Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Residents’ information seeking behavior and protective action for earthquake hazards in The Portland Oregon Metropolitan Area

Though significant research exists on earthquake hazard adjustment adoption more generally, research focused on how information seeking influences planned or actual preparedness behavior is rare, limiting our understanding of how information seeking translates into preparedness. To address this gap, our study tests a proposed model of household seismic hazard adjustment using questionnaire responses of roughly 400 households living in the Portland, OR metropolitan region. The proposed model includes components of the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) with specific emphasis on past information seeking behavior, preparedness behavior, intentions to seek information, and intentions to take protective action. Other components include risk perception, earthquake experience, affective response, seismic risk zone residency, and demographics. Consistent with previous research, this study finds information seeking behavior to be the strongest influence on preparedness with other important influences being risk perception, affective response, and intentions to prepare. We find weak ties between risk zone residency and earthquake risk perception, though this may be because our sample has little experience with earthquakes and the majority live in the same earthquake risk zones. Importantly, longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether information seeking and intentions to prepare eventually result in household protective action.
Effect of berberine and bicyclol on Chinese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT Objectives To compare the effect of berberine and bicyclol on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Chinese nonalcoholic and non-viral hepatitis patients with a hepatic lipid content > 13% and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) ≥ 2 were treated with 500 mg berberine thrice daily, together with dietary modification (low-fat diet) and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (BT cohort; n = 112), or 25 mg bicyclol thrice daily plus dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (CT cohort, n = 145), or dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise for 4 months (DT cohort, n = 128). Results Patients in the BT and the CT cohorts had improved anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio), biochemical parameters (blood sugar, lipid profile, and liver functions tests), liver/spleen computed tomography findings, and liver biopsy results after 4 months of intervention (p < 0.05 for all). Bicyclol decreased the NAS in the CT cohort to a significantly greater degree than berberine in the BT cohort (p < 0.0001, q = 3.879). Patients in the DT cohort had reduced body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05 for both). During the 4-month intervention, patients in the BT cohort had abdominal distension, mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and dyspepsia; patients in the CT cohort had dizziness and abdominal distension. Conclusions Berberine or bicyclol plus dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise could control NAFLD without serious adverse effects. Dietary modification and Tai Chi exercise alone for 4 months are insufficient for the management of NAFLD. It is possible to reduce body weight by administering berberine or bicyclol.
Speech intelligibility of children with an auditory brainstem implant: a triple-case study

ABSTRACT Auditory brainstem implantation (ABI) is a relative recent development in paediatric hearing restoration. Consequently, young-implanted children’s productive language has not received much attention. This study investigated speech intelligibility of children with ABI (N = 3) in comparison to children with cochlear implants (CI) and children with typical hearing (TH). Spontaneous speech samples were recorded from children representing the three groups matched on cumulative vocabulary level. Untrained listeners (N = 101) rated the intelligibility of one-word utterances on a continuous scale and transcribed each utterance. The rating task yielded a numerical score between 0 and 100, and similarities and differences between the listeners’ transcriptions were captured by a relative entropy score. The speech intelligibility of children with CI and children with TH was similar. Speech intelligibility of children with ABI was well below that of the children with CI and TH. But whereas one child with ABI’s intelligibility approached that of the control groups with increasing lexicon size, the intelligibility of the two other children with ABI did not develop in a similar direction. Overall, speech intelligibility was only moderate in the three groups of children, with quite low ratings and considerable differences in the listeners’ transcriptions, resulting in high relative entropy scores.
Intestinal aging is alleviated by uridine via regulating inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro

ABSTRACT Many countries in the world are stepping into the aging society with the challenge of the increasing agin gpopulation. The physiological functions of the human body begins to decline with aging, and the intestinal tract as the most important digestive organ will also be aging. How to relieve or reverse aging is an important scientific problem.The aging model in vivo and in vitro was established. Western-blot, indirect immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were carried out to explore the anti-aging effect of uridine.In the current study, we examined the anti-aging effect of uridine in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vitro cell model, we found that the aging level of intestinal tract was significantly reduced by uridine, uridine treatment down-regulated the Sa-β-gal-positive cells. Furthermore, the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress were also significantly reduced by uridine treatment. On this basis, in vivo experiments, we found that the aging level of mice fed with uridine was significantly lower than that of the control group as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses.In conclusion, our current research indicates that uridine shows a good anti-aging effect,which suggests that uridine is expected to be used as a health food or clinical drug to treat intestinal aging.
Spectrum of diseases associated with pyoderma gangrenosum and correlation with effectiveness of therapy: New insights on the diagnosis and therapy of comorbid hidradenitis suppurativa

