Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reasons People Who Use Opioids Do Not Accept or Carry No-Cost Naloxone: Qualitative Interview Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Many people use opioids and are at risk of overdose. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. There is an increased availability of naloxone in New York City; however, many who use opioids decline no-cost naloxone even when offered. Others may have the medication but opt not to carry it and report that they would be reluctant to administer it if they were to witness an overdose. OBJECTIVE We aim to better understand why people who use opioids may be reluctant to accept, carry, and administer naloxone, and to inform the development of messaging content that addresses barriers to its acceptance and use. METHODS We conducted formative qualitative interviews with 20 people who use opioids who are 18 years and older in New York City. Participants were recruited via key informants and chain referral. RESULTS Participants cited 4 main barriers that may impede rates of naloxone acceptance, possession, and use: (1) stigma related to substance use, (2) indifference toward overdose, (3) fear of negative consequences of carrying naloxone, and (4) fear of misrecognizing the need for naloxone. Participants also offered suggestions about messaging content to tackle the identified barriers, including messages designed to normalize naloxone possession and use, encourage shared responsibility for community health, and elicit empathy for people who use drugs. Taken together, participants’ narratives hold implications for the following potential messaging content: (1) naloxone is short-acting, and withdrawal sickness does not have to be long-lasting; (2) it is critical to accurately identify an opioid-involved overdose; (3) anyone can overdose; (4) naloxone cannot do harm; and (5) the prompt administration of the medication can help ensure that someone can enjoy another day. Finally, participants suggested that messaging should also debunk myths and stereotypes about people who use drugs more generally; people who use opioids who reverse overdoses should be framed as lay public health advocates and not just “others” to be managed with stigmatizing practices and language. CONCLUSIONS It must be made a public health priority to get naloxone to people who use opioids who are best positioned to reverse an overdose, and to increase the likelihood that they will carry naloxone and use it when needed. Developing, tailoring, and deploying messages to address stigma, indifference toward overdose, fear and trepidation about reversing an overdose, and fear of police involvement may help alleviate fears among some people who are reluctant to obtain naloxone and use the medication on someone in an overdose situation.
Cerium oxide nanoparticles as a new neuroprotective agent to promote functional recovery in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury.

BACKGROUND Peripheral nerve injury is a common clinical disorder. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of cerium oxide nanoparticles on axonal regeneration and functional recovery of the sciatic nerve after a crush injury in the rat model. METHOD A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The animals underwent deep anesthesia. Afterward, the right sciatic nerve of rats was exposed and crushed. In two experimental groups, rats were treated intraperitoneally with cerium oxide nanoparticles at the dosage of 20 or 80 mg/kg daily for 1 week. The control group was given a vehicle. Then, during the nerve regeneration motor and sensory function recovery tests, histomorphometric evaluations, histological assessment of gastrocnemius muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle wet weights tests were performed. RESULTS Results demonstrated that the rate of nerve regeneration increased with the administration of cerium oxide nanoparticle in high doses. Also, the morphometric analysis showed that the number of myelinated fibers and myelin sheath thicknesses was significantly greater in the cerium oxide nanoparticle group versus the control group. Other parameters also improved in the cerium oxide nanoparticle treatment groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSION These data indicate that this nanoparticle has therapeutic potential and can be considered as a new treatment for nervous system regeneration.
lncRNA LIFR-AS1 inhibits gastric carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion by sponging miR-4698

The vital functions of long non-coding (lnc)RNAs have been verified in gastric carcinoma (GC). However, as a novel cancer-related lncRNA, the influence of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor antisense RNA 1 (LIFR-AS1) in GC cell biological behaviors remains unreported. The present study explored the biological effects of lncRNA LIFR-AS1 on GC progression. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to examine lncRNA LIFR-AS1 expression in GC tissues and cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, cell wound healing and Transwell invasion assays were used to assess the functions of lncRNA LIFR-AS1 in GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Additionally, associations among lncRNA LIFR-AS1, microRNA (miR)-4698 and microtubule-associated tumor suppressor 1 (MTUS1) were investigated via bioinformatics software and a luciferase reporter system. In addition, western blotting was used to examine the expression of MEK and ERK. Decreased lncRNA LIFR-AS1 expression was observed in GC tissues and cells. Upregulated lncRNA LIFR-AS1 inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Upregulated miR-4698 and downregulated MTUS1 were identified in GC tissues and cells. The inhibitory interaction between lncRNA LIFR-AS1 and miR-4698 was confirmed. Additionally, MTUS1 was predicted as a target gene of miR-4698 positively regulated by lncRNA LIFR-AS1. The MEK/ERK pathway was inhibited by lncRNA LIFR-AS1 via regulating MTUS1. These findings revealed the inhibitory functions of lncRNA LIFR-AS1 in GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The process was mediated via miR-4698, MTUS1 and the MEK/ERK pathway.
Interrelation between Drop Size and Protein Adsorption at Various Emulsification Conditions

