Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New insights in pathogenic mechanism of hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity through optical coherence tomography angiography analysis

Introduction There is only a unique report with a small sample size studying hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinal toxicity with swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The aim of this study was to quantify OCTA quantitative parameters in patients who underwent HCQ therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective study. The study included 43 eyes of 22 patients taking HCQ for more than 5 years (high-risk group), 57 eyes of 29 patients taking HCQ for 5 years or less (low-risk group) and 25 eyes of 50 age-matched healthy controls. OCTA quantitative parameters (vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in superficial capillary plexus (SCP), middle capillary plexus (MCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), total capillary plexus (TCP), and choriocapillaris (CC)) were recorded. Results In the low-risk group, VD in the SCP and MCP was increased compared to control group (p value <.05). In the high-risk group, VD in the SCP, MCP and TCP was increased (p value <.05). The subgroup analysis revealed an increased VD at SCP in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) high-risk patients, an increased VD at TCP and CC in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) high-risk subjects, and a decreased VD at CC level in the high-risk group patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and connective tissue disease (CTD) (p value <.05). Furthermore, we demonstrated a significant enlargement of FAZ area at MCP level in the high-risk group patients with SS and CTD (p value <.05). Conclusion We demonstrated an increase of VD in patients who underwent HCQ treatment, so we suggest that HCQ retinal toxicity is not vascular mediated.
Feeding level is associated with altered liver transcriptome and follicle selection in hen

Abstract Genetic selection for particular traits in domestic animals may have altered the optimal feedback regulation among systems regulating appetite, growth, and reproduction. Broiler breeder chickens have been selected for fast and efficient growth and, unless feed restricted, consume excessively resulting in poor reproductive efficiency. We examined the effect of dietary treatment in full-fed and restricted-fed broiler breeder hens on ovarian responses, liver morphology, and transcriptome associated with reproductive function. Although full-fed broiler breeder hens had lower egg production (P < 0.01), the total number of ovarian follicles >8 mm (P < 0.01), 6–8 mm (P < 0.03), and 3–5 mm (P < 0.04) were greater in full-fed hens compared to restricted-fed hens. There was a large amount of lipid accumulation in the liver of full-fed hens and differential gene analysis yielded 120 genes that were differentially expressed >2-fold in response to feeding level (P < 0.01; false discovery rate < 0.05). Elevated T3 may indicate that general metabolism was affected by diet and GHR (P < 0.01) and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) (P < 0.04) mRNA expression were both greater in the liver of full-fed hens as compared to restricted-fed hens. It is likely that selection for increased growth, associated with enhanced activity of the IGF1 system, has altered nutritional coupling of feed intake to follicle development. Summary Sentence Feeding level affects the liver and ovary of the hen. Graphical Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Period Seroprevalence and Related Factors, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, October 2020–March 2021

Estimating the actual extent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is challenging because virus test positivity data undercount the actual number and proportion of persons infected. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence is a marker of past SARS-CoV-2 infection regardless of presence or severity of symptoms and therefore is a robust biomarker of infection period prevalence. We estimated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among residents of Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, to determine factors independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody status overall and among asymptomatic antibody-positive persons. Among 867 participants, SARS-CoV-2 period prevalence (October 2020–March 2021) was 19.5% (asymptomatic seroprevalence was 8%). Seroprevalence was 2-fold higher than reported SARS-CoV-2 virus test positivity. Factors related to social distancing (e.g., essential worker status, not practicing social distancing, contact with a virus-positive person, and length of contact exposure time) were consistently associated with seroprevalence but did not differ by time since suspected or known infection (<6 months vs. >6 months).
Highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells enabled by low-dimensional perovskitoids

Deep traps originated from the defects formed at the surfaces and grain boundaries of the perovskite absorbers during their lattice assembly are the main reasons that cause nonradiative recombination and material degradation, which notably affect efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we demonstrate the substantially improved PSC performance by capping the photoactive layer with low-dimensional (LD) perovskitoids. The undercoordinated Pb ions and metallic Pb at the surfaces of the three-dimensional (3D) perovskite are effectively passivated via the Pb-I bonding from the favorably lattice-matched 3D/LD interface. The good stability and hydrophobicity of the LD (0D and 1D) perovskitoids allow excellent protection of the 3D active layer under severe environmental conditions. The PSC exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 24.18%, reproduced in an accredited independent photovoltaic testing laboratory. The unencapsulated device maintains 90% of its initial efficiency after 800 hours of continuous illumination under maximum power point operating conditions.
Pancreatic dysfunction and duodenal inflammatory responses coordinate with refractory epigastric pain including functional dyspepsia "A narrative review".

