Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of lifetime and recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) who use mobile geo-social networking applications in Greater Tokyo

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately burdened by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), accounting for 78% of all Japanese male HIV cases in 2016. Over 30% of newly identified HIV infections in Japan are diagnosed as AIDS annually, suggesting a large proportion of people living with HIV were unaware of their own infection status. An estimated two-thirds of Japanese men who have sex with men (MSM) are not attached to the gay community, and previous studies have largely sampled gay venues, thus, previous studies have likely failed to reach many men in this population. This study therefore examined HIV testing prevalence and correlates among MSM in Greater Tokyo who use gay mobile geo-social networking applications (gay mobile apps), which have been found to increase access to MSM not traditionally accessible through venue-based surveys. Among a sample of 1657 MSM recruited through advertisements on gay mobile apps, the prevalence of lifetime and six-monthly HIV testing was 72.8% and 29.7% respectively. In multiple regression analysis, higher lifetime HIV testing was associated with older age, education, HIV knowledge, anal intercourse with regular and casual male partners, and gay venue attendance. Testing was negatively associated with regular male partner condom use, marriage, residing outside central Tokyo and having both male and female partners. These results indicated that MSM who use gay mobile apps in Greater Tokyo do not meet the CDC yearly testing recommendations for high risk populations. Considering limited HIV prevention funding in Japan for MSM, moderate lifetime and recent testing, and the large number of gay mobile app users, utilization of popular gay mobile apps to promote nearby HIV testing facilities may be an effective prevention policy to target non-community attached MSM, particularly at-risk youth and individuals at risk of sudden-onset AIDS.
Increased PARP1‐DNA binding due to autoPARylation inhibition of PARP1 on DNA rather than PARP1‐DNA trapping is correlated with PARP1 inhibitor's cytotoxicity

PARP1 inhibitors (PARPis) are used clinically during cancer therapy and are thought to exert their cytotoxicity through PARP1 polymerase inhibition and PARP1‐DNA trapping. Here, we showed no significant correlation between PARP1‐DNA trapping and cytotoxicity induced by PARPis. We complemented PARP1‐knockout sublines with wild‐type PARP1 and 11 mutants with different point mutations that affect the polymerase activity. When examining the PARPi talazoparib, the induced cytotoxicity was highly significantly correlated with cellular PARP1 polymerase activity, but not with its PARP1‐DNA trapping or polymerase inhibition. Similarly, talazoparib's PARP1‐DNA trapping revealed significant correlation with the polymerase activity rather than its inhibition. Differently, however, when evaluating purified wild‐type and mutated PARP1, we identified an almost linear relationship between PARPis’ inhibiting PARP1 dissociation from DNA and their cytotoxicity in 17 cancer cell lines. In contrast, no significant correlation existed between PARP1 polymerase inhibition in the histone‐based systems and the cytotoxicity. After careful comparisons on different methods and detection targets, we conclude that the PARPi‐mediated increase in PARP1‐DNA binding by inhibiting autoPARylation of PARP1 on DNA rather than in PARP1‐DNA trapping is correlated with PARPi's cytotoxicity. Accordingly, we established a new PARPi screening model that more closely predicts cytotoxicity.
Validity of the WST and the WST-Q in children with spina bifida: a pilot project

