Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perspectives about Professionalism among Undergraduate Students in a Medical College in India: A Qualitative Study

Background: Professionalism has been recognized as an important competency of a doctor by various regulatory bodies. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of medical undergraduate students and to assess their attitude on professionalism. Materials and Methods: It was a qualitative study in which four focus group discussions were conducted, one for each year of course. Results: A total of seven themes emerged after the qualitative analysis of the data, namely qualities of a good doctor, need of teaching professionalism, ways of learning professionalism by medical students, ways of teaching professionalism, assessment of professionalism, factors promoting professionalism, and factors hindering professionalism. The students perceived that a good doctor should be committed to excellence, responsive and accountable to patients, profession and community, selfless, healthy, good communicator, ethical and law abiding, practice integrity, and social justice. The students preferred to learn professionalism by role modeling by faculties and case-based scenario discussions. Conclusion: Medical undergraduate students should be briefed about the need and importance of professionalism through small-group discussions involving narratives, case scenarios, and role modeling by faculty. Professionalism of both students and faculties should be assessed and appropriate action taken.
Narcissism in Political Participation

Much attention has focused on the social, institutional, and mobilization factors that influence political participation, with a renewed interest in psychological motivations. One trait that has a deep theoretical connection to participation, but remains underexplored, is narcissism. Relying on three studies in the United States and Denmark, two nationally representative, we find that those scoring higher in narcissism, as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory–40 (NPI-40), participate more in politics, including contacting politicians, signing petitions, joining demonstrations, donating money, and voting in midterm elections. Both agentic and antagonistic components of narcissism were positively and negatively related to different types of political participation when exploring the subfactors independently. Superiority and Authority/Leadership were positively related to participation, while Self Sufficiency was negatively related to participation. In addition, the combined Entitlement/Exploitativeness factor was negatively related to turnout, but only in midterm elections. Overall, the findings support a view of participation that arises in part from instrumental motivations.
Prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with a history of pancreatitis in Northern California

Zhang et al recently described ACE2 expression along the GI tract and suggests the digestive system as a potential route for COVID-19.1 ACE2 is also expressed in the pancreas2 and lipase elevations, suggestive of pancreatic involvement, have been reported among patients with COVID-19.3 A recent case report4 demonstrated that severe pancreatitis may occur in COVID-19. However, the clinical implications of these findings with regards to COVID-19 susceptibility among patients with prior pancreatitis are unclear. In this retrospective study, we explored the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with a history of pancreatitis. Consecutive patients whose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA testing was performed at Stanford between 4 March 2020, and 14 April 2020 (Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol 55975) and had a history of acute (K85) or chronic pancreatitis (K86) were included. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine …
Mature Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, but Not Endothelial Cells, Serve as the Major Cellular Source of Intimal Hyperplasia in Vein Grafts

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective: Neointima formation is a primary cause of intermediate to late vein graft (VG) failure. However, the precise source of neointima cells in VGs remains unclear. Approach and Results: Herein we clarify the relative contributions of mature vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) to neointima formation in a mouse model of VG remodeling via the genetic-inducible fate mapping approaches. Regardless of the magnitude of neointima formation, the recipient arterial and the donor venous SMCs contributed ≈55% of the neointima cells at the anastomotic regions, whereas only donor venous SMCs donated ≈68% of the neointima cells at the middle bodies. A small portion of the SMC-derived cells became non-SMC cells, most likely vascular stem cells, and constituted 2% to 11% of the cells in each major layer of VGs. In addition, the recipient arterial ECs were the major cellular source of re-endothelialization but did not contribute to neointima formation. The donor venous ECs donated ≈17% neointima cells in the VGs with mild neointima formation and conditional media from ECs after endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition suppressed vascular SMC dedifferentiation. Conclusions: The recipient arterial and donor venous mature SMCs dominate but contribute distinctly to intimal hyperplasia at the anastomosis and the middle body regions of VGs. The recipient arterial ECs are the major cellular source of re-endothelialization but do not donate neointima formation in VGs. Only the donor venous ECs undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition is marginal for generating neointima cells but is likely required for controlling the quality of VG remodeling.
Consultation on the Functional Assessment of Students with Severe Challenging Behavior in a Japanese Special School for Intellectual Disabilities.