Functional dyspepsia (FD) in the past, has been found to be associated with patients with pancreatic enzyme abnormalities and chronic pancreatitis in a certain population of patients who suffered from this disease. Since 2009, when the idea of early chronic pancreatitis (ECP) first emerged, the utility of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has gained our attention as it may play an important role in distinguishing ECP from dyspepsia patients. Although the symptoms of patients with pancreatic enzyme abnormalities and pancreatic dysfunction overlap with those of dyspepsia, there are no available data to explain the direct relationships and linkages between pancreatic dysfunction and dyspeptic symptoms. The disturbance of exocrine pancreatic enzyme function and the reduction of pancreatic endocrine levels, such as insulin, may be associated with dyspeptic symptoms through impaired gastric emptying and duodenal inflammation. Recently, some studies have focused on the role of duodenal pathophysiology in gastric motility, bicarbonate secretion, and digestion. Since the reduction of bicarbonate secretion by pancreatic dysfunction fails to neutralize gastric acid in the proximal part of the duodenum, impaired bicarbonate secretion by pancreatic dysfunction in turn fails to protect the duodenal mucosa against gastric acid influx, thereby inducing duodenal inflammation. In addition, it has been suggested that elevated trypsin levels might be partly associated in part with duodenal inflammatory responses through PAR2-related immunomodulatory cells. This article offers a review on how duodenal inflammation may play a role in the etiology of FD and demonstrates whether pancreatic dysfunction may be associated with FD through intestinal inflammation.
Factor structure of borderline personality disorder and response to Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving.

Differential response to the Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) program was compared in subgroups identified through latent class analysis (LCA). STEPPS is an evidence-based group treatment program for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A reanalysis of data was conducted using data from a 20-week randomized controlled trial and 1-year follow-up. Subjects (n = 164) with DSM-IV BPD were assessed for comorbid Axis I and II disorders and selected clinical variables. Severity was assessed using the Zanarini Rating Scale for BPD (ZAN-BPD) and the Borderline Evaluation of Severity Over Time (BEST). Three- and four-class models were identified with the four-class model having the better fit. The latter included a high severity (HS) class (26%), an affective instability/substance abuse (AISA) class (16%), an empty/dissociation/identity disturbance (EDID) class (27%), and a low severity (LS) class (30%). High impulsiveness predicted membership in the HS class. Improvement was determined using a linear mixed-effects model. Those most likely to benefit were those in the HS group characterized by high symptom severity, Axis I and II comorbidity, problem relationships, abandonment fears, and intense anger. This work should help further efforts to match patients with treatments based on sociodemographic, diagnostic, and other illness characteristics.
Nurses' disaster core competencies and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study from Turkey.

AIM Determining nurses' disaster core competency levels, comparing them based on characteristics, and examining the relationships with psychological resilience. BACKGROUND Since nurses constitute a critical part in the healthcare services, it is important to understand the competencies and effective factors in their disaster preparedness. METHOD The data were collected from 489 nurses between January and February 2021 with an introductory information form, Nurses' Perceptions of Disaster Core Competencies Scale, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. RESULTS Nurses' level of disaster core competencies was above the average, and it is positively correlated with their psychological resilience. Nurses' disaster experiences made higher significant differences on their disaster core competencies rather than their personal and professional characteristics. CONCLUSIONS It is important to provide disaster training and drills to all nurses on a regular basis. However, under disaster conditions, resilience should also be taken into account and included in the preparation plans for nurses to apply their professional competencies and qualifications. Implications for nursing management Nurse managers should play a leadership role in planning disaster preparedness training for nurses, and these trainings should be addressed to cover both professional competencies and resilience for nurses to respond effectively to disasters.
Progranulin Suppressed Autoimmune Uveitis and Autoimmune Neuroinflammation by Inhibiting Th1/Th17 Cells and Promoting Treg Cells and M2 Macrophages

