Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type-Specific Anal Human Papillomavirus Prevalence Among Men, According to Sexual Preference and HIV Status: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, most notably HPV16, the central cause of anal cancer, is increased by anal sexual intercourse and worsened by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positivity. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of type-specific anal HPV prevalence in men, compared according to sexual preference, HIV status, and, when available, anal cytopathology. Results Seventy-nine eligible studies included: 1805 HIV-negative men who have sex with women (MSW), 924 HIV-positive MSW, 8213 HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM), and 12758 HIV-positive MSM. Irrespective of anal cytopathology, HPV16 prevalence was significantly higher in MSM than MSW, both among HIV-negative (14% vs 3%; prevalence ratio (PR) 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-8.9) and HIV-positive men (30% vs 11%; PR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.1). Likewise, HPV16 was significantly higher in HIV-positive than HIV-negative men, both among MSW (PR = 3.5; 95% CI, 1.6-7.7) and MSM (PR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8-2.5). Anal HPV16 prevalence was similar between HIV-positive MSW and HIV-negative MSM. For MSM, anal HPV16 prevalence was significantly higher from studies with anal cytopathology, suggesting population sampling effects. Conclusion Sexual preference and HIV infection are independent strong determinants of male anal HPV16 infection, confirming HIV-positive MSM as priorities for anal cancer prevention.
Characterization of the ventricular-subventricular stem cell niche during human brain development

ABSTRACT Human brain development proceeds via a sequentially transforming stem cell population in the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). An essential, but understudied, contributor to V-SVZ stem cell niche health is the multi-ciliated ependymal epithelium, which replaces stem cells at the ventricular surface during development. However, reorganization of the V-SVZ stem cell niche and its relationship to ependymogenesis has not been characterized in the human brain. Based on comprehensive comparative spatiotemporal analyses of cytoarchitectural changes along the mouse and human ventricle surface, we uncovered a distinctive stem cell retention pattern in humans as ependymal cells populate the surface of the ventricle in an occipital-to-frontal wave. During perinatal development, ventricle-contacting stem cells are reduced. By 7 months few stem cells are detected, paralleling the decline in neurogenesis. In adolescence and adulthood, stem cells and neurogenesis are not observed along the lateral wall. Volume, surface area and curvature of the lateral ventricles all significantly change during fetal development but stabilize after 1 year, corresponding with the wave of ependymogenesis and stem cell reduction. These findings reveal normal human V-SVZ development, highlighting the consequences of disease pathologies such as congenital hydrocephalus. Highlighted Article: A systematic spatiotemporal analysis of cytoarchitectural changes within the developing human forebrain lateral ventricle stem cell niche connects stem cell loss and associated ependymogenesis with ventricle structural changes.
A partial reconstitution implicates DltD in catalyzing lipoteichoic acid d-alanylation

Modifications to the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall play important roles in antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis, but the pathway for the d-alanylation of teichoic acids (DLT pathway), a ubiquitous modification, is poorly understood. The d-alanylation machinery includes two membrane proteins of unclear function, DltB and DltD, which are somehow involved in transfer of d-alanine from a carrier protein inside the cell to teichoic acids on the cell surface. Here, we probed the role of DltD in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus using both cell-based and biochemical assays. We first exploited a known synthetic lethal interaction to establish the essentiality of each gene in the DLT pathway for d-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and confirmed this by directly detecting radiolabeled d-Ala-LTA both in cells and in vesicles prepared from mutant strains of S. aureus. We developed a partial reconstitution of the pathway by using cell-derived vesicles containing DltB, but no other components of the d-alanylation pathway, and showed that d-alanylation of previously formed lipoteichoic acid in the DltB vesicles requires the presence of purified and reconstituted DltA, DltC, and DltD, but not of the LTA synthase LtaS. Finally, based on the activity of DltD mutants in cells and in our reconstituted system, we determined that Ser-70 and His-361 are essential for d-alanylation activity, and we propose that DltD uses a catalytic dyad to transfer d-alanine to LTA. In summary, we have developed a suite of assays for investigating the bacterial DLT pathway and uncovered a role for DltD in LTA d-alanylation.
Are Whites and minorities more similar than different? Testing the cultural similarities hypothesis on psychopathology with a second-order meta-analysis

