Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation as Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans.

Preliminary studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study extended previous research with a pilot trial of TM as a treatment for PTSD via a single-blinded, randomized controlled design. veterans with PTSD (N = 40) were assigned to a TM intervention or treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group. Participants in the TM group engaged in 16 sessions over 12 weeks, primarily in a 60-min group format. Change in PTSD symptoms, measured via the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included self-reported PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, anger, and quality of life (QoL). Assessments were conducted at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Mean CAPS-5 score decreases were significantly larger for participants in the TM group (M = -11.28, 95% CI [-17.35, -5.20]), compared to the TAU group (M = -1.62, 95% CI [-6.77, 3.52]), p = . 012, d = -0.84. At posttest, 50.0% of veterans in the TM group no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria as compared to 10.0% in the TAU group, p = . 007. Adjusted mean changes on self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties indicated significant reductions in the TM group compared to TAU, ds = . 80-1.16. There were no significant group differences regarding anger or QoL. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of TM as a treatment for veterans with PTSD and for comorbid symptoms. Combined with other research, they suggest that TM may be a tolerable, non-trauma-focused PTSD treatment.
Engineering the early bone metastatic niche through human vascularized immuno bone minitissues

Bone metastases occur in 65%–80% advanced breast cancer patients. Although significant progresses have been made in understanding the biological mechanisms driving the bone metastatic cascade, traditional 2D in vitro models and animal studies are not effectively reproducing breast cancer cells (CCs) interactions with the bone microenvironment and suffer from species-specific differences, respectively. Moreover, simplified in vitro models cannot realistically estimate drug anti-tumoral properties and side effects, hence leading to pre-clinical testing frequent failures. To solve this issue, a 3D metastatic bone minitissue (MBm) is designed with embedded human osteoblasts, osteoclasts, bone-resident macrophages, endothelial cells and breast CCs. This minitissue recapitulates key features of the bone metastatic niche, including the alteration of macrophage polarization and microvascular architecture, along with the induction of CC micrometastases and osteomimicry. The minitissue reflects breast CC organ-specific metastatization to bone compared to a muscle minitissue. Finally, two FDA approved drugs, doxorubicin and rapamycin, have been tested showing that the dose required to impair CC growth is significantly higher in the MBm compared to a simpler CC monoculture minitissue. The MBm allows the investigation of metastasis key biological features and represents a reliable tool to better predict drug effects on the metastatic bone microenvironment.
Survival of infants born with esophageal atresia among 24 international birth defects surveillance programs

Esophageal atresia (EA) affects around 2.3–2.6 per 10,000 births world‐wide. Infants born with this condition require surgical correction soon after birth. Most survival studies of infants with EA are locally or regionally based. We aimed to describe survival across multiple world regions.
Vessel Wall Enhancement on Black-Blood MRI Predicts Acute and Future Stroke in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Vessel wall enhancement is associated with both acute and future stroke in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a known risk factor for ischemic stroke though angiographic imaging is often negative. Our goal was to determine the relationship between vessel wall enhancement (VWE) in acute and future ischemic stroke in CAA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with new-onset neurologic symptoms undergoing 3T vessel wall MR imaging from 2015 to 2019. Vessel wall enhancement was detected on pre- and postcontrast flow-suppressed 3D T1WI. Interrater agreement was evaluated in cerebral amyloid angiopathy–positive and age-matched negative participants using a prevalence- and bias-adjusted kappa analysis. In patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy, multivariable Poisson and Cox regression were used to determine the association of vessel wall enhancement with acute and future ischemic stroke, respectively, using backward elimination of confounders to P < . 20. RESULTS: Fifty patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy underwent vessel wall MR imaging, including 35/50 (70.0%) with ischemic stroke and 29/50 (58.0%) with vessel wall enhancement. Prevalence- and bias-corrected kappa was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.71–0.93). The final regression model for acute ischemic stroke included vessel wall enhancement (prevalence ratio = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.2; P = .022), age (prevalence ratio = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.0–1.05; P = .036), time between symptoms and MR imaging (prevalence ratio = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8–0.9; P < .001), and smoking (prevalence ratio = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–1.0; P = .042) with c-statistic = 0.92 (95% CI, 0.84–0.99). Future ischemic stroke incidence with cerebral amyloid angiopathy was 49.7% (95% CI, 34.5%–67.2%) per year over a total time at risk of 37.5 person-years. Vessel wall enhancement–positive patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy demonstrated significantly shorter stroke-free survival with 63.9% (95% CI, 43.2%–84.0%) versus 32.2% (95% CI, 14.4%–62.3%) ischemic strokes per year, chi-square = 4.9, P = . 027. The final model for future ischemic stroke had a c-statistic of 0.70 and included initial ischemic stroke (hazard ratio = 3.4; 95% CI, 1.0–12.0; P = .053) and vessel wall enhancement (hazard ratio = 2.5; 95% CI, 0.9–7.0; P = .080). CONCLUSIONS: Vessel wall enhancement is associated with both acute and future stroke in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Neurocognitive Effects of Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of 11 Studies

