Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing shift work tolerance across occupations, work arrangements, and gender

Abstract Background There are individual differences in shift work tolerance; however, we lack knowledge about how this is experienced across different occupations, sex and shift types. Aims The aim was to describe and investigate shift work tolerance, and individual differences in shift work tolerance, in two occupations, between men and women and between day/evening workers and rotating shift workers. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire study. The sample was comprised of 315 retail workers and 410 police employees. Results Shift work tolerance was higher among police employees compared to retail workers, among men compared to women, and among day workers compared to evening/rotating shift workers. The difference was larger between occupations than between sex and shift type. Evening workers had more symptoms of shift work intolerance than rotating shift workers. Neuroticism and autonomy were related to all symptoms of shift work tolerance among retail workers, but not police employees. Conclusions It is important to consider the type of occupation and the work context when tailoring work arrangements to the individual.
The gut microbiome contributes to somatic morphine withdrawal behavior and implicates a TLR2 mediated mechanism

ABSTRACT The ongoing opioid epidemic has left millions of people suffering from opioid use disorder due to the over-prescription of highly addictive substances. Chronic opioid exposure leads to dependence, where the absence of the drug results in negative symptoms of withdrawal, often driving patients to continue drug use; however, few therapeutic strategies are currently available to combat the cycle of addiction and the severity of morphine withdrawal. This study investigates the microbiome as a potential therapeutic target for morphine withdrawal, as gut dysbiosis caused by morphine use has been proven to contribute to other aspects of opioid use disorders, such as tolerance. Results show that although the microbiome during morphine withdrawal trends toward recovery from morphine-induced dysbiosis, there continues to be a disruption in the alpha and beta diversity as well as the abundance of gram-positive bacteria that may still contribute to the severity of morphine withdrawal symptoms. Germ-free mice lacking the microbiome did not develop somatic withdrawal symptoms, indicating that the microbiome is necessary for the development of somatic withdrawal behavior. Notably, only TLR2 but not TLR4 whole-body knockout models display less withdrawal severity, implicating that the microbiome, through a gram-positive, TLR2 mediated mechanism, drives opioid-induced somatic withdrawal behavior.
Troponin T and N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Are Associated with Long-Term All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Post-Sternotomy Mediastinitis following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A 15-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: Deep sternal wound/mediastinitis is a rare but feared complication in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients and seems to increase the risk of cardiac death, and is also associated with the risk of early internal mammary artery (IMA) graft obstruction. The pathological mechanism explaining the link between mediastinitis and IMA graft obstruction and the impact on mortality is complex, multifactorial, and not fully investigated. Objectives: Mediastinitis has been associated with increased concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin T (TnT) at mid-term follow-up, representing persistent low-grade myocardial injury and impaired cardiac function. However, whether mediastinitis is associated with all-cause mortality, or whether the association is driven by these cardiac-specific biomarkers (NT-proBNP and TnT), is not investigated. Methods: The present study provides the longest and most complete follow-up data in 82 patients undergoing CABG, including 41 with post-sternotomy mediastinitis. Results: The annualized incidence rate of mediastinitis was 0.14%/year and remained stable at 0.14% throughout the study period. During a mean follow-up of 12.7 ± 3.5 years, a total of 42 deaths occurred (27 [65.9%] in mediastinitis and 15 [36.6%] in non-mediastinitis group, p = 0.008). No association was found between IMA or saphenous vein graft obstruction with all-cause mortality. Mediastinitis was associated with a 1.9-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality. However, in the multivariable-adjusted models, age and higher TnT and NT-proBNP levels, but not mediastinitis per se were associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Mediastinitis after CABG surgery was associated with a poor prognosis during a 15-year follow-up, showing a nearly two-fold higher frequency of all-cause mortality compared with non-mediastinitis group, with the differences in mortality rate occurring primarily after 10 years. The association between mediastinitis and all-cause mortality was modulated by subclinical myocardial damage and stretch, reflected by elevated TnT and NT-proBNP, measured at 2.7-year follow-up, underscoring that these could represent prognostic markers in CABG patients.
First carpals of Eocene primate family Omomyidae

