Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Levels Amongst Apparently Healthy Nigerian Males in a University and University Hospital Community in the Federal Capital Territory

Background Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer among men worldwide and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) has remained the most commonly applied screening test for the disease till date. Current PSA test results guidelines in our population are informed by reference intervals derived from studies from Caucasians and other racial groups. With scanty data on PSA reference values from our local population, this study evaluated the serum PSA levels of apparently healthy Nigerian male subjects in whom prostate cancer and urinary tract infection have been excluded. Method This study had participants aged 40 to 70 years, with no lower urinary tract symptoms or other symptoms suggestive of prostate disease recruited from the male staff population of the University of Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and the adjoining local community. They were physically examined, had prostate ultrasonography, urine analysis, and blood sample collected for PSA testing. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Result Of a total of 210 men who participated in the study, 191 eventually met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 52.9 years, ninety seven percent of them had heard of prostate cancer before now. The mean total PSA was 1.46 ng/mL (SD +/−1.55), while the reference interval was . 23–5.60 ng/mL. The average prostate size was 41.8 mL (SD+/-20.11), and there was a positive correlation between the PSA and the prostate size (.418) as well as the age of the subjects (.446). There was no significant difference in the mean PSA value for those with or without family history of prostate cancer (P=.979). Conclusion The reference range of PSA in Nigeria is higher than in other races, hence utilizing a local value in decision making would help to reduce unnecessary invasive procedures.
Lysosomal ceramides regulate Cathepsin B-mediated processing of saposin C and glucocerebrosidase activity.

Variants in multiple lysosomal enzymes increase Parkinson's disease risk, including the genes encoding glucocerebrosidase (GCase), acid sphingomyelinase and galactosylceramidase. Each of these enzymes generate ceramide by hydrolysis of sphingolipids in lysosomes, but the role of this common pathway in PD pathogenesis has not yet been explored. Variations in GBA1, the gene encoding GCase, are the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). The lysosomal enzyme Cathepsin B has recently been implicated as an important genetic modifier of disease penetrance in individuals harboring GBA1 variants, suggesting a mechanistic link between these enzymes. Here, we found that ceramide activates cathepsin B, and identified a novel role for cathepsin B in mediating prosaposin cleavage to form saposin C, the lysosomal coactivator of GCase. Interestingly, this pathway was disrupted in Parkin-linked PD models, and upon treatment with inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase which resulted in decreased ceramide production. Conversely, increasing ceramide production by inhibiting acid ceramidase activity, was sufficient to upregulate cathepsin B and saposin C-mediated activation of GCase. These results highlight a mechanistic link between ceramide and cathepsin B in regulating GCase activity, and suggest that targeting lysosomal ceramide or cathepsin B represents an important therapeutic strategy for activating GCase in Parkinson's and related disorders.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of vaginal examination frequency during labor

Abstract Our aim to conduct the descriptive study was to determine the maternal and neonatal outcomes of frequent vaginal examinations during labor. Data were collected in the first 24 hours, between days 2-5, in week 2 and in week 6 after the birth. No statistically significant correlation was observed between the frequency of vaginal examinations and the development of genitourinary or neonatal infections. On the other hand, it was seen that being a primipara were risk factors for a woman’s developing a genitourinary infection while an increase in the number of personnel performing the vaginal examination was a risk factor for a neonatal infection.
Prevalence and prognostic impact of cognitive frailty in elderly patients with heart failure: sub‐analysis of FRAGILE‐HF

Although evidence suggests that cognitive decline and physical frailty in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) are associated with prognosis, the impact of concurrent physical frailty and cognitive impairment, that is, cognitive frailty, on prognosis has yet to be fully investigated. The current study sought to investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of cognitive frailty in elderly patients with HF.
Neighborhood socioeconomic inequality based on everyday mobility predicts COVID-19 infection in San Francisco, Seattle, and Wisconsin

Race and class disparities in COVID-19 cases are well documented, but pathways of possible transmission by neighborhood inequality are not. This study uses administrative data on COVID-19 cases for roughly 2000 census tracts in Wisconsin, Seattle/King County, and San Francisco to analyze how neighborhood socioeconomic (dis)advantage predicts cumulative caseloads through February 2021. Unlike past research, we measure a neighborhood’s disadvantage level using both its residents’ demographics and the demographics of neighborhoods its residents visit and are visited by, leveraging daily mobility data from 45 million mobile devices. In all three jurisdictions, we find sizable disparities in COVID-19 caseloads. Disadvantage in a neighborhood’s mobility network has greater impact than its residents’ socioeconomic characteristics. We also find disparities by neighborhood racial/ethnic composition, which can be explained, in part, by residential and mobility-based disadvantage. Neighborhood conditions measured before a pandemic offer substantial predictive power for subsequent incidence, with mobility-based disadvantage playing an important role.
Obesity – A Matter of Motivation?

