Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective Factors Against Vaping and Other Tobacco Use

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Vaping has gained popularity among adolescents despite negative health consequences. Few studies have focused on factors that may protect against vaping. We sought to determine if future orientation, parental monitoring, school connectedness, and social support are associated with decreased risk of vaping and other forms of tobacco use. METHODS Data were obtained via anonymous school-based health behavior surveys among ninth- through 12th-graders in Pittsburgh, PA (n = 2487). Protective factors were assessed through validated Likert scale instruments. The primary outcome was recent (past 30-day) vaping. Additional outcomes included other forms of tobacco use and intention to quit tobacco products. Poisson regression models examined associations between protective factors and vaping and tobacco use outcomes. RESULTS Mean age was 15.7 years, 1446 (58.1%) respondents were female, and 671 youth (27.0%) reported recent vaping. Positive future orientation and high parental monitoring were associated with significantly lower prevalence of recent vaping (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.84 [95% confidence interval: 0.73–0.97] and adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.73 [95% confidence interval: 0.62–0.85], respectively). There were no significant relationships between social support or school connectedness and vaping. All 4 protective factors were inversely associated with other forms of tobacco use. No factors were significantly associated with intent to quit tobacco products. CONCLUSIONS Findings reveal significant inverse associations between future orientation, parental monitoring, and vaping but no relationship between protective factors and intent to quit tobacco products. Developing interventions to foster protective factors in youth and their parental supports may inform primary prevention efforts to reduce vaping and other tobacco use.
Efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological interventions on metabolic disturbance induced by atypical antipsychotics in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background: There have been a few systematic reviews and conventional meta-analyses reporting effect of drugs on metabolic disturbance induced by atypical antipsychotics (AAPs). However, few of them provided sufficient and comprehensive comparisons between pharmacological interventions. Aims: We aimed to qualitatively compare drugs’ effect on AAPs-induced metabolic abnormalities by using network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), and PsycINFO on March 26, 2019. Of 5889 records identified, 61 randomized clinical trials including 3467 participants were included. We estimated weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) using NMA. We assessed the risk of bias of individual studies with the Review Manager 5.3. Primary outcomes included change of body weight and body mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes included change of other cardiometabolic risk factors, acceptability, and tolerability. Results: For body weight, topiramate (WMD −5.4, 95% CI −7.12 to −3.68), zonisamide (−3.44, 95% CI −6.57 to −0.36), metformin (−3.01, 95% CI −4.22 to −1.83), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) (−3.23, 95% CI −5.47 to −0.96), and nizatidine (−2.14, 95% CI −4.01 to −0.27) were significantly superior to placebo. Results regarding to BMI were similar to that of body weight. With respect to tolerability, only topiramate (OR 24, 95% CI 3.15 to 648) was inferior to placebo. Conclusions: Considering both efficacy and tolerability, evidence from this NMA indicates zonisamide, metformin, GLP-1RAs, and nizatidine in adults should be the first-line treatment for alleviating AAPs-induced weight gain or elevated BMI.
Transplantation of an obesity-associated human gut microbiota to mice induces vascular dysfunction and glucose intolerance

ABSTRACT Recent preclinical data suggest that alterations in the gut microbiota may be an important factor linking obesity to vascular dysfunction, an early sign of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to begin translation of these preclinical data by examining whether vascular phenotypes in humans are transmissible through the gut microbiota. We hypothesized that germ-free mice colonized with gut microbiota from obese individuals would display diminished vascular function compared to germ-free mice receiving microbiota from lean individuals. We transplanted fecal material from obese and lean age-and sex-matched participants with disparate vascular function to germ-free mice. Using Principle Component Analysis, the microbiota of colonized mice separated by donor group along the first principle component, accounting for between 70–93% of the total variability in the dataset. The microbiota of mice receiving transplants from lean individuals was also characterized by increased alpha diversity, as well as increased relative abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides ovatis. Endothelium-dependent dilation, aortic pulse wave velocity and glucose tolerance were significantly altered in mice receiving microbiota from the obese donor relative to those receiving microbiota from the lean donor or those remaining germ-free. These data indicate that the obesity-associated human gut microbiota is sufficient to alter the vascular phenotype in germ-free mice in the absence of differences in body weight or dietary manipulation, and provide justification for future clinical trials to test the efficacy of microbiota-targeted therapies in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.
A Novel Integrated Bioprocess for Efficient Production of (R)-(−)-Mandelic Acid with Immobilized Alcaligenes faecalis ZJUTB10