Abstract The cultural differences hypothesis is the assertion that there are large differences between Whites and racial/ethnic minorities in the United States, while there are small differences between- (e.g., African Americans and Latinos) and within- (e.g., Latinos: Mexican Americans and Cuban Americans) minority groups. Conversely, the cultural similarities hypothesis argues that there are small differences between Whites and minorities, and these differences are equal or smaller in magnitude than differences between and within minorities. In this study, we conducted a second-order meta-analysis focused on psychopathology, to (a) test these hypotheses by estimating the absolute average difference between Whites and minorities, as well as between and within minorities, on levels of psychopathology, and (b) determine if general and meta-analytic method moderators account for these differences. A systematic search in PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations identified 16 meta-analyses (13% unpublished) on 493 primary studies (N = 3,036,749). Differences between Whites and minorities (d+ = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [0.18, 0.28]), and between minorities (d+ = 0.30, 95% confidence interval [0.12, 0.48]) were small in magnitude. White–minority differences remained small across moderators. These findings support the cultural similarities hypothesis. We discuss their implications and future research directions.
Identifying Generalization Properties in Neural Networks

While it has not yet been proven, empirical evidence suggests that model generalization is related to local properties of the optima which can be described via the Hessian. We connect model generalization with the local property of a solution under the PAC-Bayes paradigm. In particular, we prove that model generalization ability is related to the Hessian, the higher-order "smoothness" terms characterized by the Lipschitz constant of the Hessian, and the scales of the parameters. Guided by the proof, we propose a metric to score the generalization capability of the model, as well as an algorithm that optimizes the perturbed model accordingly.
EBV VCA IgM and cytomegalovirus IgM dual positivity is a false positive finding related to age and hepatic involvement of primary Epstein–Barr virus infection in children

Abstract Primary Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is common in childhood, and dual positivity of serum EBV IgM and cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM antibodies occur in some cases. This study aimed to evaluate the cause of EBV and CMV IgM dual positivity to determine whether it represents a false-positive finding or a true coinfection. A total of 494 children diagnosed with primary EBV infection, manifesting as infectious mononucleosis, were recruited. The diagnosis was based on positive EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM antibodies, and serum CMV IgM antibodies and liver enzymes were also evaluated in 149 subjects. Of 149 children with primary EBV infection, 40 (26.8%) had serum EBV VCA IgM and CMV IgM dual positivity. However, true CMV infection was confirmed only in 1 child of 40 (2.5%) who was positive for both serum CMV Ag and urine CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and negative for serum CMV IgG antibody. Among the children with primary EBV infection, the rate of dual positivity was higher in infants and lower in adolescents (P = .013). Liver enzymes were more significantly elevated in children with dual positivity than in those with negative results for CMV IgM antibodies (P = .026), which correlated with the serum EBV and CMV IgM titers. Serum EBV and CMV IgM dual positivity are more prevalent in children with primary EBV infection than what was previously reported. Our results indicate that serum EBV and CMV IgM dual positivity represents a false-positive finding, as opposed to an actual CMV coinfection, possibly due to antigenic cross-reactivity.
Pro-Fibrogenic and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of a Polyphenol-Enriched Fraction from Annona crassiflora in Skin Repair

