Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Living With a Stigmatized Identity; Perceptions of Disclosure, Coping, and Medication Adherence Among Adolescent Boys and Young Men in Chiredzi-Zimbabwe

There is limited research on adolescent boys and young men (ABYM)'s initial and onward HIV seropositive status disclosure, coping strategies and treatment adherence journeys especially in Zimbabwe. This qualitative exploratory study employed in-depth individual interviews at Chiredzi General Hospital in Zimbabwe to explore the dynamics of disclosure, coping and treatment adherence among ABYM. Twenty-one HIV positive ABYM with ages ranging from 14 to 21 were recruited from their scheduled visit to collect medication at the hospital. Findings indicate that ABYM disclosure journeys began with shock, confusion or misunderstanding and ended in a positive life outlook. Treatment adherence among ABYM was very poor due to poverty, erratic food supply, feeling sick after taking medication, forgetfulness and the public nature of medication collection centers. The study concluded that ABYM maintained secrecy in order to be accepted by their peers but also to protect themselves from stigma and isolation.
Factors Associated With Dietary Quality During Initial and Later Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy and modified lifestyles. The aim of our study was to identify factors associated with dietary quality, and their frequency, in Mexican adults at the initial and later stages of the pandemic. Methods: Two online surveys were conducted between June and July 2020 (n = 3,131) and between November and December 2020 (n = 1,703 including non-participants from 1st round). A diet quality score was estimated using a short instrument to measure the consumption of several healthy/unhealthy food items. Linear regression models were used to identify the association between pandemic related factors and the diet quality score, adjusted by sociodemographic characteristics. The 2nd round was weighted to represent the 1st round. Results: During the 1st and 2nd rounds only ~12% of the sample perceived that their intake of healthy food decreased, relative to before the pandemic; ~20% perceived that their intake of unhealthy foods increased. Diet quality remained similar between the 1st and 2nd round. The following factors were negatively associated with diet quality: Eating food prepared away-from-home; going out to work ≥4 times/week; decreased time for food preparation; decreased interest in eating healthy; eating more due to anxiety, depression, or boredom; food insecurity; and stockpiling junk food. Purchasing food using a mixed modality of both in-store and home delivery was positively associated with diet quality. With the exception of eating more due to anxiety (reported by 47% of participants), all these factors were reported by a minority of participants during the first round (≤15%). During the 2nd round, there was an increase in the frequency of participants who reported eating food prepared away-from-home, going out to work ≥4 times/week, having less time to prepare food, being more interested in eating healthfully, and a decrease in participants eating more due to anxiety, depression or boredom, or stockpiling junk food. Conclusions: Most participants perceived that their dietary intake improved during both initial and later stages of the pandemic. This might be related to factors associated with higher dietary quality, such as not going out to work, eating homemade food, and online grocery shopping.
Influence of Preservation Solution on Human Islet Isolation Outcome

Background. The influence of the preservation solution used for in situ perfusion of the donor and pancreas storage on islet isolation has received little attention. Methods. In this prospective controlled trial, we compared the outcome of human islet isolation from pancreata perfused with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution or Celsior, an alternative colloid-free extracellular solution. Results. At the 1-year interim analysis, the viability and insulin secretion of islets isolated from donors perfused with UW (n=19) or Celsior (n=5) were identical. However, total islet recovery (IEQ) and isolation yield (IEQ/g) were 1.8-fold and 2.1-fold inferior in the Celsior group (P<0.05 vs. UW). Overall, 13 (68%) of islet preparations were effectively transplanted from the UW group vs. none from the Celsior group (P=0.01). The clinical study was discontinued and the causes of these differences were further explored in the pig (n=14). In contrast to UW, Celsior induced cell swelling and pancreas edema after only four hours of cold storage. These abnormalities were delayed when the donor was perfused with Solution de Conservation d'Organes et de Tissus (SCOT), an extracellular solution containing polyethylene glycol. Conclusions. Our results suggest that colloid-free preservation solutions might be suboptimal for pancreas perfusion and cold storage prior to islet isolation and transplantation. Because pancreata are now frequently recovered for islet transplantation, preliminary experimental and clinical data about islet isolation should be obtained prior to the routine implementation of new preservation solutions for abdominal perfusion during multiorgan recovery.
Controlled delivery of bFGF to recipient bed enhances the vascularization and viability of an ischemic skin flap

