Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructing High-Fidelity Phenotype Knowledge Graphs for Infectious Diseases With a Fine-Grained Semantic Information Model: Development and Usability Study

Background Phenotypes characterize the clinical manifestations of diseases and provide important information for diagnosis. Therefore, the construction of phenotype knowledge graphs for diseases is valuable to the development of artificial intelligence in medicine. However, phenotype knowledge graphs in current knowledge bases such as WikiData and DBpedia are coarse-grained knowledge graphs because they only consider the core concepts of phenotypes while neglecting the details (attributes) associated with these phenotypes. Objective To characterize the details of disease phenotypes for clinical guidelines, we proposed a fine-grained semantic information model named PhenoSSU (semantic structured unit of phenotypes). Methods PhenoSSU is an “entity-attribute-value” model by its very nature, and it aims to capture the full semantic information underlying phenotype descriptions with a series of attributes and values. A total of 193 clinical guidelines for infectious diseases from Wikipedia were selected as the study corpus, and 12 attributes from SNOMED-CT were introduced into the PhenoSSU model based on the co-occurrences of phenotype concepts and attribute values. The expressive power of the PhenoSSU model was evaluated by analyzing whether PhenoSSU instances could capture the full semantics underlying the descriptions of the corresponding phenotypes. To automatically construct fine-grained phenotype knowledge graphs, a hybrid strategy that first recognized phenotype concepts with the MetaMap tool and then predicted the attribute values of phenotypes with machine learning classifiers was developed. Results Fine-grained phenotype knowledge graphs of 193 infectious diseases were manually constructed with the BRAT annotation tool. A total of 4020 PhenoSSU instances were annotated in these knowledge graphs, and 3757 of them (89.5%) were found to be able to capture the full semantics underlying the descriptions of the corresponding phenotypes listed in clinical guidelines. By comparison, other information models, such as the clinical element model and the HL7 fast health care interoperability resource model, could only capture the full semantics underlying 48.4% (2034/4020) and 21.8% (914/4020) of the descriptions of phenotypes listed in clinical guidelines, respectively. The hybrid strategy achieved an F1-score of 0.732 for the subtask of phenotype concept recognition and an average weighted accuracy of 0.776 for the subtask of attribute value prediction. Conclusions PhenoSSU is an effective information model for the precise representation of phenotype knowledge for clinical guidelines, and machine learning can be used to improve the efficiency of constructing PhenoSSU-based knowledge graphs. Our work will potentially shift the focus of medical knowledge engineering from a coarse-grained level to a more fine-grained level.
Fish consumption during pregnancy and risk of allergic diseases in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Although several studies have reported the beneficial effects of maternal fish consumption on allergy diseases in the offspring, the findings are conflicting. We summarized earlier data on the association between maternal fish intake and risk of allergy diseases in the offspring through a meta-analysis. A systematic literature search of relevant reports published in Medline/PubMed, ISI web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Google Scholar prior to February 2020 was conducted. All observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control or cohort) that examined the relationship between intake of maternal fish and risk of allergy diseases in the offspring were considered. Duplicate and non-related studies were excluded. In total, 31 studies on maternal fish consumption and risk of allergic diseases in the offspring were included. Greater maternal fish intake was associated with a reduced risk of wheeze (Pooled effect size: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96–0.99) and food allergy (0.75; 95% CI: 0.64–0.88). Maternal fish consumption was not associated with risk of asthma (pooled effect size: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.11), eczema (pooled effect size: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.03), allergic rhinitis (pooled effect size: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.09), and inhalant allergy (pooled effect size: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.13). In non-linear dose-response meta-analysis, increased intake of fish during pregnancy (at the level of 50 to 200 grams per week) was associated with a reduced risk of eczema (P non-linearity = 0.042). Meta-regression of included studies revealed an inverse linear association between maternal fish intake and risk of eczema; such that every additional 30-gram per week consumption of fish during pregnancy was associated with a 4% reduced risk of eczema. We found that fish intake during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of wheeze, eczema and food allergy in children. No significant association was seen between maternal fish consumption and risk of offspring’s asthma, allergic rhinitis, and inhalant allergy.
The effect of the degree of dual-task interference on gait, dual-task cost, cognitive ability, balance, and fall efficacy in people with stroke

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the degree of dual-task (DT) interference on gait, dual-task cost (DTC), cognitive ability, balance, and fall efficacy in people with stroke. In this cross-sectional study, people with chronic stroke (N = 36) performed a DT gait assessment (gait and cognitive task). During the evaluation, DT interference in motor and cognition was evaluated simultaneously. Thus, the group with severe interference in both tasks (mutual interference) was compared with the group with mild interference in either. The main effects for the degree of motor interference were observed on gait performance, DTC in motor, time up and go, and trail-making test B. In the cognitive interference, the main effects were observed on correct response rate, DTC in cognition, time up and go, and trail-making test B. An interaction effect was observed in the trail-making test B. The degree of motor interference affected gait, balance ability, and executive function (EF), and the degree of cognitive interference influenced the correct response rate in the DT condition, balance ability, and EF. Furthermore, mutual interference led to a significant reduction in EF in people with stroke.
Thinking differently – Students’ cognitive processes when answering two different formats of written question