A systematic study of the dependence of mean drop diameter, d32, and protein adsorption, Γ, on (1) whey protein concentration and (2) hydrodynamic conditions during emulsification is performed with soybean-oil-in-water emulsions. We find experimentally and explain theoretically an interesting interplay between Γ and d32 in the studied systems: At low protein concentrations, the mean drop size is governed by a critical value of the protein adsorption, Γ*, which is a characteristic of the emulsifier and does not depend on the hydrodynamic conditions. On the other hand, at higher protein concentrations, Γ is determined by the initial protein concentration in the aqueous phase, , and by the mean drop size, d32, the latter being governed only by the hydrodynamic conditions. The theoretical model, developed to describe these relations, is verified by comparing its predictions with experimental results obtained at various protein concentrations, oil volume fractions, and hydrodynamic conditions. The model allow.
Optimization of Fluconazole Dosing for the Prevention and Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis Based on the Pharmacokinetics of Fluconazole in Critically Ill Patients

The efficacy of fluconazole is related to the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) over the MIC of the microorganism. Physiological changes in critically ill patients may affect the exposure of fluconazole, and therefore dosing adjustments might be needed. ABSTRACT The efficacy of fluconazole is related to the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) over the MIC of the microorganism. Physiological changes in critically ill patients may affect the exposure of fluconazole, and therefore dosing adjustments might be needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability in fluconazole drug concentration in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to develop a pharmacokinetic model to support personalized fluconazole dosing. A prospective observational pharmacokinetic study was performed in critically ill patients receiving fluconazole either as prophylaxis or as treatment. The association between fluconazole exposure and patient variables was studied. Pharmacokinetic modeling was performed with a nonparametric adaptive grid (NPAG) algorithm using R package Pmetrics. Data from 33 patients were available for pharmacokinetic analysis. Patients on dialysis and solid organ transplant patients had a significantly lower exposure to fluconazole. The population was best described with a one-compartment model, where the mean volume of distribution was 51.52 liters (standard deviation [SD], 19.81) and the mean clearance was 0.767 liters/h (SD, 0.46). Creatinine clearance was tested as a potential covariate in the model, but was not included in the final population model. A significant positive correlation was found between the fluconazole exposure (AUC) and the trough concentration (Cmin). Substantial variability in fluconazole plasma concentrations in critically ill adults was observed, where the majority of patients were underexposed. Fluconazole Cmin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-guided dosing can be used to optimize therapy in critically ill patients. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02491151.)
What Is the Correlation Among dGEMRIC, T1p, and T2* Quantitative MRI Cartilage Mapping Techniques in Developmental Hip Dysplasia?

BACKGROUND Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) is a validated technique for evaluating cartilage health in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), which can be a helpful prognosticator for the response to surgical treatments. dGEMRIC requires intravenous injection of gadolinium contrast, however, which adds time, expense, and possible adverse reactions to the imaging procedure. Newer MRI cartilage mapping techniques such as T1 rho (ρ) and T2* have been performed in the hip without the need for any contrast, although it is unknown whether they are equivalent to dGEMRIC. QUESTION/PURPOSE In this study, our purpose was to determine the correlation between the relaxation values of three cartilage mapping techniques, dGEMRIC, T1ρ, and T2*, in patients with DDH. METHODS Fifteen patients with DDH (three male, 12 female; mean age 29 ± 9 years) scheduled for periacetabular osteotomy underwent preoperative dGEMRIC, T1ρ, and T2* MRI at 3T with quantitative cartilage mapping. The outcomes of dGEMRIC, T1ρ, and T2* mapping were calculated for three regions of interest (ROI) to analyze the weightbearing cartilage of the hip: global ROI, anterior and posterior ROI, and further subdivided into medial, intermediate, and lateral to generate six smaller ROIs. The correlation between the respective relaxation time values was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient (rS) for each ROI, categorized as negligible, weak, moderate, strong, or very strong. The relaxation values within the subdivided ROIs were compared for each of the three cartilage mapping techniques using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS There was a moderate correlation of T1ρ and T2* relaxation values with dGEMRIC relaxation values. For the global ROI, there was a moderate correlation between dGEMRIC and T2* (moderate; rS = 0.63; p = 0.01). For the anterior ROI, a moderate or strong correlation was found between dGEMRIC and both T1ρ and T2*: dGEMRIC and T1ρ (strong; rS = -0.71; p = 0.003) and dGEMRIC and T2* (moderate; rS = 0.69; p = 0.004). There were no correlations for the posterior ROI. The mean dGEMRIC, T1ρ, and T2* relaxation values were not different between the anterior and posterior ROIs nor between the subdivided six ROIs. CONCLUSION Quantitative T1ρ and T2* cartilage mapping demonstrated a moderate correlation with dGEMRIC, anteriorly and globally, respectively. However, the clinical relevance of such a correlation remains unclear. Further research investigating the correlation of these two noncontrast techniques with clinical function and outcome scores is needed before broad implementation in the preoperative investigation of DDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II, diagnostic study.
The relationship between pain and herniation radiology in giant lumbar disc herniation causing severe sciatica: 15 cases