Abstract A polyphenol-enriched fraction from Annona crassiflora fruit peel (PEF-Ac) containing chlorogenic acid, epi-catechin, procyanidins B2 and C1, quercetin-glucoside, kaempferol, and caffeoyl-glucoside was investigated for its anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and profibrogenic potential in the healing of cutaneous wounds. Four wounds were performed on the back of C57 mice and the lesions were treated with the vehicle (Vaseline and lanolin) and PEF-Ac at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% for 4 and 7 d. Neutrophils and macrophages activities were evaluated indirectly by the activity of myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glycosaminidase, angiogenesis was evaluated by hemoglobin dosing and vessel count in histological sections, and collagen deposition was assessed from histological sections stained with picrosirius red. PEF-Ac demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, with reduced activities of neutrophil and macrophage in the cutaneous wounds. In addition, there was an increase in the synthesis of types I and III collagen, as well as in the percentage of wound closure, mainly after 4 d of treatment. On the other hand, PEF-Ac did not present an effective pro-angiogenic activity. A. crassiflora fruit peel showed anti-inflammatory and profibrogenic properties, indicating a promising natural source of bioactive molecules for treatment of cutaneous wounds.
Tinnitus Impacts on Speech and Non-speech Stimuli.

OBJECTIVE To investigate how tinnitus affects the processing of speech and non-speech stimuli at the subcortical level. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional analytical study. SETTING Academic, tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Eighteen individuals with tinnitus and 20 controls without tinnitus matched based on their age and sex. All subjects had normal hearing sensitivity. INTERVENTION Diagnostic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The effect of tinnitus on the parameters of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to non-speech (click-ABR), and speech (sABR) stimuli was investigated. RESULTS Latencies of click ABR in waves III, V, and Vn, as well as inter-peak latency (IPL) of I to V were significantly longer in individuals with tinnitus compared with the controls. Individuals with tinnitus demonstrated significantly longer latencies of all sABR waves than the control group. The tinnitus patients also exhibited a significant decrease in the slope of the V-A complex and reduced encoding of the first and higher formants. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in the spectral magnitudes, the first formant frequency range (F1) and a higher frequency region (HF). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that maladaptive neural plasticity resulting from tinnitus can be subcortically measured and affects timing processing of both speech and non-speech stimuli. The findings have been discussed based on models of maladaptive plasticity and the interference of tinnitus as an internal noise in synthesizing speech auditory stimuli.
Secondary Breast, Ovarian, and Uterine Cancers After Colorectal Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Korea

BACKGROUND: The risk of a second primary cancer has increased along with the increasing life expectancies of colorectal cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the incidence rate and risk factors of breast and gynecological (ovarian, uterine cervix/corpus) cancers among female colorectal cancer survivors. DESIGN: This is a retrospective population-based cohort study. SETTINGS: This study used data from the National Health Insurance Corporation of Korea. PATIENTS: Each patient with colorectal cancer diagnosed from 2007 to 2012 was followed until 2015 and compared with age-matched women without colorectal cancer at a 1:5 ratio. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was de novo breast/gynecological cancer. Patients with available medical checkup data were included in an additional analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 56,682 patients with colorectal cancer and 288,119 age-matched noncolorectal cancer controls. The risk of breast/gynecological cancer was higher among patients with colorectal cancer than among controls (HR, 2.91; p < 0.001). The association with colorectal cancer was the highest for ovarian cancer (HR, 6.72), followed by uterine corpus cancer (HR, 3.99), cervical cancer (HR, 2.82), and breast cancer (HR, 1.85). This association remained consistent in the subgroup analysis of medical checkup data (14,190 patients with colorectal cancer, 71,933 controls). Among patients with colorectal cancer, those aged <55 years had a higher risk of breast/gynecological cancers than those aged >55 years (HR, 3.51 vs 2.59), and those with dyslipidemia had a higher risk of breast cancer than those without dyslipidemia (HR, 2.66 vs 2.06). LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective, population-based study. A prospectively designed study is needed to validate our conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the general population, patients with colorectal cancer carry a higher risk of developing secondary breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww. com/DCR/A731.
Comparing Schizophrenia Patients With a Predicted High/Low Risk of Nonresponse Receiving Treatment with Ziprasidone and Haloperidol: A Randomized-Controlled Study

