Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological response of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

ABSTRACT Objective: In this study we explore anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in women in the process of pregnancy during lockdown due to the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a tertiary referral level hospital. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pregnant women at the Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza (Spain), from April 15, 2020 to May 15, 2020. A total of 168 women was recruited when they went to the hospital for a routine blood test for pregnancy. They answered a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire, the Spielberg state-trait anxiety questionnaire for anxiety, and a visual analog scale for fear of COVID. Results: Frequency of Trait anxiety was 50.7% (95% CI: 42.7–58.7) and 52.7% (95% CI: 44.7–60.7) for State anxiety. The mean visual analog scale for fear of COVID-19 in relation to pregnancy was 57.2 (95% CI: 52.4-61.8). A positive correlation was found between the scales. Statistically significant differences were found between rural and urban areas. Conclusion: The emotional impact of the COVID-19 is high among pregnant women and the levels of anxiety are higher than usual in these groups of women during the pandemic lockdown.
A cross-sectional study of macular displacement after macular hole surgery with ILM peeling in patients with idiopathic macular hole

Purpose: To examine the retinal displacement and change in mean superficial foveal avascular zone (FAZ) after successful closure of macular hole (MH) with vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling (ILM) and gas tamponade. Methods: A total of 45 patients with idiopathic MH who underwent 23G pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling and tamponade with 20% SF6/14% C3F8 were included. Follow-up visits were performed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. OCT and OCT-A scans were performed along with detailed ocular examination. Distance between optic disc and an easily identifiable vascular bifurcation nasal and temporal to fovea, FAZ, was noted. Chi-square test (categorical data) and Mann–Whitney U test and t tests for other parameters were performed for statistical analysis. Results: The mean displacement (μm) of an easily identifiable vascular bifurcation in the nasal quadrant was 96.58 ± 36.55 at 8 weeks and in the temporal quadrant was 273.07 ± 85.51 at 8 weeks. The change was statistically significant in the temporal quadrant (P = <0.001). The mean BCVA changed from a minimum of 0.08 at the preoperative timepoint to a maximum of 0.23 at 8 weeks (P = <0.001). The mean FAZ area (mm2) decreased from a maximum of 0.37 at the preoperative timepoint to a minimum of 0.19 at 8 weeks (p = <0.001). Conclusion: The retina in the temporal quadrant is displaced significantly more than nasal quadrant after successful closure of macular hole. The mean superficial FAZ also decreases suggesting a centripetal movement of the foveal tissue postoperatively.
Mapping Chromatin Occupancy of Ppp1r1b-lncRNA Genome-Wide Using Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification (ChIRP)-seq

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) mediated transcriptional regulation is increasingly recognized as an important gene regulatory mechanism during development and disease. LncRNAs are emerging as critical regulators of chromatin state; yet the nature and the extent of their interactions with chromatin remain to be fully revealed. We have previously identified Ppp1r1b-lncRNA as an essential epigenetic regulator of myogenic differentiation in cardiac and skeletal myocytes in mice and humans. We further demonstrated that Ppp1r1b-lncRNA function is mediated by the interaction with the chromatin-modifying complex polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) at the promoter of myogenic differentiation transcription factors, TBX5 and MyoD1. Herein, we employed unbiased chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) and high throughput sequencing to map the repertoire of Ppp1r1b-lncRNA chromatin occupancy genome-wide in the mouse muscle myoblast cell line. We uncovered a total of 99732 true peaks corresponding to Ppp1r1b-lncRNA binding sites at high confidence (p-value < 1E-5) and enrichment score ≥ 10). The Ppp1r1b-lncRNA-binding sites averaged 558 bp in length and were distributed widely within the coding and non-coding regions of the genome. Approximately 46% of these true peaks were mapped to gene elements, of which 1180 were mapped to experimentally validated promoter sequences. Importantly, the promoter-mapped binding sites were enriched in myogenic transcription factors and heart development while exhibiting focal interactions with known motifs of proximal promoters and transcription initiation by RNA Pol-II, including TATA-box, transcription initiator motif, CCAAT-box, and GC-box, supporting Ppp1r1b-lncRNA role in transcription initiation of myogenic regulators. Remarkably, nearly 40% of Ppp1r1b-lncRNA-binding sites mapped to gene introns were enriched with the Homeobox family of transcription factors and exhibited TA-rich motif sequences, suggesting potential motif-specific Ppp1r1b-lncRNA-bound introns. Lastly, more than 136521 enhancer sequences were detected in Ppp1r1b-lncRNA-occupancy sites at high confidence. Among these enhancers, 3390 (12%) exhibited cell type/tissue-specific enrichment in fetal heart and muscles. Together, our findings provide further insights into the genome-wide Ppp1r1b-lncRNA: Chromatin interactome that may dictate its function in myogenic differentiation and potentially other cellular and biological processes.
Evaluation of a phosphate kinetics model in hemodialysis therapy—Assessment of the temporal robustness of model predictions

