Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing the Intervention Costs of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Hospital Workplace

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This study demonstrates the applicability of multicriteria tools to solve occupational health and safety (OSH) problems related to cost management in the healthcare sector. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work in which linear programming and established methods for risk assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (i.e., the Key Item Method) have been combined with the knowledge and experience of the corresponding safety engineer (or OSH auditor or consultant). The ease of implementation of the whole process facilitates its future utilization in working practice without adding an undue burden on existing OSH practices. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Managing the intervention costs of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through the optimal use of the resources and the evaluation of interventions is a cornerstone in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management in the healthcare sector. Purpose: We aim to create a practically useful tool for the allocation of work-related MSDs intervention costs and the support of relevant OSH decisions in the hospital workplace. Methods: A legally established risk assessment method was combined with the widely applied Key Item Method and linear programming to develop a functional cost allocation tool for allocating the work-related MSDs intervention costs in the hospital workplace. The proposed tool indicates where investments should be made in an intervention or combination of interventions, to jointly achieve minimization of the risk and maximization of convenience with the minimum possible cost. The primary goal of our study was to evaluate interventions indicated by the tool, in terms of reducing the risk values related to MSDs. The sample studied consisted of 15 female nurses of “Metaxa” Cancer Hospital (Greece). The main selected interventions were related to ergonomic training, improving work conditions, tidiness, and equipment. Results: Implementing these interventions over a two-month period (September to November 2019) led to a significant reduction in employees’ risk of strain. Conclusions: The proposed tool can be practically useful in allocating OSH intervention costs for a certain safety investment.
Visualizing how inclusion of higher reciprocal space in SWAXS data analysis improves shape restoration of biomolecules: case of lysozyme

Abstract Query remains whether use of increased resolution data from X-ray scattering aids in better understanding of the dynamic shape of the biomolecule in solution? To address this, we acquired Small/Wide angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) data in the q range of 0.008 − 1.72 Å−1 from dilute solutions of lysozyme (0.9 to 5 mg/ml). Samples lacked any interparticulate effect and datasets showed Bragg peaks at q∼0.325, 0.65 and 1.4 Å−1, as reported before by other authors. Considering an averaged profile, we estimated shape parameters and distance distribution profiles of interatomic vectors by gradually increasing input qmax value. Interestingly, use of higher resolution led to emergence of new peaks amongst smaller vectors. Deconvolution of these peaks provided positions of smaller peaks which correlated well with an earlier theoretical work. These peaks arise from secondary structures or due to non-uniform internal motions within the larger shape of this protein. Dummy residue modeling considering uniform density yielded model(s) with holes or cavities when considering higher q values implying limitations of this method. Employing normal mode calculations, we searched for better fitting model of lysozyme using differentially ranged SWAXS data and a crystal structure of lysozyme as starting structure. Comparison of refined models with structures from crystallography and NMR data showed that use of data till mid q region resulted in adjustments near the center of mass of starting structure, and inclusion of higher resolution induced pan-structure adjustments. We conclude that high resolution SWAXS data analysis provides additional dimension towards understanding biomolecular structural dynamics. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Comparison of different neuromuscular facilitation techniques and conventional physiotherapy in knee osteoarthritis

Background/aim This study was conducted to compare the effects of conventional physiotherapy and two different ‘proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation’ (PNF) techniques on knee muscle strength, knee muscular endurance, and proprioception in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials and methods The study included 35 patients between the ages of 47 and 62 who were diagnosed with stage 1–2 KOA. The patients were divided into three groups with block randomization method as Repeated Stretching Group (N = 12) With Repeated Stretching Technique, Combined Isotonic Contraction Group (N = 11) With Combined Isotonic Contractions (CIC) Technique, And Conventional Physiotherapy Group (n = 12). PNF was applied to all patterns of the lower extremity in full pattern and patients in all groups were treated for 6 weeks, 3 days a week. Muscle strength, muscle endurance, and proprioception were evaluated with Biodex System Pro3 (Biodex Corp. Shirley NY, USA). Results Knee extensor muscle strength showed more improvement at CIC group than the other groups, and CIC group showed more improvement compared to the conventional physiotherapy in terms of knee joint position sensation evaluated at 60° (p < 0.05). Conclusion All methods were effective in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis; however, the most effective results were obtained by PNF using CIC technique.
Dietary patterns and sarcopenia in elderly adults: the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) study

