Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Mediating and Moderating Roles of Risk Perceptions, Efficacy, Desired Uncertainty, and Worry in Information Seeking-Cancer Screening Relationship Using HINTS 2017 Data

ABSTRACT Despite mixed findings in the literature, health information seeking is considered as a promising antecedent of health behavior and outcome. However, little research has been conducted to identify factors that explain the health information seeking-health behavior relationship. In the contexts of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening, this research utilized recently collected Health Information National Trends Survey data (HINTS 5 Cycle 1) to examine whether, among the population at risk of cancer, previous cancer information seeking influenced cancer screening via perceptions of risk and efficacy, desired uncertainty, and worry. The results indicated that previous cancer information seeking had a direct effect on cancer screening. Across the three cancer screening behaviors, desired uncertainty mediated the relationship between previous cancer information seeking and screening behavior. Worry about getting cancer moderated and mediated the relationship between cancer information seeking and cervical cancer screening. Moreover, desired uncertainty and perceived susceptibility respectively interacted with previous cancer information seeking to influence breast cancer screening. Perceptions of risk and efficacy had limited effects on cancer screening. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Particle Deposition from Duct Flows by Combined Mechanisms

A new formula is proposed to calculate the deposition efficiency of spherical particles from laminar flows in a horizontal circular duct by the combined mechanisms of sedimentation, diffusion and electrostatic precipitation based upon the efficiency derived for each individual mechanism. The results from this formula compare well with the exact solutions previously obtained for several different cases of combined deposition as well as an empirical formula derived from experimental data for combined diffusion and sedimentation
Association between Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Diabetes Mellitus-2 in Saudi Population

Objectives: The association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been debated vigorously but still remains controversial. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine the possible association between ACE I/D polymorphism and T2DM and hypertension (HTN) in a population of Saudi Arabian participants. Methods: A total of 143 individuals were recruited for the study, consisting of 74 controls and 69 patients with T2DM. Genotyping was performed via polymerase chain reaction. Results: The genotype frequencies for DD, ID and II in controls were 52.7%, 39.2% and 8.1%, whereas in T2D patients it was 52.2%, 40.6% and 7.2% respectively. The DD frequency was highest out of the three genotypes in both the controls and the T2DM patients. Conclusion: There was no significant difference found in the genotype and allele frequencies between cases and controls, suggesting that insertion/deletion polymorphism in the ACE gene may not be associated with an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in our study population.
Exploration of novel heterofused 1,2,4-triazine derivative in colorectal cancer

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women. The impact of the new pyrazolo[4,3-e]tetrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine sulphonamide (MM-129) was evaluated against human colon cancer in vitro and in zebrafish xenografts. Our results show that this new synthesised compound effectively inhibits cell survival in BTK-dependent mechanism. Its effectiveness is much higher at a relatively low concentration as compared with the standard chemotherapy used for CRC, i.e. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Flow cytometry analysis after annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining revealed that apoptosis was the main response of CRC cells to MM-129 treatment. We also found that MM-129 effectively inhibits tumour development in zebrafish embryo xenograft model, where it showed a markedly synergistic anticancer effect when used in combination with 5-FU. The above results suggest that this novel heterofused 1,2,4-triazine derivative may be a promising candidate for further evaluation as chemotherapeutic agent against CRC.
Effect of hydroxychloroquine on angiographic progression in routine treatment of Takayasu arteritis

Abstract Objectives Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-malarial drug, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. However, the benefits of HCQ in the treatment of Takayasu arteritis (TA) remain unclear, especially in terms of alleviation of vascular progression. Methods This longitudinal observational retrospective study was based on the East China TA cohort. Patients received routine treatment with prednisone and immunosuppressants. Fifty TA patients who underwent magnetic resonance angiography two times within a 1.5-year follow-up period of monitoring vascular changes were divided into HCQ and non-HCQ groups according to whether HCQ was prescribed. Changes in angiographic features were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was employed to further validate the results. Results Of 50 TA patients, 21 were prescribed HCQ. The two groups shared a similar disease course, vascular types, prednisone with immunosuppressants intervention strategy, globin level, and disease remission rate at 6 months. The HCQ group showed greater reduction in the inflammatory indices erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) level (p < .05), and a significantly lower incidence of angiographic progression than the non-HCQ group (19.0% vs. 51.7%, p = .035). After adjustment for age and usage of tocilizumab, angiographic progression was found to be independently associated with CRP (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], HR [95% CI]: 1.102 [1.000–1.024], p = .046), and the usage of HCQ (HR [95% CI]: 0.266 [0.075–0.940], p = .040). Conclusion HCQ enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of routine treatment strategies with prednisone and immunosuppressants, and alleviated angiographic progression in TA.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase Cul4b promotes CD4+ T cell expansion by aiding the repair of damaged DNA

