Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Heal : Effects of Self-Compassion Writing Among Hong Kong Chinese College Students

Self-compassion has been repeatedly shown to be associated with mental and physical well-being. Recent studies showed that self-compassion writing can promote mental well-being, but this has not been examined among Chinese populations. The present study examined the effectiveness of self-compassion writing among Chinese students. One hundred and twelve university students were recruited and randomly assigned into 1 of the following 2 writing conditions: self-compassion writing and control writing. Participants were asked to write according to the instruction for 3 times in a week and report their levels of positive and negative affect immediately after writing. Self-reported depressive symptoms and physical symptoms, as well as self-compassion (i.e., self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) and emotion regulation capacities (i.e., attention, clarity, and repair) were assessed at baseline and 2 follow-ups (1-month, 3-month). Results showed the self-compassion writing group reported more negative affect across the 3 days of writing than the control group. No significant group differences were found in depressive symptoms, self-compassion components, or emotion regulation capacities, but the self-compassion writing group reported a significant drop in physical symptoms at the 1and 3-month follow-up whereas the control writing group reported no significant change in physical symptoms across time. The findings suggested that self-compassion writing may benefit physical health, but further studies should be conducted to examine its underlying mechanism.
Prognostic roles of tumor associated macrophages in bladder cancer: a system review and meta-analysis

Background Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) have multifaceted roles in the development of many tumor types. However, the prognostic value of TAMs in bladder cancer is still not conclusive. Experimental design This review evaluated the prognostic value of TAMs density in bladder cancer by reviewing published literatures and integrating the results via a meta-analysis. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies. Overall survival (OS), relapse free survival (RFS), disease specific survival (DSS), and progression free survival (PFS) were assessed in bladder cancer patients. Results The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) indicated that TAMs identified with CD68 alone have no significant correlation with OS (HR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.00–1.02), RFS (HR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.91–1.06), or PFS (HR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.70–1.68) in bladder cancer patients. Subgroup analyses involved with Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) treatment or sample locations either showed that CD68+ TAMs presented no prognostic value with regard to OS in bladder cancer patients. However, TAMs detected by CD163 are significantly correlated with poor RFS in bladder cancer patients (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.16–1.92). Conclusions Our data indicated that TAMs identified only with CD68 have no significant correlation with the prognosis and clinicopathological parameters of bladder cancer patients. However, TAMs detected with CD163 could serve as a prognostic marker for bladder cancer patients. These findings invite further research on the role of TAM subsets in bladder cancer patients.
Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the CRBN gene as a predictive factor for the first-line CTD therapy in multiple myeloma patients

Cereblon is a primary molecular target for immunomodulatory drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of selected clinical and molecular factors including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CRBN gene on the efficacy of first line CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, dexamethasone) chemotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma. Study group consisted of 68 patients. Analysis of CRBN gene SNPs (rs6768972, rs1672753) was performed using Real-Time PCR genotyping technique. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 15 months and overall survival (OS) 79 months. Factors associated with significantly shorter OS included ISS 3, kidney disease, weight loss, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated β2-microglobuline and CRP. The presence of t(4;14) was associated with significantly shorter PFS and OS. Both examined SNPs proved to be statistically significant, independent predictive factors of efficacy of the CTD chemotherapy. The presence of AA genotype (rs6768972) correlated with longer median PFS (18 vs 9 months; HR=0.49,95% CI: 0.26-0.91, p=0.0062). Conversely, in the carriers of CC genotype (rs1672753) significantly shorter median PFS was observed (4 vs 16 months; HR=3.93, 95% CI: 0.26-59.64, p=0.0321). In conclusion, SNPs of the CRBN gene may be useful in qualifying patients for treatment with regimens containing thalidomide.
Relationship between cerebrovascular and valvular manifestations in a Serbian cohort of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