Abstract Sarcopenia is a core contributor to several health consequences, including falls, fractures, physical limitations and disability. The pathophysiological processes of sarcopenia may be counteracted with the proper diet, delaying sarcopenia onset. Dietary pattern analysis is a whole diet approach used to investigate the relationship between diet and sarcopenia. Here, we aimed to investigate this relationship in an elderly Chinese population. A cross-sectional study with 2423 participants aged more than 60 years was performed. Sarcopenia was defined based on the guidelines of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, composed of low muscle mass plus low grip strength and/or low gait speed. Dietary data were collected using a FFQ that included questions on 100 food items along with their specified serving sizes. Three dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis: sweet pattern, vegetable pattern and animal food pattern. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 16·1 %. The higher vegetable pattern score and animal food pattern score were related to lower prevalence of sarcopenia (P trend = 0·006 and < 0·001, respectively); the multivariate-adjusted OR of the prevalence of sarcopenia in the highest v. lowest quartiles were 0·54 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·86) and 0·50 (95 % CI 0·33, 0·74), separately. The sweet pattern score was not significantly related to the prevalence of sarcopenia. The present study showed that vegetable pattern and animal food pattern were related to a lower prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese older adults. Further studies are required to clarify these findings.
Biochemical Characterization of Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775), Another Red Sea Jellyfish in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Increasing frequency of native jellyfish proliferations and massive appearance of non-indigenous jellyfish species recently concur to impact Mediterranean coastal ecosystems and human activities at sea. Nonetheless, jellyfish biomass may represent an exploitable novel resource to coastal communities, with reference to its potential use in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and nutraceutical Blue Growth sectors. The zooxanthellate jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda, Forsskål, 1775 (Cnidaria, Rhizostomeae) entered the Levant Sea through the Suez Canal and spread towards the Western Mediterranean to reach Malta, Tunisia, and recently also the Italian coasts. Here we report on the biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of C. andromeda specimens with a discussion on their relative biological activities. The biochemical characterization of the aqueous (PBS) and hydroalcoholic (80% ethanol) soluble components of C. andromeda were performed for whole jellyfish, as well as separately for umbrella and oral arms. The insoluble components were hydrolyzed by sequential enzymatic digestion with pepsin and collagenase. The composition and antioxidant activity of the insoluble and enzymatically digestible fractions were not affected by the pre-extraction types, resulting into collagen- and non-collagen-derived peptides with antioxidant activity. Both soluble compounds and hydrolyzed fractions were characterized for the content of proteins, phenolic compounds, and lipids. The presence of compounds coming from the endosymbiont zooxanthellae was also detected. The notable yield and the considerable antioxidant activity detected make this species worthy of further study for its potential biotechnological sustainable exploitation.
Acute Cd Toxicity, Metal Accumulation, and Ion Loss in Southern Catfish (Silurus meridionalis Chen)

The amounts of cadmium in multiple organs and the amounts of Na+ and Ca2+ in the carcass were measured in dead and surviving southern catfish exposed to different concentrations of Cd. The 96 h median lethal concentration was 6.85 mg/L. The Cd content and Cd accumulation rate were positively correlated with Cd exposure concentrations, and there were significant differences between dead and surviving individuals, indicating that both Cd content in tissues and Cd accumulation rates were correlated with mortality. Cd levels in the liver of dead fish were saturated. A lethal threshold for Cd concentration in the whole fish was obtained. Bioconcentration factors for Cd did not decrease with increasing exposure. Acute exposure to waterborne Cd caused a significant decrease in the ion content of the fish carcass. There was a significant difference between the Na+ content of the carcass of dead fish (34.54 μmol/g wet weight) and surviving fish (59.34 μmol/g wet weight), which was not the case with the Ca2+ content, indicating that the lethal toxicity of Cd was probably related to the decrease in Na+ content. Collectively, these results suggest that whole-fish Cd concentration and carcass Na+ content can be useful indicators of fish acutely exposed to Cd.
Delirium and Long-Term Outcomes among Survivors of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

Background: The prevalence of delirium and its association with long-term outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy have not yet been identified. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of delirium and its associated factors during hospitalization among ECMO survivors. We also examined whether the occurrence of delirium was associated with 1-year all-cause mortality among ECMO survivors. Methods: As a population-based cohort study, data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea. Adults older than 18 years who received ECMO therapy between 2005 and 2018 were included in this study. ECMO survivors were defined as patients who were discharged from the hospital. Results: The analysis included a total of 8153 ECMO survivors, of whom 551 (6.8%) experienced delirium during hospitalization. Older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.02; P = 0.004), male sex (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.13-1.68; P = 0.002), underlying depression (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.49-2.41; P < 0.001), and longer length of hospital stay (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.02-1.03; P < 0.001) were associated with a higher incidence of delirium. In multivariable Cox regression modeling, the occurrence of delirium was not significantly associated with the risk of 1-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.76-1.07; P = 0.229). Conclusion: The prevalence of delirium among ECMO survivors during hospitalization was 6.8% in South Korea, and old age, male sex, longer duration of hospital stay, and underlying depression were associated with it. However, there was no significant association between delirium and 1-year all-cause mortality among ECMO survivors.
Disparities in Pediatric Emergency Department Length of Stay and Utilization Associated With Primary Language