Purpose Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a controversial concept not much explored on colorectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods We identified 11 prospective studies: eight studies on 696 colorectal cancer patients who received chemotherapy and three studies on 346 rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of neuropsychological test results and the cognitive quality-of-life scale were calculated using random effect models. A meta-regression was conducted to investigate the association between mean study population age and effect sizes. Results The association between chemotherapy and cognitive impairment was not clear in colorectal cancer patients (SMD, 0.003; 95% confidence interval, −0.080 to 0.086). However, a meta-regression showed that older patients are more vulnerable to CRCI than younger patients (β=–0.016, p < 0.001). Conclusion Chemotherapy has an overall positive negligible effect size on the cognitive function of colorectal patients. Age is a significant moderator of CRCI.
Measuring Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation in Older Adults: Construct Validity of the Dutch BIS/BAS Scales

Research on the validity of the behavioral inhibition system/behavioral approach system (BIS/BAS) scales focused on adolescent, student and adult populations. This study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of the BIS/BAS scales in a community (n = 368) and a clinical sample (n = 160) of older adults. Exploratory structural equation modelling with target rotation to the Carver and White model supported the construct validity of the BIS/BAS scales. Internal consistencies of the scales were generally satisfactory. Female participants scored higher on BIS and BAS-Reward Responsiveness compared with males. The community-dwelling sample scored higher on BAS-Drive and BAS-Reward Responsiveness compared with the clinical sample. Concerning the nomological net, BIS was positively related to Anxiety, Depression, maladaptive coping strategies, Neuroticism and Cluster C personality disorders. BAS was positively related to Openness, Extraversion, Active Confronting and Cluster B personality disorders and negatively related to the schizoid personality disorder. The BIS/BAS Scales are a useful instrument for measuring Gray’s theory of personality in older adults.
Changes in Buprenorphine Treatment After Medicaid Expansion.

OBJECTIVE The authors examined changes in buprenorphine treatment following Medicaid expansion, including the contribution of Medicaid-financed prescriptions. METHODS Buprenorphine pharmacy claims for patients were identified in the 2012-2018 IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Data (LRx) data set, including 79.8% of U.S. retail prescriptions in 2012, increasing to 92.0% in 2018. A cohort analysis was used to assess the mean number of patients in a yearly quarter filling one or more buprenorphine prescriptions during preexpansion (2012-2013) and postexpansion (2014-2018) periods in expansion and nonexpansion states. Interrupted time-series analysis estimated associations of Medicaid expansion period with change in Medicaid-financed treatment. Separate analyses evaluated changes in duration and dose of new treatment episodes focused on mean quarterly number of patients treated with buprenorphine and proportions of new treatment episodes ≥180 days long and with ≥16 mg/day. RESULTS Between preexpansion and postexpansion, the mean quarterly number of patients taking buprenorphine increased by 93,300 in expansion states and by 84,960 in nonexpansion states. Corresponding changes for Medicaid-financed patients were 28,760 and 4,050, respectively. The fastest growth in Medicaid-financed treatment occurred among patients ages 25-44. Among new Medicaid-financed treatment episodes, little change was found in the proportion reaching the 180-day threshold, and declines were observed in the proportion receiving ≥16 mg/day. CONCLUSIONS The findings are consistent with previous research indicating that Medicaid expansion has increased Medicaid-financed buprenorphine treatment. However, because of offsetting changes in other payment groups, the overall increase in expansion states was similar to the increase in nonexpansion states.
Blue light filtering ophthalmic lenses: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Blue blocking (BB) lenses, including spectacles and intraocular lenses, work by attenuating short-wavelength light. BB glasses are being marketed with the aim to reduce eye fatigue symptoms when using digital devices, improve sleep quality and potentially confer protection from retinal phototoxicity. BB intraocular lenses following cataract surgery may be implanted because they are thought to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression. Methods: The present study is a systematic review aiming to analyze BB lenses clinical efficacy in preventing blue light-related ocular disorders, including AMD progression, eye fatigue, and their impact on sleep quality. We searched Medline, PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library until May 2020. Results:Although several studies have been performed investigating BB lenses, clinical efficacy for preventing or attenuating the above-mentioned ocular disorders is often theorical or based on laboratory or animal experiments. Conclusions: To date, there is a lack of consistent evidence for a larger-sclale introduction of BB lenses in the routine clinical practice.
Phonon confinement studies in nanocrystalline anatase‐TiO2 thin films by micro Raman spectroscopy