OBJECTIVES Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) may manifest itself as a primary (PAPS) or secondary disease, most commonly in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with various neurological and cardiac manifestations in its occurrence. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between cerebrovascular (stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA)) and valvular manifestations in a Serbian cohort of APS patients. METHODS This is cross sectional study of 508 APS patients: 360 PAPS and 148 APS patients associated with SLE (SAPS). aPL analysis included detection of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL: IgG/IgM), anti-ß2glycoprotein I (ß2GPI: IgG/IgM), and LA. RESULTS The prevalence of valvular manifestations (valvular vegetations and valvular thickening and dysfunction not related to age) in our cohort was significantly higher in SAPS group. (28.4% vs. 8.6%, p=0.0001). Age was strong predictor for stroke and TIA occurrence in both groups as well as gender (stroke more likely occurred in male SAPS and TIA in male PAPS patients). Presence of ß2GPI IgG in SAPS patients was significantly related to stroke (p=0.018), whereas ß2GPI IgG negative PAPS patients were more prone to TIA. Valvular manifestations were significantly related to TIA in both groups of patients and were independent risk factors for TIA in PAPS (OR 3.790 CI 1.597-8.998 p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS In this cross-section analysis of a large cohort of Serbian APS patients, there was a strong relationship between valvular and cerebrovascular manifestations, suggesting a more cautious approach regarding neurological symptoms, especially in PAPS patients with valvular vegetations present.
Economic Evaluation of Low-Vision Rehabilitation for Veterans With Macular Diseases in the US Department of Veterans Affairs

Importance Examining costs and consequences of different low-vision (LV) programs provides important information about resources needed to expand treatment options efficiently. Objective To examine the costs and consequences of LV rehabilitation or basic LV services. Design, Setting, and Participants The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) II was conducted from September 27, 2010, to July 31, 2014, at 9 VA facilities and included 323 veterans with macular diseases and a best-corrected distance visual acuity of 20/50 to 20/200. Veterans were randomized to receive basic LV services that provided LV devices without therapy, or LV rehabilitation that added a therapist to LV services who provided instruction and homework on using LV devices, eccentric viewing, and environmental modification. We compared costs and consequences between these groups. Interventions Low-vision devices without therapy and LV devices with therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Costs of providing basic LV services or LV rehabilitation were assessed. We measured consequences as changes in functional visual ability from baseline to follow-up 4 months after randomization using the VA Low Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire. Visual ability was measured in dimensionless log odds units (logits). Results Of 323 randomized patients, the mean (SD) age was 80 (10.5) years, 314 (97.2%) were men, and 292 (90.4%) were white. One hundred sixty (49.5%) received basic LV services and 163 (50.1%) received LV rehabilitation. The mean (SD) total direct health care costs per patient were similar between patients who were randomized to receive basic LV services ($1662 [$671]) or LV rehabilitation ($1788 [$864]) (basic LV services, $126 lower; 95% CI, $299 lower to $35 higher; P = .15). However, basic LV services required less time and had lower transportation costs. Patients receiving LV rehabilitation had greater improvements in overall visual ability, reading ability, visual information processing, and visual motor skill scores. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00958360
Milk Fat Globules Hamper Adhesion of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli to Enterocytes: In Vitro and in Vivo Evidence

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC; E. coli) are food-borne agents associated with gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, bloody diarrhea and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Bovine milk glycans have been shown to contain oligosaccharides which are similar to host epithelial cell receptors and can therefore prevent bacterial adhesion. This study aimed to describe interactions between EHEC O157:H7 EDL933 and O26:H11 21765 and milk fat globules (MFGs) in raw milk and raw milk cheese, and the impact of MFGs on EHEC strains adhesion to the intestinal tract in vitro and in vivo. Both EHEC serotypes clearly associated with native bovine MFGs and significantly limited their adhesion to a co-culture of intestinal cells. The presence of MFGs in raw milk cheese had two effects on the adhesion of both EHEC serotypes to the intestinal tracts of streptomycin-treated mice. First, it delayed and reduced EHEC excretion in mouse feces for both strains. Second, the prime implantation site for both EHEC strains was 6 cm more proximal in the intestinal tracts of mice fed with contaminated cheese containing less than 5% of fat than in those fed with contaminated cheese containing 40% of fat. Feeding mice with 40% fat cheese reduced the intestinal surface contaminated with EHEC and may therefore decrease severity of illness.
TORPOR IN RELATION TO REPRODUCTION IN THE MULGARA , DASYCERCUS CRISTICAUDA ( DASYURIDAE : MARSUPIALIA )