Background It is important to intervene early and treat children and individuals with behavioral disorders. We conducted a functional assessment-based consultation for teachers of several students with severe behavioral disorders and examined the effects of the consultation. Methods Eight students with severe behavioral disorders were selected from two special schools for intellectual disabilities in western Japan. An external consultant team conducted a functional assessment-based consultation in cooperation with a team of teachers. Consultations were held once a month, and comprised three to six sessions per student. Results As a result of the functional assessment, only 8 out of 10 behaviors with some communication function, and 2 with only sensory enhancements were estimated. The Effects of consultations based on functional assessment were presented. It was found that 6 out of 10 target behaviors had obtained high effects. The total score for each behavioral scale showed a statistically significant improvement. Conclusion Although consultations lasted for only six months and occurred from three to six times for each student, scale scores for problem behavior before and after intervention were improved, overall. Each case report suggested that many factors influence the difference in the effects of consultation among individual students. This study is significant in that it provides a model for the consultation system that operates on a short-term basis, and presents a means for small-scale group consultations for students with intellectual disabilities and autism in cooperation with external specialized institutions in special schools in Japan.
Serum apolipoprotein A-I concentration differs in coronary and peripheral artery disease

Abstract Coronary artery and peripheral artery diseases represent different clinical outcomes of atherosclerosis and despite sharing common risk factors the ultimate reasons determining disease presentation are still unclear. The present study sought to define and compare the serum lipid and apolipoprotein profiles of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and those treated invasively for symptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease. Altogether 218 coronary and 280 peripheral artery disease patients treated between 2013 and 2014 in the Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland, with available lipid measurements within two years prior to the intervention were retrospectively analysed. The Extended Friedewald formula neural network model was used to obtain apolipoprotein and lipoprotein subfraction values. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery had a clear male predominance (82% versus 53%, p < 0.001), lower median age (69 versus 74 years, p < 0.001) and a lower prevalence of smoking (18% versus 32%, p = 0.001) and pulmonary disease (12% versus 20%, p = 0.023) compared to peripheral artery disease patients. There were some differences in the serum lipid profiles between the study groups in the univariable analyses. When controlling for the statistically significant differences in age, sex, urgency of treatment and comorbidities between the groups in a multivariable logistic regression model, higher serum concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I were significantly and independently associated with coronary artery disease (OR 1.11 for 0.01 g/L increase, p = 0.044). In conclusion, patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting appear to have higher apolipoprotein A-I levels when compared to patients treated for peripheral artery disease.
Prevalence of Dental Caries among Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Users Attending Dental Hospital in Eastern Region of Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: The relationship of tobacco use to dental caries is still unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between smoking and smokeless tobacco usage and prevalence of dental caries and its pattern in the Varanasi population. Materials and Methods: In this study, 472 elderly dentate and consenting individuals were included. Individuals were examined with the aid of mouth mirror, No. 23 explorer, and cotton rolls. The age of the study group ranged from 16 years to 75 years. Individuals were categorized as smoking tobacco users, smokeless tobacco users, and the combination of these two. Frequency and dosage of tobacco usage was recorded. Dental caries was measured using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Oral hygiene practices such as mode, material, and frequency of brushing were also recorded. Data were assessed using SPSS 17.0 using Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA test, and binary regression. Results: Caries rate was similar in both males and females (2.57 and 2.70), and the difference was not statistically significant. Caries was higher in individuals with habits when compared to those who were not having habits. There was no statistically significant association between individuals who were smokers, using smokeless tobacco, frequency, mode, and material of brushing with caries pattern. Among smokers, DMFT increased with frequency and duration of smoking, and it was statistically significant; however, in smokeless tobacco users, this was not the case. There was a positive correlation with DMFT and frequency of smoking. Conclusion: The study has shown that tobacco habit is a risk factor for increased caries activity, and it is higher in smokers as compared to smokeless tobacco chewers.
Berberine Mediated Positive Inotropic Effects on Rat Hearts via a Ca2+-Dependent Mechanism

