Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Pain and Friendship among Middle-Aged and Older U.S. Adults.

OBJECTIVES This study examines how chronic pain affects friendship in later life. We test whether onset of pain leads to social network activation, as suggested by research on other health conditions (Latham- Mintus, Forth.), or whether pain-an unverifiable and often stigmatizing condition-functions as a "threat to the social self" (Karos et al., 2018). METHODS Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N=4,598; 2006/2008 as Time 1 and 2010/2012 as Time 2), we conducted OLS regressions with the lagged dependent variable approach to assess how new-onset chronic pain predicted (a) respondents' number of close friends and (b) their frequency of in-person meetings with friends, controlling for sociodemographic variables and health conditions. RESULTS New-onset severe pain predicted a decrease in number of friends. New-onset moderate pain, in contrast, predicted more friends and more frequent in-person meetings. (Findings were significant or marginally significant depending on model specifications.) Mild pain showed no significant association with either outcome. Pain had a greater effect on men's friendship outcomes than women's. DISCUSSION The effects of chronic pain on later-life friendships appear to depend on pain severity, and to differ between men and women. Onset of severe pain serves as a "threat to the social self," while onset of moderate pain contributes to social network activation; both associations are significantly more pronounced among men. These findings highlight the complex associations between health and social outcomes.
Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using Mobile Health Technology: Systematic Review of the Literature

Background Digital technology is an opportunity for public health interventions to reach a large part of the population. Objective This systematic literature review aimed to assess the effectiveness of mobile health–based interventions in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods We conducted the systematic search in 7 electronic databases using a predefined search strategy. We included articles published between inception of the databases and March 2019 if they reported on the effectiveness of an intervention for prevention of cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes via mobile technology. One researcher performed the search, study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. The steps were validated by the other members of the research team Results The search yielded 941 articles for cardiovascular disease, of which 3 met the inclusion criteria, and 732 for type 2 diabetes, of which 6 met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was low, with the main issue being nonblinding of participants. Of the selected studies, 4 used SMS text messaging, 1 used WhatsApp, and the remaining ones used specific smartphone apps. Weight loss and reduction in BMI were the most reported successful outcomes (reported in 4 studies). Conclusions Evidence on the effectiveness of mobile health-based interventions in reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes is low due to the quality of the studies and the small effects that were measured. This highlights the need for further high-quality research to investigate the potential of mobile health interventions. Trial Registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42019135405; https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/display_record. php? RecordID=135405
The Relationship between Pornography Viewing and Sexually Aggressive Behaviors among Male Students in Selected Kenyan Universities

Advance in technology has helped to change the terrain of human sexuality in both positive and negative ways making the distribution of pornography faster and easier than ever before. It is often assumed that pornographic materials educate and offer entertainment to its viewers. However, sexually objectifying media could also increase sexual perpetuation such as sexual abuse that has become rampart in our society today. A few studies have examined the relationship between pornography viewing and sexual aggressive behaviors giving mixed results. To shed more light on this topic, Social Learning Theory and Confluence Model of Sexual Aggression were used to inform the relationships between pornography viewing and sexual aggressive behaviors among male students in selected universities in Kenya. The study adopted a correlational research design. Proportionate random sampling techniques were used to get a sample of 487students while four students’ counselors were purposively sampled. Research data was collected using a questionnaire and structured interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient while the qualitative data was thematically analyzed. The study findings revealed a weak positive correlation between use of sexual arousal (kissing and touching) and use of nude images in magazines, videos, T.V or internet at r= . 111, p < 0.05; use of graphic photos at r= . 155 < 0.01 and use of dirty talk at r= . 123, p= . 01. It is argued that although the correlation is weak, it is indicative of development of sexually undesired behavior that could put the whole human race at risk if not addressed. The study recommends creation of awareness on effect of pornography use and the tendency to cause sexual aggressive behaviours among its users. Strong policies and programmes on pornography abuse and regulations to be put in place for the betterment of humanity.
Interleukin‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells regulate CD8+ T cells cytotoxicity in patients with acute coronary syndromes

