Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Level of agreement between objectively determined body composition and perceived body image in 6- to 8-year-old South African children: The Body Composition–Isotope Technique study

To assess the level of agreement between body size self-perception and actual body size determined by body mass index (BMI) z-score and body fatness measured by the deuterium dilution method (DDM) in South African children aged 6–8 years. A cross-sectional sample of 202 children (83 boys and 119 girls) aged 6–8 years from the Body Composition–Isotope Technique study (BC–IT) was taken. Subjective measures of body image (silhouettes) were compared with the objective measures of BMI z-score and body fatness measured by the DDM. The World Health Organization BMI z-scores were used to classify the children as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. DDM-measured fatness was classified based on the McCarthy centile curves set at 2nd, 85th and 95th in conjunction with fatness cut-off points of 25% in boys and 30% in girls. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26. Of 202 children, 32.2%, 55.1%, 8.8%, and 2.4% perceived their body size as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese, respectively. Based on BMI z-score, 18.8%, 72.8%, 6.9%, and 1.5% were classified as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese, respectively. Body fatness measurement showed that 2.5%, 48.0%, 21.8%, and 29.7% were underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. The application of silhouettes and BMI z-scores resulted in either overestimation or underestimation of own body size. Overall, the levels of agreements (kappa, κ) between body size perception, body fatness, and BMI for age respectively, were small (κ = 0.083, p = 0.053 and κ = 0.154, p<0.001). Level of agreement between body size perception, body fatness, and BMI z-score was poor. The use of silhouettes made children either overestimate their own body size while being underweight or underestimate their own body size while being overweight or obese. Given the potential health implications associated with misclassification of body size during childhood, correct self-assessment of body size is important, and may be key to the adoption of weight control strategies directed at curbing the escalating obesity epidemic in the country. Scalable measures to allow for more accurate self-assessment are urgently needed–one approach is behavior change communication at all levels.
PDGF Receptor Signaling in Osteoblast Lineage Cells Controls Bone Resorption Through Upregulation of Csf1 Expression

The physiological functions of platelet‐derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) α and β in osteoblast biology and bone metabolism remain to be established. Here, we show that PDGFRA and PDGFRB genes are expressed by osteoblast‐lineage canopy and reversal cells in close proximity to PDGFB‐expressing osteoclasts within human trabecular bone remodeling units. We also report that, although removal of only one of the two PDGFRs in Osterix‐positive cells does not affect bone phenotype, suppression of both PDGFRs in those osteoblast lineage cells increases trabecular bone volume in male mice as well as in female gonad‐intact and ovariectomized mice. Furthermore, osteoblast lineage‐specific suppression of PDGFRs reduces Csf1 expression, bone marrow level of macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), number of osteoclasts, and, therefore, bone resorption, but does not change bone formation. Finally, abrogation of PDGFR signaling in osteoblasts blocks PDGF‐induced ERK1/2‐mediated Csf1 expression and M‐CSF secretion in osteoblast cultures and calcitriol‐mediated osteoclastogenesis in co‐cultures. In conclusion, our results indicate that PDGFR signaling in osteoblast lineage cells controls bone resorption through ERK1/2‐mediated Csf1 expression. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Quantitative comparisons of block thresholds and onset responses for charge-balanced kilohertz frequency waveforms

Objective. There is growing interest in delivering kilohertz frequency (KHF) electrical signals to block conduction in peripheral nerves for treatment of various diseases. Previous studies used different KHF waveforms to achieve block, and it remains unclear how waveform affects nerve block parameters. Approach. We quantified the effects of waveform on KHF block of the rat tibial nerve in vivo and in computational models. We compared block thresholds and onset responses across current-controlled sinusoids and charge-balanced rectangular waveforms with different asymmetries and duty cycles. Main results. Sine waves had higher block thresholds than square waves, but used less power at block threshold. Block threshold had an inverse relationship with duty cycle of rectangular waveforms irrespective of waveform asymmetry. Computational model results were consistent with relationships measured in vivo, although the models underestimated the effect of duty cycle on increasing thresholds. The axonal membrane substantially filtered waveforms, the filter transfer function was strikingly similar across waveforms, and filtering resulted in post-filtered rms block thresholds that were approximately constant across waveforms in silico and in vivo. Onset response was not consistently affected by waveform shape, but onset response was smaller at amplitudes well above block threshold. Therefore, waveforms with lower block thresholds (e.g. sine waves or square waves) could be more readily increased to higher amplitudes relative to block threshold to reduce onset response. We also observed a reduction in onset responses across consecutive trials after initial application of supra-block threshold amplitudes. Significance. Waveform had substantial effects on block thresholds, and the amplitude relative to block threshold had substantial effects on onset response. These data inform choice of waveform in subsequent studies and clinical applications, enhance effective use of block in therapeutic applications, and facilitate the design of parameters that achieve block with minimal onset responses.
Neurocognitive predictors of long-term clinical course in bipolar disorder