Therapeutic angiogenesis is a promising approach to treat ischemic skin flaps. We delivered basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to the recipient bed of a rat dorsal skin flap by a drug delivery system with acidic gelatin hydrogel microspheres (AGHMs), and assessed augmentation of neovascularization and flap viability. An axial skin flap was elevated on the back of male Sprague–Dawley rats, and bFGF solution or bFGF‐impregnated AGHMs were injected into the recipient bed. The dose of bFGF in the bFGF solution was set to 15 (Sol‐15 group), 50 (Sol‐50 group), or 150 μg (Sol‐150 group). Correspondingly, 2 mg AGHMs were impregnated with 15 (AGHM‐15 group), 50 (AGHM‐50 group), or 150 μg (AGHM‐150 group) bFGF. Other groups of animals received phosphate‐buffered saline (Sol‐Cont group) or phosphate‐buffered saline‐impregnated AGHMs (AGHM‐Cont group) as controls. Seven days later, analyses of the area of necrosis, microangiographic findings, and histological findings in the flap were carried out. The area of necrosis in the AGHM‐150 group was significantly smaller than that in the other groups. Microangiographic and histological analyses showed that neovascularization of the ischemic skin flap significantly increased in the AGHM‐150 group as compared with the Sol‐150 group and the AGHM‐Cont group. These findings suggest that continuous delivery of bFGF to the recipient bed by bFGF‐impregnated AGHMs enhances the viability of an ischemic skin flap.
Pancreatic Cancer: From Bench to 5-Year Survival

Abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most aggressive human malignancies, with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 4%. On the molecular level, an increasing number of genetic and epigenetic alterations have been discovered, with a particular focus on growth factors and related pathways. Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibodies, and other approaches have been developed in recent years to target these signal transduction pathways, and first clinical trials show encouraging results. In addition, molecular alterations have been identified that enable the cancer cells to invade the perineurium and the retroperitoneal space, thus explaining at least in part the high rate of local recurrence and the severe pain syndrome. Technically, pancreatic surgery has advanced, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in high-volume centers. Randomized controlled trials are increasingly carried out to define the best palliative and adjuvant therapy for this disease. Translational research combined with clinical trials will hopefully lead to improved survival and better quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients in the future.
GaN-Based p–n Junction Blue-Light-Emitting Devices

