Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INNOVATIVENESS OF EUROPEAN REGIONAL SPACE: CONVERGENCE OR DIVERGENCE?

The aim of the article is to assess the convergence of innovativeness in European regions at the NUTS-2 level. In the first part of the work, the concept of region’s innovativeness is defined and methods of its measurement are presented. Next, the conditions and determinants of convergence/divergence of innovativeness in the regional area are discussed. The theoretical part of the paper suggests that the issue of convergence in the field of innovativeness is a significant, but relatively poorly explored, research area in economic literature. The empirical part of the article presents the results of the study of sigma and gamma convergence of innovativeness in a group of European regions. The research sample consists of 220 regions from 22 European Union countries, as well as Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. The obtained results indicate the occurrence of sigma divergence processes and the lack of gamma convergence processes.
University of Birmingham Increasing children's physical activity through a teaching-assistant led extracurricular intervention

Background: Many children do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity (PA), highlighting the need to find ways to increase children ’ s PA. Process evaluations play an important role in improving the science of randomised controlled trials. We recently reported the results of the Action 3:30 cluster randomised feasibility trial illustrating higher levels of moderate to vigorous intensity PA among boys but not girls. The aim of this paper is to report the process evaluation results including intervention fidelity, implementation, context and how intervention components and trial design could be improved before proceeding to a definitive RCT. Methods: Children ’ s session enjoyment was assessed every two weeks. Reasons for non-attendance were provided by questionnaire at the end of the intervention. Post intervention interviews were held with participating teaching assistants (TAs) and school key contacts (KCs), and focus groups were conducted with children in all 10 intervention schools. Interviews and focus groups examined how recruitment and session attendance might be improved and established which elements of the programme that were and were not well received. Results: Data indicated good intervention fidelity with TA ’ s adopting enjoyment-focussed teaching styles and the sessions improving children ’ s skills and self-esteem. Several positive aspects of implementation were identified, including high session variety, the opportunity to work in teams, the child-led sessions and the engaging leader style. In terms of context there was evidence that TA ’ s faced difficulties managing challenging behaviour and that further training in this area was needed. TAs and KCs felt that recruitment could be improved by providing taster sessions during PE lessons and clarifying the days that the clubs would run at the point of recruitment. The programme could be improved to enhance interest for girls, by including training for managing disruptive behaviour and making some activities more age-group appropriate. Conclusions: Action 3.30 showed promise but could be improved by ensuring age appropriate activities, providing more appeal to girls and improving recruitment through taster sessions and early establishment of days of the week it is to be offered on.
Investigation of the relationship between the spatial gradient of total electron content (TEC) between two nearby stations and the occurrence of ionospheric irregularity

The relation between the occurrence of ionospheric irregularities and the spatial gradient of total electron content (TEC) derived from two nearby located stations (ASAB:4.34◦N, 114.39◦E and DEBK: 3.71◦N, 109.34◦E, geomagnetic), located within the equatorial region, over Ethiopia, during the post-sunset hours was investigated. Different instruments and techniques have been applied to study the behavior of ionospheric irregularities. In this study, the Global Positioning System (GPS) based derived TEC during the year 2014 obtained from the two stations were employed to investigate the relationship 5 between the gradient of TEC and ionospheric irregularity occurrence. The spatial gradient of TEC (∆TEC/∆lon) and its standard deviation over 15 min σ(∆TEC/∆lon) derived from GPS-TEC were used in this study. The rate of change of TEC derived indices (ROTI ,ROTIave) are also utilized. Our results revealed that most of the maximum enhancement/reduction in ∆TEC/∆lon are noticeable during 19:00 24:00 LT hours. In some cases, the peak values in the spatial gradient of TEC are also observed during daytime and post-midnight hours. The enhancement in the intensity of σ(∆TEC/∆lon) observed after 10 post-sunset show similar trends with ROTIave, and was stronger/weaker during equinoctial/solstice months. The observed enhancement in the intensity of σ(∆TEC/∆lon) in equinoctial season show an equinoctial asymmetry where the March equinox was greater than September equinox. The gradient in TEC and ROTIave observed during the evening time period also show similar trends with equatorial electric field (EEF) but after 1-2 hrs. The relationship between σ(∆TEC/∆lon) and ROTIave correlate linearly with correlation coefficient of C = 0.7975 and C = 0.7915 over ASAB and DEBK, respectively. 15 The vast majority of the maximum enhancement/reduction in the spatial gradient of TEC observed during the evening time period may be associated with ionospheric irregularities/equatorial plasma bubbles. In addition to latitudinal gradients, the spatial/longitudinal gradient of TEC has a significant contribution to the computation of TEC fluctuations. The spatial gradient of TEC/electron density near solar-terminator obtained from two nearby located Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers may be used as an alternative method to estimate the strength of the zonal electric field. 20
Prevalence and Disability Induced by Acne Vulgaris among Adolescent Students at Secondary Schools in Assiut City