Abstract Objective To evaluate conservative treatment of giant lumbar disc herniation in patients with extreme pain and to assess temporal changes in pain levels and radiological findings with short-term follow-up. Methods A total of 15 patients with severe pain (as measured by visual analog scale [VAS]) due to giant lumbar disc herniation and without neurological deficits were included. All patients received conservative treatment and were followed weekly for pain and medication assessment. MRI was performed at baseline, second month and fourth month to calculate disc herniation volume. The changes in disc herniation and pain were evaluated. Results There was no relationship between pain and the regression of disc herniation in these five females and ten males with a mean age of 41.4 years. MRI results showed an average of 20.3% and 20.4% regression of disc herniation from baseline to second month, and second month to fourth month, respectively. Whereas, pain levels had reduced from an average of 90.8–13.53 by the second month, and to 3.13 by the fourth month, indicating significant success with conservative treatment. Conclusions Regardless of the size of the herniation and the severity of the pain, patients with giant lumbar disc herniation should be encouraged to undergo conservative treatment, given that the patient does not have urinary-fecal incontinence, foot drop or progressive neurodeficit.
Contingencies of self-worth and the strength of deontological and utilitarian inclinations

ABSTRACT Many studies have tried to understand what makes people adopt deontological or utilitarian inclinations when forming moral judgments or making moral choices. The present research examined the impact of motivational factors: contingencies of people’s self-worth on the strength of deontological and utilitarian inclinations. Study 1 found positive correlations between two contingencies of self-worth: basing one’s self-worth on being a virtuous, moral person (Virtue) and outperforming others (Competition), and the strength of deontological inclinations and utilitarian inclinations respectively. Studies 2 and 3 found that increasing saliency of Virtue as a source of one’s self-worth selectively increased the strength of deontological inclinations, leaving utilitarian inclinations unchanged, while the opposite was true for increasing saliency of Competition as a source of self-worth and the strength of utilitarian inclinations: such priming increased utilitarian inclinations while deontological inclinations remained unchanged.
EFFECT OF DRYING ON RETENTION OF ETHANOL IN MALTODEXTRIN SOLUTION DURING DRYING OF A SINGLE DROPLET

ABSTRACT Retention of ethanol in a droplet of maltodextrin solution during drying was studied both theoretically and experimentally under various drying conditions. It was found that a large part of the total amount of ethanol loss occurred in the initial period of drying, and that the final retention of ethanol increased with increasing initial maltodextrin concentration, drying air temperature and velocity, and decreasing of air humidity. Experimental results of the retention of ethanol were in good agreement with theoretical calculations based on so-called selective diffusion theory.
Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: from Kittens to Humans and Beyond!

Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) are associated with diarrhea worldwide, yet genome-wide investigations to probe their virulome are lacking. V. ABSTRACT Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) are associated with diarrhea worldwide, yet genome-wide investigations to probe their virulome are lacking. In this issue of Infection and Immunity, V. E. Watson, T. H. Hazen, D. A. Rasko, M. E. Jacob, et al. (IAI 89:e00619-20, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00619-20) sequenced aEPEC isolates from diarrheic and asymptomatic kittens. Using phylogenomics, they demonstrated that these isolates were genetically indistinguishable from human isolates, suggesting that kittens may serve as a reservoir and, perhaps, a much-needed model to interrogate aEPEC virulence. The diarrheic isolates were hypermotile, suggesting that this phenotype may distinguish virulent strains from their innocuous counterparts.
A modified Van der Waals model for the coexistence curve of expanded metals

Recent measurements for expanded Hg, Cs and Rb have shown that the liquid - vapour coexistence curves for these metals do not obey the `law of rectilinear diameters'. It is shown here that a two-state Van der Waals equation with a density-dependent cohesive energy will lead to compositional fluctuations that result in a breakdown of the `law'. Calculations predict that Hg and the alkali metals will exhibit similar behaviour near the critical point. However, in the case of Hg the 6p - 6s band-gap closure, which occurs at higher than critical densities, leads to an anomalous behaviour not observed in the alkali metals. The influence of this transition on the rectilinear behaviour is treated by introducing a further modification of the two-state model.
The impurity photovoltaic (IPV) effect in wide‐bandgap semiconductors: an opportunity for very‐high‐efficiency solar cells?