Abstract Background Single-best answer questions (SBAQs) are common but are susceptible to cueing. Very short answer questions (VSAQs) could be an alternative, and we sought to determine if students’ cognitive processes varied across question types and whether students with different performance levels used different methods for answering questions. Methods We undertook a ‘think aloud’ study, interviewing 21 final year medical students at five UK medical schools. Each student described their thought processes and methods used for eight questions of each type. Responses were coded and quantified to determine the relative frequency with which each method was used, denominated on the number of times a method could have been used. Results Students were more likely to use analytical reasoning methods (specifically identifying key features) when answering VSAQs. The use of test-taking behaviours was more common for SBAQs; students frequently used the answer options to help them reach an answer. Students acknowledged uncertainty more frequently when answering VSAQs. Analytical reasoning was more commonly used by high-performing students compared with low-performing students. Conclusions Our results suggest that VSAQs encourage more authentic clinical reasoning strategies. Differences in cognitive approaches used highlight the need for focused approaches to teaching clinical reasoning and dealing with uncertainty.
Fibroblast-associated protein-α expression and BPV nucleic acid distribution in equine sarcoids

Sarcoids are the most common cutaneous tumor of equids and are caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV). Different clinical subtypes of sarcoids are well characterized clinically but not histologically, and it is not known whether viral activity influences the clinical or histological appearance of the tumors. The aim of this study was to verify whether the development of different clinical types of sarcoids or the presence of certain histological features were associated with BPV distribution within the tumor. The presence of BPV was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and visualized in histological sections by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) in 74 equine sarcoids. Furthermore, to better characterize the molecular features of neoplastic cells, immunohistochemistry for S100, smooth muscle actin-α (αSMA), and fibroblast-associated protein-α (FAPα) was performed. The presence of BPV was confirmed in all tissues examined by either or both PCR and CISH (72/74, 97% each). Of 70/74 CISH-positive cases, signal distribution appeared as either diffuse (61/70, 87%) or subepithelial (9/70, 13%); the latter was more frequently observed in the verrucous subtype. However, no statistically significant association was found between clinical subtypes and specific histological features or hybridization pattern. Moreover, CISH signal for BPV was not detected in the epidermis overlying sarcoids nor in the tissue surrounding the neoplasms. By immunohistochemistry, αSMA confirmed the myofibroblastic differentiation of neoplastic cells in 28/74 (38%) sarcoids. Using tissue microarrays, FAPα labelling was observed in neoplastic fibroblasts of all sarcoids, suggesting this marker as a potential candidate for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of sarcoids.
Good working relationships: how healthcare system proximity influences trust between healthcare workers