Background and Objectives Progranulin (PGRN) is an important immune regulatory molecule in several immune-mediated diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of PGRN in uveitis and its counterpart, experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods Serum PGRN levels in patients with Behcet disease (BD) or Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease and normal controls were measured by ELISA. EAE and EAU were induced in B10RIII, wild-type, and PGRN−/− mice to evaluate the effect of PGRN on the development of these 2 immune-mediated disease models. The local and systemic immunologic alterations were detected by ELISA, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR. RNA sequencing was performed to identify the hub genes and key signaling pathway. Results A significantly decreased PGRN expression was observed in patients with active BD and active VKH. Recombinant PGRN significantly reduced EAU severity in association with a decreased frequency of Th17 and Th1 cells. PGRN−/− mice developed an exacerbated EAU and EAE in association with strikingly increased frequency of Th1 and Th17 cells and reduced frequency of regulatory T (Treg) cells. In vitro studies revealed that rPGRN could inhibit IRBP161–180-specific Th1 and Th17 cell response and promote Treg cell expansion. It promoted non–antigen-specific Treg cell polarization from naive CD4+ T cells in association with increased STAT5 phosphorylation. Using RAN sequencing, we identified 5 shared hub genes including Tnf, Il6, Il1b, Cxcl2, and Ccl2 and the most significantly enriched MAPK and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway in PGRN−/− EAU mice. The aggravated EAE activity in PGRN−/− mice was associated with a skew from M2 to M1 macrophages. Discussion Our results collectively reveal an important protective role of PGRN in EAU and EAE. These studies suggest that PGRN could serve as an immunoregulatory target in the study of prevention and treatment for the Th1/Th17-mediated diseases.
Differing kinetics of anti‐spike protein IgGs and neutralizing antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 after Comirnaty (BNT162b2) immunization

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection has had a serious worldwide impact on human health. On December 2020, an immunization campaign with a COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty‐BNT162b2 Pfizer‐BioNTech) was started in Italy, first targeting healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aims to investigate the antibodies that are response against SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine.
Stochastic Vector Techniques in Ground-State Electronic Structure.

We review a suite of stochastic vector computational approaches for studying the electronic structure of extended condensed matter systems. These techniques help reduce algorithmic complexity, facilitate efficient parallelization, simplify computational tasks, accelerate calculations, and diminish memory requirements. While their scope is vast, we limit our study to ground-state and finite temperature density functional theory (DFT) and second-order perturbation theory. More advanced topics, such as quasiparticle (charge) and optical (neutral) excitations and higher-order processes, are covered elsewhere. We start by explaining how to use stochastic vectors in computations, characterizing the associated statistical errors. Next, we show how to estimate the electron density in DFT and discuss highly effective techniques to reduce statistical errors. Finally, we review the use of stochastic vector techniques for calculating correlation energies within the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and its finite temperature variational form. Example calculation results are presented and used to demonstrate the efficacy of the methods. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Volume 73 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Emerging evidence on Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS‐CoV‐2 variant

COVID's Omicron variant has sparked a slew of concerns across the globe. This review aims to provide a brief overview of what we know about the Omicron variant right now. The new variant has been discovered in 149 countries across all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions since its discovery in South Africa on November 24, 2021 and became the dominant variant in the country in less than 3 weeks. The WHO has warned that the B.1. 1.529 variant is spreading at an unprecedented rate, and has urged countries to prepare for the worst. Over the course of this time, researchers from Africa and around the world have uncovered a wealth of information about the virus's epidemiology and biological properties. Case numbers are increasing exponentially in hard‐hit areas such as South Africa, United Kingdom, and USA (overtaking the delta variant), implying that the variant is highly transmissible. Initial research has provided some insights into the efficacy of vaccines against the Omicron variant and whether it produces major illness, however, much remains unknown, and additional work is needed to investigate what the initial reports represent in real‐world situations.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on HOME Advantage in Different European Professional Basketball Leagues

Our purpose in this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on home advantage (HA) in sports by comparing European professional basketball games in which spectators were present (pre-pandemic) with “ghost” games in which spectators were absent (during the pandemic). A secondary objective was to analyze how team ability interacted with HA by comparing HA affects pre-pandemic and during the pandemic in the context of differing team ability levels. We used Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U tests to identify HA through differences in home win percentages (HW%) between pre-pandemic and pandemic games. Additionally, we ran the Kruskal–Wallis test to identify HA and HW% differences between different team ability levels (high to low). Teams had higher HA and HW% pre-pandemic than during the pandemic. In turn, low level teams presented a higher HA compared to teams at other team ability levels. Thus, low level teams benefited more from playing at their home-court. However, low level teams showed lower HW% than medium and high team ability levels, showing that team ability is more important than HA in determining game outcomes.
Idylla MSI test combined with immunohistochemistry is a valuable and cost effective strategy to search for microsatellite instable tumors of noncolorectal origin