Abstract Introduction The aim of this double-blind randomized study was to evaluate the response to antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients with predicted high/low risk of nonresponse identified by applying a set of well-established scales and predictors of outcome and to compare efficacy between ziprasidone and haloperidol. Methods One hundred twelve schizophrenia patients (ziprasidone: n=54; haloperidol: n=58) were rated weekly on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), the Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS), the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS), and Hillside Akathisia Scale (HAS). Results Ninety-two patients (82%) were predicted to have a high risk of nonresponse. No significant difference regarding PANSS improvement in this subsample was found comparing ziprasidone and haloperidol (p=0.563). Also, for the total patient sample, no significant difference was found regarding the course of the PANSS total score, GAF (p=0.921), and SOFAS (p=0.658) between ziprasidone and haloperidol. Haloperidol resulted in higher scores on the SAS (p=0.001) and HAS (p=0.011). Discussion An alarmingly high number of patients were at high risk of nonresponse to antipsychotic treatment.
Mimiviridae: An Expanding Family of Highly Diverse Large dsDNA Viruses Infecting a Wide Phylogenetic Range of Aquatic Eukaryotes

Since 1998, when Jim van Etten’s team initiated its characterization, Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1) had been the largest known DNA virus, both in terms of particle size and genome complexity. In 2003, the Acanthamoeba-infecting Mimivirus unexpectedly superseded PBCV-1, opening the era of giant viruses, i.e., with virions large enough to be visible by light microscopy and genomes encoding more proteins than many bacteria. During the following 15 years, the isolation of many Mimivirus relatives has made Mimiviridae one of the largest and most diverse families of eukaryotic viruses, most of which have been isolated from aquatic environments. Metagenomic studies of various ecosystems (including soils) suggest that many more remain to be isolated. As Mimiviridae members are found to infect an increasing range of phytoplankton species, their taxonomic position compared to the traditional Phycodnaviridae (i.e., etymologically “algal viruses”) became a source of confusion in the literature. Following a quick historical review of the key discoveries that established the Mimiviridae family, we describe its current taxonomic structure and propose a set of operational criteria to help in the classification of future isolates.
Deploying unqualified personnel in health records practice: Role substitution or quackery? Implications for health services delivery in Nigeria

Healthcare professionals are obliged to work collaboratively regardless of their professional differences in order to provide the highest possible standard of care to patients. However, this type of collaboration can also lead to role substitution and, in effect, engagement of unqualified personnel in all health professions, including the health information management profession. This is a particular problem in developing nations such as Nigeria, where this trend has the potential to undermine the delivery of health services, the quality and the confidentiality of health information and trust between patients and healthcare professionals. To clarify and protect the professional identity of qualified health information management professionals in Nigeria and to prevent other experts who also work in health facilities (e.g. IT specialists, librarians) from claiming membership of the profession, the nomenclature for the health information management profession has been changed to health records and information management profession.
Effects of Age on Dual-Task Walking While Listening

Abstract This study examined the effects of age on single- and dual-task listening and walking during virtual street crossing. Seventeen younger and 12 older adults participated. In each listening trial, three sentences were presented simultaneously from separate locations. Participants were instructed to report the target sentence. Predictability of the target sentence location was varied. Treadmill walking was measured using motion analysis. Measures included word recognition accuracy, head and trunk angles, and spatiotemporal gait parameters. Older adults exhibited a more upright head alignment and less variability in stride time during dual-tasking, particularly under less certain target sentence location conditions. Younger adults’ walking was unaffected by dual-task demands. Together, the results indicate greater postural prioritization in older adults than young.
Endocrine Therapy Nonadherence and Discontinuation in Black and White Women