An integrated bioprocess for the enantioselective hydrolysis of mandelonitrile to (R)-(−)-mandelic acid (R-MA) with immobilized Alcaligenes faecalis ZJUTB10 cells was constructed. Production of A. faecalis ZJUTB10 nitrilase in a pilot-scale fermenter (700 L) with high activity was achieved after optimizing cultivation conditions. A. faecalis ZJUTB10 cells were then immobilized in Ca-alginate. Efficient reusability of the biocatalyst up to 9 batches was obtained by immobilization, and treatment with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and glutaraldehyde (GA) further extended the longevity to 19 batches. The immobilized cells showed maximum activity at 40 °C and pH 8.0. A method for in situ product recovery (ISPR) based on an external extraction loop was established to overcome product inhibition. Anion-exchange column containing resin HZ202 was coupled to the packed bed bioreactor and enabled product recovery by continuously recirculating reaction mixture through the ISPR unit. This integrated bioprocess led to a high.
Sedentary Behavior in U.S. Adults: Fall 2019

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. ABSTRACT Purpose Higher levels of sedentary behavior are associated with early mortality, but the distribution of sedentary time by classes of behavior and demographic groups is poorly described in U.S. adults. To quantify the amount and sources of sedentary time in U.S. adults, we conducted a nationwide survey using a novel validated self-administered previous-day recall method and compared these values with a commonly used sitting time question. Methods Participants from the AmeriSpeak panel 20 to 75 yr of age (N = 2640) completed up to two activities completed over time in 24 h (ACT24) previous-day recalls. Recalls were conducted on randomly selected days in October and November 2019. Survey sample designs were applied to reflect the U.S. population. Results Mean age was 45.3 yr, 51% were female, 67% non-Hispanic White, and 37% had a body mass index of ≥30 kg·m−2. U.S. adults reported a mean 9.5 h·d−1 of sedentary time (95% confidence interval = 9.4, 9.7 h·d−1), which was 34% more than reported using a common surveillance measure (P < 0.01). Most daily sedentary time was accumulated in the leisure and work life domains, with leisure accounting for 47% (4.3 h·d−1, 95% confidence interval = 4.2, 4.5 h·d−1) of the total sedentary time. Eighty-two percent of leisure time was spent sedentary, mainly watching television/videos or engaged in Internet/computer use. Conclusions U.S. adults appear to spend more time in sedentary behavior than previously thought, and the majority of this time is accumulated at work and in leisure time. Reducing sedentary screen time during leisure in favor of physically active could be an important intervention target in the effort to increase physical activity in U.S. adults.
Racial Disparities in Adult Cochlear Implantation

Objective To compare rates of cochlear implant referral and cochlear implantation across different races and to compare audiometric profiles of these patients. Study Design Retrospective study. Setting Academic tertiary care institution. Methods Demographic and audiometric data were collected for patients who underwent cochlear implant evaluation or cochlear implantation from 2010 to 2020. Results A total of 504 patients underwent cochlear implant evaluation; 388 met cochlear implant candidacy criteria, and 258 underwent implantation. Of the patients referred for cochlear implant evaluation, 68.5% were White, 18.5% were Black, and 12.3% were Asian, while the institution’s primary service area is 46.9% White, 42.3% Black, and 7.7% Asian (P < .001). Black patients referred for cochlear implant evaluation had significantly worse hearing (mean pure-tone average [PTA] 84.5 dB, 26.1% word recognition) than White patients (mean PTA 78.2 dB, P = .005; 35.7% word recognition, P = .015) and Asians patients (mean PTA 77.9 dB, P = .04; 36.5% word recognition, P = .04). Black patients who underwent cochlear implant evaluation also had significantly worse AzBio scores than White patients: 24.5% versus 36.7% (P = .003). There was no significant difference in cochlear implantation rates between Black and White candidates (P = .06). Conclusion Black patients undergo cochlear implant evaluation and cochlear implantation at rates disproportionately lower than expected based on local demographics. In addition, Black patients have significantly worse hearing at the time of cochlear implant referral than White and Asian patients. Identifying and increasing awareness of these disparities are essential steps to improving cochlear implant access for potentially disadvantaged populations.
Sex Differences in Muscle Metaboreflex Activation after Static Handgrip Exercise