Excessive food intake and reduced physical activity have long been established as primary causes of obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms causing this unhealthy behavior characterized by heightened motivation for food but not for physical effort are unclear. Despite the common unjustified stigmatization that obesity is a result of laziness and lack of discipline, it is becoming increasingly clear that high-fat diet feeding and obesity cause alterations in brain circuits that are critical for the control of motivational behavior. In this mini-review, we provide a comprehensive overview of incentive motivation, its neural encoding in the dopaminergic mesolimbic system as well as its metabolic modulation with a focus on derangements of incentive motivation in obesity. We further discuss the emerging field of metabolic interventions to counteract motivational deficits and their potential clinical implications.
Outcome of endovascular treatment in acute basilar artery occlusion with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 10-19.

OBJECTIVE Authors of this study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment (EVT) versus standard medical treatment (SMT) alone in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and moderate deficit (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 10-19). METHODS Patients with moderate deficit caused by acute BAO in the period from January 2014 to May 2019 were included in the study. The patients were divided into groups based on treatment: EVT plus SMT group or SMT-alone group. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-3) at 90 days, and safety outcomes were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and mortality at 90 days. RESULTS A total of 173 patients had moderate deficits, 128 of whom had been treated with EVT and 45 with SMT alone. EVT was associated with a significant higher proportion of 90-day favorable outcomes compared with SMT (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.09, 95% CI 1.39-12.04, p = 0.011). Younger age (aOR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99, p = 0.017), absence of diabetes mellitus (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.12-0.99, p = 0.048), higher baseline posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS; aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.07-2.05, p = 0.018), and modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score of 2b-3 (aOR 15.15, 95% CI 3.07-74.72, p = 0.001) were independent factors for a favorable outcome in the EVT group. Rates of mortality and sICH were comparable in the EVT and SMT groups. CONCLUSIONS EVT leads to improved outcomes compared to those with SMT alone. Younger age, absence of diabetes mellitus, higher baseline pc-ASPECTSs, and mTICI score of 2b-3 were associated with better functional outcome in the EVT group.
Suv39h1 regulates memory stability by inhibiting the expression of Shank1 in hippocampal newborn neurons

Adult newborn neurons are involved in memory encoding and extinction, but the neural mechanism is unclear. We found the adult newborn neurons at 4 weeks are recruited by learning and subjected to epigenetic regulations, consequently reducing their ability to be re‐recruited later. After removal of the epigenetic blockage, Suv39h1 KO mice showed an increased recruiting number of aged newborn neurons and enhanced flexibility in learning tasks. Besides NRXN1, we found SHANK1, the synaptic scaffold protein, is one of the major targets of Suv39h1, regulating memory stability. Expression of Shank1 is transiently engaged to enhance synaptogenesis during learning and is strongly suppressed by Suv39h1 from 5 h after learning. Exogenously overexpression of Shank1 in dentate gyrus increased the density of mushroom spines and decreased the persistency of old memories. Our study indicated the activity‐regulated epigenetic modification in newly matured newborn neurons in hippocampus insulates temporally distinct experiences and stabilizes old memories.
Experimental Study of Aperiodic Plane Wave Imaging for Ultrafast 3-D Ultrasound Imaging

Objective: Although plane wave imaging (PWI) with multiple plane waves (PWs) steered at different angles enables ultrafast three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasonic imaging, there is still a challenging tradeoff between image quality and frame rate. To address this challenge, we recently proposed the aperiodic PWI (APWI) with mathematical analysis and simulation study. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of APWI and evaluate the performance with phantom and in vivo experiments. Methods: APWI with a concentric ring angle pattern (APWI-C) and APWI with a sunflower pattern (APWI-S) are evaluated. For experimental verification of the methods, the experimental results are compared with simulation results in terms of the mainlobe-to-sidelobe ratio. In addition, the performance of APWI is compared with that of conventional PWI by using a commercial phantom. To examine the potential for clinical use of APWI, a gallstone-mimicking phantom study and an in vivo carotid artery experiment are also conducted. Results: In the phantom study, the APWI methods provide a contrast ratio approximately 23 dB higher than that of PWI. In a gallstone mimicking experiment, the proposed methods yield 3-D rendered stone images more similar to the real stones than PWI. In the in vivo carotid artery images, APWI reduces the clutter artifacts inside the artery. Conclusion: Phantom and in vivo studies show that the APWI enhances the contrast without compromising the spatial resolution and frame rate. Significance: This study experimentally demonstrates the feasibility and advantage of APWI for ultrafast 3-D ultrasonic imaging.
Guidelines and standards for the study of death and recalled experiences of death––a multidisciplinary consensus statement and proposed future directions