ABSTRACT Trust between healthcare workers is a fundamental component of effective, interprofessional collaboration and teamwork. However, little is known about how this trust is built, particularly when healthcare workers are distributed (i.e., not co-located and lack a shared electronic health record). We interviewed 39 healthcare workers who worked with proximal and distributed colleagues to care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers and analyzed transcripts using content analysis. Generally, building trust was a process that occurred over time, starting with an introduction and proceeding through iterative cycles of communication and working together to coordinate care for shared patients. Proximal, compared to distributed, dyads had more options available for interactions which, in turn, facilitated communication and working together to build trust. Distributed healthcare workers found it more difficult to develop trusting relationships and relied heavily on individual initiative to do so. Few effective tools existed at the level of interprofessional collaborations, teams, or broader healthcare systems to support trust between distributed healthcare workers. With increasing use of distributed interprofessional collaborations and teams, future efforts should focus on fostering this critical attribute.
Clinical Features of COVID-19 in Newborns, Infants, and Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Although it was thought that children were not susceptible to 2019-nCoV in the early days of the COVID‐19 infection outbreak, there are currently reports of children and even one-day-old newborns being infected by the virus and hospitalized around the world. Recognizing the symptoms of the infection in children is of great value since a large number of children are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, which may act as facilitators of the virus transmission. This review aimed to identify and summarize the existing evidence on clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pediatric patients. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and WHO database for eligible publications. The review proposal was registered with the PROSPERO. The quality assessment was done based on JBI Critical appraisal tools. The random-effects model was used to pool clinical features in the meta-analysis. From the identiﬁed 256 potentially relevant studies, 32 articles met the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-one studies fulfilled the criteria for this meta-analysis. Fever (58%) and cough (48%) were reported as the most common symptoms of infected children. Disease severity was mild in 51% and moderate in 39% of cases. A total of 63% of cases had respiratory and 25% of children had gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly diarrhea and nausea/vomiting. Approximately 24% of patients were asymptomatic. Results demonstrated that fever and cough were the most common symptoms of COVID-19-infected children and the majority of cases had mild-to-moderate disease severity.
Circulating miRNAs miR-574-5p and miR-3135b are potential metabolic regulators for serum lipids and blood glucose in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objectives MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potentially involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate potential miRNA regulators for serum lipids and blood glucose in gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods Plasma samples were obtained from 53 women with GDM and 46 normal pregnant women. Fasting blood glucose and a blood lipid profile were measured. Plasma miRNA expression profiles were analyzed using microarray. To verify the microarray data, the expression of miRNAs was evaluated by real-time PCR. Gene ontology (GO) and genes and genomics (KEGG) pathway enrichment of the predicted target genes of miRNAs were analyzed. Results The miRNA expression profiles of plasma samples from healthy and GDM women are distinct. We identified 93 differently expressed miRNAs. Compared with healthy pregnant women, 48 miRNAs including miR-574-5p and miR-3135b exhibited significantly lower expression in plasma samples from GDM patients. The expression of miR-574-5p was significantly correlated with levels of blood glucose and LDL-C; miR-3135b was significantly correlated with HDL-C. Some predicted common target genes of these two miRNAs are associated with the metabolism of glucose and lipids as well as the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions miR-574-5p and miR-3135b may serve as metabolic regulators of glucose and lipids for GDM.
European guideline on indications, performance and clinical impact of 13C‐breath tests in adult and pediatric patients: An EAGEN, ESNM, and ESPGHAN consensus, supported by EPC

Abstract Introduction 13C‐breath tests are valuable, noninvasive diagnostic tests that can be widely applied for the assessment of gastroenterological symptoms and diseases. Currently, the potential of these tests is compromised by a lack of standardization regarding performance and interpretation among expert centers. Methods This consensus‐based clinical practice guideline defines the clinical indications, performance, and interpretation of 13C‐breath tests in adult and pediatric patients. A balance between scientific evidence and clinical experience was achieved by a Delphi consensus that involved 43 experts from 18 European countries. Consensus on individual statements and recommendations was established if ≥ 80% of reviewers agreed and <10% disagreed. Results The guideline gives an overview over general methodology of 13C‐breath testing and provides recommendations for the use of 13C‐breath tests to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection, measure gastric emptying time, and monitor pancreatic exocrine and liver function in adult and pediatric patients. Other potential applications of 13C‐breath testing are summarized briefly. The recommendations specifically detail when and how individual 13C‐breath tests should be performed including examples for well‐established test protocols, patient preparation, and reporting of test results. Conclusion This clinical practice guideline should improve pan‐European harmonization of diagnostic approaches to symptoms and disorders, which are very common in specialist and primary care gastroenterology practice, both in adult and pediatric patients. In addition, this guideline identifies areas of future clinical research involving the use of 13C‐breath tests.
Preparation of Palladium Nanoparticles Deposited on a Silanized Hollow Fiber Ceramic Membrane Support and Their Catalytic Properties

An efficient and reusable catalyst was developed by depositing palladium nanoparticles on a hollow fiber ceramic membrane support in which the support surface was silanized with aminofunctional silane. In the present work, the hollow fiber ceramic membrane support was used for catalyst immobilization only. The as-prepared Pd-loaded hollow fiber ceramic membrane support was extensively characterized by ICP, FESEM, EDS, XPS, and HRTEM, and the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol was used as a model reaction to evaluate its catalytic properties. For comparison the palladium nanoparticles were also deposited on a tubular ceramic membrane support. The catalytic activity of Pd-loaded hollow fiber ceramic membrane support is significantly higher than that of Pd-loaded tubular ceramic membrane support. The hollow ceramic fibers can provide more membrane area for the deposition of palladium nanoparticles at the same volume of membrane module, and a higher palladium loading is obtained, and their pore s.
Microglia proliferation plays distinct roles in acquired epilepsy depending on disease stages

Microgliosis occurs in animal models of acquired epilepsy and in patients. It includes cell proliferation that is associated with seizure frequency and decreased neuronal cells in human epilepsy. The role of microglia proliferation in the development of acquired epilepsy is unknown; thus, we examined its contribution to spontaneous seizure, neurodegeneration, and cognitive deficits in different disease phases.
Effects of Flywheel Training With Eccentric Overload on Standing Balance, Mobility, Physical Function, Muscle Thickness, and Muscle Quality in Older Adults