Previous studies showed that berberine, an alkaloid from Coptis Chinensis Franch, might exert a positive inotropic effect on the heart. However, the underlying mechanisms were unclear. Here, we reported that berberine at 10–20 µM increased the left ventricular (LV) developed pressure and the maximal rate of the pressure rising, and it increased the maximal rate of the pressure descending at 20 µM in Langendorff-perfused isolated rat hearts. These effects diminished with the concentration of berberine increasing to 50 µM. In the concentration range of 50–300 µM, berberine increased the isometric tension of isolated left ventricular muscle (LVM) strips with or without electrical stimulations, and it (30–300 µM) also increased the intracellular Ca2+ level in the isolated LV myocytes. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ hindered the berberine-induced increases in the tension of LVM strips and the intracellular Ca2+ level of LV myocytes. These suggested that berberine might exert its positive inotropic effects via enhancing Ca2+ influx. The blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) with nifedipine significantly attenuated 300 μM berberine-induced tension increase in LVM strips but not the increase in the intracellular Ca2+ level. Berberine (300 μM) further increased the LVM tension following the treatment with the LTCC opener FPL-64716 (10 μM), indicating an LTCC-independent effect of berberine. Lowering extracellular Na+ attenuated the berberine-induced increases in both the tension of LVM strips and the intracellular Ca2+ level of LV myocytes. In conclusion, berberine might exert a positive inotropic effect on the isolated rat heart by enhancing the Ca2+ influx in LV myocytes; these were extracellular Na+-dependent.
Differentiation between Cistus L. (Sub-) Species (Cistaceae) Using NMR Metabolic Fingerprinting

Abstract The genus Cistus is taxonomically complex, as taxonomic classification of individual species based on morphological criteria is often difficult and ambiguous. However, specific species contain valuable natural products, especially terpenoids and polyphenols, which exert various biological effects and might therefore be used for treatment of a broad array of disorders. Hence, a fast and reliable method for clear identification of different Cistus (sub-) species is required. Approaches for analysis of secondary metabolite profiles, e.g., with NMR, might remedy the challenging classification of Cistus (sub-) species and help to identify specific markers for differentiation between them. In the present study, 678 samples from wild-growing Cistus populations, including 7 species and 6 subspecies/varieties thereof, were collected in 3 years from populations in 11 countries all over the Mediterranean basin. Samples were extracted with buffered aqueous methanol and analysed with NMR. From the resulting 1D-1H-NOESY and J-Res profile spectra, marker signals or spectral regions for the individual (sub-) species were identified with multivariate statistical tools. By examining the NMR profiles of these extracts, we were able to identify discriminators and specific markers for the investigated Cistus (sub-) species. Various influencing factors, like (sub-) species, wild harvestings of different populations from several countries, numerous collection sites, different years, and cultivation in greenhouses have been considered in this work. As the here identified markers are independent from these influencing factors, the results can be considered a robust model and might be used for future differentiation between Cistus (sub-) species.
Effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab 0.5 mg in treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema: Results from the real-world global LUMINOUS study

Purpose To assess the one-year effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab 0.5 mg in treatment- naïve patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) enrolled in the real-world LUMINOUS study. Patients and methods A 5-year, prospective, observational, open-label, global study which recruited 30,138 patients across all approved indications. Consenting patients (≥18 years) who were treatment-naïve or previously treated with ranibizumab or other ocular treatments were treated as per the local ranibizumab label. Here, we present the change in visual acuity (VA) (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter score; primary treated eye) at Year 1, as well as the change in VA based on injection frequencies (≤4 and ≥5), treatment exposure, and the overall adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) in treatment-naïve DME patients. Results Of the 4,710 DME patients enrolled in the study, 1,063 were treatment-naïve. At baseline, mean age was 64.5 years, 54.7% were male, and 69.2% were white. At 1 year, mean VA letter score improved by +3.5 (n = 502) from a baseline of 57.7 with a mean of 4.5 injections. Presented by injection frequencies ≤4 and ≥5, VA letter score gains were 0.5 (n = 264) and 6.9 (n = 238) from baseline letter scores of 56.6 and 59.0, respectively. Over 5 years, the incidence of ocular/non-ocular AEs and SAEs was 7.2%/10.1% and 0.3%/5.8%, respectively. No endophthalmitis cases were reported. Conclusions The LUMINOUS study included patients with DME with more diverse baseline characteristics than those in randomized clinical trials. The 1-year data showed improvement in VA with low number of injections in treatment- naïve patients with DME. Greater VA gains were observed in patients who received ≥5 injections. No new safety findings were identified. LUMINOUS confirms the effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab for the treatment of patients with DME in a real-world clinical practice.
Factors Influencing Players’ Susceptibility to Social Engineering in Social Gaming Networks