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the commonest skin disorders which dermatologists have to treat, mainly affect adolescents. It has been found to have a significant impact on their psychological status, The study aimed to identify the prevalence of acne vulgaris among adolescents students and the disability induced by acne vulgaris on them . Subjects and methods: descriptive research cross sectional design was used. It was conducted in four secondary schools at Assiut city . The total study sample was 1026 students which was selected randomly. The study included two tools: first tool was self-administered structure questionnaire, which included two parts, first part was some demographic data of studied students and the second part was about acne vulgaris. The second tool was Acne Disability Index. Results: It was found that 67% of the studied students were female and the mean age ±SD was 16.37 ±1.18. The prevalence of acne in studied students was 60.5%. Also, 63.3% of studied adolescent students had mild disability effect Conclusion: Acne vulgaris is more prevalent among studied students . There was statistically significant difference between Acne Disability Index and students' age and more than three fifths of studied adolescent students had mild disability effect from acne Recommendations: school health nurses should be attended the educational programs about acne because they are most contact and deal with the students.
Real‐world efficacy and safety of interleukin‐17 inhibitors for psoriasis: A single‐center experience

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of interleukin (IL)‐17 inhibitors (IL‐17i) by analyzing 66 patients with psoriasis treated with secukinumab (n = 25), ixekizumab (n = 17) and brodalumab (n = 24) at Kurume University Hospital between December 2014 and June 2019. The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores at baseline were 12.9, 13.4 and 9.9 in the secukinumab, ixekizumab and brodalumab groups (SECg, IXEg and BROg), respectively. At the 6‐month evaluation, the mean PASI scores were 1.7, 1.1 and 0.5 in SECg, IXEg and BROg, respectively. The proportion of patients achieving PASI of 3.0 or less was significantly lower in SECg. Drug survivals showed no significant difference among the groups. Although one patient in IXEg died due to an unknown cause, no serious IL‐17i‐associated adverse event was observed. This study showed high efficacy and relatively low risk of the treatment with IL‐17i.
Analysis of a Candida auris Outbreak Provides New Insights into an Emerging Pathogen

Candida auris is an emerging human fungal pathogen that is being increasingly linked to outbreaks. It is concerning to health care workers because of its high mortality rate, due primarily to its antifungal resistance. Among the tools being developed to study this yeast are large cohorts of regional isolates, which can be useful for studying epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and diagnostic methods. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Y. ABSTRACT Candida auris is an emerging human fungal pathogen that is being increasingly linked to outbreaks. It is concerning to health care workers because of its high mortality rate, due primarily to its antifungal resistance. Among the tools being developed to study this yeast are large cohorts of regional isolates, which can be useful for studying epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and diagnostic methods. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Y. Zhu, B. O’Brien, L. Leach, A. Clarke, et al. (J Clin Microbiol 58:e01503-19, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01503-19) describe the laboratory findings of a collection of isolates from a large outbreak of C. auris obtained from numerous health care facilities in the New York area. Real-time PCR was used as a screening tool with great accuracy, while internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and D1/D2 sequencing were successfully employed for isolate clade assignment. South Asia clade I was identified as the major genotype, while South American clade IV was a minor genotype. Surveillance isolates from patients confirmed axilla/groin and nare colonization; however, results of quantitative analysis of fungal burdens showed that when the nares are colonized, burdens are significantly higher than for axilla/groin colonization. Antifungal susceptibility testing was in agreement with past studies. High levels of fluconazole resistance were detected, while few isolates were resistant to echinocandins. Resistance to multiple antifungals was frequent, and three isolates were recovered that appeared to be pan-resistant. This type of study is yet another useful tool for investigating C. auris, which is becoming an increasingly important human fungal pathogen that should be monitored very closely.
Disease-related and age-related changes of anterior chamber angle structures in patients with primary congenital glaucoma: An in vivo high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy-based study

Objectives To provide in vivo measurements of anterior chamber angle structures and their relationship with age as evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) Methods High-frequency UBM was done for 51 PCG eyes from 40 patients (aged from 3 to 96 months) and 11 unaffected contralateral eyes. Parameters, including the proportion of observable abnormal tissue membrane and Schlemm’s canal, the largest cross-sectional area (CSA) of Schlemm’s canal (SC), SC meridional diameter, trabecular-iris angle (TIA), trabecular meshwork (TM) thickness, iris thickness, ciliary process length, and corneal limbus thickness were compared between the two groups and their relationship with age was explored in PCG eyes. Results Abnormal tissue membrane was detected in 27.5% of PCG eyes and none in unaffected eyes. SC was observed in 73.1% of PGC eyes compared to 100% in unaffected eyes (P<0.001). The largest CSA of SC, SC meridional diameter, iris thickness, and corneal limbus thickness were all significantly smaller in PCG eyes compared to unaffected eyes (all P<0.05). TIA and ciliary process length in unaffected eyes were smaller than PCG eyes (both P<0.05). The largest CSA of SC, TM thickness, iris thickness, and ciliary process length were all significantly correlated to age in PCG eyes (P<0.05). Conclusions The anatomical information evaluated by high-frequency UBM may provide glaucoma specialists a useful tool to aid in understanding the dysgenesis and changes with age of anterior chamber angle in PCG.
HIV/HCV therapy with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir after randomized switch to emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide-based single-tablet regimens