l. We investigated the occurrence of spontaneous torpor (food and water ad libitum) of female (70 g) and male (100 g) Mulgaras, Dusycercus cristicaudu (Marsupialia) during the reproductive season. 2. Torpor was observed frequently (76% of observations) in the females during pregnancy. Females never displayed torpor from 4-5 days before giving birth and throughout lactation. 3. Males regularly displayed torpor (47% of observations) throughout the period of investigation (June-November). 4. When animals displayed torpor it was always on a daily basis between early morning and mid-afternoon. Torpor bout duration during induced torpor (no food, no water) ranged between 3.3 and 12.3 h. 5. The metabolic rate of torpid D. cristicauda was reduced to < 12% of that in normothermic, resting individuals at the same air temperature. 6. Body temperatures of normothermic resting animals was 33.7 k 1.4”C; during torpor the body temperature was metabolically defended at about 14°C. 7. Our study provides further evidence that reproduction and torpor in mammals are not always exclusive and demonstrates that the pattern of torpor in D. cristicauda is similar to that of other dasyurid marsupials. Key Word Index: Torpor; reproduction; body temperature; metabolic rate; marsupial; Dusycercus cristicaudu
Influence of maternal obesity on Bishop Score and failed induction of labour: A retrospective cohort study in a regional tertiary centre

Maternal obesity is a growing health concern that has previously been associated with increased need for induction of labour (IOL) and caesarean section (CS) rates. Currently, limited evidence explores the influence of maternal body mass index (BMI) on Bishop Score (BS) and outcome of IOL. This study hypothesises that maternal obesity will lead to a lower BS at presentation, higher rates of failed IOL, and increased CS rates.
Nationwide surveillance study of human astrovirus infections in an Italian paediatric population

SUMMARY The study investigated the genetic diversity of human astroviruses (HAstVs) detected in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Italy in 2008–2009. A total of 1321 faecal samples were collected in Parma (northern Italy), Bari (southern Italy), and Palermo (Sicily) and screened for the presence of HAstVs. RT–PCR amplification of a portion at the 5′-end of ORF2 allowed the detection of HAstVs in 3·95% of the patients. Four different genotypes (HAstV-1, HAstV-2, HAstV-4, HAstV-5) were found to be circulating during the study period, with HAstV-1 being the predominant type. Interestingly, a novel lineage, proposed as HAstV-2d, was found to have emerged in Parma in 2009. Investigating the genetic variability of HAstVs will be important for understanding the epidemiological trends and evolution of these viruses.
Analysis of a Complex Polyploid Plant Genome using Molecular Markers: Strong Evidence for Segmental Allooctoploidy in Garden Dahlias

In some plant genera that contain species with complex genomes, the level and type of ploidy are still unknown due to a lack of characterized reference species and contradictory results from genetic and cytogenetic studies. Herein, we present the analysis of the genome of garden dahlias using molecular markers; this species is one for which the genome ploidy has remained controversial. We generated simple‐sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data from two segregating populations of garden dahlias. The combined analysis of SSR marker segregation, the ratio of single‐dose to multidose markers, the ratio of markers linked in coupling and repulsion, and map construction revealed a predominantly autooctoploid genome with a low degree of preferential pairing. This finding indicates that dahlias are segmental allooctoploids that originated from autotetraploid ancestral genomes. Our results demonstrate that marker analysis is a suitable method for ploidy analysis in nonmodel crops. Novel marker techniques, such as restriction site associated DNA, will make this analysis even more effective before whole genome sequencing can be realized for these crops.
The in Vitro Antigenicity of Plasmodium vivax Rhoptry Neck Protein 2 (PvRON2) B- and T-Epitopes Selected by HLA-DRB1 Binding Profile