ABSTRACT Purpose Larger blood pressure (BP) responses to relative-intensity static exercise in men versus women are thought to involve altered muscle metaboreflex activation, but whether this is because of an intrinsic sex difference in metabolite production or differences in muscle strength and absolute load is unknown. Methods Continuous BP and heart rate were recorded in 200 healthy young men and women (women: n = 109) during 2 min of static handgrip exercise at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), followed by 2 min of postexercise circulatory occlusion (PECO). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded in a subset of participants (n = 39; women, n = 21), permitting calculation of signal-averaged resting sympathetic transduction (MSNA-diastolic BP). Sex differences were examined with and without statistical adjustment for MVC. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of BP responses. Results Men had larger systolic BP responses (interactions, P < 0.0001) to static handgrip exercise (24 ± 10 vs 17 ± 9 mm Hg [mean ± SD], P < 0.0001) and PECO (20 ± 11 vs 16 ± 9 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). Adjustment for MVC abolished these sex differences in BP (interactions, P > 0.7). In the subset with MSNA, neither burst frequency or incidence responses to static handgrip exercise or PECO differed between men and women (interactions, P > 0.2). Resting sympathetic transduction was also similar (P = 0.8). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that MVC or the change in MSNA, were predictors of BP responses to static handgrip, but only MVC was associated with BP responses during PECO. Conclusions Sex differences in absolute contraction load contribute to differences in BP responses during muscle metaboreflex isolation using PECO. These data do not support an intrinsic effect of sex as being responsible for exercise BP differences between men and women.
Factors Affecting Health-Promoting Lifestyles Among Community Residents at East Gyogone Ward, Insein Township

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming major challenges for health professionals. Health-promoting lifestyles (HPL) are one of the main criteria for determining health and recognized as the main factor affecting the development of chronic NCDs. This study aimed to determine factors affecting HPL practices among community residents. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Insein Township, Yangon, Myanmar. A total of 194 participants were recruited by using systematic sampling method, and self-administered questionnaires for sociodemographic characteristics and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II were used for data collection. Independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance were employed in the data analysis. Results: The overall mean score for HPL was 126.67 ± 21.29. The participants performed best in the spiritual growth subscale (25.1 ± 5.08) but worst in the physical activity subscale (14.23 ± 4.46). More than half (56.70%) of them had moderate HPL level. Participants’ HPL showed significant associations with education level, occupation, total family income per month, perception of health status, smoking, and drinking alcohol status (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights the needs for redesigning health promotion programs to increase awareness of community residents on HPL, to empower them in developing HPL, and to apply them in their everyday lives.
Changes in Dietary Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Middle School Students: Using Data from the HEALTHY Study.

BACKGROUND The HEALTHY Study was a multi-component, school-based intervention, designed to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in middle school students. OBJECTIVES We examined whether the difference in dietary magnesium intake, body mass index (BMI) percentile, and plasma glucose and insulin concentrations from 6th to 8th grade were related in the intervention schools and in the control schools that participated in the HEALTHY Study. METHODS A total of 2,181 ethnically diverse students, from 11.3 to 13.7 years of age, with completed dietary records, BMI percentile, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, at 6th and 8th grades were included. Dietary magnesium intake was self-reported using the Block Kids Food Frequency Questionnaire. A hierarchical multiple regression model was used to determine whether the difference in dietary magnesium intake, BMI percentile, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations from 6th to 8th grades were related, while adjusting for dietary calcium intake and total energy intake. RESULTS The difference in dietary magnesium intake was significantly related to changes in BMI percentile from 6th to 8th grade in intervention and in control schools (Intervention: β = -0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.58 to -0.02, P = 0.03, R2 [regression coefficient effect size] = 0.14, 95% CI for R2 = 0.10 to 0.17; Control: β = -0.08, 95% CI = -0.63 to -0.09, P = 0.01, R2 = 0.12, 95% CI for R2 = 0.08 to 0.15). The difference in dietary magnesium intake was not related to plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in intervention and in control schools. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that a multi-component intervention was associated with reduced risk in T2DM, and may be modulated, in part, by magnesium. The differences in dietary magnesium intake from 6th to 8th grade were negatively related to changes in BMI percentile among middle school students.
Stiff-person syndrome: an atypical presentation and a review of the literature

ABSTRACT Introduction: Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder associated with muscle rigidity and spasms. A number of antibodies have been associated with disorder, including anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase and anti-amphiphysin. Case report; In this report, we present a rare case of a 79-year-old woman who presented with bilateral lower extremity weakness who was ultimately diagnosed with stiff-limb syndrome, a rare variant of SPS. Extensive laboratory and CSF studies were unrevealing. Electromyography showed significant peroneal motor neuropathy and complex repetitive discharges in the left tibialis anterior muscle. Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase were significantly elevated at 124 units/mL. She was subsequently started on oral diazepam with significant improvement in her symptoms. Conclusion: The presentation of SPS can vary based on epidemiologic factors, clinical symptoms, and associated disorders. These forms can have overlapping features which may make the categorization of patients into one of these forms challenging.
Type specimen sequencing, multilocus analyses, and species delimitation methods recognize the cosmopolitan Corallina berteroi and establish the northern Japanese C. yendoi sp. nov. (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta)