T cells play vital roles in the development and progression of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including cytotoxicity mediated by CD8+ T cells and immunoregulatory activity mediated by CD4+ T cells. Interleukin (IL)‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells (Th9 cells) were recently found to be involved in the onset of ACS. We investigated regulatory role of Th9 cells to CD8+ T cells in patients with stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Circulating Th9 cells percentage, plasma IL‐9 level, and PU.1 mRNA relative level was up‐regulated in AMI patients compared with controls. There was no significant difference of IL‐9‐secreting CD8+ T cells percentage among groups. CD8+ T cells from AMI patients revealed increased cytotoxicity than those from controls, which presented as enhanced cytotolytic activity to target cells, increased interferon‐γ and tumor necrosis factor‐α secretion, elevated perforin and granzyme B production, and reduced programmed death‐1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated protein 4. IL‐9 stimulation did not affect proliferation, but promoted CD8+ T‐cell cytotoxicity from both controls and AMI patients. IL‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells were enriched in CD4+CCR4−CCR6−CXCR3− cells. The enhancement of CD8+ T‐cell cytotoxicity induced by CD4+CCR4−CCR6−CXCR3− cells was dependent on IL‐9 secretion. The present results indicated that up‐regulation of IL‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells may contribute to pathogenesis of AMI through enhancement of CD8+ T‐cell cytotoxicity.
Gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments

Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds made of gas and water molecules. Methane hydrates are found in marine sediments and permafrost regions; extensive amounts of methane are trapped in the form of hydrates. The unique behavior of hydrate-bearing sediments requires the development of special research tools, including new numerical algorithms (tubeand porenetwork models) and experimental devices (high pressure chambers and micromodels). Hydraulic conductivity decreases with increasing variance in pore size distribution; while spatial correlation in pore size reduces this trend, both variability and spatial correlation promote flow focusing. Invading gas forms a percolating path while nucleating gas forms isolated gas bubbles; as a result, relative gas conductivity is lower for gas nucleation than for gas invasion processes, and constitutive models must be properly adapted for reservoir simulations. Physical properties such as gas solubility, salinity, pore size, and mixed gas conditions affect hydrate formation and dissociation; implications include oscillatory transient hydrate formation, dissolution within the hydrate stability field, initial hydrate lens formation, and phase boundary changes in real field situations. High initial hydrate saturation and high depressurization favor gas recovery efficiency during gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments. Even a small fraction of fines in otherwise clean sand sediments can cause fines migration and concentration, vuggy structure formation, and gas-driven fracture formation during gas production by depressurization.
The Mobile Colistin Resistance Gene, mcr-1.1, Is Carried on IncX4 Plasmids in Multidrug Resistant E. coli Isolated from Rainbow Trout Aquaculture

Colistin, a last resort antibiotic, is important for controlling infections with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The recent emergence of mobile-colistin-resistance (mcr) genes has threatened the effectiveness of colistin. Aquaculture is hypothesized to be a major contributor to the evolution and dissemination of mcr. However, data on mcr in aquaculture are limited. Here, the occurrence of mcr-1 was assessed in Rainbow Trout in Lebanon, a country with developing antimicrobial stewardship and an established use of colistin for medical and farming purposes. mcr-1 was detected in 5 Escherichia coli isolated from fish guts. The isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant and their colistin minimum inhibitory concentration ranged between 16 and 32 μg/mL. Whole genome sequencing analysis showed that mcr-1 was carried on transmissible IncX4 plasmids and that the isolates harbored more than 14 antibiotic resistance genes. The isolates belonged to ST48 and ST101, which have been associated with mcr and can occur in humans and fish. The mcr-1-positive E. coli persisted in 6-day biofilms, but there was a potential fitness cost. Given the status of infrastructure in Lebanon, there is a high potential for the dissemination of mcr via aquatic environments. Urgent actions are needed to control mcr and to enhance antimicrobial stewardship in Lebanon.
Isolation of Weissella cibaria from Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Gastrointestinal Tract and Evaluation of Its Pathogenic Bacterial Inhibition

Objective: The present study reported the isolation of lactic acid bacteria from the shrimp gastrointestinal tract and evaluation of its antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria. Methods/ statistical analysis: Lactic bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of alive healthy shrimp were screened on sterilized MRS medium. Vibrio sp. inhibition by isolates was conducted by the agar-well diffusion assay. The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Antibacterial activity was investigated against 25 Vibrio sp. isolates, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25023, and Escherichia coli ATCC 85922. Hemolytic activity, salt, and antibiotic resistance were also evaluated. Findings: Total of 22 isolates exhibited Vibrio parahaemolyticus inhibition with antagonistic activities ranged from 220 AU/ml to 460 AU/ml. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA indicated the 5 isolates belong to Weissella cibaria species, namely HN02, HN03, HN04, and HN06 AND HN07. Among these, W. cibaria HN05 had highest antagonistic activity and exhibited the broad inhibition spectrum against Vibrio sp. as well as E. coli ATCC 85922 but not S. aureus ATCC 25023. β-hemolytic and salt resistance assays showed that W. cibaria HN05 had no β-hemolytic activity and grew well in medium containing 5% of salt. Antibiotic resistance analysis indicated W. cibaria HN05 was suppressed by ampicillin, chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline hydrochloride, and chlortetracycline hydrochloride. Application/improvements: This is the first study on isolation and evaluation pathogenic bacteria including Vibrio sp. inhibition by W. cibaria, which is isolated from shrimp gastrointestinal tract. Keywords: Antagonistic Activity, Gastrointestinal Tract, Shirmp, Weissella cibaria, Vibrio sp.
Pellicle Modification with Casein and Mucin Does Not Affect Surface Loss from Erosion and Abrasion