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate whether neurocognitive deficits are predictors of the long-term clinical course of patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: A total of 76 outpatients with bipolar disorder performed a neurocognitive assessment at baseline and were followed for a period of at least 48 months. The clinical course during the follow-up period was documented by two measures: (1) number of affective episodes and (2) time spent ill. Results: Patients had lower performance than controls in the domains of verbal memory and executive functions, and they were followed-up for a mean period of 70.73 months. Global cognitive deficits (performance 1.5 standard deviations below the mean in two or more cognitive domain) were independent predictors of both hypo/manic episode density and time spent with hypo/manic symptoms during follow-up. On the contrary, no neurocognitive measure showed a relationship with depressive morbidity during follow-up. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cognitive deficits could be useful for predicting hypo/manic morbidity in the long-term clinical course. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
The Impact of Maternal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection on the Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Pregnant Women and Their Infants, Western Kenya

Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory illness worldwide; however, burden data on mother–infant pairs remain sparse in sub-Saharan Africa, where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is prevalent. We evaluated the impact of maternal HIV infection on the burden of RSV among mothers and their infants in western Kenya. Methods We enrolled pregnant women (≤20 weeks’ gestation) and followed them and their newborns weekly for up to 3–6 months postpartum, to document cases of acute respiratory illness (ARI). Nasal/oropharyngeal swabs were collected and tested for RSV using polymerase chain reaction. Analyses were stratified by maternal HIV status and incidence was computed per 1000 person-months. Results Compared to RSV-negative ARI cases, RSV-positive cases were associated with cough, apnea, and hospitalization among infants. RSV incidence per 1000 person-months among mothers was 4.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2–4.4), and was twice that among the HIV-infected mothers (8.4 [95% CI, 5.7–12.0]) compared to the HIV-uninfected mothers (3.1 [95% CI, 2.3–4.0]). Among infants, incidence per 1000 person-months was 15.4 (95% CI, 12.5–18.8); incidence did not differ by HIV exposure or prematurity. Conclusions HIV infection may increase the risk of RSV illness among pregnant women. Future maternal RSV vaccines may have added benefit in areas with high HIV prevalence.
Autoclaving and extrusion improve the functional properties and chemical composition of black bean carbohydrate extracts.

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are rich in starch with a high content of amylose, which is associated with the production of retrograded and pregelatinized starch through thermal treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the composition, morphology, thermal, functional, and physicochemical properties of carbohydrate extracts (CE) obtained from autoclaved (100 and 121 °C) and extruded (90, 105, and 120 °C) black beans. After evaluation of the functional properties, the CE from autoclaved beans at 100 °C for 30 min and 121 °C for 15 min 2×, and extruded beans at 120 °C and 10 rpm, were selected to continue the remaining analysis. Autoclaving treatments at 100 °C for 30 min and 121 °C for 15 min 2× showed a reduction of resistant starch by 14.4% and 26.6%, respectively, compared to dehulled raw bean CE. Meanwhile, extrusion showed a reduction in resistant starch of 54.2%. Autoclaving and extrusion treatments also decreased the dietary fiber content. Extrusion reduced almost entirely the content of α-galactooligosaccharides, in comparison to dehulled raw bean CE. The results showed differences in color and granule morphology. The onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures, transition temperature range, and enthalpy of autoclaved and extruded bean CE were lower than dehulled raw bean CE. The CE from autoclaved and extruded beans contain retrograded and pregelatinized starch, which could be incorporated in food products as a thickening agent for puddings, sauces, creams, or dairy products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Thermally treated black bean carbohydrate extracts are rich in starch, fiber, and protein. Because these extracts are already cooked, they can be added to products that do not require a thermal process such as puddings, sauces, creams, or dairy products, acting as a thickening agent.
The Expanded p53 Interactome as a Predictive Model for Cancer Therapy

The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is implicated in the majority of all human cancers, thus pivotal to genomic integrity. There are more than 72,000 scientific publications describing p53’s function, yet, due to the complexity of its interactions we are still far from fully elucidating p53’s role in tumorigenesis. Computational methodologies are novel tools to depict and dissect complex disease networks. The Boolean PKT206 p53 – DNA damage model has previously demonstrated good predictive capability for p53 wild-type and null tumors in various in silico knockouts. Here, we have expanded PKT206 to generate a more clinically robust representation of p53 dynamics. The new PMH260 model incorporates 260 nodes representing genes, with 980 interactions between them representing inhibitions and activations. Additional biological outputs, including angiogenesis, cell cycle arrest and DNA repair were also amalgamated into the model. Three in silico knockouts of highly connected nodes (p53, MDM2 and FGF2) were generated and logical steady state analysis and dependency relationships applied. 71 % of predictions were considered true from superimposition of human osteosarcoma and HCT116 microarray profiles. In silico knockout analysis revealed 98 potential novel predictions, of which 13 were validated by literature; 83 % of them were overlapping with PKT206. Thus the expanded Boolean PMH260 model offers a promising platform for clinical potential in targeted cancer therapeutics.
Viral Load Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Saliva in Korean Patients: a Prospective Multi-center Comparative Study