Abstract Hill, MW, Roberts, M, Price, MJ, and Kay, AD. Effects of flywheel training with eccentric overload on standing balance, mobility, physical function, muscle thickness, and muscle quality in older adults. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3190–3199, 2022—This study investigated the effects of a 6-week eccentric overload flywheel training program on vastus lateralis (VL) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle thickness and muscle quality (echo intensity), mobility (Timed Up and Go [TUG]), physical function (sit-to-stand), and balance (postural sway) performance. Nineteen subjects were assigned to either a flywheel training group (n = 11, age = 66.4 ± 5.2 years) or a control group (n = 8, age = 65.9 ± 3.8 years). The flywheel group underwent twice weekly squat and calf raise exercises for 6 weeks with outcome measures assessed before and after training or a time-matched control period. Throughout the training, subjects were instructed to contract as fast as possible with maximal effort during the concentric phase and to maximally resist the pull during the eccentric phase. The alpha value was a priori set at p < 0.05. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) mean (SD) increases in right and left VL (7.6–9.6 ± 7.7–9.8%) and GM (8.6–8.7 ± 6.4–11.5%) muscle thickness and a reduction in VL (10.2–11.3 ± 5.9–7.9%) and GM (11.7–11.9 ± 5.6–9.6%) echo intensity were accompanied by faster TUG time (13.7 ± 7.0%) improved sit-to-stand performance (17.8–23.5 ± 7.6 – 13.4%) and reduced postural sway (29.7–42.3 ± 13.2–24.2%) after 6 weeks of flywheel training. There were no differences in any outcome measures between the treatment and control group at baseline (p > 0.05). Overall, we observed substantial gains in muscle thickness and muscle quality, in addition to enhanced physical function, balance, and mobility performance among older adults after flywheel training, which may have important implications for preserving the functional capacity of older adults.
Black–white racial disparities in household food insecurity from 2005 to 2014, Canada

To understand the differential vulnerability to household food insecurity of the Black population as compared with white counterparts in Canada. Using data for households with Black and white respondents in pooled Canadian Community Health Survey cycles from 2005 to 2014, the 18-question Household Food Security Survey Module was analyzed (N = 491,400). Bivariate and multivariate logistic and multinomial regression models were run using respondent’s race, immigration status, and six well-established predictors of household food insecurity in the general population. Additional multivariable logistic regression models were run, with race interacted with each predictor individually to yield predicted probabilities. The weighted prevalence of household food insecurity was 10.0% for white respondents and 28.4% for Black respondents. The odds of Black households being food-insecure as compared with white households fell from 3.56 (95% CI: 3.30–3.85) to 1.88 (95% CI: 1.70–2.08) with adjustment for household socio-demographic characteristics. In contrast with white households, there was relative homogeneity of risk of food insecurity among Black subgroups defined by immigration status, household composition, education, and province of residence. Homeownership was associated with lower probabilities of food insecurity for Black and white households, but the probability among Black owners was similar to that for white renters (14.7% vs. 14.3%). Black households had significantly higher predicted probabilities of food insecurity than their white counterparts across all main sources of household income except child benefits and social assistance. Being racialized as Black appears to be an overriding factor shaping vulnerability to food insecurity for the Black population in Canada. Future research and public policy on food insecurity should seriously consider the role of racism at the systemic and institutional levels.
Sex differences in the incidence, mortality, and fatality of COVID-19 in Peru

Background There is a worrying lack of epidemiological data on the sex differential in COVID-19 infection and death rates between the regions of Peru. Methods Using cases and death data from the national population-based surveillance system of Peru, we estimated incidence, mortality and fatality, stratified by sex, age and geographic distribution (per 100,000 habitants) from March 16 to November 27, 2020. At the same time, we calculated the risk of COVID-19 death. Results During the study period, 961894 cases and 35913 deaths were reported in Peru. Men had a twofold higher risk of COVID-19 death within the overall population of Peru (odds ratio (OR), 2.11; confidence interval (CI) 95%; 2.06–2.16; p<0.00001), as well as 20 regions of Peru, compared to women (p<0.05). There were variations in incidence, mortality and fatality rates stratified by sex, age, and region. The incidence rate was higher among men than among women (3079 vs. 2819 per 100,000 habitants, respectively). The mortality rate was two times higher in males than in females (153 vs. 68 per 100,000 habitants, respectively). The mortality rates increased with age, and were high in men 60 years of age or older. The fatality rate was two times higher in men than in women (4.96% vs. 2.41%, respectively), and was high in men 50 years of age or older. Conclusions These findings show the higher incidence, mortality and fatality rates among men than among women from Peru. These rates vary widely by region, and men are at greater risk of COVID-19 death. In addition, the mortality and fatality rates increased with age, and were most predominant in men 50 years of age or older.