Drastic improvements in the crystal quality of GaN enabled the conductivity control of both p- and n-type nitride semiconductors. This led the production of the high-brightness GaN-based p-n junction blue-light-emitting diode (LED) and the high-performance violet/blue laser diode (LD). The development of blue LEDs has allowed us to complete the set of three primary light colors with semiconductors. Coupled with available high-brightness red LEDs, blue/green LEDs are leading to the development of completely solid-state, full-color displays, traffic lights, signage, and specialized lighting applications. White LEDs composed of nitride-based blue/ultraviolet LEDs are more efficient than fluorescent lamps, and, as such, white LEDs are now being used in TVs, cellular phones, and computer displays. Moreover, white LED lamps are heading toward use in general lighting applications in houses, offices, and factories. Blue LEDs, together with available red LEDs, are also being applied as agricultural lighting sources. Nitride-based violet LEDs are being used for reading/writing data in optical disc systems. These nitride-based devices are robust in harsh environments, enable us to save a significant amount of energy, and provide a route to avoid the use of hazardous materials. The use of these devices will be one of our major weapons in the fight against global warming.
Psychometric properties of the self-efficacy for clinical evaluation scale in Turkish nursing students.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Clinical Evaluation Scale (SECS) in a nursing student sample. BACKGROUND Self-efficacy is a good choice to be used in order to make a prediction of nursing students' performance in clinical practice. The SECS, consisting of perceived self-efficacy and importance subscales, seems to be suitable to evaluate self-efficacy regarding care skills for patients with chronic diseases. However, there is not a valid tool to evaluate the perception of self-efficacy for Turkish nursing students. DESIGN Cross-sectional methodological design. METHODS The sample included 400 Turkish nursing students who attended practicum at a hospital. Content of the SECS was evaluated by content validity index (CVI). Reliability was evaluated with internal consistency, item-total correlation and test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and convergent and divergent validity were used to test the validity. RESULTS The CVI results were satisfactory. We found satisfactory evidence for internal consistency and item-total correlations. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed stability of subscales. The CFA replicated two-factor structure for the SECS. This was reflected in all fit indices. All factor loadings were positive and were above the perfect level. The convergent validity was supported by the correlation between SECS and General Self-Efficacy Scale. The divergent validity findings demonstrated that SECS differentiated between students with various levels of general point average, which is an indicator of academic success. CONCLUSION In conclusion, SECS is a reliable and valid tool used in clinical nursing education settings. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Measuring students' self-efficacy in a clinical environment can provide an insight for students into what they have learned. Nurse educators can also use the SECS to spot nursing students with weaknesses in care activities and create educational strategies to help them to enhance their academic performance. Using the SECS can yield an insight both for students and for nursing educators.
C-344T polymorphism of the aldosterone synthase gene and blood pressure in the elderly: a population-based study

Objectives Whether the C-344T polymorphism of the aldosterone synthase gene is important for blood pressure control remains controversial. It has been proposed that an association between this polymorphism and blood pressure might be evident in elderly subjects. The aim of the present study was to test this hypothesis in an epidemiological context. Design A cross-sectional epidemiological evaluation of a highly homogeneous unselected general population of elderly Caucasians. Methods Lifestyle, medical history, anthropometrics, skinfold thickness, supine blood pressure, heart rate and biochemical measures were recorded in 437 subjects aged ≥ 65 years living in a secluded valley. All were genotyped for C-344T allele status and underwent measurements of plasma aldosterone and renin. Results The C-344T genotypic frequency did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The aldosterone to renin ratio was 19% lower in the CC than in the TT genotype. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in subjects with the CC genotype, higher in the TT (+9.6 mmHg versus CC) and intermediate in the CT (+7.9 mmHg versus CC). Adjustment for age, gender, smoking and antihypertensive treatment did not affect this association. Diastolic blood pressure did not differ across genotypes. A significant increase of systolic blood pressure with increasing age and with increasing skinfold thickness was observed in the TT homozygotes but not in the C-carriers. Conclusions These data support the concept that the C-344T polymorphism plays a role in controlling systolic blood pressure and the age-related increase in systolic blood pressure in response to age and to body fat, possibly through differences in modulation of aldosterone synthesis.
Musculoskeletal physical outcome measures in individuals with tension-type headache: A scoping review

Introduction Individuals with tension-type headache (TTH), in addition to headache pain, typically suffer from pericranial muscle tenderness and increased cervical muscle tone. Physical and physiological outcomes related to musculoskeletal function, however, are not commonly assessed in clinical studies and not systematically proposed as outcome measures in headache-related practice guidelines. Objectives To review which musculoskeletal outcomes are used in the clinical assessment of patients with TTH and which are associated with headache pain and related dysfunction. Methods: Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cochrane databases and EMBASE using terms relating to musculoskeletal physical outcomes in TTH. Results Twenty-six studies met selection criteria. Physiological outcomes typically reported in laboratory studies were trigger points, pressure pain threshold, range of motion and tenderness. A greater number of trigger points and lower pressure pain threshold were reported in patients with episodic TTH in comparison with healthy subjects. Individuals with chronic TTH, when compared with non-headache controls, consistently showed a greater number of trigger points, a lower value of pressure pain threshold and a more severe forward head posture. Conclusion Musculoskeletal outcomes, such as trigger points, pressure pain threshold and forward head posture should inform TTH pathophysiology, diagnosis and interdisciplinary patient care.
Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in a Dense Urban Area Served by a Helicopter Trauma Service.