Abstract Background Differential use of endocrine therapy (ET) by race may contribute to breast cancer outcome disparities, but racial differences in ET behaviors are poorly understood. Methods Women aged 20–74 years with a first primary, stage I–III, hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer were included. At 2 years postdiagnosis, we assessed nonadherence, defined as not taking ET every day or missing more than two pills in the past 14 days, discontinuation, and a composite measure of underuse, defined as either missing pills or discontinuing completely. Using logistic regression, we evaluated the relationship between race and nonadherence, discontinuation, and overall underuse in unadjusted, clinically adjusted, and socioeconomically adjusted models. Results A total of 1280 women were included; 43.2% self-identified as black. Compared to white women, black women more often reported nonadherence (13.7% vs 5.2%) but not discontinuation (10.0% vs 10.7%). Black women also more often reported the following: hot flashes, night sweats, breast sensitivity, and joint pain; believing that their recurrence risk would not change if they stopped ET; forgetting to take ET; and cost-related barriers. In multivariable analysis, black race remained statistically significantly associated with nonadherence after adjusting for clinical characteristics (adjusted odds ratio = 2.72, 95% confidence interval = 1.75 to 4.24) and after adding socioeconomic to clinical characteristics (adjusted odds ratio = 2.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.50 to 3.97) but was not independently associated with discontinuation after adjustment. Low recurrence risk perception and lack of a shared decision making were strongly predictive of ET underuse across races. Conclusions Our results highlight important racial differences in ET-adherence behaviors, perceptions of benefits/harms, and shared decision making that may be targeted with culturally tailored interventions.
Association of Low Serum Potassium Levels and Risk for All‐Cause Mortality in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Dyskalemia is a risk factor for mortality in patients without CKD, but the effect of hypokalemia in patients with CKD remains uncertain. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Ovid databases were searched from inception to December 31, 2017 for studies that reported all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality or events in patients with CKD (any stage). Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% CI were calculated. A total of 11 clinical studies enrolling 57 234 subjects with CKD were included in the meta‐analysis. Compared with control serum potassium (SK) levels, low SK (SK <4.0 mEq/L) was associated with higher risk of all‐cause mortality in a random‐effects model (HR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.25–1.97). Moderate low SK (<3.5 mEq/L) increased risk of all‐cause mortality by 105%. Mild low SK (3.5~4.0 mEq/L) also increased all‐cause mortality risk (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.11–1.26). Low SK was also associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.22–1.62) and ESRD risk (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.18–1.54). SK <4.0 mEq/L was associated with higher mortality risk in CKD patients, especially in those with SK <3.5 mEq/L. Additional prospective studies will be necessary to explore this relationship, as well as whether correcting hypokalemia decreases mortality in patients with CKD.
Prophylactic Treatment With Simvastatin Modulates the Immune Response and Increases Animal Survival Following Lethal Sepsis Infection

Chronic use of statins may have anti-inflammatory action, promoting immunomodulation and survival in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to analyze the effects of pretreatment with simvastatin in lethal sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male Swiss mice received prophylactic treatment with simvastatin or pyrogen-free water orally in a single daily dose for 30 days. After this period, the CLP was performed. Naïve and Sham groups were performed as non-infected controls. Animal survival was monitored for 60 h after the CLP. Half of mice were euthanized after 12 h to analyze colony-forming units (CFUs); hematological parameters; production of IL-10, IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and MCP-1; cell counts on peritoneum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bone marrow, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node; immunephenotyping of T cells and antigen presenting cells and production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Simvastatin induced an increase in survival and a decrease in the CFU count on peritoneum and on BAL cells number, especially lymphocytes. There was an increase in the platelets and lymphocytes number in the Simvastatin group when compared to the CLP group. Simvastatin induced a greater activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, as well as an increase in IL-6 and MCP-1 production, in chemotaxis to the peritoneum and in H2O2 secretion at this site. These data suggest that simvastatin has an impact on the survival of animals, as well as immunomodulatory effects in sepsis induced by CLP in mice.