Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Respiratory syncytial virus infection of microglia exacerbates SH-SY5Y neuronal cell injury by inducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines: A Transwell in vitro study

Objective(s): To elucidate the mechanism of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection and central neuronal disease and to understand the role of microglia in neuronal injuries during RSV infection. Materials and Methods: The effects of RSV and the cytokines produced by RSV-infected CHME-5 microglial cells on SY5Y neuronal cells were evaluated based on an in vitro Transwell coculture system. Five treatment groups were established in this study, including the normal control SY5Y group, RSV+SY5Y infection group, (cytokine+CHME-5)+SY5Y Transwell group, (RSV+CHME-5)+SY5Y Transwell group, and (RSV+cytokine+CHME-5)+SY5Y Transwell group. The morphological and physical alterations in SY5Y cells and their synapses were analyzed by confocal microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR3/RIG-I, as well as the expression of Hv1, in microglia were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. In addition, the apoptosis ratio of neuronal cells was determined by flow cytometry. Results: RSV infection activated the protein expression of Hv1 protein in microglia in vitro (P<0.05), induced morphological changes in SY5Y cells, lengthened synapses (73.36±0.12 μm vs 38.10±0.11 μm), simultaneously activated TLR3 and RIG-I protein expression (P<0.05), upregulated the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 (P<0.01), and increased the apoptosis rate of SY5Y cells (P<0.01). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that RSV infection of microglia can induce SY5Y neuronal cell injury and stimulate apoptosis through inflammatory cytokine release.
Assessment of hand function in women with lymphadenopathy after radical mastectomy

Background Breast cancer related upper limb lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication in post-mastectomy patients. It is known to cause upper limb disability, which subsequently may affect the grip strength and hand function. There is little evidence on the objective assessment of functional activities particularly hand function in women with BCRL. Therefore, this study objectively assesses the handgrip strength and hand functions in women with BCRL. Method A cross-sectional study design was conducted on a sample of women with (n = 31) and without (n = 31) BCRL. The Handgrip strength and hand functions were measured using a dynamometer and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, respectively. Results The results showed a significantly reduced handgrip strength in women with BCRL as compared to age-matched healthy adult women for both right and left hands (p < 0.05). Similarly, hand functions were significantly impaired in women with BCRL as compared to healthy adult women (p < 0.05). Reduction in handgrip strength and hand function in women with BCRL were clinically meaningful as indicated by moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 0.61 to 0.99 and 0.54 to 3.02, respectively) in all outcomes except power handgrip strength in left hand (Cohen’s d = 0.38). Conclusion The results of this study indicate a significant reduction of hand grip strength and hand function in women with BCRL. Our findings suggest that objective measures of grip strength and function be included in the assessment of women with BCRL to better guide clinical decision making and patient care, which may include management of impairment associated with hand strength and function. Future studies that evaluate hand grip strength and function in a larger sample which includes a more diverse age group of women with BCRL are warranted to confirm the current findings.
Stance detection with BERT embeddings for credibility analysis of information on social media

The evolution of electronic media is a mixed blessing. Due to the easy access, low cost, and faster reach of the information, people search out and devour news from online social networks. In contrast, the increasing acceptance of social media reporting leads to the spread of fake news. This is a minacious problem that causes disputes and endangers the societal stability and harmony. Fake news spread has gained attention from researchers due to its vicious nature. proliferation of misinformation in all media, from the internet to cable news, paid advertising and local news outlets, has made it essential for people to identify the misinformation and sort through the facts. Researchers are trying to analyze the credibility of information and curtail false information on such platforms. Credibility is the believability of the piece of information at hand. Analyzing the credibility of fake news is challenging due to the intent of its creation and the polychromatic nature of the news. In this work, we propose a model for detecting fake news. Our method investigates the content of the news at the early stage i.e., when the news is published but is yet to be disseminated through social media. Our work interprets the content with automatic feature extraction and the relevance of the text pieces. In summary, we introduce stance as one of the features along with the content of the article and employ the pre-trained contextualized word embeddings BERT to obtain the state-of-art results for fake news detection. The experiment conducted on the real-world dataset indicates that our model outperforms the previous work and enables fake news detection with an accuracy of 95.32%.
Student health behavior and academic performance