The capacity for T cells to become activated and clonally expand during pathogen invasion is pivotal for protective immunity. Our understanding of how T cell receptor (TCR) signaling prepares cells for this rapid expansion remains limited. Here we provide evidence that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cullin-4b (Cul4b) regulates this process. The abundance of total and neddylated Cul4b increased following TCR stimulation. Disruption of Cul4b resulted in impaired proliferation and survival of activated T cells. Additionally, Cul4b-deficient CD4+ T cells accumulated DNA damage. In T cells, Cul4b preferentially associated with the substrate receptor DCAF1, and Cul4b and DCAF1 were found to interact with proteins that promote the sensing or repair of damaged DNA. While Cul4b-deficient CD4+ T cells showed evidence of DNA damage sensing, downstream phosphorylation of SMC1A did not occur. These findings reveal an essential role for Cul4b in promoting the repair of damaged DNA to allow survival and expansion of activated T cells.
Pain Characteristics and Quality of Life in Older People at High Risk of Future Hospitalization

This study deals with how pain characteristics in conjunction with other factors affect quality of life (QoL) in a vulnerable primary care population. We recruited vulnerable older people (75+, n = 825) living in south-eastern Sweden. A postal questionnaire included pain aspects, QoL (EQ-5D-3L, RAND-36 physical functioning, attitudes toward own aging, and life satisfaction), functional status, social networks, and basic demographic information. Pain extent and localization was obtained by digitalization of pain drawings reported on standard body charts. Most respondents were experiencing pain longer than 3 months (88.8%). Pain frequency varied mostly between occasionally (33.8%) and every day (34.8%). A minority reported high pain intensity (13.6%). The lower back and lower legs were the most frequently reported pain locations (>25%). Multiple linear regression model revealed three characteristics of pain (intensity, frequency, and extent) remained inversely associated with the EQ-5D-3L index score (R2 = 0.57). Individually, each of these pain characteristics showed a negative impact on the other three dimensions of QoL (R2 = 0.23–0.59). Different features of pain had impact on different dimensions of QoL in this aging population. A global pain assessment is useful to facilitate individual treatment and rehabilitation strategies in primary care.
Cell Cycle Regulation of the Pdx1 Transcription Factor in Developing Pancreas and Insulin-Producing β-Cells

Current evidence indicates that proliferating β-cells express lower levels of some functional cell identity genes, suggesting that proliferating cells are not optimally functional. Pdx1 is important for β-cell specification, function, and proliferation and is mutated in monogenic forms of diabetes. However, its regulation during the cell cycle is unknown. Here we examined Pdx1 protein expression in immortalized β-cells, maternal mouse islets during pregnancy, and mouse embryonic pancreas. We demonstrate that Pdx1 localization and protein levels are highly dynamic. In nonmitotic cells, Pdx1 is not observed in constitutive heterochromatin, nucleoli, or most areas containing repressive epigenetic marks. At prophase, Pdx1 is enriched around the chromosomes before Ki67 coating of the chromosome surface. Pdx1 uniformly localizes in the cytoplasm at prometaphase and becomes enriched around the chromosomes again at the end of cell division, before nuclear envelope formation. Cells in S phase have lower Pdx1 levels than cells at earlier cell cycle stages, and overexpression of Pdx1 in INS-1 cells prevents progression toward G2, suggesting that cell cycle–dependent regulation of Pdx1 is required for completion of mitosis. Together, we find that Pdx1 localization and protein levels are tightly regulated throughout the cell cycle. This dynamic regulation has implications for the dichotomous role of Pdx1 in β-cell function and proliferation.
No Change, No Life? What We Know about Phase Variation in Staphylococcus aureus

Phase variation (PV) is a well-known phenomenon of high-frequency reversible gene-expression switching. PV arises from genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and confers a range of benefits to bacteria, constituting both an innate immune strategy to infection from bacteriophages as well as an adaptation strategy within an infected host. PV has been well-characterized in numerous bacterial species; however, there is limited direct evidence of PV in the human opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms that generate PV and focuses on earlier and recent findings of PV in S. aureus, with a brief look at the future of the field.
Synthesis of Magnetic Cobalt Nanoparticles Anchored on Graphene Nanosheets and Catalytic Decomposition of Orange II