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the association between primary language and length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric emergency department (ED) within the context of known disparities impacting healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients with language barriers. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive encounters of patients presenting to, and discharged from, an urban pediatric ED from May 2015 through April 2018. Encounters were grouped into English primary language (EPL), Spanish (SPL), and other (OPL). Mean LOS comparisons were stratified by Emergency Severity Index (ESI). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between LOS and variables, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, and time of presentation. Results A total of 139,163 encounters were included. A higher proportion of SPL and OPL encounters were characterized as lower ESI acuity compared with EPL. Significantly longer LOS for SPL and OPL encounters was observed in the 2 lower acuity strata. The ESI 4–5 stratum demonstrated the greatest LOS disparity between EPL, SPL, and OPL (94 vs 103 vs 103 minutes, respectively, P < 0.001). In the highest acuity stratum, ESI 1–2, there was a nonsignificant trend toward longer LOS among EPL encounters (P = 0.08). The multivariate model accounted for 24% of LOS variance, but effect sizes were small for all variables except for ESI and age. Conclusions Patients with Spanish or other non-EPL who were triaged to lower acuity ESI levels experienced longer LOS in the pediatric ED than English-speaking counterparts. They also used the ED more frequently for low acuity issues, possibly reflecting disparities in access to primary care.
Sleep profile and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

ABSTRACT A significant proportion of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) suffer from physical and mental disorders which lead to the decline of sleep profile. Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in these patients. But the effect of sleep on the outcomes of post-PCI patients remains unclear. We aim to examine the individual and joint effects of sleep quality and sleep duration on the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in post-PCI patients. We included 314 participants who were diagnosed with a first CAD and underwent PCI with drug-eluting stents and followed up for a mean duration of 341 days to assess major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Sleep quality, based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, was categorized as good (a score of ≤7) or poor (>7). Sleep duration was categorized into three classes: ≤ 5, 6–8 (reference group) and ≥ 9 hours per day. The log-rank test and the Cox regression model were used for data analysis. MACEs occurred in 26 (8.3%) patients. Subjects whose sleep duration was ≤ 5 hours per day had a shorter time to MACEs than those whose sleep duration was 6–8 hours (p = 0.036). A significantly increased risk for MACEs was observed for participants with a ≤ 5 hours sleep duration (HR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.02–4.64) after adjustment for demographic and clinical confounders. Associations between long sleep duration (≥ 9 hours), sleep quality, or their joint effect and MACEs were not found. This suggests the importance of considering sleep loss when developing strategies to improve health outcomes of PCI patients. And further researches are needed to examine the effects of different aspects of sleep quality on the prognosis of PCI patients and explore the reasons that lead to the decline of sleep profile.
Oxysterols protect bovine endometrial cells against pore-forming toxins from pathogenic bacteria

Many species of pathogenic bacteria secrete toxins that form pores in mammalian cell membranes. These membrane pores enable the delivery of virulence factors into cells, result in the leakage of molecules that bacteria can use as nutrients, and facilitate pathogen invasion. Inflammatory responses to bacteria are regulated by the side‐chain‐hydroxycholesterols 27‐hydroxycholesterol and 25‐hydroxycholesterol, but their effect on the intrinsic protection of cells against pore‐forming toxins is unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that 27‐hydroxycholesterol and 25‐hydroxycholesterol help protect cells against pore‐forming toxins. We treated bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells with 27‐hydroxycholesterol or 25‐hydroxycholesterol, and then challenged the cells with pyolysin, which is a cholesterol‐dependent cytolysin from Trueperella pyogenes that targets these endometrial cells. We found that treatment with 27‐hydroxycholesterol or 25‐hydroxycholesterol protected both epithelial and stomal cells against pore formation and the damage caused by pyolysin. The oxysterols limited pyolysin‐induced leakage of potassium and lactate dehydrogenase from cells, and reduced cytoskeletal changes and cytolysis. This oxysterol cytoprotection against pyolysin was partially dependent on reducing cytolysin‐accessible cholesterol in the cell membrane and on activating liver X receptors. Treatment with 27‐hydroxycholesterol also protected the endometrial cells against Staphylococcus aureus α‐hemolysin. Using mass spectrometry, we found 27‐hydroxycholesterol and 25‐hydroxycholesterol in uterine and follicular fluid. Furthermore, epithelial cells released additional 25‐hydroxycholesterol in response to pyolysin. In conclusion, both 27‐hydroxycholesterol and 25‐hydroxycholesterol increased the intrinsic protection of bovine endometrial cells against pore‐forming toxins. Our findings imply that side‐chain‐hydroxycholesterols may help defend the endometrium against pathogenic bacteria.
A narrative review of the late effects of paediatric cancer treatment within an educational setting: Existing evidence and where do we go from here?