Social gaming networks have become a new phenomenon, especially for young people, who may become addicted to some extent. However, this phenomenon also increases their susceptibility to hacking, cyber-attack, and other types of security breaches. Various studies have found that current technology is inadequate in terms of online security. Thus, researchers have started to pay attention to the human aspect of security, which is based on interactions with strangers who may trick other gamers into revealing personal or financial information, that is, social engineering. There is little in the social gaming network literature to help players, researchers, and organizations to address the human aspect of online security, and thus there is a need to investigate the factors affecting this aspect of security. The current study aims to identify the factors influencing social engineering victimization in social gaming networks. The model developed in this study is based on the health belief model and cooperation and competition theory. The results show that the perceived severity of the threat, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, competition, and cooperation are significant factors in the prediction of social engineering victimization.
Neural Dynamics of Cognitive Control in Various Types of Incongruence

Conflict-control is a core function of cognitive control. Although numerous studies have considered cognitive control to be domain-general, the shared and distinct brain responses to different types of incongruence or conflict remain unclear. Using a hybrid flanker task, the present study explored the temporal dynamics of brain activation to three types of incongruence: flanker interference, rule-based response switch (rule-switch), and action-based response switch (response-alternation). The results showed that: (1) all three types of incongruence evoked larger N2 amplitudes than the congruent condition in the frontal region, with the N2 amplitudes and topographical distribution of the N2 effect differing between the different types of incongruence; and (2) in the P300 time window, the flanker interference condition yielded the most delayed P300 latency, whereas the rule-switch and response-alternation conditions yielded smaller P300 amplitudes with a longer interval from P300 peak to a keypress. These findings suggest that different types of incongruence are first monitored similarly by the cognitive control system and then resolved differently.
Scalp EEG interictal high frequency oscillations as an objective biomarker of infantile spasms

Objective To investigate the diagnostic utility of high frequency oscillations (HFOs) via scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) in infantile spasms. Methods We retrospectively analyzed interictal slow-wave sleep EEGs sampled at 2,000 Hz recorded from 30 consecutive patients who were suspected of having infantile spasms. We measured the rate of HFOs (80-500 Hz) and the strength of the cross-frequency coupling between HFOs and slow-wave activity (SWA) at 3-4 Hz and 0.5-1 Hz as quantified with modulation indices (MIs). Results Twenty-three patients (77%) exhibited active spasms during the overnight EEG recording. Although the HFOs were detected in all children, increased HFO rate and MIs correlated with the presence of active spasms (p < 0.001 by HFO rate; p < 0.01 by MIs at 3-4 Hz; p = 0.02 by MIs at 0.5-1 Hz). The presence of active spasms was predicted by the logistic regression models incorporating HFO-related metrics (AUC: 0.80-0.98) better than that incorporating hypsarrhythmia (AUC: 0.61). The predictive performance of the best model remained favorable (87.5% accuracy) after a cross-validation procedure. Conclusions Increased rate of HFOs and coupling between HFOs and SWA are associated with active epileptic spasms. Significance Scalp-recorded HFOs may serve as an objective EEG biomarker for active epileptic spasms. Highlights Objective analyses of scalp high frequency oscillations and its coupling with slow-wave activity in infantile spasms were feasible. Increased rate of high frequency oscillations and its coupling with slow-wave activity correlated with active epileptic spasms. The scalp high frequency oscillations were also detected in neurologically normal children (although at the low rate).
Reproductive biology of gag in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Aspects of the reproductive biology of gag Mycteroperca microlepis in the southern Gulf of Mexico were studied by following seasonal variations in the gonado-somatic index and through histological examination of gonads. Gag were collected from inshore and offshore waters of the Campeche Bank, Yucatan, Mexico, between April 1996 and December 2001. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, and appeared to be depth-size distributed. The smallest gag (9-49 cm LF) collected were all juvenile females, and were caught in inshore waters (1-10 m depth), while the largest (49-116 cm L F ), mainly adult females, males and transitionals, were captured in offshore waters (33-167m depth). Overall the offshore male to female ratio was female-biased (1:3.3) and differed significantly from unity. The species spawns at depths of c. 50-53 m, from early winter to mid-spring, with peak spawning activity occurring between January and March. Fifty per cent of females reached first maturity at 72.1 cm L F . At 103 cm L F , 50% of sampled females had changed into males. Gag can be considered a monandric species, and sexual transition for this grouper seemed to occur in fish distributed within a narrow size range (85-111 cm L F ). The results are compared with those of other authors for gag stocks from the south-east Atlantic coast of the U.S.A. and the north-east Gulf of Mexico.