Aim: A combination of the proteins casein and mucin is known to modify the salivary pellicle and improve its protection of the underlying enamel from erosion. It is so far not known if this protection is confined solely to erosion, or if it also extends to abrasion, and this in vitro study aimed at investigating this question. Methods: A total of 72 human enamel specimens were prepared and randomly assigned to four groups: pellicle (P), casein/mucin (CM), pellicle + casein/mucin (PCM), and control (Ctrl). Each specimen underwent five cycles, each cycle consisting of a pellicle/treatment part, an erosion part (3 min in 1% citric acid, pH 3.6, 25°C, 70 rpm), and an abrasion part (50 toothbrush strokes within 25 s in toothpaste slurry with a 200-g load). The pellicle/treatment part consisted of 2 h of incubation in whole human saliva for group P, 2 h of incubation (25°C, 70 rpm) in a protein mixture of 1% casein and 0.27% mucin for group CM, and 2 h of incubation in saliva followed by 2 h of incubation in the protein mixture for group PCM. The fourth group (Ctrl) served as the control and was kept in a humid chamber without saliva or protein treatment. The enamel surfaces were scanned with an optical profilometer initially and after the final cycle, and surface loss was analyzed. Furthermore, the surface microhardness (SMH) was measured initially, after each pellicle/treatment part and each erosion cycle, and after the final abrasion cycle. The results were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests with Bonferroni corrections. Results: The different treatments did not show differences in surface loss and therefore did not protect enamel from surface loss by abrasion. Nonetheless, we observed differences in the SMH values, namely the Ctrl group being significantly softer than the experimental groups. Conclusion: The observed differences in SMH suggest that a different abrasion protocol could lead to differences in surface loss, and further investigation of whether and under which conditions pellicle modification leads to increased resistance to abrasion remains worthwhile.
Microbiological Quality and Shelf Life of Pickled African Walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) Preserved with Lactic and Citric Acids

The short shelf life of locally processed ready-to-eat African walnut is a challenge limiting its utilisation. Pickling is an ancient traditional practice of preserving certain types of food. Therefore, the addition of organic acids to African walnut pickle is aimed at elongating shelf life of the product. In this study, raw African walnut was prepared, then pickled using brine solution (5 % NaCl) that separately contain 1 %, 3 %, 5 % citric and 1 %, 3 % and 5 % lactic acid. The samples were stored for 6 Weeks at room temperature (28±2oC). Total bacterial and fungal counts of the product were monitored weekly using standard methods. Microbiological challenge test study of the pickles using Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fresh African walnut was also performed. Pickle without organic acid was the control sample. Using molecular identification methods, Bacillus cereus strain EV-1 (KY689737), Ochrobactrum ciceri strain EV-2 (KY689738) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain EV-3 (KY689739) were isolated from the pickles. Fungi isolated were Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. Total bacterial and fungal count of the pickles range between 3.52Original Research Article Eze et al.; MRJI, 26(1): 1-18, 2018; Article no.MRJI. 45226 2 7.34 log10cfu/g and 3.48-5.73 log10cfu/g, respectively was higher than that of the control sample. Importantly, lactic acid demonstrated more antibacterial effect than citric acid in preserving African walnut pickles. The challenge test result revealed that B. cereus was more dominant than S. aureus. Based on Microbiological Guidelines for Ready-to-Eat Food that B. cereus and S. aureus must be less than 5 log10cfu/g and 4 log10cfu/g, respectively, the developed pickle is best consumed within 2 weeks.
Egg sacs of Liocranoides Keyserling, 1881 (Araneae: Zoropsidae) cave spiders

Abstract Little is known about reproduction in most cave spiders, including reproductive behaviors, seasonality, and fecundity. In the course of fieldwork in Tennessee caves, we observed aspects of reproduction in three populations of Liocranoides Keyserling, 1881 (Araneae: Zoropsidae) spiders. We observed egg sacs of L. archeri Platnick, 1999, as well as egg sacs and spiderlings of L. cf. gertschi Platnick, 1999. The spiders produced a spherical egg sac that hung from the cave ceiling by a single cord of silk. The egg sacs were covered by foreign material including sediment, rocks, and plant roots. Egg sacs were observed in June and July, and spiderlings were observed in July. Three egg sacs that were collected contained 26, 42, and 53 eggs. This is the first description of reproduction in Liocranoides.
BRIP1, a Gene Potentially Implicated in Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X