OBJECTIVE Pediatric traumatic brain injury is the most common cause of death and a major cause of morbidity in children and young adults worldwide. Despite this, our understanding of epidemiological factors relating to this type of injury is incomplete. The objective of this study was to explore a variety of factors relating to these injuries including mechanism, timing of emergency response, prehospital management, radiological diagnosis, neurosurgical care, and final outcomes. METHODS A retrospective review of all pediatric traumas attending a single large, densely populated urban area within a 2-year period was undertaken, and all cases with significant pediatric traumatic brain injury, as defined by a computed tomography scan showing an intracranial injury, were included for further analysis. Various epidemiological and treatment factors were explored. RESULTS One hundred sixteen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and their injuries and management were explored further. A variety of key trends were identified. The most common mechanism of injury was pedestrian struck by car followed by falls from height. Males were injured 5 times more frequently than girls. A helicopter emergency trauma team attended 22% of the patients and intubated 11 in total. The most common intracranial injuries were skull fractures followed by contusions. Nineteen neurosurgical interventions were undertaken. Overall mortality in all patients was 8%. CONCLUSIONS An improved understanding of the epidemiology of pediatric brain injury will provide baselines for future outcome measurement and comparative analysis. This may improve service organization and delivery.
Development and Evaluation of the Prognostic Nomogram to Predict Refractive Error in Patients With Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma Who Underwent Cataract Surgery Combined With Goniosynechialysis

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of different intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas and develop prognostic nomograms to predict the risk of postoperative refractive error in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) patients. Methods: A total of 111 eyes with PACG underwent goniosynechialysis combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation were included. SRK/T, Barrett II, Hoffer Q, and Kane formulas were used to predict postoperative refraction. Prediction error (PE) and absolute predictive error (APE) produced by the four formulas were calculated and compared. An APE >0.50 D was defined as the event. Binary logistic regression analysis and prognostic nomogram models were conducted to investigate reliable predictors associated with postoperative refraction. Results: The Kane (−0.06 D) and Barrett II (−0.07 D) formulas had mean prediction error close to zero (p = 0.44, p = 0.41, respectively). The Hoffer Q and SRK/T produced significantly myopic outcomes (p = 0.003, p = 0.013, respectively). The percentage of eyes within ± 0.5 D was 49.5% (55/111), 44.1% (49/111), 43.2% (48/111), and 49.5% (54/111), for the Kane, Barrett II, Hoffer Q, and SRK/T formula, respectively. Nomogram showed that AL had the greatest impact on the refractive outcomes, indicating a shorter preoperative AL is associated with a greater probability of refractive error event. The area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of the nomogram for the Kane, Barrett II, Hoffer Q, and SRK/T was 0.690, 0.701, 0.708, and 0.676, respectively. Conclusions: The Kane and Barrett II formulas were comparable, and they outperformed Hoffer Q and SRK/T in the total eyes with PACG receiving cataract surgery combined with goniosynechialysis. The developed nomogram models can effectively predict the occurrence of postoperative refractive error events.
bcl-1 Rearrangement and cyclin D1 protein expression in multiple lymphomatous polyposis