Magnetic cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) at a size of approximately 29.9 nm anchored on graphene sheets were prepared and tested for heterogeneous oxidation of a dyeing pollutant, Orange II, with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in aqueous solutions. The physicochemical properties of Co–graphene hybrids were investigated by various characterization techniques, such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The incorporation of Co NPs and graphene sheets produces much higher catalytic activity of Orange II degradation than pure Co. The Orange II decomposition rate increases with increasing temperature (25–45 °C), pH (4–10), and PMS dosage (0.04–0.60 g/L) but decreases with its increased concentration (30–120 mg/L). Kinetic studies show decomposition of Orange II on Co–graphene can be described by.
Protective Effects of Lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro

SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging virus that currently lacks curative treatments. Lactoferrin (LF) is a naturally occurring non-toxic glycoprotein with broad-spectrum antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we assessed the potential of LF in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Antiviral immune response gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR in uninfected Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells treated with LF. An infection assay for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in Caco-2 cells treated or not with LF. SARS-CoV-2 titer was determined by qRT-PCR, plaque assay and immunostaining. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by qRT-PCR. LF significantly induced the expression of IFNA1, IFNB1, TLR3, TLR7, IRF3, IRF7 and MAVS genes. Furthermore, LF partially inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Our in vitro data support LF as an immune modulator of the antiviral immune response with moderate effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Exploring the Psychometric Properties and the Factor Structure of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia Across the Schizotypy Continuum

This study evaluated the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) across different levels of the schizotypy continuum. A combined sample of high-schizotypy, at-risk mental states, and patients with first-episode psychosis was assessed for depression and other clinical and functional outcomes. Additionally, experience sampling methodology was used to assess depressive and psychotic-like experiences in daily life. The CDSS exhibited solid internal consistency, validity, and discrimination between depressed and nondepressed participants. Confirmatory factor analyses and the associations of the resulting factors with clinical and functional measures supported a two-factor structure that included general depression and guilt factors. Furthermore, both factors of the CDSS were differentially related to positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in daily life. The CDSS appears to have two underlying psychopathological dimensions and to be a reliable and valid measure for assessing depression across the schizotypy continuum.
The History, Efficacy, and Safety of Potential Therapeutics: A Narrative Overview of the Complex Life of COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic posed a serious public health concern and started a race against time for researchers to discover an effective and safe therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. This review aims to describe the history, efficacy, and safety of five potential therapeutics for COVID-19, remdesivir, favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma. A literature review was conducted through October 2020 to identify published studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of these five potential therapeutics. Clinical improvement was used to assess the efficacy, while reported withdrawals from study participation and adverse events were used to evaluate the safety. In total, 95 clinical studies (6 interventional and 89 observational studies) were obtained, of which 42 were included in this review. The evaluation of the efficacy and safety profiles is challenging due to the limitations of the clinical studies on one hand, and the limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the other. Moreover, there was insufficient evidence to support repurposing remdesivir, favipiravir, and tocilizumab for COVID-19.
Upregulation of serum exosomal SUMO1P3 predicts unfavorable prognosis in triple negative breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BC) with poor prognosis. Identification of reliable biomarkers for predicting prognosis of TNBC contributes significantly to improve the clinical outcome and disease management. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play a critical role in tumorigenesis of TNBC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of serum exosomal lncRNA small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 pseudogene 3 (SUMO1P3) in TNBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS The expression level and clinical significance of tissue lncRNA SUMO1P3 in BC were analyzed using the public The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Then,A. Na-er, Y. -Y. Xu, Y. -H. Liu, Y. -J. Gan the serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 levels were examined in patients with TNBC, patients with non-TNBC, patients with benign breast disease and healthy controls using the quantitative real-time PCR. The potential clinical significance of serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 was further evaluated. RESULTS Based on the TCGA data, tissue lncRNA SUMO1P3 was upregulated in BC tissues, and its upregulation was significantly correlated with poor survival. Our findings showed that the expression level of serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 was significantly higher in patients with TNBC compared to patients with non-TNBC, patients with benign breast disease and healthy controls. In addition, serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 was closely correlated with lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and histological grade. The serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 levels were markedly decreased in chemosensitive cases, while not in the chemoresistance cases. Moreover, patients in the high serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 group had worse overall survival than the patients in the low serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 group. The multivariate analysis showed that serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 was an independent prognostic factor for TNBC. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, serum exosomal lncRNA SUMO1P3 might be a reliable and robust prognostic biomarker for TNBC.
Successful Community Discharge Among Older Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury in Skilled Nursing Facilities.