Recent diagnostic and therapeutic progresses have increased the need of searching for microsatellite instability (MSI) in cancer samples beyond colorectal cancer (CRC) ones. The availability of the fully‐automated Idylla MSI test (Biocartis), implementable easily in pathology laboratories, offers the opportunity to reconsider MSI diagnostic strategies towards rapid and in‐house diagnosis. In this study, we evaluate the performances and cost‐effectiveness of an in‐house Idylla MSI testing in comparison with an externalized testing of about 54 non‐CRC tumor samples. The Idylla MSI test concluded in valid analyses in 53/54 (98.1%) tumor samples with MSI statuses concordant with external molecular and immunohistochemical testing in 50/53 (94.3%) samples. Wrong Idylla MSI test results were obtained in 3/53 (5.7%) samples. Manual checking of microsatellite analyses results and confrontation between the results of Idylla and immunohistochemical analyses have permitted detection and correction of the discrepancies. The implementation of an in‐house Idylla MSI testing for non‐CRC tumors, necessarily combined with immunohistochemistry searching for MSI tumors, appeared not only valuable in terms of performances, but also in terms of cost‐effectiveness without increasing the analyses‐related costs but decreasing dramatically their turnaround times to one single working day.
Possible recombination between two variants of concern in a COVID-19 patient

Abstract We identified an individual who was coinfected with two SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, the Beta and Delta variants. The ratio of the relative abundance between the two variants was maintained at 1:9 (Beta:Delta) in 14 days. Furthermore, possible evidence of recombinations in the Orf1ab and Spike genes was found.
Experiences of hospitalization for suicide ideation and suicide attempt in gender diverse adults.

INTRODUCTION This study sought to investigate general perceptions of suicide-related hospital-based care that Transgender/Gender Diverse (TGD) adults have experienced as well as correlates of their perceived usefulness of this care. METHODS Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey of N = 3718 self-identified TGD individuals. Single-item self-report measures of all constructs of interest were used. RESULTS A total of n = 1056 participants indicated hospitalization for either a past suicide attempt (SA) or suicidal ideation (SI). Irrespective of being hospitalized for SI or SA, perceived usefulness of hospital-based care was low with 50% or more of participants rating their care as some degree of unhelpful. Older age, general trust in mental healthcare providers, and voluntary admission were related to higher perceived helpfulness of care for both SI and SA admissions. Higher pride in TGD identity was positively related to perceived helpfulness of care but only for admissions related to SAs. CONCLUSION Improving perceived usefulness of hospital-based care may be important for improving subsequent suicide-related help-seeking. Increasing training and provision of care that improves trust with mental healthcare providers and potentially reduces need for involuntary admission may help improve hospital-based, suicide-related care in TGD adults.
Physical disability, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation among Chinese nursing home residents: the moderating role of resilience

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between physical disability and suicidal ideation, and whether the mediation effect was moderated by resilience among nursing home residents. Methods Participants were 538 nursing home residents recruited from 37 nursing homes in Jinan, China (mean age = 78.13 years, SD = 8.72). The Lawton and Brody Activities of Daily Living Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, 10-item version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Beck Suicidal Ideation Inventory-Chinese Version were used. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were performed using Models 4 and 15 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation among the nursing home residents was 14.90%. The mediation analysis showed that self-esteem partially mediated the association between physical disability and suicidal ideation. Resilience was a protective factor for suicidal ideation and moderated the relationship between physical disability and suicidal ideation, and between self-esteem and suicidal ideation. Conclusion Both physical disability and lower self-esteem are important in understanding the development of suicidal ideation among nursing home residents. Improving resilience may be crucial for suicide prevention.
The odds of neoplasia in dogs with and without diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background Increased risk of neoplasia in humans with diabetes mellitus (DM) is well documented. It is unknown if dogs with DM have increased risk of neoplasia. Objective Determine if dogs with DM have an overall increased risk of neoplasia and risk for specific forms of neoplasia compared to dogs without DM. Animals Seven hundred dogs with DM and 700 breed, age, and sex‐matched dogs without DM, examined during the same years. Methods Retrospective case‐control study. Odds ratios (OR), corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), and P‐values were calculated using conditional logistic regression to determine if dogs with DM had increased odds of developing neoplasia compared to dogs without DM. Results The overall odds of developing neoplasia were not significantly different in dogs with and without DM. However, dogs with DM had significantly higher odds of developing an adrenal mass (OR, 4; 95% CI, 1.1‐14.2; P = .03) compared to dogs without DM. The odds of developing a splenic mass in dogs with DM (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.99‐1.39) were increased compared to dogs without DM, but this difference was not significant (P = .07). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with DM may be at increased risk for adrenal neoplasia. Awareness of this risk can facilitate early diagnosis of this life‐threatening comorbidity. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.