Abstract Objective: To begin exploring use of the manual wheelchair versions of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) and the Wheelchair Skills Test-Questionnaire (WST-Q) in children with spina bifida who use manual wheelchairs. Design: Cross-sectional, psychometric study. Setting: A university-based laboratory setting. Subjects: A total of 12 children 5–21 years of age with spina bifida participated in the study. Interventions: Assessment of manual wheelchair skills by direct observation and parent report. Main measures: The WST, the WST-Q and the manual wheelchair short scale within the Mobility domain of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability-Computer Adapted Test (MWC PEDI-CAT), an existing validated parent-report measure of manual wheelchair skills in children. Results: Moderate to excellent positive associations were found amongst all test scores. Spearman’s rank order correlations were as follows: r = 0.87 between the WST and WST-Q, r = 0.78 between the WST-Q and MWC PEDI-CAT and r = 0.62 between scores on the WST and MWC PEDI-CAT. These associations suggest that the WST and the WST-Q may be appropriate for use with children who have spina bifida and therefore should be further explored in this population. Using the WST-Q as a parent-report measure may help clinicians to assess manual wheelchair skills in children with spina bifida without adding additional time to an examination session. Implications for Rehabilitation The associations found in this pilot project suggest that the Wheelchair Skills Test and the Wheelchair Skills Test-Questionnaire (WST-Q) may be appropriate for use with children who have spina bifida. Using the WST-Q as a parent-report measure may help clinicians to assess manual wheelchair skills in children with spina bifida without adding additional time to an examination session.
Can Endoscopic Tympanoplasty Be a Good Alternative to Microscopic Tympanoplasty? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Although efficacies and proportions of tympanoplasty performed via endoscopic ear surgery (EES) have gradually introduced, it remains unclear whether total EES is a good alternative to microscopic ear surgery (MES). Herein, we aimed to compare therapeutic effects of EES and MES in patients receiving tympanoplasty or myringoplasty. A search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted to compare the efficacies of EES and MES. Two investigators independently reviewed all studies and extracted data with a standardized form. We assessed risk of bias and calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Thirteen studies (607 EES patients and 678 MES patients) met inclusion criteria for quantitative meta-analysis. In pooled analysis, those who undergo EES have 0.99 times the OR of graft success compared to those with MES (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.16; P=0.894). In qualitative analysis, comparable hearing improvement was observed between the two groups, despite inconsistent audiometric evaluation. The air-bone gaps (ABGs) improved 2.02 dB less in EES than in MES (mean difference of improvements of ABGs, 2.02; 95% CI, –3.84 to –0.20; P=0.029); however, substantial heterogeneity and publication bias limited the integrity of this analysis. Further, EES significantly decreased canalplasty rate, wound complications, and operation time, compared to MES. Moreover, patients receiving EES reported higher cosmetic satisfaction than patients receiving MES. EES can be a good alternative to MES in terms of comparable graft success rate and hearing outcomes in patients receiving tympanoplasty or myringoplasty. Moreover, EES was less invasive, resulting in higher cosmetic satisfaction, reduced morbidity, and shorter operation time. Our results may affect decision-making and outcome prediction in cases of EES; however, confirmation is needed to clarify potential bias.
Implicit process interventions in eating behaviour: a meta-analysis examining mediators and moderators

ABSTRACT Dual-process models integrate deliberative and impulsive mental systems and predict dietary behaviours better than deliberative processes alone. Computerised tasks such as the Go/No-Go, Stop-Signal, Approach-Avoidance, and Evaluative Conditioning have been used as interventions to directly alter implicit biases. This meta-analysis examines the effects of these tasks on dietary behaviours, explores potential moderators of effectiveness, and examines implicit bias change as a proposed mechanism. Thirty randomised controlled trials testing implicit bias interventions (47 comparisons) were included in a random-effects meta-analysis, which indicated small cumulative effects on eating-related behavioural outcomes (g = −0.17, CI95 = [−0.29; −0.05], p = .01) and implicit biases (g = −0.18, CI95 = [−0.34; −0.02], p = .02). Task type moderated these effects, with Go/No-Go tasks producing larger effects than other tasks. Effects of interventions on implicit biases were positively related to effects on eating behaviour (B = 0.42, CI95 = [0.02; 0.81], p = .03). Go/No-Go tasks seem to have most potential for altering dietary behaviours through implicit processes. While changes in implicit biases seem related to the effects of these interventions on dietary outcomes, more research should explore whether repeated exposure to implicit bias interventions may have any practical intervention value in real world settings.
Glycogen distribution in mouse hippocampus