An inadvertent consequence of advances in stem cell research, neuroscience, and resuscitation science has been to enable scientific insights regarding what happens to the human brain in relation to death. The scientific exploration of death is in large part possible due to the recognition that brain cells are more resilient to the effects of anoxia than assumed. Hence, brain cells become irreversibly damaged and “die” over hours to days postmortem. Resuscitation science has enabled life to be restored to millions of people after their hearts had stopped. These survivors have described a unique set of recollections in relation to death that appear universal. We review the literature, with a focus on death, the recalled experiences in relation to cardiac arrest, post–intensive care syndrome, and related phenomena that provide insights into potential mechanisms, ethical implications, and methodologic considerations for systematic investigation. We also identify issues and controversies related to the study of consciousness and the recalled experience of cardiac arrest and death in subjects who have been in a coma, with a view to standardize and facilitate future research.
Ultrafast photooxidation of protein-bound anionic flavin radicals

Significance Flavoproteins are colored proteins involved in a large variety of biochemical reactions. They can perform photochemical reactions, which are increasingly exploited for bioengineering new protein-derived photocatalysts. In particular, light-induced reduction of the resting oxidized state of the flavin by close-lying amino acids or substrates is extensively studied. Here, we demonstrate that the reverse and previously unknown reaction photooxidation of the anionic semireduced flavin radical, a short-lived reaction intermediate in many biochemical reactions, efficiently occurs in flavoprotein oxidases. We anticipate that this finding will allow photoreduction of external reactants and lead to exploration of novel photocatalytic pathways. The photophysical properties of anionic semireduced flavin radicals are largely unknown despite their importance in numerous biochemical reactions. Here, we studied the photoproducts of these intrinsically unstable species in five different flavoprotein oxidases where they can be stabilized, including the well-characterized glucose oxidase. Using ultrafast absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, we unexpectedly found that photoexcitation systematically results in the oxidation of protein-bound anionic flavin radicals on a time scale of less than ∼100 fs. The thus generated photoproducts decay back in the remarkably narrow 10- to 20-ps time range. Based on molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics computations, positively charged active-site histidine and arginine residues are proposed to be the electron acceptor candidates. Altogether, we established that, in addition to the commonly known and extensively studied photoreduction of oxidized flavins in flavoproteins, the reverse process (i.e., the photooxidation of anionic flavin radicals) can also occur. We propose that this process may constitute an excited-state deactivation pathway for protein-bound anionic flavin radicals in general. This hitherto undocumented photochemical reaction in flavoproteins further extends the family of flavin photocycles.
Using Deep Learning Algorithm: The Study of Sperm Head Vacuoles and Its Correlation with Protamine mRNA Ratio

Objective It is necessary to evaluate fertility effective agents to predict assisted reproduction outcomes. This study was designed to examine sperm vacuole characteristics, and its association with sperm chromatin status and protamine-1 (PRM1) to protamine-2 (PRM2) ratio, to predict assisted pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, ninety eight semen samples from infertile men were classified based on Vanderzwalmen’s criteria as follows: grade I: no vacuoles; grade II: <2 small vacuoles; grade III: <1 large vacuole and grade IV: large vacuole with other abnormalities. The location, frequency and size of vacuoles were assessed using high magnification, a deep learning algorithm, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chromatin integrity, condensation, viability and acrosome integrity, and protamination status were evaluated for vacuolated samples by toluidine blue (TB) staining, aniline blue, triple staining, and CMA3 staining, respectively. Also, Protamine-1 and protamine-2 genes expression was analysed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The assisted reproduction outcomes were also followed for each cycle. Results The results show a significant correlation between the vacuole size (III and IV) and abnormal sperm chromatin condensation (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively), and also, protamine-deficient (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively). The percentage of reacting acrosomes was significantly higher in the grades III and IV spermatozoa in comparison with normal group. The vacuolated spermatozoa with grade IV showed a high protamine mRNA ratio (PRM-2 was underexpressed, P=0.01). In the IVF cycles, we observed a negative association between sperm head vacuole and fertilization rate (P=0.01). This negative association was also significantly observed in pregnancy and live birth rate in the groups with grade III and IV (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively). Conclusion The results of our study highlight the importance sperm parameters such as sperm head vacuole characteristics, particularly those parameters with the potency of reflecting protamine-deficiency and in vitro fertilization/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) outcomes predicting.
Placebo response in chronic peripheral neuropathic pain trials: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To estimate the magnitude of the placebo and nocebo responses in chronic peripheral neuropathic pain (CNP) and explore possible associations with trial characteristics. Methods We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to May 2020. We included placebo-controlled RCTs of [≥]8 weeks investigating first-line pharmacological interventions for CNP. Primary endpoints were the placebo response, the proportion of patients receiving placebo with pain intensity reduction (PIR) [≥]30% from baseline, and the nocebo response, the proportion of patients receiving placebo experiencing adverse events (AEs). Screening, data extraction, and bias assessment (with the Cochrane risk of bias tool) were conducted by independent reviewers. We pooled data using a random-effects model. Results We included 50 trials, with a combined 5,693 participants allocated to placebo, conducted between 1998 and 2020. Overall, 38% of patients receiving placebo reported PIR[≥]30% (95% CI 34 to 42, I2=86%); 23% reported PIR[≥]50% (95% CI 20 to 26; I2=81%). 50% of patients receiving placebo reported AEs (95% CI 0.43 to 0.58; I2=97%); 2% reported serious AEs (95% CI 2 to 3; I2=58%). In patients receiving active interventions, the placebo response accounts for 75% of the treatment effect on PIR[≥]30%, and the nocebo response accounts for 75% of the AEs. Interpreted inversely, only 25% of responses and 25% of adverse events can be attributed to the intervention. Publication year positively correlated with PIR[≥]30% and negatively correlated with AEs. Female sex negatively correlated with AEs. Conclusions The placebo and nocebo responses in parallel-designed RCTs in CNP are substantial and should be considered in trial interpretation and in the design of future trials.
Using agent-based modeling to compare corrective actions for Listeria contamination in produce packinghouses

