Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Evaluation of Quality, Accuracy, and Reliability of Internet Websites about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Rationale Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or their caregivers may seek information about their disease online, but the accuracy and quality of websites on PAH is not known. Objectives To assess the quality, reliability and accuracy of information on websites about PAH. Methods We searched Google, Yahoo, and Bing for "pulmonary arterial hypertension" and screened the first 200 sites from each search engine. Website quality was evaluated by two authors using the validated DISCERN tool (best score is 80) and JAMA benchmark criteria (best score is 4). Content accuracy was assessed according to 39 pre-specified disease-relevant topics from international PAH guidelines. Linear regression models and generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association between website characteristics with JAMA benchmark criteria, DISCERN scores and content scores. Results One-hundred-seventeen eligible sites were included (50% scientific organizations, 20% foundation/advocacy organizations, 14% industry/for-profit, 12% personal commentary/blogs, 4% news and media sites) with most sites hosted in North America. The median time since last website update was 1.2 years (IQR 0.4-2.6). Website readability was at the high school or college education-level (Flesh Reading Ease score 39.9±15.2, reading grade 11.9±2.7), which is more challenging than the recommendation by the American Medical Association for patient medical information to be written at 5th-6th grade levels. Only 23% had Health on the Net Code of Conduct (HONcode) certification for ethical presentation of healthcare information. Median DISCERN total score and JAMA Benchmark score were 1.5 (IQR 0.5-2.5) and 29.5 (IQR 22.5-35.5), respectively, indicating poor transparency, reliability, and quality of information. Foundation/advocacy organization sites had higher DISCERN scores compared to personal commentary/blog sites and higher content scores compared to industry/for-profit sites. Websites with HONcode certification were more reliable and had higher JAMA benchmark scores. A minority of websites addressed exercise/rehabilitation, palliative care, pregnancy, and financial concerns relevant to patients. Conclusions Most internet websites on PAH were not easily readable, comprehensive, or transparent. Using a systematic appraisal approach, we identified the highest-quality internet websites with balanced and accurate coverage of relevant issues and treatment options for patients with PAH, which may be useful for patients, caregivers, and clinicians.
Neural Network Approaches to Aid Simple Truss Design Problems

: Diverse problems in engineering may be solved accurately with computers. In structural engineering, many solution techniques exist. Over the past few years, neural networks have evolved as a new computing paradigm, and many engineering applications have been studied. This paper describes configuring and training of a neural network for a truss design application and explores the possible roles for neural networks in structural design problems. The specific problem considered is a simple truss design where, given a geometry and a loading, economical cross-sectional areas of all the members are to be selected. For this problem, a two-layer neural network is trained using the back-propagation algorithm with patterns representing optimal designs for diverse loading conditions. The performance of the trained neural network is evaluated with a sample problem.
Mental Health Outcomes Among Italian Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Key Points Question What are the mental health outcomes among Italian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings In this longitudinal cohort study of 2856 health care workers in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic the prevalence of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and posttraumatic stress symptoms decreased among Italian health care workers 14 months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged work with patients with COVID-19 was significantly associated with mental health outcomes, whereas quitting work as a frontline health care worker was significantly associated with decrease in mental health issues. Meaning These findings help to identify the potential risk factors for health care workers exposed to direct contact with patients with COVID-19 and could help inform better preventive policies regarding mental health in this particular population.
Optimization strategies for segmented Peltier coolers