The hippocampus is a limbic structure involved in the consolidation of episodic memory. In the recent decade, glycogenolysis in the rodent hippocampus has been shown critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Astrocytes are the primary cells that store glycogen which is subject to degradation in hypoglycemic conditions. Focused microwave application to the brain halts metabolic activities, and therefore preserves brain glycogen. Immunohistochemistry against glycogen on focused microwave‐assisted brain samples is suitable for both macroscopic and microscopic investigation of glycogen distribution. Glycogen immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus showed a characteristic punctate signal pattern that depended on hippocampal layers. In particular, the hilus is the most glycogen‐rich subregion of the hippocampus. Moreover, large glycogen puncta (>0.5 µm in diameter) observed in neuropil areas are organized in a patchy pattern consisting of puncta‐rich and ‐poor astrocytes. These observations are discussed with respect to distinct hippocampal neural activity states observed in live animals.
Association between Dyslipidemia and Nephrolithiasis Risk in a Chinese Population

Purpose: To evaluate the association between dyslipidemia and nephrolithiasis risk in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: Fasting plasma lipid profiles were measured in a case-control study of 540 nephrolithiasis cases and 656 kidney stone-free controls. Results: Triglycerides (TG) levels were significantly higher, but total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly lower in nephrolithiasis patients than those in the control group (each p < 0.05). Similar associations were found in both primary and recurrent nephrolithiasis patients except for TC levels. Significantly lower TC and LDL-C levels were found in all patients except those with uric acid stones. Patients with calcium oxalate (CaOx) and uric acid stones had significantly higher TG levels. Individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-cholesterolemia were associated with increased risk of nephrolithiasis (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01–1.71 and OR 7.57, 95% CI 5.64–10.17, respectively). Conversely, those with hypercholesterolemia and high LDL-cholesterolemia were associated with decreased nephrolithiasis risk (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46–0.79 and OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.90, respectively). The risk remained in patients with CaOx stones. Conclusions: Our results suggest that dyslipidemia was associated with nephrolithiasis risk in a Chinese population, especially in patients with CaOx stones.
Can the Use of Unstable Surfaces and Instruction for Conscious Abdominal Contraction Increase the EMG Activity of the Periscapular Muscles During the Dynamic Push-Up?

Context: It is believed that conscious abdominal contraction (CAC) during exercise encourages greater periscapular activation through existing myofascial connections. On the other hand, it is postulated that the use of unstable surfaces would promote greater neuromuscular demand. Objective: To analyze the effect of CAC on periscapular muscle activity during push-up plus exercise on stable and unstable surfaces and to evaluate the correlation between electromyographic (EMG) activity of the serratus anterior (SA) and abdominal oblique muscles. Design: Repeated-measures design in a single group, pre-post CAC. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Twenty-three male volunteers without a history of lesions in the upper limbs participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Five repetitions of push-ups on stable and unstable surfaces were performed with and without instruction for CAC. The normalized amplitude of the EMG activity was obtained from the muscles of the upper, middle, and lower trapezius, SA upper (SA_5th) and lower (SA_7th) portions, external oblique (EO), and internal oblique. Results: CAC increased the activity of the EO, internal oblique, middle trapezius, and SA (P < .05) in both surfaces. The use of the unstable surface increased the EMG activity of the EO, SA_7th, and middle trapezius and decreased the EMG activity of the SA_5th. However, all changes observed in EMG signals were of low magnitude, with effect sizes lower than 0.45. There was a weak correlation between the EMG activity of the EO and SA_5th (r = .24) and a strong correlation between the EO and SA_7th (r = .70). Conclusion: The isolated use of CAC or unstable surface during push-up seems to present no practical relevance, but the combined use of these strategies may increase activation of the SA_7th and middle trapezius muscles.
Evaluation of a social network intervention on child feeding practices and caregiver knowledge.