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is a neglected disease which is responsible for the highest morbidity in both Americas and Asia. Despite continuous public health efforts to prevent malarial infection, an effective antimalarial vaccine is still urgently needed. P. vivax vaccine development involves analyzing naturally-infected patients' immune response to the specific proteins involved in red blood cell invasion. The P. vivax rhoptry neck protein 2 (PvRON2) is a highly conserved protein which is expressed in late schizont rhoptries; it interacts directly with AMA-1 and might be involved in moving-junction formation. Bioinformatics approaches were used here to select B- and T-cell epitopes. Eleven high-affinity binding peptides were selected using the NetMHCIIpan-3.0 in silico prediction tool; their in vitro binding to HLA-DRB1*0401, HLA-DRB1*0701, HLA-DRB1*1101 or HLA-DRB1*1302 was experimentally assessed. Four peptides (39152 (HLA-DRB1*04 and 11), 39047 (HLA-DRB1*07), 39154 (HLADRB1*13) and universal peptide 39153) evoked a naturally-acquired T-cell immune response in P. vivax-exposed individuals from two endemic areas in Colombia. All four peptides had an SI greater than 2 in proliferation assays; however, only peptides 39154 and 39153 had significant differences compared to the control group. Peptide 39047 was able to significantly stimulate TNF and IL-10 production while 39154 stimulated TNF production. Allele-specific peptides (but not the universal one) were able to stimulate IL-6 production; however, none induced IFN-γ production. The Bepipred 1.0 tool was used for selecting four B-cell epitopes in silico regarding humoral response. Peptide 39041 was the only one recognized by P. vivax-exposed individuals' sera and had significant differences concerning IgG subclasses; an IgG2 > IgG4 profile was observed for this peptide, agreeing with a protection-inducing role against P. falciparum and P. vivax as previously described for antigens such as RESA and MSP2. The bioinformatics results and in vitro evaluation reported here highlighted two T-cell epitopes (39047 and 39154) being recognized by memory cells and a B-cell epitope (39041) identified by P. vivax-exposed individuals' sera which could be used as potential candidates when designing a subunit-based vaccine.
Relay-Centric Two-Hop Networks with Asymmetric Wireless Energy Transfer: A Multi-Leader-Follower Stackelberg Game

This paper studies a two-hop network with wireless energy transfer consisting of one source, multiple relays, and multiple destinations. The relays' main objective is to communicate their own messages to their own destinations. The message of each relay is transmitted to its associated destination along with the source's information that is intended for the same destination. As an incentive for relaying, the source offers wireless energy transfer to the relays via radio frequency signals. The relays harvest energy and receive information one by one. The relays that are further down in the order in which they are powered incur delay, but are able to harvest from previous time slots and thus are able to accumulate more energy until it is their turn to transmit, thus establishing an energy-delay trade-off. We formulate a multi-leader-follower Stackelberg game to capture the self-interest and hierarchically competing nature of the nodes. The relay-destination pairs play as leaders and the source-destination pairs as followers. We incorporate data rate, energy cost and delay in the utility functions. The existence and the uniqueness of the Stackelberg equilibrium (SE) are proved, and two algorithms that achieve SE in centralized and distributed fashion are provided. Numerical results verify analytical findings.
Proteomic Characterization of a New asymmetric Cellulose Triacetate Membrane for Hemodialysis