In‐depth understanding of intra‐ and postdialytic phosphate kinetics is important to adjust treatment regimens in hemodialysis. We aimed to modify and validate a three‐compartment phosphate kinetic model to individual patient data and assess the temporal robustness. Intradialytic phosphate samples were collected from the plasma and dialysate of 12 patients during two treatments (HD1 and HD2). 2‐h postdialytic plasma samples were collected in four of the patients. First, the model was fitted to HD1 samples from each patient to estimate the mass transfer coefficients. Second, the best fitted model in each patient case was validated on HD2 samples. The best model fits were determined from the coefficient of determination (R2) values. When fitted to intradialytic samples only, the median (interquartile range) R2 values were 0.985 (0.959–0.997) and 0.992 (0.984–0.994) for HD1 and HD2, respectively. When fitted to both intra‐ and postdialytic samples, the results were 0.882 (0.838–0.929) and 0.963 (0.951–0.976) for HD1 and HD2, respectively. Eight patients demonstrated a higher R2 value for HD2 than for HD1. The model seems promising to predict individual plasma phosphate in hemodialysis patients. The results also show good temporal robustness of the model. Further modifications and validation on a larger sample are needed.
Nitrogen management under various crop geometries of baby corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment entitled “Nitrogen management under various crop geometries of baby corn (Zea mays L.)” was conducted during Kharif, 2015 at Students‟ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three treatments of crop geometry (30 cm x 20 cm, 30 cm x 15 cm and 30 cm x 10 cm) in main plots and five levels of nitrogen management (60, 75, 90, 105 kg ha -1 and 45 kg ha -1 + 5 t FYM) in sub plots with three replications. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture, low in available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and was neutral in reaction. Crop geometry 30 cm x 10 cm have more number of plants per unit area as compared to other crop geometries i.e. 30 cm x 20 cm and 30 cm x 15 cm. The plant height was significantly higher in 30 cm x 10 cm crop geometry than 30 cm x 15 cm and 30 cm x 10 cm at 45 DAS and at harvest. Crop geometry had non-significant effect on crop phenology stages of baby corn i.e. days taken for knee high, tasseling and silking. However, cob yield, baby corn yield, fodder yield, dry matter accumulation and total nitrogen uptake in 30 cm x 10 cm crop geometry were significantly higher than all other crop geometry treatments. Length of baby corn, weight of cob and baby corn was significantly higher in 30 cm x 20 cm crop geometry. LAI at all stages of growth was significantly higher in 30 cm x 10 cm treatment as compared to all other crop geometries. Significantly higher baby corn and green fodder yield was recorded in 30 cm x 10 cm crop geometry than 30 cm x 15 cm and 30 cm x 20 cm. Crop geometry had non-significant effect on soil organic carbon content but available N, P and K was observed statistically more in 30 cm x 20 cm crop geometry as compared to all other crop geometry. Crop geometry had non-significant effect on pH and EC of soil and micronutrient uptake. Crude protein content of baby corn was significantly higher in 30 cm x 20 cm than other crop geometry treatments. The interaction effect was non-significant in yield attributes and quality parameters of baby corn. The plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, cob yield, baby corn yield, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake, cob weight, number of cobs per plant, baby corn length, girth, weight of baby corn were significantly improved by nitrogen application up to 105 kg N ha -1 . Significant increase in crude protein and total sugar of baby corn was recorded in 105 kg N/ha treatment, but non-significant effect on quality parameters (crude fibre, cob texture, TSS and total solids) was found. Maximum corn, stover and total uptake of N, P and K was found in 105 kg N/ha treatment. The maximum microbial (actinomycetes, bacteria and fungi) count was numerically higher in 45 kg N/ha + 5 t FYM treatment. FYM resulted in substantial increase in the labile C. Both urease and dehydrogenase activity was maximum in case of 45 kg N/ha+ 5 t FYM treatment as compared to all other treatment.
Evaluation of the effect of artificial tears on corneal epithelial thickness changes after photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the corneal epithelial thickness changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the impact of long-term artificial tear usage on epithelial thickness changes in these patients. Methods: This study was performed on 71 patients (142 eyes) without dry eye disease who received PRK for myopic refractive correction. The corneal epithelial thickness profile was obtained before, one, three, and six months after surgery using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A, who received preservative-free artificial tears post-surgery, and group B, who did not receive artificial tears. Results: The epithelial thickness decreased universally in the first month and then increased in the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Group A had a significantly thicker epithelium in central, paracentral, and midperipheral zones compared with group B in the 3-month follow-up. In the 6-month follow-up, no significant differences were detected between groups. At the last follow-up, the central, paracentral, and midperipheral zone epithelial thicknesses in all patients were significantly higher than preoperative values, but peripheral zone thickness only increased to preoperative values. Conclusions: Patients using artificial tears showed a faster thickening, especially in the central and paracentral zones, but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the final follow-up. Artificial tear usage may increase the rate of the epithelial remodeling process in post-PRK patients without significantly altering the final epithelial thickness profile. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the influence of different factors on epithelial remodeling.
An outbreak of subhyaloid hemorrhage after accidental laser exposure during an Indian festival