Two hamates and one pisiform from middle Eocene deposits of the Bridger Basin, Wyoming, are attributable to the early Cenozoic primate family Omomyidae. Comparative evidence and information on the distribution of omomyid primates at localities where the specimens were found, taken together, suggest that these carpals are best assigned to the omomyine Omomys carteri. The new carpals are similar to those of the middle Eocene adapiform primate Smilodectes gracilis in virtually all respects but are significantly smaller. Omomys carteri and North American adapiforms exhibit similar patterns of hamate and pisiform morphology, which are inferred to represent ancestral conditions for the order Primates. Comparative functional analysis of the new carpals suggests that 0. carteri resembled extant small-bodied, pronograde arboreal primates in several features related to midcarpal ulnar deviation, pronation, and powerful manual grasping.
A TLR9 agonist synergistically enhances protective immunity induced by an Alum-adjuvanted H7N9 inactivated whole-virion vaccine

ABSTRACT Antigen sparing is an important strategy for pandemic vaccine development because of the limitation of worldwide vaccine production during disease outbreaks. However, several clinical studies have demonstrated that the current aluminum (Alum)-adjuvanted influenza vaccines fail to sufficiently enhance immune responses to meet licensing criteria. Here, we used pandemic H7N9 as a model virus to demonstrate that a 10-fold lower amount of vaccine antigen combined with Alum and TLR9 agonist can provide stronger protective effects than using Alum as the sole adjuvant. We found that the Alum/CpG 1018 combination adjuvant could induce more robust virus-specific humoral immune responses, including higher total IgG production, hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody activity, and neutralizing antibody titres, than the Alum-adjuvanted formulation. Moreover, this combination adjuvant shifted the immune response toward a Th1-biased immune response. Importantly, the Alum/CpG 1018-formulated vaccine could confer better protective immunity against H7N9 challenge than that adjuvanted with Alum alone. Notably, the addition of CpG 1018 to the Alum-adjuvanted H7N9 whole-virion vaccine exhibited an antigen-sparing effect without compromising vaccine efficacy. These findings have significant implications for improving Alum-adjuvanted influenza vaccines using the approved adjuvant CpG 1018 for pandemic preparedness.
From the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery Endovascular management of atherosclerotic renovascular disease : Early results following primary intervention

Objective: This retrospective review examines periprocedural morbidity and early functional responses to primary renal artery angioplasty and stenting (RA-PTAS) for patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (RVD). Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing primary RA-PTAS for hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic RVD with hypertension and/or ischemic nephropathy were identified from a prospectively maintained registry. Hypertension responses were determined based on preand post-intervention blood pressure measurements and medication requirements. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was used to determine renal function responses. Both hypertension and renal function responses were assessed at least three weeks after RA-PTAS. Stepwise multivariable regression analysis was used to examine associations between blood pressure and renal function responses to RA-PTAS and select clinical variables. Results: One-hundred ten primary RA-PTAS were performed on 99 patients with atherosclerotic RVD with a mean angiographic diameter-reducing stenosis of 79.2 12.9%. All patients had hypertension (mean of 3.4 1.3 antihypertensive agents). Mean pre-intervention eGFR was 49.9 22.7 mL/min/1.73 m, and 74 patients had a pre-intervention eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m. The technical success rate for RA-PTAS was 94.5%. The periprocedural complication rate was 5.5%; there were no periprocedural deaths. Statistically significant decreases in mean systolic blood pressure (161.3 25.2 vs. 148.5 25.2 post-intervention, P < .0001), diastolic blood pressure (78.6 13.3 versus 72.5 13.5 postintervention, P < .0001), and number of antihypertensive agents (3.3 1.2 versus 3.1 1.3 post-intervention, P .009) were observed. Assessed categorically, hypertension response to RA-PTAS was cured in 1.1%, improved in 20.5%, and unchanged in 78.4%. Categorical eGFR response to RA-PTAS was improved in 27.7%, unchanged in 65.1%, and worsened in 7.2%. Multivariable stepwise regression revealed associations between preand post-intervention systolic blood pressure (P < .0001), diastolic blood pressure (P < .0001), and eGFR (P < .0001), as well as a trend toward improved diastolic blood pressure response among patients managed with staged bilateral intervention (P .0589). Conclusion: Primary RA-PTAS for atherosclerotic RVD was associated with low peri-procedural morbidity and mortality but only modest early improvements in blood pressure and renal function. Results from ongoing prospective trials are needed to assess the long term outcomes associated with RA-PTAS and clarify its role in the management of atherosclerotic RVD. (J Vasc Surg 2008;48:580-88.)
The Association of Air Pollution Exposure With Glucose and Lipid Levels: The Role of an Extreme Air Pollution Event Alongside 2 Decades of Moderate Exposure