Following recent progress in the study of limiting efficiencies of photovoltaic devices with multiple energy levels, we suggest using the impurity photovoltaic (IPV) effect in wide‐bandgap semiconductors as a means to achieve very‐high‐efficiency solar cells. We discuss the requirements for a high‐efficiency IPV device and review some of the material systems that could be used. As a case study, we investigate theoretically β‐SiC IPV solar cells with a model based on a modified Shockley–Read–Hall theory. The high‐efficiency potential is confirmed and the important issues for implementation are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley &; Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen stability in hydrogenated amorphous carbon films with polymer-like and diamond-like structure

Hydrogen (H) stability in hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films with different structures grown by (biased) electron-cyclotron-resonance chemical vapor deposition has been studied against thermal annealing and swift-ion impact (2 MeV He+). For this purpose, a-C:H films with either polymer-like (PLCH) or diamond-like (DLCH) character grown on grounded or biased (−200 V) substrates, respectively, were annealed up to 450 °C. The local-order structural evolution around C sites was analyzed by x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and the H content and radiation-induced release were determined by successive elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) acquisitions. A relatively high H content is measured for both as-grown PLCH (∼45 at. %) and DLCH films (∼33 at. %). Upon annealing, PLCH films suffer thermal-induced surface decomposition resulting in a thickness reduction and only above 350 °C the H content in the film matrix decreases. PLCH films also display a pronounced H loss rate during ERDA me.
Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Used by Rakhine Indigenous Communities in Patuakhali and Barguna District of Southern Bangladesh

An extensive study has been made to identify, document, and investigate the ethnomedicinal plants used by Rakhine ethnic minorities in Patuakhali and Barguna District of southern Bangladesh for the term of April 2018 to June 2019. In this article, we have focused on the Rakhine population trends, management concerns, and some actions for conserving the Rakhine population diversity in the study area. In this study, we have identified the locations where Rakhine population lives in Patuakhali and Barguna districts. A total of 86 plant species belonging to 71 genera and 43 families were reported to be used for treating more than 57 various physical ailments under 14 illness categories from the study area. For each of the species, the botanic name, common name, Rakhine name, family, habit, parts used and traditional medicinal uses of the plant species have been presented. The maximum numbers of ethnomedicinal plant species were utilized to treat gastrointestinal complaints (43) taken after by the treatment of dermatological issues (36). The highly cited (75.60%) plant species were found to be Ananas comosus and Aegle marmelos used for gastro-intestinal (Stomach pain, indigestion, and dysentery) digestive disorders and subsequently followed by Colocasia esculenta (70.73%) used for cut, bleeding and wound healing. The results of this study have shown that Rakhine indigenous communities still depend on conventional plant-based medication to remedy various diseases and therapeutic purposes in the study area. Our findings have also shown that despite there have adequate phytodiversity in the natural habitat of the study area but the number of Rakhine population has been declining significantly day-by-day. As an ultimate result, we have lost the plant-based traditional medicinal knowledge of Rakhine indigenous communities in Bangladesh. As a rich source of traditional knowledge and cultural diversity, it calls for urgent initiatives to conserve the cultural heritage of the Rakhine community as well as the diversity of Rakhine ethnic group.
Investigation of anxiety levels of 1637 healthcare workers during the epidemic of COVID-19

Objective This study aimed to investigate the anxiety levels of healthcare workers and to provide guidance on potential accurate social and psychological interventions for healthcare workers during the epidemic of COVID-19 in Zhejiang Province, China. Methods Healthcare workers from five hospitals in Zhejiang Province were randomly selected into this study. Zung Self-Assessment Scale for Anxiety (SAS) was used to evaluate the anxiety status of the included 1637 healthcare workers. Results The total anxiety score of healthcare workers in Zhejiang Province was 30.85 ± 6.89. The univariate analysis showed that the anxiety level of healthcare workers was related to gender, education, occupation, physical condition, job risk coefficient, and with family members on the first-line combating COVID-19 (P <0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that physical condition and job risk coefficient were predictors of anxiety levels of healthcare workers. Conclusions During the epidemic of COVID-19, 1637 healthcare workers generally had an increased tendency to have anxiety. Individualized assessment of the anxiety level of healthcare workers should be provided, and different interventions should be given based on the evaluation results.
Detonation Properties and Thermal Behavior of FOX-7-Based Explosives

Phlegmatized FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene, DADNE) and mixtures with cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) were prepared and their detonation properties (the detonation velocity, detonation pressure, acceleration ability, and detonation energy) were investigated. The sensitivity of these compositions to mechanical stimuli (friction, impact, and shock wave) were determined, and the thermal stability and compatibility of the components were tested. This work furthers the investigation into new compositions for low vulnerability ammunition.