Purpose: To report the clinical manifestations and outcomes of patients who experienced retinal damage due to accidental laser exposure during a festival in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Methods: Consecutive patients who presented with sudden loss of vision following exposure to laser lights during a religious Indian festival (Ganapati festival) on the same day (9 September 2022) at the same location (idol visarjan procession) were identified from the medical records of various eye hospitals in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Eyes with persistent subhyaloid hemorrhage (SHH) were taken up for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) posterior hyaloidotomy. Patients were examined at weekly intervals up to 1 month. Results: Thirty-four eyes of 34 men were identified with age ranging from 18 to 27 years. The mean duration of exposure to the laser projections was 4.9 ± 1.7 h, and the mean distance from the laser source was 7.3 ± 2.7 feet. All presented with SHH involving the macula. SHH had a median size of 3 disc diameters or larger in 30 eyes (88%), and 29 (97%) of these required hyaloidotomy while one patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The mean visual acuity improved from 1.45 ± 0.5 log of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; 20/560 Snellen) to 0.11 ± 0.19 logMAR (20/25 Snellen) (P < 0.001). One eye showed full-thickness macular hole with visual acuity of 20/200. Conclusion: We report a large number of patients experiencing laser-induced SHH, resembling an outbreak, due to exposure to a malfunctioning high-powered recreational laser during a religious festival.
Does dietary intake of caffeine have an effect on transient global amnesia?