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) has been linked to various underlying systemic diseases; many associations are based on case reports or small case series, including hidradenitis suppurativa. Literature examining systemic therapies according to underlying comorbid condition is limited. The study objective was to investigate comorbid diseases of PG and correlate disease associations with effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Using Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions medical records, 220 patients had an ICD‐9 code of 686.01 for PG between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2015, of whom 130 patients met rigorous inclusion/exclusion criteria for PG (non‐peristomal). The 130 PG patients in our study were 69% female, 58% Caucasian, and 35% African American. Documented comorbid conditions included inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; 35%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA; 12%), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS; 14%), and monoclonal gammopathy (12%). PG patients with HS versus without HS were more likely to be African‐American (83% vs. 28%; P < 0.001) and had an earlier mean age of PG onset (38 vs. 48 years; P = 0.02). Strikingly, 53% of female African‐American patients with PG onset prior to age 40 had comorbid HS. Comorbid inflammatory bowel disease was observed in 38% of PG patients with RA, 28% of PG patients with HS, and 27% of PG patients with monoclonal gammopathy. Of the 32 patients who received infliximab for active PG, complete ulcer healing was observed in 83% (5/6) of patients with comorbid HS versus 31% (8/26) of patients without HS (Fisher exact P = 0.03). Screening patients for associated systemic disease for multiple related illnesses is essential. Effectiveness of systemic therapy may depend upon the underlying systemic disease; hidradenitis suppurativa may be a specific example.
A Serious Game for Young People With First Episode Psychosis (OnTrack>The Game): Qualitative Findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Several studies have shown the benefits of coordinated specialty care (CSC) for individuals with first episode psychosis; however, pathways to care are marred by lack of knowledge, stigma, and difficulties with treatment engagement. Serious games or video interventions may provide a way to address these factors. Objective This study focuses on qualitative results of a randomized controlled trial comparing OnTrack>The Game (OTG) with recovery videos (RVs) on engagement, stigma, empowerment, hope, recovery, and understanding of psychosis in clients receiving CSC. Clinicians are also interviewed regarding their perceptions of the interventions and suggestions for improvement. Methods A total of 16 clients aged 16-30 years, with first episode psychosis attending a CSC program in New York State, and 9 clinicians participated in the qualitative interviews. Interviews were analyzed using the rapid identification of themes from audio recordings method. Results For clients, themes included relatability of game content, an increased sense of hope and the possibility of recovery, decreased self-stigma and public stigma, increased understanding of the importance of social support, and increased empowerment in the OTG group. Clinicians had a preference for RV and provided suggestions for dissemination and implementation. Conclusions Themes that may help inform future research in this area, particularly regarding dissemination and implementation of OTG and RV, emerged. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03390491; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03390491
Qualitative analysis of cancer care experiences among rural cancer survivors and caregivers

Abstract Purpose Rural (vs urban) patients experience poorer cancer outcomes and are less likely to be engaged in cancer prevention, such as screening. As part of a community needs assessment, we explored rural cancer survivors’ and caregivers’ experiences, perceptions, and attitudes toward cancer care services. Methods We conducted 3 focus groups (N = 20) in Spring 2021 in rural Nebraska. Findings Three patterns of cancer diagnosis were regular care/screening without noticeable symptoms, treatment for symptoms not initially identified as cancer related, and symptom self‐identification. Most participants, regardless of how diagnosis was made, had positive experiences with timely referral for testing (imaging and biopsy) and specialist care. Physician interpersonal skills set the tone for patient‐provider communication, which colored the perception of overall care. Participants with physicians and care teams that were perceived as “considerate,” “compassionate,” and “caring” had positive experiences. Participants identified specific obstacles to care, including financial barriers, transportation, and lack of support groups, as well as more general cultural barriers. Survivors and caregivers identified organization‐based supports that helped them address such barriers. Conclusions Rural populations have unique perspectives about cancer care. Our results are being used by the state cancer coalition, state cancer control program, and the National Cancer Institute‐designated cancer center to prioritize outreach and interventions aimed to reduce rural cancer disparities, such as revitalizing lay cancer navigator programs, conducting webinars for primary care and cancer specialty providers to discuss these findings and identify potential interventions, and collaborating with national and regional cancer support organizations to expand reach in rural communities.
Vitamin D supplementation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with low serum vitamin D: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background Vitamin D deficiency is frequently found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Vitamin D has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, supplementation may prevent COPD exacerbations, particularly in deficient patients. Objectives We aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on exacerbation rate in vitamin D–deficient patients with COPD. Methods We performed a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. COPD patients with ≥1 exacerbations in the preceding year and a vitamin D deficiency (15–50 nmol/L) were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 16,800 International Units (IU) vitamin D3 or placebo once a week during 1 y. Primary outcome of the study was exacerbation rate. Secondary outcomes included time to first and second exacerbations, time to first and second hospitalizations, use of antibiotics and corticosteroids, pulmonary function, maximal respiratory mouth pressure, physical performance, skeletal muscle strength, systemic inflammatory markers, nasal microbiota composition, and quality of life. Results The intention-to-treat population consisted of 155 participants. Mean ± SD serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration after 1 y was 112 ± 34 nmol/L in the vitamin D group, compared with 42 ± 17 nmol/L in the placebo group. Vitamin D supplementation did not affect exacerbation rate [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.90; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.21]. In a prespecified subgroup analysis in participants with 25(OH)D concentrations of 15–25 nmol/L (n = 31), no effect of vitamin D supplementation was found (IRR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.43, 1.93). No relevant differences were found between the intervention and placebo groups in terms of secondary outcomes. Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation did not reduce exacerbation rate in COPD patients with a vitamin D deficiency. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02122627.
Fibroblast growth factor‐23 and parathyroid hormone suppress small intestinal magnesium absorption