Objective To explore the association between health behaviors and habits of university students and academic achievement. Participants Six hundred fourteen undergraduate students at a state university in the United States. Methods Students were invited over a 2-year period to participate in an anonymous online survey that asked questions concerning a wide range of health behaviors and habits; participants were asked to report their current grade point average (GPA). Standard Least Squares Models were used to examine differences in self-reported GPA across the different health behaviors and habits, with individuals as replicates. Results The study found positive associations between breakfast consumption, physical activity, and strength training and self-reported GPA, and negative associations between the hours of sleep per night, hours worked per week, fast food and energy drinks consumption, and use of marijuana, alcohol and electronic vaping products. Conclusions While there is an association for some of the studied health behaviors and habits with self-reported GPA, the effect sizes for these health behaviors were low. The significant effect of vaping on GPA as well as the increased use reported in this study indicates that the topic should be explored further. Furthermore, students should be educated on the potential positive and negative effects of health behavior choices to help them make better choices.
Leveraging Virtual Experiences for International Professional Development Opportunities during the Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life, including the world of education. Within no time, the once-bustling university classrooms were compelled to be moved online, leaving the educators to rely on virtual engagement tools. ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life, including the world of education. Within no time, the once-bustling university classrooms were compelled to be moved online, leaving the educators to rely on virtual engagement tools. This, in turn, has heightened the impact of virtual professional development in higher education, not just nationally but also internationally. As we look toward finding ways and means to engage students in effective classroom instruction, there are still parts of the globe making this transition to online instruction without cutting-edge technologies. This article, therefore, highlights the importance of engaging educators in virtual professional development activities as part of international outreach and details the author’s experience using the Avida-ED platform for a novel international teaching partnership. Traditionally, international outreach activities have been pursued through distinct platforms like Fulbright, sabbatical, and other international collaborations. The ongoing pandemic therefore presents a unique opportunity to propagate professional development activities on a virtual platform by emphasizing scientific teaching practices as they relate to the STEM fields. If undertaken, these endeavors ultimately benefit educators across the globe by not only equipping them with various pedagogical tools and resources for their online instruction but also paving the way toward establishing international partnerships and collaborations.
Gaps in health security related to wildlife and environment affecting pandemic prevention and preparedness, 2007–2020

Abstract Objective To describe and quantify the extent of wildlife and environment sector inclusion in country evaluation and prioritization tools for health security, and to provide practical recommendations for global and national action to improve pandemic prevention and preparedness. Methods To assess coverage of wildlife and other environmental aspects, we reviewed major health security reports (including World Organisation for Animal Health Performance of Veterinary Services reports, and World Health Organization Joint External Evaluations and follow-on National Action Plans for Health Security) published by 107 countries and territories. We extracted information on stated coverage gaps, wildlife surveillance systems and priority diseases. We also searched National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans published by 125 countries to assess whether disease surveillance or prevention activities were included. Findings We noted that the occurrence frequency of keywords indicative of wildlife, environment, biodiversity and climate factors varied with type of report and between countries. We found that more than half (57.9%, 62/107) of the reporting countries did not provide any evidence of a functional wildlife health surveillance programme. Most countries (83.2%, 89/107) indicated specific gaps in operations, coordination, scope or capacity. Only eight of the 125 countries (6.4%) publishing a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan reported tangible activities related to wildlife health or zoonotic disease. Conclusion Overall, despite their importance for pandemic prevention, wildlife and environmental considerations are neglected in health security priorities and plans. Strengthening wildlife health capacity and operations should be emphasized in One Health efforts to monitor and mitigate known and novel disease risks.
Effects of an Empowerment Program on Self-Care Behaviors and Readmission of Patients with Heart Failure: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The prevalence of heart failure, as a serious health problem, is increasing around the world due to underlying factors, such as hypertension and diabetes. Although the patient’s cooperation in the treatment process plays a crucial role in treatment, only a few combinations of different approaches have been investigated so far. This study aimed to determine the effects of an empowerment program on the patients’ self-care behaviors and hospital readmission. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 120 patients with heart failure were divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, the empowerment program, including face-to-face training, educational booklets, and follow-up via Telegram messaging application, was implemented, while the control group only received standard care. Data were collected before the intervention and six months after the intervention, using a researcher-made questionnaire. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) was completed for both groups. Results: The results indicated that all three self-care scales, namely, self-care maintenance, self-care management, and self-care confidence, significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the baseline (P=0.000), while the scores of these scales decreased in the control group (P=0.000). The frequency of hospital admission and the length of hospital stay also reduced in the experimental group (P=0.000 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of the demographic characteristics between the two groups. Conclusion: The empowerment program significantly improved the patients’ self-care behaviors and reduced the frequency and duration of hospitalization. Therefore, implementation of such programs is strongly suggested, especially in heart failure clinics.
Cognitive Aftereffects of Acute tDCS Coupled with Cognitive Training: An fMRI Study in Healthy Seniors