Abstract Aim Amnesia is a cognitive disorder that may lead to memory loss. Caffeine is a psychoactive substance which have an effect on memory and cognitive functions. This study aimed to assess the association of transient global amnesia (TGA) with dietary intake of caffeine. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted on the Sabzevar Persian cohort data of 258 patients with TGA and 520 healthy individuals in Sabzevar, Iran. The Nutritional data were gathered in face‐to‐face interviews using a valid Food Frequency Questionnaire. Different models of logistic regression were used to determine the association between TGA and dietary caffeine intake after adjusting the confounders including age, sex, education, job, marital status, physical activity, BMI, and calorie intake. Results There was no significant difference in terms of dietary calorie intake of (2279.5 ± 757.9 vs. 2365.5 ± 799.5, p = 0.19), protein (70.79 ± 25.27 vs. 72.94 ± 24.83, p = 0.31), fat (59.97 ± 23.79 vs. 60.13 ± 26.38, p = 0.93), carbohydrate (376 ± 134 vs. 393.1 ± 137.8, p = 0.14), and caffeine (196.4 ± 127.9 vs. 186.3 ± 128.5, p = 0.36) between the groups. No significant association was found between TGA and dietary intake of caffeine (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99–1.01, p = 0.36). The results did not change after adjusting the confounders. Conclusions No significant association was found between TGA and dietary intake of caffeine. Further prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.
Regulation of human neutrophil IL-1β secretion induced by Escherichia coli O157:H7 responsible for hemolytic uremic syndrome

Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections can cause from bloody diarrhea to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. The STEC intestinal infection triggers an inflammatory response that can facilitate the development of a systemic disease. We report here that neutrophils might contribute to this inflammatory response by secreting Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). STEC stimulated neutrophils to release elevated levels of IL-1β through a mechanism that involved the activation of caspase-1 driven by the NLRP3-inflammasome and neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs). Noteworthy, IL-1β secretion was higher at lower multiplicities of infection. This secretory profile modulated by the bacteria:neutrophil ratio, was the consequence of a regulatory mechanism that reduced IL-1β secretion the higher were the levels of activation of both caspase-1 and NSPs, and the production of NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species. Finally, we also found that inhibition of NSPs significantly reduced STEC-triggered IL-1β secretion without modulating the ability of neutrophils to kill the bacteria, suggesting NSPs might represent pharmacological targets to be evaluated to limit the STEC-induced intestinal inflammation.
Diagnostic roles of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and cancer antigen 125 for ovarian cancer

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) level for ovarian cancer (OC). Methods Data of 72 patients with OC, 50 patients with benign ovarian disease, and 46 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed. Results The platelet count was higher in patients with a tumor diameter of ≥10 vs. <10 cm. The absolute lymphocyte count was significantly higher in patients with stage I/II OC than in those with multiple and stage III/IV OC. The absolute monocyte count, NLR, MLR, and CA125 were significantly higher in patients with multiple and stage III/IV OC than in those with single and stage I/II OC. The NLR, PLR, MLR, fibrinogen, D-dimer, CRP, and CA125 were useful for distinguishing between the OC and healthy control groups. Conclusions Our analysis showed that the following combinations have practical diagnostic value in OC: NLR + PLR + MLR + CA125, NLR + PLR + MLR + CA125 + CRP, NLR + MLR +PLR + CA125 + CRP + fibrinogen, and NLR + MLR + PLR + CA125 + CRP + fibrinogen + D-dimer.
Monitoramento do boto cinza, Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea: delphinidae) em Fortaleza, Estado do Ceará, Brasil