Multiple lymphomatous polyposis (MLP), characterized by multiple polyps involving long segments of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is believed to represent GI involvement by mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), primarily based on its histologic and immunophenotypic similarities with MCL. However, rearrangement of the bcl -l locus, the molecular lesion characteristic of MCL, has not been investigated in this group of patients. The authors evaluated the morphologic, immunophenotypic,and molecular features of 18 cases of MLP and 8 B-cell lymphomas involving the GI tract (including 6 MALT lymphomas). All MLP cases presented with GI disease, and were histologically similar to MCL. DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was analyzed for evidence of bcl -l rearrangement by PCR, using chromosome 11 specific and consensus JH primers. Amplifiable DNA was obtained in 24 of 26 cases (16 of 18 MLP cases and 8 of 8 controls), bcl -l re-arrangement was detected in 6 of 16 cases (38%), subsequently confirmed by sequencing of the breakpoint region, and in 0 of 8 controls. Immunostaining for cyclin Dl was positive in 14 of 18MLPs, including the 6 bcl -l rearranged cases and negative in 6 of 6 evaluable controls. The detection of bcl -l rearrangement and cyclin Dl expression in cases of MLP supports the view that MLP represents primary MCL of the GI tract. These techniques may also be helpful in differentiating MLP from other GI lymphomas, particularly low grade lymphomas of MALT, when only small routinely fixed endoscopic biopsies are available.
Australian Adult Physical Activity Sufficiency Trend Data: Positive, Prevalent, and Persistent Changes 2002-2012.

BACKGROUND Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for several noncommunicable chronic diseases. The World Health Organization stresses the need for national PA trend data to help inform strategies to arrest noncommunicable chronic disease incidence. The Active Australia Survey questionnaire quantifies leisure-time physical activity. Despite being used repeatedly in large population surveys, these data have never been analyzed as a single dataset. This study established temporal trends for aerobic PA sufficiency prevalences in the Australian adult (18-75+ y) population, 2002-2012, based on leisure-time physical activity. METHODS Individuals' records from 58 surveys were merged into a master database (N = 443,211) and categorized according to sufficiency of PA (150 minutes of PA per week). Data were age/sex standardized to the 2011 Australian population. PA sufficiency trends were determined for the whole sample and sociodemographic subgroups. RESULTS Sufficient PA prevalences 2002-2012 increased from 55.9% (95% CI, 55.893-55.897) to 61.2% (95% CI, 61.223-61.267). No reported PA prevalences decreased from 16.1% (95% CI, 16.095-16.101) to 13.8% (95% CI, 13.745-13.811). This pattern persisted across most sociodemographic subgroups. Disparities between age groups, male/female, metropolitan/rural, and advantaged/disadvantaged categories, although present, were not diverging further. CONCLUSIONS Levels of adult leisure-time physical activity are slowly increasing, but a substantial proportion of the population is still at increased risk of adverse health outcomes due to insufficient PA.
Signal 3 Availability Limits the CD8 T Cell Response to a Solid Tumor1

CD8 T cells need a third signal, along with Ag and costimulation, for effective survival and development of effector functions, and this can be provided by IL-12 or type I IFN. Adoptively transferred OT-I T cells, specific for H-2Kb and OVA, encounter Ag in the draining lymph nodes of mice with the OVA-expressing E.G7 tumor growing at a s.c. site. The OT-I cells respond by undergoing limited clonal expansion and development of effector functions (granzyme B expression and IFN-γ production), and they migrate to the tumor where they persist but fail to control tumor growth. In contrast, OT-I T cells deficient for both the IL-12 and type I IFN receptors expand only transiently and rapidly disappear. These results suggested that some signal 3 cytokine is available, but that it is insufficient to support a CTL response that can control tumor growth. Consistent with this, administration of IL-12 at day 10 of tumor growth resulted in a large and sustained expansion of wild-type OT-I cells with enhanced effector functions, and tumor growth was controlled. This did not occur when the OT-I cells lacked the IL-12 and type I IFN receptors, demonstrating that the therapeutic effect of IL-12 results from direct delivery of signal 3 to the CD8 T cells responding to tumor Ag in the signal 3-deficient environment of the tumor.