OBJECTIVE To identify patient, injury, and functional status characteristics associated with successful discharge to the community following a skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay among older adults hospitalized following traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING Skilled nursing facilities. PARTICIPANTS Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries admitted to an SNF after hospitalization for TBI. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using Medicare administrative data merged with the National Trauma Data Bank using a multilayered Bayesian record linkage approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Successful community discharge: discharged alive within 100 days of SNF admission and remaining in the community for 30 days or more without dying or admission to a healthcare facility. RESULTS Medicaid enrollment, incontinence, decreased independence with activities of daily living, and cognitive impairment were associated with lower odds of successful discharge, whereas race "other" was associated with higher odds of successful discharge. Injury factors including worse injury severity (Glasgow Coma Scale and Abbreviated Injury Scale scores) and fall-related injury mechanism were not associated with successful discharge. CONCLUSION Among older adults with TBI who discharge to an SNF, sociodemographic and functional status characteristics are associated with successful discharge and may be useful to clinicians for discharge planning. Acute injury severity indices may have limited utility in predicting discharge disposition once a patient is admitted to an SNF for post-acute care.
A Vicious Cycle of Osteosarcopenia in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases—Aetiology, Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Perspectives

Sarcopenia is a disorder characterized by a loss of muscle mass which leads to the reduction of muscle strength and a decrease in the quality and quantity of muscle. It was previously thought that sarcopenia was specific to ageing. However, sarcopenia may affect patients suffering from chronic diseases throughout their entire lives. A decreased mass of muscle and bone is common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since sarcopenia and osteoporosis are closely linked, they should be diagnosed as mutual consequences of IBD. Additionally, multidirectional treatment of sarcopenia and osteoporosis including nutrition, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy should include both disorders, referred to as osteosarcopenia.
Healthcare-Associated Legionella Disease: A Multi-Year Assessment of Exposure Settings in a National Healthcare System in the United States

Healthcare facilities are high-risk environments for Legionella disease (LD), including Legionnaires’ disease, but transmission in these settings is often overlooked. We used the LD database at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national healthcare system to assess the type of healthcare exposure for LD cases. Cases were extracted from the database for 1 September 2012 through 31 July 2019, focusing on cases with an overnight stay at a VA facility during the 10-day exposure window prior to symptom onset. Patient medical charts were reviewed for demographics and types of healthcare setting exposure(s). There were 99 LD cases in the cohort: 31.3% were classified as having definite VA exposure, 37.4% were classified as possible VA with inpatient exposure, and 31.3% were classified as possible VA with both inpatient and outpatient exposure. For definite VA LD cases, 67.7% had some type of exposure in the long-term care setting. While 63% of the 99 cases had exposure in the acute care setting only, both the long-term care and acute care settings contributed substantially to the total number of exposure days. A review of patient movement during the exposure period showed the variable and sometimes extensive use of the VA system, and it provides insights useful for epidemiologic investigations and potential preventive actions.
Isolation of Textile Waste Cellulose Nanofibrillated Fibre Reinforced in Polylactic Acid-Chitin Biodegradable Composite for Green Packaging Application

Textile waste cellulose nanofibrillated fibre has been reported with excellent strength reinforcement ability in other biopolymers. In this research cellulose nanofibrilated fibre (CNF) was isolated from the textile waste cotton fabrics with combined supercritical carbon dioxide and high-pressure homogenisation. The isolated CNF was used to enhance the polylactic acid/chitin (PLA/chitin) properties. The properties enhancement effect of the CNF was studied by characterising the PLA/chitin/CNF biocomposite for improved mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The tensile properties, impact strength, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and the PLA/chitin/CNF biocomposite wettability were studied. The result showed that the tensile strength, elongation, tensile modulus, and impact strength improved significantly with chitin and CNF compared with the neat PLA. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) morphological images showed uniform distribution and dispersion of the three polymers in each other, which corroborate the improvement in mechanical properties. The biocomposite’s water absorption increased more than the neat PLA, and the contact angle was reduced. The results of the ternary blend compared with PLA/chitin binary blend showed significant enhancement with CNF. This showed that the three polymers’ combination resulted in a better material property than the binary blend.