We suggest that BRIP1 pathogenic germline variants may have a causal role in CRC as moderate cancer susceptibility alleles and be associated with hereditary CRC predisposition. A better understanding of hereditary CRC may provide important clues to disease predisposition and could contribute to molecular diagnostics, improved risk stratification, and targeted therapeutic strategies. Familial colorectal cancer Type X (FCCTX) comprises a heterogeneous group of families with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and other related tumors, but with mismatch repair–proficient, microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors. Unfortunately, the genetic basis underlying their cancer predisposition remains unknown. Although pathogenic germline variants in BRIP1 increase the risk of developing hereditary ovarian cancer, the involvement of BRIP1 in hereditary colorectal cancer is still not well known. In order to identify new BRIP1 variants associated with inherited colorectal cancer, affected and nonaffected individuals from 18 FCCTX or high-risk MSS colorectal cancer families were evaluated by whole-exome sequencing, and another 62 colorectal cancer patients from FCCTX or high-risk MSS colorectal cancer families were screened by a next-generation sequencing (NGS) multigene panel. The families were recruited at the Genetic Counseling Unit of Hospital Clínico San Carlos of Madrid. A total of three different BRIP1 mutations in three unrelated families were identified. Among them, there were two frameshift variants [c. 1702_1703del, p.(Asn568TrpfsTer9) and c.903del, p.(Leu301PhefsTer2)] that result in the truncation of the protein and are thus classified as pathogenic (class 5). The remaining was a missense variant [c.2220G>T, p.(Gln740His)] considered a variant of uncertain significance (class 3). The segregation and loss-of-heterozygosity studies provide evidence linking the two BRIP1 frameshift variants to colorectal cancer risk, with suggestive but not definitive evidence that the third variant may be benign. The results here presented suggest that germline BRIP1 pathogenic variants could be associated with hereditary colorectal cancer predisposition. Prevention Relevance: We suggest that BRIP1 pathogenic germline variants may have a causal role in CRC as moderate cancer susceptibility alleles and be associated with hereditary CRC predisposition. A better understanding of hereditary CRC may provide important clues to disease predisposition and could contribute to molecular diagnostics, improved risk stratification, and targeted therapeutic strategies.
Biological insights from multi-omic analysis of 31 genomic risk loci for adult hearing difficulty

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI), one of the most common medical conditions, is strongly heritable, yet its genetic causes remain largely unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis of GWAS summary statistics from multiple hearing-related traits in the UK Biobank (n = up to 323,978) and identified 31 genome-wide significant risk loci for self-reported hearing difficulty (p < 5e-8), of which 30 have not been reported previously in the peer-reviewed literature at genome-wide significance. We investigated the regulatory and cell specific expression for these loci by generating mRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq from cells in the mouse cochlea. Risk-associated genes were most strongly enriched for expression in cochlear epithelial cells, as well as for genes related to sensory perception and known Mendelian deafness genes, supporting their relevance to auditory function. Regions of the human genome homologous to open chromatin in sensory epithelial cells from the mouse were strongly enriched for heritable risk for hearing difficulty, even after adjusting for baseline effects of evolutionary conservation and cell-type nonspecific regulatory regions. Epigenomic and statistical fine-mapping most strongly supported 50 putative risk genes. Of these, at least 39 were expressed robustly in mouse cochlea and 16 were enriched specifically in sensory hair cells. These results reveal new risk loci and risk genes for hearing difficulty and suggest an important role for altered gene regulation in the cochlear sensory epithelium.
Certificate-Of-Need Regulation and Healthcare Service Quality: Evidence from the Nursing Home Industry

This quantitative study investigates the effect of certificate-of-need (CON) regulation on the quality of care in the nursing home industry. It uses county-level demographic data from the 48 contiguous US states that are extracted from the American Community Survey (ACS) and cover the years 2012, 2013, and 2014. In doing so, it employs a new set of service quality variables captured from a variety of county-level data sources. Instrumental variables results indicate that health survey scores for nursing homes that are computed by healthcare professionals are about 18–24% lower, depending on the type of nursing home under consideration, in states with CON regulation. We also find that the presence of CON regulation leads to a substitution of lower-quality certified nursing assistant care for higher-quality licensed practical nurse care, regardless of the type of nursing home under consideration.