In the present study, we examined the systemic and direct effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) on duodenal, jejunal, and ileal Mg2+ absorption. The rats were injected with FGF‐23 or PTH for 5 h before collecting the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum for Mg2+ transport analysis in Ussing chambers. The duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were directly exposed to FGF‐23, PTH, or FGF‐23 plus PTH with or without cell signaling inhibitors for 150 min in Ussing chambers prior to performing the Mg2+ transport study. The small intestinal tissues were also subjected to western blot analyses for FGF receptor (FGFR), PTH receptor (PTHR), Klotho, transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6), and cyclin as well as the cystathionine β‐synthase domain divalent metal cation transport mediator 4 (CNNM4) expression. The small intestine abundantly expressed FGFR and PTHR proteins, whereas, Klotho was not expressed in rat small intestine. Systemic PTH or FGF‐23 injection significantly suppressed transcellular Mg2+ transport in the duodenum and jejunum. Direct FGF‐23‐, PTH‐, or FGF‐23 plus PTH exposure also suppressed transcellular Mg2+ absorption in the duodenum and jejunum. There was no additional inhibitory effect of PTH and FGF‐23 on intestinal Mg2+ absorption. The inhibitory effect of PTH, FGF‐23, or FGF‐23 plus PTH was abolished by Gö 6850. Systemic PTH‐ or FGF‐23‐injection significantly decreased membranous TRPM6 expression, but increased cytosolic CNNM4 expression in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In the present study, we propose a novel magnesiotropic action of PTH and FGF‐23 by modulating small intestinal Mg2+ absorption.
Ab initio screening of two-dimensional CuQ x and AgQ x chalcogenides

Two-dimensional (2D) chalcogenides have attracted great interest from the scientific community due to their intrinsic physical–chemical properties, which are suitable for several technological applications. However, most of the reported studies focused on particular compounds and composition, e.g., MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2. Thus, there is an increased interest to extend our knowledge on 2D chalcogenides. Here, we report a density functional theory (DFT) screening of 2D coinage-metal chalcogenides (MQ x ), where M = Cu, Ag, Q = S, Se, Te, x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, with the aim to improve our atomistic understanding of the physical–chemical properties as a function of cation (M), anion (Q), and composition (x). Based on 258 DFT calculations, we selected a set of 22 stable MQ x monolayers based on phonons analyses, where we identified 9 semiconductors (7 AgQ x and 2 CuQ x ), with band gaps from 0.07 eV up to 1.67 eV, while the remaining systems have a metallic character. Using all 258 systems, we found a logarithmic correlation between the average weighted bond lengths and effective coordination number of cations and anions. As expected, the monolayer cohesive energies increase with the radius of the Q species (i.e., from S to Te). Furthermore, an increase in the anion size diminishes the work function for nearly all MQ x monolayers, which can be explained by the nature of the electronic states at the valence band maximum.
Do changes in outcomes following primary and revision hip replacement differ and relate to markers of socio-economic status? A 1-year population-based cohort study