Abstract Extreme air pollution events and moderate exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program general responder cohort includes responders to the WTC disaster. We investigated whether their exposure to this extreme air pollution event (2001) was associated with long-term metabolic outcomes, independently from the associations of intermediate-term PM2.5 exposure later in life (2004–2019). We included 22,447 cohort members with cholesterol (n = 96,155) and glucose (n = 81,599) laboratory results. Self-reported WTC exposure was derived from a questionnaire. PM2.5 exposure was derived from a satellite-based model. We observed an increase of 0.78 mg/dL (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30, 1.26) in glucose and 0.67 mg/dL (95% CI: 1.00, 2.35) in cholesterol levels associated with an interquartile range increase in PM2.5 averaged 6 months before the study visit. Higher WTC-exposure categories were also associated with higher cholesterol (0.99 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.67, for intermediate exposure) and glucose (0.82 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.43, for high exposure) levels. Most associations were larger among people with diabetes. Extreme air pollution events and intermediate PM2.5 exposure have independent metabolic consequences. These exposures contributed to higher glucose and lipids levels among WTC responders, which may be translated into increased cardiovascular risk.
Cocaine-involved suspected suicide attempts in individuals age 50 and older reported to United States Poison Centers

Abstract Context Despite a rapidly growing number of older cocaine users, the link between cocaine use and suicide attempt in older adults has not been examined. We examined associations between co-used other substances and (1) suspected suicide attempts versus other intentional misuse, and (2) major medical outcomes (major effect or death) of suspected suicide attempts and other intentional misuse. Methods We used the 2015–2021 United States National Poison Data System (N = 5,191 cases age 50 and older). Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models for a Poisson distribution with a log link function were used to examine the study questions. Results Cocaine exposures steadily increased from 2015 through 2021. Over the seven years, 52.3% and 47.7% were suicide attempts and other intentional misuse cases, respectively. Co-use of alcohol (incidence rate ratios = 1.24, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–1.35) and psychotropic (e.g., antidepressants: incidence rate ratios = 1.37, 95% confidence interval = 1.24–1.53) and cardiovascular medications were associated with a higher likelihood of suicide attempt, but co-use of prescription opioids, heroin, or other illicit drugs was associated with a lower likelihood of suicide attempt compared to other intentional misuse. Prescription opioids and amfetamine were associated with a higher likelihood of major effect or death in both suicide attempts and intentional misuse and heroin use and injection use were associated with a higher likelihood of major effect/death among intentional misuse cases. Conclusions These findings show that significant proportions of older cocaine users who attempted suicide also used psychotropic and cardiovascular medications. We suggest that healthcare providers screen for suicidal ideation among cocaine users, with special attention to an increased risk of suicide attempts among those who co-use cocaine with alcohol and psychotropic and other prescription medications.
Durable Anti-Vi IgG and IgA Antibody Responses in 15-Month-Old Children Vaccinated With Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine in Burkina Faso