Food insecurity and poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices contribute to undernutrition. The Kanyakla Nutrition Program was developed in rural Kenya to provide knowledge alongside social support for recommended IYCF practices. Utilizing a social network approach, the Kanyakla Nutrition Program trained community health workers (CHWs) to engage mothers, fathers, and grandparents in nutrition education and discussions about strategies to provide instrumental, emotional, and information support within their community. The 12-week programme included six sessions and was implemented on Mfangano Island, Kenya, in 2014-2015. We analysed intervention effects on (a) nutrition knowledge among community members or CHWs and (2) IYCF practices among children 1-3 years. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using a postintervention comparison among intervention (community, n = 43; CHW, n = 22) and comparison groups (community, n = 149; CHW, n = 64). We used a quasi-experimental design and difference-in-difference to assess IYCF indicators using dietary recall data from an ongoing cohort study among intervention participants (n = 48) with individuals living on Mfangano Island where the intervention was not implemented (n = 178) before the intervention, within 1 month postintervention, and 6 months postintervention. Findings showed no effect of the intervention on IYCF indicators (e.g., dietary diversity and meal frequency), and less than 15% of children met minimum acceptable diet criteria at any time point. However, knowledge and confidence among community members and CHWs were significantly higher 2 years postintervention. Thus, a social network approach had an enduring effect on nutrition knowledge, but no effects on improved IYCF practices.
Clinical Characteristics and Electrophysiological Mechanisms Underlying Brugada ECG in Patients With Severe Hyperkalemia

Background Several metabolic conditions can cause the Brugada ECG pattern, also called Brugada phenotype (BrPh). We aimed to define the clinical characteristics and outcome of BrPh patients and elucidate the mechanisms underlying BrPh attributed to hyperkalemia. Methods and Results We prospectively identified patients hospitalized with severe hyperkalemia and ECG diagnosis of BrPh and compared their clinical characteristics and outcome with patients with hyperkalemia but no BrPh ECG. Computer simulations investigated the roles of extracellular potassium increase, fibrosis at the right ventricular outflow tract, and epicardial/endocardial gradients in transient outward current. Over a 6‐year period, 15 patients presented severe hyperkalemia with BrPh ECG that was transient and disappeared after normalization of their serum potassium. Most patients were admitted because of various severe medical conditions causing hyperkalemia. Six (40%) patients presented malignant arrhythmias and 6 died during admission. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher serum potassium levels (odds ratio, 15.8; 95% CI, 3.1–79; P=0.001) and male sex (odds ratio, 17; 95% CI, 1.05–286; P=0.045) were risk factors for developing BrPh ECG in patients with severe hyperkalemia. In simulations, hyperkalemia yielded BrPh by promoting delayed and heterogeneous right ventricular outflow tract activation attributed to elevation of resting potential, reduced availability of inward sodium channel conductance, and increased right ventricular outflow tract fibrosis. An elevated transient outward current gradient contributed to, but was not essential for, the BrPh phenotype. Conclusions In patients with severe hyperkalemia, a BrPh ECG is associated with malignant arrhythmias and all‐cause mortality secondary to resting potential depolarization, reduced sodium current availability, and fibrosis at the right ventricular outflow tract.
Speckle Tracking Analysis of Left Ventricular Systolic Function Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Systolic dysfunction and reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been documented after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Speckle tracking is an emerging technology for myocardial strain assessment which has been utilized to identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction, and is most commonly reported as global longitudinal strain (GLS). We examined myocardial strain and regional strain patterns following moderate-severe TBI. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of moderate-severe TBI patients (Glasgow Coma Scale≤12) and age/sex-matched controls. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed within the first day and 1 week following TBI. Myocardial function was assessed using both GLS and LVEF, and impaired systolic function was defined as GLS >−16% or LVEF ≤50%. Regional strain patterns and individual strain trajectories were examined. Results: Thirty subjects were included, 15 patients with TBI and 15 age/sex-matched controls. Among patients with adequate echocardiographic windows, systolic dysfunction was observed in 2 (17%) patients using LVEF and 5 (38%) patients using GLS within the first day after TBI. Mean GLS was impaired in patients with TBI compared with controls (−16.4±3.8% vs. −20.7±1.8%, P=0.001). Regional myocardial examination revealed impaired strain primarily in the basal and mid-ventricular segments. There was no improvement in GLS from day 1 to day 7 (P=0.81). Conclusions: Myocardial strain abnormalities are common and persist for at least 1 week following moderate-severe TBI. Speckle tracking may be useful for the early diagnosis and monitoring of systolic dysfunction following TBI.
Microbleeds evolution and remote hemorrhage post-tPA