Background This study was performed to compare the viral load and kinetics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in saliva with those in standard nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swabs. Methods Fifteen patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection from four hospitals were prospectively enrolled and matched samples of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs and saliva were collected at Day 1 of admission and every other day till consequently negative for two times. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was performed to detect the envelope (E) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) genes. Results The cycle threshold values of saliva were comparable to those of NP/OP swabs overall (P = 0.720, Mann–Whitney U test). However, the overall sensitivity of rRT-PCR using saliva was 64% (34/53), which is lower than the 77% (41/53) using NP/OP swabs. The sensitivity of rRT-PCR using saliva was especially lower in early stage of symptom onset (1–5 days; 8/15; 53%) and in patients who did not have sputum (12/22; 55%). Conclusion Saliva sample itself is not appropriate for initial diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to replace NP/OP swabs, especially for the person who does not produce sputum. COVID-19 cannot be excluded when the test using saliva is negative, and it is necessary to retest using NP/OP swabs.
Clinical effectiveness of integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based antiretroviral regimens among adults with human immunodeficiency virus: a collaboration of cohort studies in the United States and Canada.

BACKGROUND Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI)-based regimens are now recommended as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults with human immunodeficiency virus. But evidence on long-term clinical effectiveness of InSTI-based regimens remains limited. We examined whether InSTI-based regimens improved longer-term clinical outcomes. METHODS We included participants from clinical cohorts in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration who initiated their first ART regimen, containing either InSTI (i.e., raltegravir, dolutegravir, and elvitegravir/cobicstat) or efavirenz (EFV) as an active comparator, between 2009 and 2016. We estimated observational analogs of 6-year intention-to-treat and per-protocol risks, risk differences (RD), and hazard ratios (HR) for the composite outcome of AIDS, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, end-stage renal diseases, end-stage liver diseases, or death. RESULTS Of 15,993 participants, 5,824 (36%) initiated an InSTI-based, and 10,169 (64%) initiated an EFV-based, regimen. During the 6-year follow-up, 440 of the InSTI group and 1,097 of the EFV group incurred the composite outcome. The estimated 6-year intention-to-treat risks were 14.6% for the InSTI group and 14.3% for the EFV group, corresponding with a RD of 0.3 percentage point (95% CI: -2.7, 3.3), and HR was 1.08 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.19); the estimated 6-year per-protocol risks were 12.2% for the InSTI group and 11.9% for the EFV group, corresponding with a RD was 0.3 percentage point (95% CI: -3.0, 3.7), and HR was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.25). CONCLUSIONS InSTI- and EFV-based initial ART regimens had similar 6-year composite clinical outcomes. The risk of adverse clinical outcomes remains substantial even when initiating modern ART.
Intraoperative oliguria does not predict postoperative acute kidney injury in major abdominal surgery: a cohort analysis

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Several studies investigating the association between intraoperative urine output and postoperative AKI have shown conflicting results. Here, we investigated the association of intraoperative oliguria with postoperative AKI in a cohort of patients submitted to elective major abdominal surgery. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent elective major abdominal surgery from January 2016 to December 2018. AKI was defined according to the serum creatinine criteria of the KDIGO classification. Intraoperative oliguria was defined as urine output of less than 0.5 mL/kg/h. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 165 patients were analyzed. In the first 48 h after surgery the incidence of AKI was 19.4%. Postoperative AKI was associated with hospital mortality (p=0.011). Twenty percent of patients developed intraoperative oliguria. There was no association between preexisting comorbidities and development of intraoperative oliguria. There was no correlation between the type of anesthesia used and occurrence of intraoperative oliguria, but longer anesthesia time was associated with intraoperative oliguria (p=0.007). Higher baseline SCr (p=0.001), need of vasoactive drugs (p=0.007), and NSAIDs use (p=0.022) were associated with development of intraoperative oliguria. Intraoperative oliguria was not associated with development of postoperative AKI (p=0.772), prolonged hospital stays (p=0.176) or in-hospital mortality (p=0.820). Conclusion: In this cohort of patients we demonstrated that intraoperative oliguria does not predict postoperative AKI in major abdominal surgery.
Acacia honey from different altitudes: total phenols and flavonoids, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra, and anticancer activity