A partial rbcL sequence of the lectotype specimen of Corallina berteroi shows that it is the earliest available name for C. ferreyrae. Multilocus species delimitation analyses (ABGD, SPN, GMYC, bPTP, and BPP) using independent or concatenated COI, psbA, and rbcL sequences recognized one, two, or three species in this complex, but only with weak support for each species hypothesis. Conservatively, we recognize a single worldwide species in this complex of what appears to be multiple, evolving populations. Included in this species, besides C. ferreyrae, are C. caespitosa, the morphologically distinct C. melobesioides, and, based on a partial rbcL sequence of the holotype specimen, C. pinnatifolia. Corallina berteroi, not C. officinalis, is the cosmopolitan temperate species found thus far in the NE Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, warm temperate NW Atlantic and NE Pacific, cold temperate SW Atlantic (Falkland Islands), cold and warm temperate SE Pacific, NW Pacific and southern Australia. Also proposed is C. yendoi sp. nov. from Hokkaido, Japan, which was recognized as distinct by 10 of the 13 species discrimination analyses, including the multilocus BPP.
Use of multivariate analysis as a tool in the morphological characterization of the main indigenous bovine ecotypes in northeastern Algeria

Sustainability in livestock farming requires monitoring of autochthonous breeds which are well adapted to the local environment. The morphometric measurements seem to be the first approach which can provide useful information on the suitability of animal genetic resources for selection. In this work, thirteen morphometric variables were used for the phenotypic characterization of 130 adult autochthones cattle randomly selected from 30 local farms in Guelma. There were cases from four commonly accepted and traditional ecotypes: Guelmois, Cheurfa, Sétifien and Fawn. The results showed several and significant positive correlations between the different variables. Correlations were analyzed using Varimax orthogonal rotation PCA and three factors were extracted, which explain more than 75% of the total variation in the four ecotypes. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that 6 of the 13 variables had discriminatory power to define the phenotypic profile of the ecotypes. Canonical discriminant analysis indicated that the Sétifien ecotype is separate from the other three ecotypes. Mahalanobis distances were significant between the different ecotypes except for the distance between the Guelmois and Fawn ecotypes. The cross-validation procedure assigned 91.42% of the Sétifien animals to their genetic group, while the percentages of animals assigned to the Cheurfa, Guelmois and Fawn ecotypes were 80.00%, 65.71% and 53.33% respectively. The multivariate approach has proven to be effective in differentiating the four ecotypes, with clear morphological differences from the Sétifien ecotype that may benefit from a genetic improvement program for more sustainable genetic resources preservation.
Social change and cohort differences in group-based arrest trajectories over the last quarter-century

Significance For decades, research and policy on crime have been influenced by perspectives emphasizing that the origins of offender groups, such as chronic offenders, rest on some combination of personal traits and early-life experiences. Such explanations are incomplete, however, because they do not account for social changes that differentiate successive birth cohorts over time. Our analysis shows that arrest trajectories among cohorts separated by as little as 10 y differ markedly in ways that are not explained by individual, family, or neighborhood circumstances in childhood. Analyzing cohort differences in crime is more than an overlooked strategy; it represents a class of explanation that calls for rethinking the nature of criminal offender groups and policies predicated on early-life predictors of crime alone. This article draws on official criminal histories for multiple birth cohorts spanning a 17-y difference in birth year to study how social change can alter our understanding of influential theories and policies about criminal offender groups. Arrest histories are linked to comprehensive longitudinal measurement on over 1,000 individuals originally from Chicago. Using group-based trajectory modeling, we investigated the magnitude and type of cohort differences in trajectories of arrest over the period 1995 to 2020. Our results show that trajectory group membership varies strongly by birth cohort. Membership in the nonoffender group is nearly 15 percentage points higher for cohorts born in the mid-1990s as compared to those born in the 1980s; conversely, older cohorts are more likely to be members of adolescent-limited and chronic-offender groups. Large cohort differences in trajectory group membership persist after controlling for a wide-ranging set of demographic characteristics and early-life risk factors that vary by cohort and that prior research has identified as important influences on crime. Not only does the effect of social change on cohort differentiation persist, but its magnitude is comparable to—indeed larger than—differences in trajectory group membership associated with varying levels of self-control or by whether individuals grew up in high-poverty households. These results suggest that changes in the broader social environment shared by members of the same birth cohort are as powerful in shaping their trajectory group membership as classic predictors identified in prior research, a finding that carries implications for crime-control policies that rely on prediction.