Background and purpose There is little evidence on improvement after revision total hip replacement (THR). Moreover, improvements may be associated with socioeconomic status (SES). We investigated whether changes in Harris Hip Score (HHS) differ among patients undergoing primary and revision THR, and their association with markers of SES. Patients and methods We conducted a population-based cohort study on 16,932 patients undergoing primary and/or revision THR from 1995 to 2018 due to hip osteoarthritis. The patients were identified in the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Registry. Outcome was defined as mean change in HHS (0–100) from baseline to 1-year follow-up, and its association with SES markers (education, cohabiting, and wealth) was analyzed using multiple linear regression adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, and baseline HHS. Results At 1-year follow-up, HHS improved clinically relevant for patients undergoing both primary THR: mean 43 (95% CI 43–43) and revision THR: mean 31 (CI 29–33); however, the increase was 12 points (CI 10–14) higher for primary THR. For primary THR, improvements were 0.9 points (CI 0.4–1.5) higher for patients with high educational level compared with low educational level, 0.4 points (CI 0.0–0.8) higher for patients cohabiting compared with living alone, and 2.6 points higher (CI 2.1–3.0) for patients with high wealth compared with low wealth. Interpretation Patients undergoing primary THR achieve higher improvements on HHS than patients undergoing revision THR, and the improvements are negatively related to markers of low SES. Health professionals should be aware of these characteristics and be able to identify patients who may benefit from extra rehabilitation to improve outcomes after THR to ensure equality in health.
Optimal traffic lights control using meta heuristic algorithms in high priority congested networks

Abstract There is a need for gating in some parts of an urban network that have higher priority especially during peak hours. This article presents a developed model, which we named internal–external traffic metering strategy (IETMS), begins with maximizing the offset in entering arterials of protected sub-network. The first step requires an accurate evaluation of optimal queue length in upstream arterials. In the second step, traffic light schedules are optimized in entering arteries. This optimization is done based on maximizing the traffic entry flow of arterials to the sub-network, keeping queue length close to its optimal amount and preventing extreme oscillations in green time through cycles. The congestion rate inside the protected area will remain below its critical value in this condition. Results show that using the novel IETMS model not only causes gating in the sub-network but also improves total throughput of the network in such a way that the average speed and delay have had 14 and 19% improvement, respectively.
Rapid rise in prevalence of knee replacements and decrease in revision burden over past 3 decades in Finland: a register-based analysis

Background and purpose The prevalence of knee joint replacements (KJR) has been less investigated in situations where the increase in incidence is known. This study investigated the annual and population-based prevalence of KJR and the relationship between the prevalence of KJRs and the incidence of revision surgery. Patients and methods All KJRs performed between 1980 and 2020 were identified from the Finnish Arthroplasty Register (FAR). KJR revisions and removals were extracted from the FAR and hospital discharge registers and patient deaths from Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency. We analyzed the annual prevalence by dividing the number of KJR survivors by the population aged 40 or older. The revision burden factor (RBF) was determined by dividing the annual number of revisions by the number of primary and revision KJRs in the population. Proportions of bilateral implants and patients with older KJRs performed 10 or more years earlier were identified. Results KJR prevalence in Finland increased by 298% between 2000 and 2020, reaching 4.0% in 2020. The proportion of patients with bilateral KJRs and those with older KJRs had increased to 37% and 34%, respectively, by 2020. The annual RBF decreased statistically significantly from 1.9% to 0.7% between 1996 and 2020 (proportion ratio, PR 0.37 [95% CI 0.33–0.42]) and was higher among males (PR 1.23 [CI 1.20–1.26]). Interpretation Although the recent rapid increase in KJRs is abating and the RBF is diminishing, it is important to take the continuing increase in the prevalence of KJRs into account when assessing hospitals’ future resources.
Diabetes mellitus in relation to colorectal tumor molecular subtypes: A pooled analysis of more than 9000 cases

Diabetes is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer. However, colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease and it is not well understood whether diabetes is more strongly associated with some tumor molecular subtypes than others. A better understanding of the association between diabetes and colorectal cancer according to molecular subtypes could provide important insights into the biology of this association. We used data on lifestyle and clinical characteristics from the Colorectal Cancer Family Registry (CCFR) and the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO), including 9756 colorectal cancer cases (with tumor marker data) and 9985 controls, to evaluate associations between reported diabetes and risk of colorectal cancer according to molecular subtypes. Tumor markers included BRAF and KRAS mutations, microsatellite instability and CpG island methylator phenotype. In the multinomial logistic regression model, comparing colorectal cancer cases to cancer‐free controls, diabetes was positively associated with colorectal cancer regardless of subtype. The highest OR estimate was found for BRAF‐mutated colorectal cancer, n = 1086 (ORfully adj: 1.67, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.36‐2.05), with an attenuated association observed between diabetes and colorectal cancer without BRAF‐mutations, n = 7959 (ORfully adj: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.19‐1.48). In the case only analysis, BRAF‐mutation was differentially associated with diabetes (Pdifference = .03). For the other markers, associations with diabetes were similar across tumor subtypes. In conclusion, our study confirms the established association between diabetes and colorectal cancer risk, and suggests that it particularly increases the risk of BRAF‐mutated tumors.