Introduction Guidelines advocate the treatment of HCV in all HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The aim of this randomized, open-label study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02707601; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02707601) was to evaluate the safety/efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) co-administered with elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF) or rilpivirine/F/TAF (R/F/TAF) in HIV-1/HCV co-infected participants. Methods Participants with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and chronic HCV-genotype (GT) 1 (HCV treatment-naïve ± compensated cirrhosis or HCV treatment-experienced non-cirrhotic) were randomized 1:1 to switch to E/C/F/TAF or R/F/TAF. If HIV suppression was maintained at Week 8, participants received 12 weeks of LDV/SOF. The primary endpoint was sustained HCV virologic response 12 weeks after LDV/SOF completion (SVR12). Results Of 150 participants, 148 received ≥1 dose of HIV study drug and 144 received LDV/SOF (72 in each F/TAF group; 83% GT1a, 94% HCV treatment-naïve, 12% cirrhotic). Overall, SVR12 was 97% (95% confidence interval: 93–99%). Black race did not affect SVR12. Of four participants not achieving SVR12, one had HCV relapse, one had HCV virologic non-response due to non-adherence, and two missed the post-HCV Week 12 visit. Of 148 participants, 96% receiving E/C/F/TAF and 95% receiving R/F/TAF maintained HIV suppression at Week 24; no HIV resistance was detected. No participant discontinued LDV/SOF or E/C/F/TAF due to adverse events; one participant discontinued R/F/TAF due to worsening of pre-existing hypercholesterolemia. Renal toxicity was not observed in either F/TAF regimen during LDV/SOF co-administration. In conclusion, high rates of HCV SVR12 and maintenance of HIV suppression were achieved with LDV/SOF and F/TAF-based regimens. Conclusion This study supports LDV/SOF co-administered with an F/TAF-based regimen in HIV-1/HCV-GT1 co-infected patients.
High Efficacy by GAL-021: A Known Intravenous Peripheral Chemoreceptor Modulator that Suppresses BKCa-Channel Activity and Inhibits IK(M) or Ih

GAL-021 has recently been developed as a novel breathing control modulator. However, modifications of ionic currents produced by this agent remain uncertain, although its efficacy in suppressing the activity of big-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels has been reported. In pituitary tumor (GH3) cells, we found that the presence of GAL-021 decreased the amplitude of macroscopic Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK(Ca)) in a concentration-dependent manner with an effective IC50 of 2.33 μM. GAL-021-mediated reduction of IK(Ca) was reversed by subsequent application of verteporfin or ionomycin; however, it was not by that of diazoxide. In inside-out current recordings, the addition of GAL-021 to the bath markedly decreased the open-state probability of BKCa channels. This agent also resulted in a rightward shift in voltage dependence of the activation curve of BKCa channels; however, neither the gating charge of the curve nor single-channel conductance of the channel was changed. There was an evident lengthening of the mean closed time of BKCa channels in the presence of GAL-021, with no change in mean open time. The GAL-021 addition also suppressed M-type K+ current with an effective IC50 of 3.75 μM; however, its presence did not alter the amplitude of erg-mediated K+ current, or mildly suppressed delayed-rectifier K+ current. GAL-021 at a concentration of 30 μM could also suppress hyperpolarization-activated cationic current. In HEK293T cells expressing α-hSlo, the addition of GAL-021 was also able to suppress the BKCa-channel open probabilities, and GAL-021-mediated suppression of BKCa-channel activity was attenuated by further addition of BMS-191011. Collectively, the GAL-021 effects presented herein do not exclusively act on BKCa channels and these modifications on ionic currents exert significant influence on the functional activities of electrically excitable cells occurring in vivo.
Multimodal treatment for spinal cord injury: a sword of neuroregeneration upon neuromodulation