The artificial membrane inside the haemodialyzer is the main determinant of the quality and success of haemodialysis therapy. The performances of haemodialysis membranes are highly influenced by the interactions with plasma proteins, which in turn are related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the membrane material. The present cross‐over study is aimed to analyse the haemodialysis performance of a newly developed asymmetric cellulose triacetate membrane (ATA) in comparison to the conventional parent symmetric polymer (CTA).
Perspectives of Nurses Toward Telehealth Efficacy and Quality of Health Care: Pilot Study

Background Telehealth nursing, or the delivery, management, and coordination of nursing care services provided via telecommunications technology, is one of the methods of delivering health care to patients in the United States. It is important to assess the service quality of the involved health professionals as well as the telehealth nursing process. The focus of this study is the innovative model of telehealth care delivery by nurses for managing patients with chronic disease while they are living in their own residence. Objective The primary objective of this pilot study was to examine whether telehealth technology impacts the perceived level of internal service quality delivered by nurses within a telehealth organization. To address this research goal, the notion of telehealth nursing service quality (TNSQ) is empirically tested and validated with a survey instrument. Methods Data were collected from nurses belonging to a home care agency based on interview questions inquiring about facilitators and inhibitors to TNSQ. A survey to measure TNSQ based on the SERVQUAL instrument was completed by adjusting descriptions of the original instrument to suit the context. Follow-up interviews were conducted to validate questions on the revised instrument. Results The findings of this survey research were positive, based on mean differences between expectations and perceptions of TNSQ. This indicates satisfaction with TNSQ and shows that the quality of the service is higher than what the respondents expect. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test using the P value for the test, which is . 35, did not show a statistically significant change between the median differences of perception and expectation. The total number of respondents was 13. Results indicate that overall perceived service quality is a positive value (0.05332). This means the perceptions of the level of service are slightly higher than what they expect, indicating there is satisfaction with TNSQ. Conclusions The responses to the interview questions and data gathered from the survey showed overall satisfaction with TNSQ. The SERVQUAL instrument was a good framework to assess TNSQ. In a nutshell, the study highlighted how the telehealth process provides daily monitoring of patient health, leading to the benefits of immediate feedback for patients, family, and caregivers as well as convenience of scheduling.
A New Self-Regulated Neuro-Fuzzy Framework for Classification of EEG Signals in Motor Imagery BCI

One of the major problems associated with the motor imagery (MI) electroencephalogram (EEG) based brain–computer interface (BCI) classifications is the informative ambiguities mainly caused by interferences of artifacts and nonstationarities in EEG signals. Other factors containing mislabeling or misleading MI EEG trials might also cause more uncertainties in training datasets that lead to decline in classification performance. This paper proposes a new framework to achieve more efficient classification in multiclass MI EEG-based BCIs. An artifact rejected common spatial pattern (AR-CSP) method is proposed for feature extraction in order to cope with the interferences of artifacts. A self-regulated adaptive resonance theory based neuro-fuzzy classifier that is referred to as “self-regulated supervised Gaussian fuzzy adaptive system Art (SRSG-FasArt)” is introduced to deal with EEG nonstationarities. A metacognitive self-regulatory-based learning algorithm is also proposed to more efficiently deal with the uncertainties. The algorithm captures the training data samples by priority and automatically creates, upgrades, or prunes the fuzzy rules by scanning the knowledge content existing in the data patterns and the created rules. The mechanism improves the generalization capability of the SRSG-FasArt and prevents over-training. The performance of the proposed cooperative framework of AR-CSP and SRSG-FasArt is evaluated using the BCI competition IV dataset 2a. The results indicate more accurate and efficient BCI classification compared to the existing frameworks.
Laparoscopic versus open repair of perforated peptic ulcer: A retrospective cohort study

Perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPU) is a condition subject to wide geographical variations in incidence. It remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, even in the era of Helicobacter pylori eradication and proton‐pump inhibitor therapy. There is no clear consensus on whether laparoscopic or open approaches are superior, and with most studies in this area originating from Europe and Asia, Australian data addressing this issue are lacking.