Enhancing cognitive functions through noninvasive brain stimulation is of enormous public interest, particularly for the aging population in whom processes such as working memory are known to decline. In a randomized double-blind crossover study, we investigated the acute behavioral and neural aftereffects of bifrontal and frontoparietal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with visual working memory (VWM) training on 25 highly educated older adults. Resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis was performed prior to and after each stimulation session with a focus on the frontoparietal control network (FPCN). The bifrontal montage with anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex enhanced VWM accuracy as compared to the sham stimulation. With the rs-FC within the FPCN, we observed significant stimulation × time interaction using bifrontal tDCS. We found no cognitive aftereffects of the frontoparietal tDCS compared to sham stimulation. Our study shows that a single bifrontal tDCS combined with cognitive training may enhance VWM performance and rs-FC within the relevant brain network even in highly educated older adults.
Virtual Consultations: Young People and Their Parents’ Experience

Purpose Evaluate the experience of virtual consultations for young people and their families and assess whether young people are being offered a confidential space as part of these virtual encounters. Patients and Methods An anonymous online survey was sent to young people age 10–18 y.o. who had experienced at least one virtual consultation with an adolescent medicine tertiary service in the United Kingdom between March 13th and June 13th 2020 mostly associated with, but not exclusively, management of chronic fatigue syndrome or medically unexplained symptoms. Responses from the survey were analysed by two authors who independently coded the common themes reported by the participants. Results Fifty young people and their families participated in the survey. Eighty-eight percent reported feeling prepared for virtual appointments, 90% found them helpful, 88% felt that they were private and 86% reported they would find further virtual appointments helpful. Positive impacts reported were no need to travel (38%) and the continuity of care (36%). Many of our participants reported no negative impact (39%) and felt that nothing needed to be improved (56%). The most frequent improvement reported was the provision of a quality video call (34%). Only 36% of young people had the opportunity to speak in confidence to the health care provider without their parents’ presence. Conclusion Virtual appointments are perceived as safe and helpful by the young people and their families. Professionals should offer a confidential remote space for young people to speak without their parents.
Prediction of Disease Progression of COVID-19 Based upon Machine Learning

Background Since December 2019, COVID-19 has spread throughout the world. Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients vary among infected individuals. Therefore, it is vital to identify patients at high risk of disease progression. Methods In this retrospective, multicenter cohort study, COVID-19 patients from Huoshenshan Hospital and Taikang Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, China) were included. Clinical features showing significant differences between the severe and nonsevere groups were screened out by univariate analysis. Then, these features were used to generate classifier models to predict whether a COVID-19 case would be severe or nonsevere based on machine learning. Two test sets of data from the two hospitals were gathered to evaluate the predictive performance of the models. Results A total of 455 patients were included, and 21 features showing significant differences between the severe and nonsevere groups were selected for the training and validation set. The optimal subset, with eleven features in the k–nearest neighbor model, obtained the highest area under the curve (AUC) value among the four models in the validation set. D-dimer, CRP, and age were the three most important features in the optimal-feature subsets. The highest AUC value was obtained using a support vector–machine model for a test set from Huoshenshan Hospital. Software for predicting disease progression based on machine learning was developed. Conclusion The predictive models were successfully established based on machine learning, and achieved satisfactory predictive performance of disease progression with optimal-feature subsets.
Chrysosplenium sangzhiense (Saxifragaceae), a new species from Hunan, China