Raman studies were performed on titania thin films prepared by polyethylene glycol (PEG) assisted, low-temperature, sol–gel method. The Raman spectra of the films show a systematic blue shift in the peak position and a broadening in the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) when compared with those of the bulk anatase TiO2 powder. Several reports have appeared indicating this kind of peak shift and broadening of FWHM, which were attributed to the confinement of phonons in the anatase nanocrystallites. In this paper, we report an analysis of quantum size effect in the Raman spectra of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films performed by utilizing the phonon dispersion relation of the anatase phase which has been obtained from a work based on density functional perturbation theory (DFPT). For comparison purposes the quantum size effect calculations have also been done utilizing the dispersion relations of the rutile phase. There is good agreement between the crystallite sizes evaluated from the equally weighted Raman line intensity of the dispersion relations obtained from the DFPT and those determined by X-ray diffraction. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroconversion and occupational exposure of employees at a Swiss university hospital: A large longitudinal cohort study

Abstract Background: The dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) seroconversion of hospital employees are understudied. We measured the proportion of seroconverted employees and evaluated risk factors for seroconversion during the first pandemic wave. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we recruited Geneva University Hospitals employees and sampled them 3 times, every 3 weeks from March 30 to June 12, 2020. We measured the proportion of seroconverted employees and determined prevalence ratios of risk factors for seroconversion using multivariate mixed-effects Poisson regression models. Results: Overall, 3,421 participants (29% of all employees) were included, with 92% follow-up. The proportion of seroconverted employees increased from 4.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7%–5.1%) at baseline to 8.5% [(95% CI, 7.6%–9.5%) at the last visit. The proportions of seroconverted employees working in COVID-19 geriatrics and rehabilitation (G&R) wards (32.3%) and non–COVID-19 G&R wards (12.3%) were higher compared to office workers (4.9%) at the last visit. Only nursing assistants had a significantly higher risk of seroconversion compared to office workers (11.7% vs 4.9%; P = .006). Significant risk factors for seroconversion included the use of public transportation (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.25–2.03), known community exposure to severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (2.80; 95% CI, 2.22–3.54), working in a ward with a nosocomial COVID outbreak (2.93; 95% CI, 2.27–3.79), and working in a COVID-19 G&R ward (3.47; 95% CI, 2.45–4.91) or a non–COVID-19 G&R ward (1.96; 95% CI, 1.46–2.63). We observed an association between reported use of respirators and lower risk of seroconversion (0.73; 95% CI, 0.55–0.96). Conclusion: Additional preventive measures should be implemented to protect employees in G&R wards. Randomized trials on the protective effect of respirators are urgently needed.
Predicting microbial growth dynamics in response to nutrient availability

Developing mathematical models to accurately predict microbial growth dynamics remains a key challenge in ecology, evolution, biotechnology, and public health. To reproduce and grow, microbes need to take up essential nutrients from the environment, and mathematical models classically assume that the nutrient uptake rate is a saturating function of the nutrient concentration. In nature, microbes experience different levels of nutrient availability at all environmental scales, yet parameters shaping the nutrient uptake function are commonly estimated for a single initial nutrient concentration. This hampers the models from accurately capturing microbial dynamics when the environmental conditions change. To address this problem, we conduct growth experiments for a range of micro-organisms, including human fungal pathogens, baker’s yeast, and common coliform bacteria, and uncover the following patterns. We observed that the maximal nutrient uptake rate and biomass yield were both decreasing functions of initial nutrient concentration. While a functional form for the relationship between biomass yield and initial nutrient concentration has been previously derived from first metabolic principles, here we also derive the form of the relationship between maximal nutrient uptake rate and initial nutrient concentration. Incorporating these two functions into a model of microbial growth allows for variable growth parameters and enables us to substantially improve predictions for microbial dynamics in a range of initial nutrient concentrations, compared to keeping growth parameters fixed.
Validation of an admission coagulation panel for risk stratification of COVID-19 patients