The complex environment of a produce packinghouse can facilitate the spread of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes in unexpected ways. This can lead to finished product contamination and potential foodborne disease cases. There is a need for simulation-based decision support tools that can test different corrective actions and are able to account for a facility's interior cross-contamination dynamics. Thus, we developed agent-based models of Listeria contamination dynamics for two produce packinghouse facilities; agents in the models represented equipment surfaces and employees, and models were parameterized using observations, values from published literature and expert opinion. Once validated with historical data from Listeria environmental sampling, each model's baseline conditions were investigated and used to determine the effectiveness of corrective actions in reducing prevalence of agents contaminated with Listeria and concentration of Listeria on contaminated agents. Evaluated corrective actions included reducing incoming Listeria, modifying cleaning and sanitation strategies, and reducing transmission pathways, and combinations thereof. Analysis of Listeria contamination predictions revealed differences between the facilities despite their functional similarities, highlighting that one-size-fits-all approaches may not always be the most effective means for selection of corrective actions in fresh produce packinghouses. Corrective actions targeting Listeria introduced in the facility on raw materials, implementing risk-based cleaning and sanitation, and modifying equipment connectivity were shown to be most effective in reducing Listeria contamination prevalence. Overall, our results suggest that a well-designed cleaning and sanitation schedule, coupled with good manufacturing practices can be effective in controlling contamination, even if incoming Listeria spp. on raw materials cannot be reduced. The presence of water within specific areas was also shown to influence corrective action performance. Our findings support that agent-based models can serve as effective decision support tools in identifying Listeria-specific vulnerabilities within individual packinghouses and hence may help reduce risks of food contamination and potential human exposure.
A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction at Work in an Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian Sample Across Occupation Types

Self-determination theory (SDT) posits universality without cross-cultural uniformity of the three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) which have been associated with desirable job outcomes. Yet these promising directions in theory and research have not been extended to Indigenous samples and different occupational types. This is unfortunate as Indigenous peoples globally remain the most disadvantaged on all socio-economic indicators, including employment. This study adopted a strengths-based approach to investigating associations between SDT’s need satisfaction and job outcomes in Australian Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals and non-professionals. Participants included 1,146 Indigenous (48.8%) and non-Indigenous Australians (39.1% men), aged 18 to 81 years (Mage = 43.54). Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that autonomy and competence need satisfaction were associated with multiple positive work outcomes and less job ambiguity, whereas satisfaction of the need for relatedness was associated with increased job satisfaction and greater resilience in the workplace. Moderation by Indigenous status and occupation type revealed few differences in the direction and strength of the associations between need satisfaction and job outcomes. However, non-professionals reported significantly lower satisfaction of all three needs, and Indigenous participants reported significantly lower levels of autonomy need satisfaction. As need satisfaction was shown to be equally beneficial for all workers regardless of culture or occupation type, these findings highlight the need for employers to invest more in cultivating the need satisfaction of their Indigenous and non-professional staff. Overall, the results extend upon previous research by demonstrating that SDT is generalizable to an Australian Indigenous population and that workplace need satisfaction is important for Indigenous and non-professional employee outcomes.