Commercialisation of Peltier coolers has progressed during last years and special efforts have been undertaken to enhance the efficiency of thermoelectric (TE) devices. Along with the continued search for advanced TE materials, the concept of functionally graded materials (FGM) offers a pathway to gradual improvement of device performance. Starting from the first principles of thermoelectricity in a 1D approach, a differential equation governing the coupling of thermal and electrical transports is applied here for modelling multi‐segment Peltier cooling elements within the framework of a constant parameters theory.
Probiotics act as a potent intervention in improving lipid profile: An umbrella systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Several meta-analysis studies have revealed improving effects of probiotics on lipid profile, while some studies have reported controversial findings. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics on blood lipids. Relevant studies were searched in the international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Library up to August 2021. The pooled results were calculated with the use of a random-effects model to assess the effects of probiotics on blood lipids. Overall, 38 meta-analyses were inclueded in the study. The results indicated that the probiotics supplementation was effective on reduction of total cholesterol (TC) (ES= −0.46 mg/dL; 95% CI: −0.61, −0.30, p < 0.001; I2= 83.8%, p < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) (ES= −0.13 mg/dl; 95% CI: −0.23, −0.04, p = 0.006; I2= 74.7%, p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)levels (ES= −0.29 mg/dL; 95% CI: −0.40, −0.19, p < 0.001; I2= 77.8%, p < 0.001). There was no significant effect of probiotics on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (ES= 0.02 mg/dl; 95% CI: −0.04, 0.08, p = 0.519; I2= 72.5%, p= <0.001). The results of present umbrella meta-analysis strongly support supplementation with probiotics as an influential intervention for improving lipid profile.
Frequency, Predictors, and Outcome of Seizures in Patients With Myelomeningocele: Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

To determine the frequency, predictors, and outcomes of seizures in patients with myelomeningocele, we retrospectively analyzed the data from patients with myelomeningocele followed longitudinally at a single center from 1975 to 2013. We identified a total of 122 patients (61% female). The mean follow-up duration was 11.1 years (minimum-maximum = 0-34.5 years, SD = 8.8, median = 9.1 years). A total of 108 (88.5%) patients had hydrocephalus, and 98 (90.7%) of those patients required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedure. Twenty-four (19.7%) patients manifested with seizures, 23 of whom had hydrocephalus. The average age of seizure onset was 4.8 years (median 2 years of age). Falx dysgenesis (P = .004), lumbar myelomeningocele (P = .007), and cortical atrophy (P = .028) were significantly associated with epileptic seizure development. The average seizure-free period at the last follow-up in patients with a history of myelomeningocele and seizures was 8.1 years. We conclude that myelomeningocele patients with seizures have an overall good prognosis with considerable long-term seizure freedom.
Association Between Long Working Hours and Chronic Kidney Disease According to Diabetic Status

In this study, we identified long working hours as an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic employees. Because working hours can be modified, it is an important risk factor for CKD. Therefore, it should be considered when establishing healthcare policy and when educating patients. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between long working hours and chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to diabetic status. Methods: Twelve thousand seven hundred three full-time employees without diabetes and 2136 with diabetes were included in this study. Participants were grouped according to working hours: ≤40, 41 to 52, and >52 h/week. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between working hours and CKD prevalence. Results: Participants with diabetes who worked 41 to 52 h/week showed 1.85 times higher odds of CKD (95% CI 1.15–2.96; P = 0.0112) compared with those who worked ≤40 h/week after adjusting for covariates. An interaction between diabetes and long working hours was observed (P for interaction = 0.0212) in the model. Conclusion: Long working hours are associated with CKD in participants with diabetes. An interaction between long working hours and diabetes leading to CKD development may exist.
Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of the Plasma Proteome in Black Adults Provides Novel Insights Into Cardiovascular Disease