With the increasing use of MRI, treating acute stroke patients having cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) with IV thrombolysis represents a thorny clinical dilemma in vascular neurology.1 CMBs, small round hypointense lesions detected on blood-sensitive MRI sequences, e.g., T2*-gradient echo or susceptibility-weighed imaging, are presumed to reflect minute intraparenchymal bleeding regions resulting from microvascular fragility or increased permeability.1 Hence, much of the enduring clinical interest around CMBs focuses on whether they confer increased intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk, including early symptomatic ICH after IV thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute stroke.1 While rare, post-tPA ICH is a feared complication, associated with poor outcomes. A large-scale individual-patient data meta-analysis demonstrated that increasing CMB burden on pretreatment MRI is associated with increased ICH risk and poor 3- to 6-month functional outcome after IV thrombolysis for acute stroke.2 Based on these nonrandomized data, 2018 American Stroke Association guidelines,3 while not recommending routine MRI for CMB exclusion before tPA, note the association of >10 CMBs on prior imaging with increased bleeding risk and uncertain treatment benefits. However, the heterogeneous underlying nature of CMBs and the differing patterns of post-thrombolysis ICH, including hemorrhage within the infarct and remote bleeding, leave uncertainty regarding this association. CMBs, as markers of hemorrhage-prone small vessel injury, might contribute particularly to remote ICH.
Prurigo successfully treated with duloxetine hydrochloride

Prurigo is a common skin disease characterised by erythematous macules and papules/nodules with severe pruritus. We report here two cases with treatment‐resistant prurigo that were successfully treated with duloxetine hydrochloride, a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. In vivo experiments with a mouse model of prurigo‐like inflammation showed that duloxetine hydrochloride ameliorated not only scratching behaviours, but also skin inflammation. Duloxetine hydrochloride appears to be useful for treating prurigo via modulating itch signals and immune responses.
MAD1-dependent recruitment of CDK1-CCNB1 to kinetochores promotes spindle checkpoint signaling

Cyclin B–dependent kinase (CDK1-CCNB1) promotes entry into mitosis. Additionally, it inhibits mitotic exit by activating the spindle checkpoint. This latter role is mediated through phosphorylation of the checkpoint kinase MPS1 and other spindle checkpoint proteins. We find that CDK1-CCNB1 localizes to unattached kinetochores and like MPS1 is lost from these structures upon microtubule attachment. This suggests that CDK1-CCNB1 is an integral component and not only an upstream regulator of the spindle checkpoint pathway. Complementary proteomic and cell biological analysis demonstrate that the spindle checkpoint protein MAD1 is one of the major components of CCNB1 complexes, and that CCNB1 is recruited to unattached kinetochores in an MPS1-dependent fashion through interaction with the first 100 amino acids of MAD1. This MPS1 and MAD1-dependent pool of CDK1-CCNB1 creates a positive feedback loop necessary for timely recruitment of MPS1 to kinetochores during mitotic entry and for sustained spindle checkpoint arrest. CDK1-CCNB1 is therefore an integral component of the spindle checkpoint, ensuring the fidelity of mitosis.