Spinal cord injury is linked to the interruption of neural pathways, which results in irreversible neural dysfunction. Neural repair and neuroregeneration are critical goals and issues for rehabilitation in spinal cord injury, which require neural stem cell repair and multimodal neuromodulation techniques involving personalized rehabilitation strategies. Besides the involvement of endogenous stem cells in neurogenesis and neural repair, exogenous neural stem cell transplantation is an emerging effective method for repairing and replacing damaged tissues in central nervous system diseases. However, to ensure that endogenous or exogenous neural stem cells truly participate in neural repair following spinal cord injury, appropriate interventional measures (e.g., neuromodulation) should be adopted. Neuromodulation techniques, such as noninvasive magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation, have been safely applied in many neuropsychiatric diseases. There is increasing evidence to suggest that neuromagnetic/electrical modulation promotes neuroregeneration and neural repair by affecting signaling in the nervous system; namely, by exciting, inhibiting, or regulating neuronal and neural network activities to improve motor function and motor learning following spinal cord injury. Several studies have indicated that fine motor skill rehabilitation training makes use of residual nerve fibers for collateral growth, encourages the formation of new synaptic connections to promote neural plasticity, and improves motor function recovery in patients with spinal cord injury. With the development of biomaterial technology and biomechanical engineering, several emerging treatments have been developed, such as robots, brain-computer interfaces, and nanomaterials. These treatments have the potential to help millions of patients suffering from motor dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury. However, large-scale clinical trials need to be conducted to validate their efficacy. This review evaluated the efficacy of neural stem cells and magnetic or electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitation training and intelligent therapies for spinal cord injury according to existing evidence, to build up a multimodal treatment strategy of spinal cord injury to enhance nerve repair and regeneration.
Cross-cultural validation of the French version of the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL)

Abstract Purpose Upper limb lymphedema is a vexing morbidity that can occur after the treatment for breast cancer. The Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL) is a valid and reliable tool assessing problems in functioning in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Until now, a French-language version was lacking. The aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural validation of the French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL questionnaire. Methods A forward–backward translation process between the original language (Dutch) and the target language (French) was performed. Psychometric properties of this final French version were examined in 50 participants. Results Intraclass correlation coefficients for test–retest reliability ranged from 0.66 to 0.95. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for internal consistency were higher than 0.77. Face and content validity were very good because the scoring system was clear for all participants (100%), questions were understandable (100%), and all complaints due to BCRL were mentioned by 78% of the participants. Construct validity was moderate. Convergent validity was established since 3 out of 5 expected domains of the Lymph-ICF-UL showed a moderate correlation with expected domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. There was satisfactory divergent validity as 6 out of 9 hypotheses assessing divergent validity were accepted. Conclusion The French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire and ready for use in clinical as well as in scientific practice. Implications for rehabilitation Since the introduction of more effective treatment modalities increasing the number of breast cancer survivors, the amount of patients dealing with lymphedema is rising likewise up to a pooled incidence rate of more than 16% of the women treated for breast cancer. The French version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing problems in functioning of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arm and/or hand. As the questionnaire provides patient information in the different domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, it facilitates evaluating the impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on daily functioning. Based on the outcomes of the Lymph-ICF-UL treatment goals can be set, where after the questionnaire can be used to monitor long-term results of this treatment and self-care.
Distribution of Ventilation Measured by Electrical Impedance Tomography in Critically Ill Children

BACKGROUND: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive, portable lung imaging technique that provides functional distribution of ventilation. We aimed to describe the relationship between the distribution of ventilation by mode of ventilation and level of oxygenation impairment in children who are critically ill. We also aimed to describe the safety of EIT application. METHODS: A prospective observational study of EIT images obtained from subjects in the pediatric ICU. Images were categorized by whether the subjects were on intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV), continuous spontaneous ventilation, or no positive-pressure ventilation. Images were categorized by the level of oxygenation impairment when using SpO2/FIO2. Distribution of ventilation is described by the center of ventilation. RESULTS: Sixty-four images were obtained from 25 subjects. Forty-two images obtained during IMV with a mean ± SD center of ventilation of 55 ± 6%, 14 images during continuous spontaneous ventilation with a mean ± SD center of ventilation of 48.1 ± 11%, and 8 images during no positive-pressure ventilation with a mean ± SD center of ventilation of 47.5 ± 10%. Seventeen images obtained from subjects with moderate oxygenation impairment with a mean ± SD center of ventilation of 59.3 ± 1.9%, 12 with mild oxygenation impairment with a mean ± SD center of ventilation of 52.6 ± 2.3%, and 4 without oxygenation impairment with a mean ± SD center of ventilation of 48.3 ± 4%. There was more ventral distribution of ventilation with IMV versus continuous spontaneous ventilation (P = .009), with IMV versus no positive-pressure ventilation (P = .01) cohorts, and with moderate oxygenation impairment versus cohorts without oxygenation impairment (P = .009). There were no adverse events related to the placement and use of EIT in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Children who had worse oxygen impairment or who received controlled modes of ventilation had more ventral distribution of ventilation than those without oxygen impairment or the subjects who were spontaneously breathing. The ability of EIT to detect changes in the distribution of ventilation in real time may allow for distribution-targeted mechanical ventilation strategies to be deployed proactively; however, future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of such a strategy.