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Plasma proteins are critical mediators of cardiovascular processes and are the targets of many drugs. Previous efforts to characterize the genetic architecture of the plasma proteome have been limited by a focus on individuals of European descent and leveraged genotyping arrays and imputation. Here we describe whole genome sequence analysis of the plasma proteome in individuals with greater African ancestry, increasing our power to identify novel genetic determinants. Methods: Proteomic profiling of 1301 proteins was performed in 1852 Black adults from the Jackson Heart Study using aptamer-based proteomics (SomaScan). Whole genome sequencing association analysis was ascertained for all variants with minor allele count ≥5. Results were validated using an alternative, antibody-based, proteomic platform (Olink) as well as replicated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and the HERITAGE Family Study (Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training and Genetics). Results: We identify 569 genetic associations between 479 proteins and 438 unique genetic regions at a Bonferroni-adjusted significance level of 3.8×10-11. These associations include 114 novel locus-protein relationships and an additional 217 novel sentinel variant-protein relationships. Novel cardiovascular findings include new protein associations at the APOE gene locus including ZAP70 (sentinel single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] rs7412-T, β=0.61±0.05, P=3.27×10-30) and MMP-3 (β=-0.60±0.05, P=1.67×10-32), as well as a completely novel pleiotropic locus at the HPX gene, associated with 9 proteins. Further, the associations suggest new mechanisms of genetically mediated cardiovascular disease linked to African ancestry; we identify a novel association between variants linked to APOL1-associated chronic kidney and heart disease and the protein CKAP2 (rs73885319-G, β=0.34±0.04, P=1.34×10-17) as well as an association between ATTR amyloidosis and RBP4 levels in community-dwelling individuals without heart failure. Conclusions: Taken together, these results provide evidence for the functional importance of variants in non-European populations, and suggest new biological mechanisms for ancestry-specific determinants of lipids, coagulation, and myocardial function.
Exosomes derived from miR‐129‐5p modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells represses ventricular remolding of mice with myocardial infarction

Myocardial infraction (MI) is a severe disease with great mortality. Mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosomes display protection against MI. MicroRNA‐129‐5p was reported to exert anti‐inflammation activity by targeting high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). In the present study, the effects of MSCs derived exosomes overexpressing miR‐129‐5p on MI were evaluated. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transfected with miR‐129‐5p for exosomes isolation. Myocardial infraction mice model was established and administrated exosomes overexpressing miR‐129‐5p. The cardiac function, expression of HMGB1, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis and fibrosis in heart tissues were measured. miR‐129‐5p inhibited HMGB1 expression in BMSCs. Myocardial infraction mice treated with exosomes overexpressing miR‐129‐5p had enhanced cardiac function and decreased expression of HMGB1 and production of inflammatory cytokines. Exosomes overexpressing miR‐129‐5p further prevented apoptosis and fibrosis. Exosome‐mediated transfer of miR‐129‐5p suppressed inflammation in MI mice by targeting HMGB1.
Why are some young people choosing not to drive

After steady growth for many years, the proportion of young people in Great Britain with full licences started falling in the early 1990s. Over the last decade, the proportion of people aged 17-20 with a licence has fallen from 48% to 30%, and the effect is also clear for people in their 20s, and recently, in their early 30s. There is evidence of similar decreases in Scandinavia and the USA, but in some other European countries, the proportion of licensed young drivers continues to grow. Until these trends are investigated fully, there is concern that there may be an increase in young people driving without a licence. Fewer young drivers could have important policy and planning implications, especially if there is a new cohort of younger people who choose never to learn to drive, rather than just delaying the acquisition of a licence. In particular, it could mean that current models need to be revised. Traffic may not grow as quickly in the future. Young people may get used to using alternatives to the car, including cycling, walking and taking a bus, and either never choose to drive, or delay driving until the demands of a young family make other alternatives less practical. This paper will consider a number of explanatory factors using detailed cross sectional and trend data from the Great Britain National Travel Survey and other data sources. It will discuss some of the likely reasons for the fall in licence holding, and include analysis of new attitudinal questions asked on the Office for National Statistics' Omnibus Survey in spring 2005, asking non-drivers for the reasons why they choose not to drive. For the covering abstract please see ITRD E135207.
Interim Analysis of Pregnancy Outcomes After Exposure to Dimethyl Fumarate in a Prospective International Registry

