an urgent need for establishing proper long-term drinking water treatment technology for the CKDu affected area, these findings can be used as benchmark of raw water quality in the design processes of treatment plants.
A virus-like particle vaccine prevents equine encephalitis virus infection in nonhuman primates

A multivalent VLP vaccine protects against aerosol challenge of three lethal encephalitis viruses in mice and nonhuman primates. A triple threat to equine encephalitis viruses There are no approved treatments or vaccines for certain alphaviruses that can cause fatal encephalitis. Ko et al. designed a trivalent vaccine to simultaneously fend off Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses. The vaccine is composed of noninfectious virus-like particles and completely protected mice and nonhuman primates from all three viruses. There was no evidence of central nervous system infection or pathology in trivalent virus-like particle–immunized nonhuman primates. Passive transfer experiments revealed that humoral immunity delivered protection from viral challenge. Phase 1 studies are currently being started to test this trivalent vaccine in people. Western, Eastern, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (WEEV, EEEV, and VEEV, respectively) are important mosquito-borne agents that pose public health and bioterrorism threats. Despite considerable advances in understanding alphavirus replication, there are currently no available effective vaccines or antiviral treatments against these highly lethal pathogens. To develop a potential countermeasure for viral encephalitis, we generated a trivalent, or three-component, EEV vaccine composed of virus-like particles (VLPs). Monovalent VLPs elicited neutralizing antibody responses and protected mice and nonhuman primates (NHPs) against homologous challenges, but they were not cross-protective. In contrast, NHPs immunized with trivalent VLPs were completely protected against aerosol challenge by each of these three EEVs. Passive transfer of IgG from immunized NHPs protected mice against aerosolized EEV challenge, demonstrating that the mechanism of protection was humoral. Because they are replication incompetent, these trivalent VLPs represent a potentially safe and effective vaccine that can protect against diverse encephalitis viruses.
Benefits of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Umbrella Review

Purpose This study aimed to summarize the evidence from the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report, including new evidence from an updated search of the effects of physical activity on maternal health during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods An initial search was undertaken to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2006 and 2016. An updated search then identified additional systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 2017 and February 2018. The searches were conducted in PubMed®, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library and supplemented through hand searches of reference lists of included articles and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results The original and updated searches yielded a total of 76 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Strong evidence demonstrated that moderate-intensity physical activity reduced the risk of excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Limited evidence suggested an inverse relationship between physical activity and risk of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and antenatal anxiety and depressive symptomology. Insufficient evidence was available to determine the effect of physical activity on postpartum weight loss, postpartum anxiety, and affect during both pregnancy and postpartum. For all health outcomes, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the relationships varied by age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or prepregnancy weight status. Conclusions The gestational period is an opportunity to promote positive health behaviors that can have both short- and long-term benefits for the mother. Given the low prevalence of physical activity in young women in general, and the high prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases among the U.S. population, the public health importance of increasing physical activity in women of childbearing age before, during, and after pregnancy is substantial.
Working memory in pediatric frontal lobe epilepsy

Abstract Thirty-two children with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) were assessed using different working memory measures. In addition, parents and teachers completed the working memory scale of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) to assess the children’s “daily life behavior. ” Results suggested minimal working memory deficits as assessed with performance-based measures. However, the BRIEF showed more working memory deficits suggesting that, on a daily life level, working memory problems seem to be associated with FLE. We discuss why the results of the performance-based measures are not consistent with results of the BRIEF. Highlights Parents as well as teachers report working memory dysfunction in daily life to the same extent. Performance based measures show minimal deficits of working memory. Correlation between working memory tasks and proxy measures are low.