Abstract Chrysosplenium sangzhiense Hong Liu, a new species from Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the new species belongs to subgen. Chrysosplenium and is closely related to C. grayanum, C. nepalense and C. sinicum. The chromosome number of the new species is 2n = 46, indicating a novel basic number x = 23 in Chrysosplenium that is different from other species. This also suggests that C. sangzhiense is probably an allopolyploid derivative of a species with x = 11 and one with x = 12. Morphologically, C. sangzhiense can be easily distinguished from C. grayanum, C. nepalense, C. sinicum and C. cavaleriei, a species not included in our phylogenetic analysis by a suite of characters relating to the sterile shoots, basal leaves, cauline leaves, flowering stem, sepals, disc, capsule and seed. A global conservation assessment is performed, and classifies C. sangzhiense as Least Concern (LC).
Scientometric Analysis of Dental Implant Research over the Past 10 Years and Future Research Trends

Background We conducted a bibliometrics analysis to explore the recent trends in dental implant research which could help researchers have a clear grasp of the relevant research hotspots and prospects. Material and Methods. Altogether, 15,770 articles on dental implants, from January 1, 2010, to October 31, 2019, were selected from the Web of Science Core Collection. We used BICOMB software to extract the high-frequency MeSH terms and construct binary and coword matrices. gCLUTO software was used for biclustering and visual analysis, Ucinet 6 software for social network analysis, SCIMAT software for strategic diagram building, Citespace 5.5 software to form timeline visualization, and VOSviewer software, eventually, for bibliometrics cocitation network. Results Altogether, 72 high-frequency keywords were extracted from the selected articles and 4 clusters and 7 subcategories were identified through biclustering analysis in the dental implant research field. The use of the strategic diagram also enabled us to find the research hotspot and development trends. Conclusions The survival rate of dental implants and subsequent restoration have always been the core focus of research. Sinus floor elevation and guided bone regeneration are worthy of constant exploration owing to their reliability. With continuous improvement in technology, immediate loading could become a future research hot spot.
Back to the future: lessons from past viral infections and the link with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract During the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been noticeable increase in the reporting of neurological symptoms in patients. There is still uncertainty around the significance and long-term consequence of these symptoms. There are also many outstanding questions on whether the causative virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) can directly infect the central nervous system (CNS). Given the long association between viral infections with neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), it seems timely to review this literature again in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to glean some useful information from studies on similar viruses. In this commentary, we will consider the current knowledge on viral infections in the brain. In addition, we review the link between viral infection and neurodegeneration in PD, and review the recent literature on SARS infections, the potential link with PD and the potential areas of study in the future.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a Two-Stage Sequential Screening Strategy Implemented by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to Identify Individuals with COPD in Rural India

Purpose Undiagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) results in high morbidity, disability and mortality in India. Effective strategies for active COPD screening in community settings are needed to increase early identification, risk reduction and timely management. The objective of this study was to test the diagnostic accuracy of a sequential two-step screening strategy to detect COPD, implemented by community health workers (CHWs), among adults aged ≥40 years in a rural area of North India. Patients and Methods Trained CHWs screened all consenting (n=3256) eligible adults in two villages using the Lung Function Questionnaire (LFQ) to assess their COPD risk and conducted pocket spirometry on 268 randomly selected (132 with high risk ie LFQ score ≤18 and 136 with low risk ie LFQ score >18) individuals. Subsequently, trained researchers conducted post-bronchodilator spirometry on these randomly selected individuals using a diagnostic quality spirometer and confirmed the COPD diagnosis according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria (FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7). Results This strategy of using LFQ followed by pocket spirometry was sensitive (78.6%) and specific (78.8%), with a positive predictive value of 66% and negative predictive value of 88%. It could accurately detect 67% of GOLD Stage 1, 78% of GOLD Stage 2, 82% of GOLD Stage 3 and 100% of GOLD Stage 4 individuals with airflow limitation. Conclusion COPD can be accurately detected by trained CHWs using a simple sequential screening strategy. This can potentially contribute to accurate assessment of COPD and thus its effective management in low-resource settings.