Objective To investigate Acacia honey from different altitudes regarding total phenols and flavonoids, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra and anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines. Methods Anticancer activity was investigated using sulforhodamine B cytotoxicity assays in the following human cancer cell lines: HCT116 (colon); MCF7 (breast), and HepG2 (liver). Total phenols and flavonoids were measured using spectrophotometric methods and LIF was used to differentiate between low and high-altitude honey. Results The LIF spectra differed between low and high-altitude Acacia honey. High altitude Acacia honey was characterized by significantly lower total phenol content (81.47 ± 1.25 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/100 g) and increased total flavonoids (10.63 ± 0.53 mg quercetin equivalent [QE]/100 g) versus low altitude Acacia honey (91.33 ± 0.96 mg GAE/100 g and 8.78 ± 0.23 mg QE/100 g, respectively). Low altitude Acacia honey displayed increased IC50 values against HCT116 and MCF7 cells (264.17 ± 10.5 and 482.65 ± 20.3 µg/ml, respectively) versus high altitude Acacia honey (117.99 ± 12.7 and 189.82 ± 15.8 µg/ml, respectively). Conclusions High altitude Acacia honey had significantly more effective anticancer activity against HCT116 and MCF7 cells compared with low altitude honey.
Investigation of the CEBPA gene expression pattern and association analysis of its polymorphisms with meat quality traits in chickens

Abstract Meat quality is closely related to the fat deposition which is regulated by a cascade of transcription factors. As a transcription factor, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is considered as one of the key molecules regulating adipogenesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to detect the expression pattern of the CEBPA gene and evaluate whether its single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with the meat quality traits in Wuliang Mountain Black-bone (WLMB) chickens. The results showed that the chicken CEBPA mRNA was widely expressed in the 11 tissues, and the expression pattern of it might be tissue- and time-specific different. The locus of g.74C > G was not significantly associated with chicken meat quality. For the locus of g.552G > A, chickens with the GG genotype showed higher pH (p < 0.01), lower drip loss (p < 0.01) and higher intramuscular fat (p < 0.05) than those with other genotypes. It suggested that polymorphisms of the CEBPA gene were significantly associated with the meat quality traits of WLMB chickens. The results of this study contribute to the functional research of the CEBPA gene and lay the foundation for improving meat quality based on the marker-assisted selection in chickens.
The psychological impact of COVID-19 on ‘hidden’ frontline healthcare workers

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to rising death tolls and stressed healthcare systems, resulting in an unprecedented psychological stress on healthcare workers worldwide. However, the majority of studies only accounted for frontline healthcare workers with direct patient exposure. Aim: This study aims to look at the psychological impact of COVID-19 in a specific, vulnerable and yet hidden group of healthcare workers, namely laboratory healthcare workers who are at high risk exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus from handling infected patients’ blood samples, in addition to a marked increase in workload. Method: A multicentre study was conducted in Singapore via online questionnaire looking at psychological and physical impact of COVID-19 on laboratory healthcare workers. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Numeric rating scale on fear (NRS) were validated scores used in this study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 23 (IBM Corp). Results: A total of 122 staffs participated and more than half of the cohort experienced mild to severe fear, anxiety and depression. Increase in depression score was also found to be associated with increased physical exhaustion (OR = 6.1, 95% CI 1.4–29.1, p = .02), loss of appetite (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.0, p = .02), poor sleep quality (OR = 7.5, 95% CI 2.9–19.4, p = .005), and the use of sedative (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.1–13.5, p = .03). Conclusions: Hence, it is imperative that prompt action needs to be taken to address the psychological needs of this vulnerable group of healthcare workers as the pandemic continues.
Impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on treatment adherence and sleep duration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The study objective was to examine the effect of COVID-19 on treatment adherence and self-reported sleep duration among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. METHODS This was a retrospective review of medical records of patients seen in the Sleep and Circadian Clinic at Brigham Health during the immediate period of one month after the national lockdown was announced on March 15, 2020. Patients with OSA were included only if PAP adherence data was available in the 12- months prior and in the month after the lockdown. Patients with other sleep disorders and OSA patients without the adherence data were excluded. RESULTS Mean age was 63.5± 13.9 years, 55% of the participants were men, and mean BMI was 31.8 ± 7.9 kg/m². Severe OSA was noted among 59.5% compared to 29.3% moderate, and 11.2% mild OSA. Increased number of patients reported insomnia after the lockdown (41% vs 48%, p= 0.02). Gender stratification noted worsening insomnia only among women. There was no significant difference in PAP adherence as measured by the hours of use, self-reported sleep duration or in the use of sleep medications. CONCLUSIONS Post COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on sleep as evidenced by increased reporting of insomnia particularly among women, but no impact on PAP adherence or self-reported sleep duration.