Background There is limited data on the markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation (MOCHA) profile in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its ability to identify COVID-19 patients at risk for thrombotic events and other complications. Methods Hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-COV-2 from four Atlanta hospitals were included in this observational cohort study and underwent admission testing of MOCHA parameters (plasma d-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, fibrin monomer). Clinical outcomes included deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, access line thrombosis, ICU admission, intubation and mortality. Main results Of 276 patients (mean age 59 ± 6.4 years, 47% female, 62% African American), 45 (16%) had a thrombotic endpoint. Each MOCHA parameter was independently associated with a thrombotic event (p<0.05) and ≥ 2 abnormalities was associated with thrombotic endpoints (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2–8.8) as were admission D-dimer ≥ 2000 ng/mL (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5–6.6) and ≥ 3000 ng/mL (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6–7.9). However, only ≥ 2 MOCHA abnormalities were associated with ICU admission (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7–5.2) and intubation (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.4). MOCHA and D-dimer cutoffs were not associated with mortality. MOCHA with <2 abnormalities (26% of the cohort) had 89% sensitivity and 93% negative predictive value for a thrombotic endpoint. Conclusions An admission MOCHA profile is useful to risk-stratify COVID-19 patients for thrombotic complications and more effective than isolated d-dimer for predicting risk of ICU admission and intubation.
Effect of reproductive phase on some micronutrients, anti-nutrients and toxic substances in Vernonia amygdalina grown in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

The chemical contents and compositions of vegetables are generally influenced during their developmental stages. It is for this reason that the research was conducted in pot experiment to investigate the effect of reproductive phase (fruiting) on anti-nutrients (soluble and total oxalates), toxic substances (cyanide and nitrate) and some micronutrients namely, vitamin C, β-carotene (provitamin A) and mineral elements (Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Ca, Na and K) in Vernonia amygdalina grown on nitrogen and non-nitrogen treated soil. The leaves of V. amygdalina were harvested and analysed at vegetative phase (market maturity) and reproductive phase (fruiting). Results obtained showed that the levels of cyanide, nitrate, soluble and total oxalate, β-carotene and vitamin C were significantly elevated in the reproductive phase of V. amygdalina irrespective of soil nitrogen levels, except that the elevation in βcarotene concentration was only significant in control. The concentrations of Fe, Mg, Ca and K decreased during the reproductive phase, however, the reduction of Mg was observed only with the applied nitrogen fertilizer. The concentrations of Zn and Na were not significantly affected by the reproductive phase of V. amygdalina . The results conclude that phytotoxins are concentrated more at reproductive phase than at vegetative phase in V. amygdalina .
Percutaneous coronary intervention in saphenous vein grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives To investigate the results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in saphenous vein grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Design. MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for relevant articles published between 1 January 2000 and 29 February 2020. The PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) model was applied in constructing the clinical question. Two independent researchers performed the literature search. Thirty-six articles were identified and subjected to a quality assessment. The primary outcomes of the meta-analysis were long-term in-stent restenosis and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results. In-stent restenosis was 9.4% (95% CI: 4.2–14.7%) and MACE was 35.3% (95% CI: 27–43.7%) at mean time 2.7 ± 1.0 years. The secondary outcomes were the unsuccessful PCI rate (7.7%; 95% CI: 2.9–12.5%), 30-day MACE (4.3%; 95% CI: 2.5–6.1%), and 1-year MACE (15.5%; 95% CI: 11.7–19.3%). The use of drug-eluting stents resulted in better outcomes at least in term of in-stent restenosis, while the benefit of using embolic protection devices was questionable. Conclusions. PCI of a stenosed or occluded saphenous vein graft is a challenge for interventional cardiologists, and is still associated with relatively high rates of restenosis, MACE, and procedural failure. All efforts to enhance the results are warranted, including improved quality of the venous grafts used during CABG.
Modified Munich chronotype questionnaire for application to short-interval split sleep of non-shift workers

ABSTRACT The Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) has been widely validated among various types of populations. However, determination of chronotype among individuals who have a split sleep pattern with short intervals between the first and second sleep bouts on free days has not yet been reported. This study aimed to validate the MCTQ modified for this purpose by assessing the actual sleep-wake timing against the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). The modified calculation for the midpoint of sleep on free days (MSF) of the split sleep pattern considers the second sleep bout as the total sleep duration on free days. We recruited 161 participants (mean age: 38.7 ± 7.8 years; 73% females, 29% with split sleep pattern) were recruited to administer the modified version of the MCTQ and MEQ. All of the MCTQ original parameters: midpoint of sleep on work days (MSW, r = −0.575), midpoint of sleep on free days (MSF, r = −0.568), and midpoint of sleep on free days corrected for sleep debt (MSFsc,r = −0.566) were significantly correlated with MEQ. The MEQ was further tested against MSF in four conditions of the split sleep pattern. The MSF modified for split sleep within 60 minutes after the first awakening showed highest correlation (r = −0.576) against MEQ score. The results demonstrate the modified version of MCTQ is valid to determine the chronotype in participants who practice consolidated and split sleep patterns.