Abstract We assessed anti-Vi IgG/IgA responses to typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) in children enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled, phase 2 trial in Burkina Faso. Anti-Vi IgG seroconversion and anti-Vi IgA titers were higher in TCV than control recipients at 30–35 months post-vaccination. TCV induces durable immunity in Burkinabe children vaccinated at 15 months.
Psychometric Assessment of the Physicians’ Job Demands and Resources Scale

Job demands and resources have been consistently associated with the burnout syndrome in physicians, however the literature points to a lack of robust measures to assess these job characteristics across various medical specialties. This study aimed to develop a theoretically and empirically grounded physician-specific job demands and resources self-report measure – the Physicians’ Job Demands and Resources Scale. Relevant dimensions of physicians’ job demands and resources were identified, corresponding measurement items were generated and pre-tested, and the factor structure of the resulting 44 items was tested with a sample of 9,176 Portuguese physicians. The results of EFAs and CFAs with two random split samples provided consistent evidence of a nine-factor structure with 38 of the 44 items. Importantly, the nine-factor structure is consistent with the dimensions identified in the literature. The paper discusses the theoretical and practical impacts of the scale.
L. rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 survival, adaptation, and small bowel microbiome impact in human

ABSTRACT Fermented foods and beverages are a significant source of dietary bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, little is known about how these microbes survive and adapt to the small intestinal environment. Colony-forming units (CFU) enumeration and viability qPCR of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 in the ileal effluent of 10 ileostomy subjects during 12-h post consumption of a dairy product fermented with this strain demonstrated the high level of survival of this strain during human small intestine passage. Metatranscriptome analyses revealed the in situ transcriptome of L. rhamnosus in the small intestine, which was contrasted with transcriptome data obtained from in vitro cultivation. These comparative analyses revealed substantial metabolic adaptations of L. rhamnosus during small intestine transit, including adjustments of carbohydrate metabolism, surface-protein expression, and translation machinery. The prominent presence of L. rhamnosus in the effluent samples did not elicit an appreciable effect on the composition of the endogenous small intestine microbiome, but significantly altered the ecosystem’s overall activity profile, particularly of pathways associated with carbohydrate metabolism. Strikingly, two of the previously recognized gut-brain metabolic modules expressed in situ by L. rhamnosus (inositol degradation and glutamate synthesis II) are among the most dominantly enriched activities in the ecosystem’s activity profile. This study establishes the survival capacity of L. rhamnosus in the human small intestine and highlights its functional adjustment in situ, which we postulate to play a role in the probiotic effects associated with this strain.
Accelerated loss of lean body mass in head and neck cancer patients during cisplatin-based chemoradiation

Abstract Background This study investigated changes in body weight, lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), muscle strength and functional performance during radiation treatment in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) patients. Secondly, it investigated the impact of cisplatin-based chemoradiation (CCRT) on LBM loss compared with radiation alone. Methods 48 patients (all tumor sites) received either 6 weeks of radiation alone (n = 16) with 66–68 Gy in 33–34 Fx, 5-6 Fx/week or CCRT, adding weekly cisplatin or carboplatin (n = 32). LBM and FM was evaluated using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry bi-weekly from pre- to two weeks post-treatment. Maximal muscle strength (knee extension, leg - and chest press) and functional performance (stair climb, chair rise, and arm curl) were assessed pre- and post-treatment. Results Body weight and LBM had declined significantly already week 2 into treatment and declined significantly further through week 4 and 6 before leveling off after week 6. Bi-weekly, from treatment start to week 2, 2–4, and 4–6, LBM declined 1.2 ± 0.4 kg (p = .002; 95% CI: 0.4;2.0), 2.0 ± 0.4 kg (p < .0001; 1.2;2.8) and 1.4 ± 0.4 kg (p = .001; 0.6;2.2). With a two-week delay, FM declined significantly from week 2–8. All measures of muscle strength declined significantly from pre- to post-treatment. Functional performance was unchanged. LBM loss from pre- to post-treatment was significantly associated with impaired muscle strength (R 2 = 0.3–0.5). CCRT patients lost 3.1 ± 0.8 kg of LBM (p = .0001; 1.5;4.7) more from pre- to post-treatment compared with patients receiving radiation alone. Analyses adjusting for nimorazole, tumor stage, baseline BMI, mean radiation dose to constrictor muscles and oral cavity confirmed this. Conclusion Accelerated and substantial LBM loss was already initiated within the first two weeks of treatment - before the onset of radiation-induced mucositis. LBM loss was associated with muscle strength impairment. Patients receiving CCRT experienced significantly larger LBM loss than patients receiving radiation alone. Registered on clinincaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05890859).
A multiplicity result for asymptotically linear Kirchhoff equations