OLIVEIRA, J. A. de et al. Monitoramento do boto cinza, Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea: delphinidae) em Fortaleza, Estado do Ceara, Brasil. Arquivos de Ciencias do Mar, Fortaleza, v.29, 1995, p. 28-35.
KCNN4 links PIEZO-dependent mechanotransduction to NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Immune cells sense the microenvironment to fine-tune their inflammatory responses. Patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), caused by mutations in the NLRP3 gene, develop autoinflammation triggered by nonantigenic cues such as from the environment. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we uncover that KCNN4, a calcium-activated potassium channel, links PIEZO-mediated mechanotransduction to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Yoda1, a PIEZO1 agonist, lowered the threshold for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PIEZO-mediated sensing of stiffness and shear stress increased NLRP3-dependent inflammation. Myeloid-specific deletion of PIEZO1/2 protected mice from gouty arthritis. Mechanistically, activation of PIEZO1 triggers calcium influx, which activates KCNN4 to evoke potassium efflux and promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Activation of PIEZO signaling was sufficient to activate the inflammasome in cells expressing CAPS-causing NLRP3 mutants via KCNN4. Last, pharmacological inhibition of KCNN4 alleviated autoinflammation in cells of patients with CAPS and in mice bearing a CAPS mutation. Thus, PIEZO-dependent mechanical inputs boost inflammation in NLRP3-dependent diseases, including CAPS. PIEZO-mediated mechanotransduction stimulates KCNN4-dependent potassium efflux to potentiate NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Editor’s summary Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein complexes that can rapidly assemble and activate proinflammatory signaling in response to diverse stimuli, but whether mechanical cues affect inflammasome activity is unknown. Using macrophages treated with the PIEZO1 agonist Yoda1 and exposed to distinct mechanical environments, Ran et al. demonstrated that PIEZO-mediated mechanotransduction enhances NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Potassium efflux through the calcium-activated channel KCNN4, identified using a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen, was required for PIEZO1-mediated enhancement of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Pharmacological inhibition of KCNN4 in mice and human cells bearing cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS)–causing NLRP3 mutations reduced autoinflammation. These findings identify a link between PIEZO-mediated mechanotransduction and NLRP3-related inflammatory diseases. —Claire Olingy
Climate Change: Predicting the Impacts on Agriculture: A Case Study

Under conditions of longer term climate change, adaptation will be important for managing climatic variability and extremes as well as changes in average conditions. While climatic conditions are already variable across Australia and farmers have developed farming systems that have adapted to this variability, this does not necessarily mean that they will be equipped to deal with the longer term impacts of climate change. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of longer term climate change on key production variables in the Australian broad-acre industry and gain some insight into the nature and extent of pressure to adapt to climate change.
Ordering being, divining time

The Karimojong prophet Apaokere was called by Divinity in a dream to sacrifice. In this vision, Divinity instructed him to kill a prized dark ox for the women of his household to avoid the onset of “nothingness. ” This two-part essay (the second part to appear in the following issue of Hau) theorizes that the sacrifice of the “Dark One” was a unique iconic poem and that, in general, prime Nilotic sacrifices are founded on iconic principles whose ends are enrapturing poiesis, and not scapegoating. The account also proposes that phenomenology of language and “rhyme-reasoning” may be able to resolve some of anthropology’s “apparently irrational beliefs. ”
Unveiling the Impact of Mobile Fitness Applications on Motivational Orientation in Sustaining Exercise Behaviors: A Qualitative Investigation

Abstract Notably, a lack of motivation appears as a significant contributing factor to physical inactivity, which raises one’s susceptibility to noncommunicable diseases. While research indicates a strong link between smartphone fitness applications (apps) and people’s motivational orientation towards physical activity and exercise, the theoretical basis of fitness app features for sustaining exercise routines remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of fitness apps as a behaviour modification tool on people’s motivation to maintain physical activity and exercise behaviour. Using individual semi-structured interviews, we collected detailed accounts from nine active male and female fitness app users (Mage = 23.4 years, SD = 2.8). The findings of both inductive and deductive reflective thematic analysis revealed core themes emphasising that the use of fitness apps satisfies the participants’ psychological needs through fostering emotions of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Furthermore, fitness apps make it easier to track progress, challenge oneself, and compete against other exercisers, which further motivates participants to sustain their exercise behaviours. Confirming the use of fitness apps as an effective behaviour change tool for sustaining healthy exercise routines, the findings offer valuable feedback on specific app features for fitness software and wearable device developers that could potentially enhance the functionality and impact of their apps. Further discussions include limitations and areas for future research, such as discerning the role of fitness apps in sustaining motivation among diverse age groups with specific health, sport, or lifestyle goals in varying sensory, social, and affective contexts.