Objectives The late effects of paediatric cancer treatment within an educational context are an area that is relatively under researched within the United Kingdom. Methods To support this narrative review, systematic searches were conducted in key scientific databases between May and December 2020. Results Upon reviewing literature within this field, there are key considerations that should be addressed to provide clear and concise findings. These key considerations include clarification on whether the research undertaken focuses on the late or long term effects of paediatric cancer treatment, taking a consistent approach to data analysis with the aim to improve the validity of the study findings, utilising a mixed methodology to gain further depth to the findings as well as increasing the number of studies that focus on a specific tumour type rather than numerous types to allow a detailed study to be undertaken into the potential late effects a treatment for a specific tumour may elicit. Discussion If these key considerations are taken into account when conducting further research within this field, it would enable consistent findings to be utilised in providing the optimum educational provision for survivors of paediatric cancer who remain within the education system.
Impact of Navigation on 30-Day Outcomes for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

Study Design Retrospective database study. Objective Navigation has been increasingly used to treat degenerative disease, with positive radiographic and clinical outcomes and fewer adverse events and reoperations, despite increased operative time. However, short-term analysis on treating adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery with navigation is limited, particularly using large nationally represented cohorts. This is the first large-scale database study to compare 30-day readmission, reoperation, morbidity, and value-per-operative time for navigated and conventional ASD surgery. Methods Adults were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Multivariate regression was used to compare outcomes between navigated and conventional surgery and to control for predictors and baseline differences. Results 3190 ASD patients were included. Navigated and conventional patients were similar. Navigated cases had greater operative time (405 vs 320 min) and mean RVUs per case (81.3 vs 69.7), and had more supplementary pelvic fixations (26.1 vs 13.4%) and osteotomies (50.3 vs 27.7%) (P <.001). In univariate analysis, navigation had greater reoperation (9.9 vs 5.2%, P = .011), morbidity (57.8 vs 46.8%, P = .007), and transfusion (52.2 vs 41.8%, P = .010) rates. Readmission was similar (11.9 vs 8.4%). In multivariate analysis, navigation predicted reoperation (OR = 1.792, P = .048), but no longer predicted morbidity or transfusion. Most reoperations were infectious and hardware-related. Conclusions Despite controlling for patient-related and procedural factors, navigation independently predicted a 79% increased odds of reoperation but did not predict morbidity or transfusion. Readmission was similar between groups. This is explained, in part, by greater operative time and transfusion, which are risk factors for infection. Reoperation most frequently occurred for wound- and hardware-related reasons, suggesting navigation carries an increased risk of infectious-related events beyond increased operative time.
Seroconversion After Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination in Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation: Fact or Fancy?

Chronic liver disease increased the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Trials to assess efficacy/safety of COVID‐19 vaccines in liver disease are underway. We evaluated the humoral immune response and safety of anti–COVID‐19 vaccination among patients waiting liver transplantation (LT). We enrolled all pre‐LT adults who completed anti‐COVID‐19 vaccination between January 2021‐August 2021 as study group. Patients with histories of COVID‐19 received 1 vaccine dose, and all others received 2 doses. Patients were tested for COVID‐19 immunoglobulin G (IgG) within 1 and 2 months after vaccination. Safety was evaluated with telephone interviews/outpatient visits. A control group of 30 healthcare workers who underwent vaccination in January 2021 and tested for IgG after 4 months was included. In the 89 pre‐LT patients, at T1 (23 days after vaccination), seroconversion rate was 94.4%, and median IgG value was 1980 binding antibody units/mL (interquartile range 646‐2080), and at T2 (68 days after vaccination) was 92.0%, with IgG value of 1450 (577‐2080); (T1 versus T2, P = 0.38). In the 10/89 patients who received 1 vaccine dose, the median IgG value was 274 (68‐548) before vaccine (T0), 2080 (1165‐2080) at T1, and 2030 (964‐2080) at T2 (T0 versus T1, P = 0.03; T1 versus T2, P = 0.99). All controls tested positive at 4 months after vaccination, with a median value of 847 (509‐1165; P < 0.001 versus T1 and P = 0.04 versus T2 in the study group). No serious adverse event was reported in both groups. Our data from 89 pre‐LT patients suggest a high rate of immunization (94.4%) after a median time of 23 days from safe COVID‐19 vaccine. None of the patients developed COVID‐19.