Abstract In this paper, we study the following Kirchhoff type equation: - ( 1 + b ∫ ℝ N | ∇ u | 2 d x ) Δ u + u = a ( x ) f ( u ) in ℝ N , u ∈ H 1 ( ℝ N ) , -\bigg{(}1+b\int_{\mathbb{R}^{N}}\lvert\nabla u|^{2}\,dx\biggr{)}\Delta u+u=a(% x)f(u)\quad\text{in }\mathbb{R}^{N},\qquad u\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N}), where N ≥ 3 {N\geq 3} , b > 0 {b>0} and f ⁢ ( s ) {f(s)} is asymptotically linear at infinity, that is, f ⁢ ( s ) ∼ O ⁢ ( s ) {f(s)\sim O(s)} as s → + ∞ {s\rightarrow+\infty} . By using variational methods, we obtain the existence of a mountain pass type solution and a ground state solution under appropriate assumptions on a ⁢ ( x ) {a(x)} .
Prognostic role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background/Aims The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has a prognostic value in cardiovascular disease, infection, inflammatory disease, and several malignancies. Therefore, the NLR has a possible predictive value in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but this predictive value has not been validated. Here, we aimed to investigate the possibility of NLR as a predictor of CKD progression. Methods This retrospective observational study included 141 patients with non-dialysis CKD. The participants were divided into terciles (T1, T2, and T3) according to NLR. The primary outcome was defined as a composite kidney event, which included a decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 50% or initiation of renal replacement therapy during the follow-up period. Results The mean follow-up duration was 5.45 ± 2.11 years. The mean NLRs were 1.35 ± 0.05 in T1 (n = 47), 2.16 ± 0.04 in T2 (n = 47), and 4.29 ± 0.73 in T3 (n = 47). The group with the highest NLR (T3) had higher baseline CKD and serum creatinine and lower eGFR levels than the group with the lowest NLR (T1). The cumulative incidence rate of composite kidney events was significantly higher in T3 compared with T1 (p < 0.001, log-rank test). Cox regression analysis revealed that high NLR was associated with the risk of composite kidney events (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.43–7.76). Conclusions A higher NLR reflects the more advanced stage of CKD and suggests a role for NLR as a biomarker for predicting CKD progression.
C-reactive protein levels on admission are associated with response to thrombolysis and prognosis after ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Several studies have shown the independent association of high plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with an adverse prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, the possible association of plasma CRP levels with response to thrombolysis and short- and long-term cardiac mortality has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate these possible associations. METHODS Three hundred nineteen consecutive patients who received intravenous thrombolysis because of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction were prospectively studied. Patients were classified according to tertiles of plasma CRP levels on admission. RESULTS Patients at the top tertile had a significantly lower incidence of complete ST-segment resolution (third vs first, P <.001, third vs second, P =.009) or Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow in the infraction-related artery (third vs first, P <.001, third vs second, P =.02), more compromised left ventricular function (third vs first, P =.02, second vs third, P =.04), greater inhospital mortality (third vs first, P =.03, third vs second, P =.06), and greater 3-year cardiac mortality (third vs first, P =.01, third vs second, P =.07). CONCLUSIONS Plasma levels of CRP on admission may be a predictor of reperfusion failure and of short- and long-term prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.