Background and Objectives Oral delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is not recommended during pregnancy and should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential fetal risk. Although DMF was well tolerated in clinical trials with consistent safety results in postmarketing surveillance, data are limited in pregnant women. The objective was to provide pregnancy outcomes and DMF exposure information from an interim analysis from a prospective, international registry (TecGistry; NCT01911767). Methods Women exposed to DMF from the first day of their last menstrual period before conception or during pregnancy were evaluated. Data were obtained at enrollment; 6−7 months' gestation; 4 weeks after estimated due date; and 4, 12, and 52 weeks after birth. Outcomes included live births, gestational size, pregnancy loss, birth defects, and infant or maternal death after delivery. Outcomes were analyzed cumulatively from October 30, 2013 (the start of TecGistry), to April 8, 2020. Results Of 345 enrolled patients, median (range) age was 32 (20–43) years. The mean (SD) duration of gestational weeks of DMF exposure was 4.9 (3.8). Most infants were full-term at birth (n = 249/274; 91%) and of average gestational size (n = 190/232; 82%). Of 351 outcomes, 277 were live births; 17 (5%) spontaneous abortions (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6%–7.1%), including 1 (<1%) molar and 1 (<1%) ectopic pregnancy, were reported. There were 8 (2.9% [95% CI 1.3%–5.6%]) adjudicator-confirmed birth defects among the 277 live births. Discussion Interim results from this large registry indicate that early DMF exposure was not significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Outcomes are consistent with previous smaller reports and with the general population. Trial Registration Information TecGistry; clinical trial registration number: NCT01911767.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, Dry Mouth Sensation, and Level of Anxiety in Elderly Patients Rehabilitated with New Removable Dentures

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the influence of new complete dentures (CDs) and new removable partial dentures (RPDs) on oral health-related quality of life, dry mouth sensation, and anxiety level of their wearers. Materials and Methods In total, 20 complete edentulous patients (in both arches) that needed to be rehabilitated with new CDs, and 20 partial edentulous patients (in both arches) that needed to be rehabilitated with new RPDs, were included in this study. Each patient must wear the same pair of CDs or RPDs for more than 5 years. Oral health-related quality of life, dry mouth sensation, and level of anxiety were assessed by using the following questionnaires: Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), VAS (Visual Analog Scale) Xerostomia Questionnaire, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). These questionnaires were applied before oral rehabilitation (initially initial time point) and 3 months after insertion of new dentures (end time point). Statistical Analysis For the results of STAI-State, STAI-Trait, and GOHAI, the Wilcoxon test was applied to compare the time points. For the results of the VAS xerostomia questionnaire, two-way repeated measures ANOVA (analysis of variance) was applied, followed by the Tukey test. The p-values lower than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results/Conclusion For both groups, it was observed that 3 months after the insertion of new removable dentures: (1) there was an increase in oral health-related quality of life; (2) there was a reduction in anxiety (trait anxiety and state anxiety); and (3) there was a perception of greater salivation.
Novel Design of Microstrip Antenna with Improved Bandwidth

A novel design of broadband patch antenna is presented in this paper. The broadband property of the proposed antenna is achieved by choosing a proper selection of dimensions and positions of slot and notch on the radiating patch. The bandwidth of the proposed antenna is found to be 30.5% with operating frequency band from 1.56 GHz to 2.12 GHz. Antenna characteristics are observed for different inclination angles “α” and its effect on bandwidths is also reported. The maximum gain of the antenna is found to be 9.86 dBi and it achieves broadside radiation pattern in the direction of maximum radiation over the operating band. The proposed antenna structure is simulated, fabricated, and tested for obtaining the desired performance. The simulated results are verified with experimental results which are in good agreement.
Outcome of patients with mantle cell lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation in the pre‐CAR T‐cell era

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients can be treated with intensive induction therapy, followed by high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for consolidation and subsequent anti‐CD20 maintenance. For patients relapsing after bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, CAR T‐cell therapy became available in late 2020 fueling the interest in outcomes of relapsing MCL patients. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of MCL patients receiving HDCT/ASCT at our center between 2000 and 2021, thus, before availability of CAR‐T cells. We identified 97 MCL patients undergoing HDCT/ASCT in this period with a median follow‐up of 52 months. 43 (44%) patients ultimately relapsed, and 29 (30%) have died. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) for the entire cohort was 48 months and overall survival (OS) was 202 months. Relapsing patients had a median PFS of only 28 months and median OS of 105 months. The OS of relapsing patients receiving BTK inhibitors was 148 versus 78 months in patients who never received BTK inhibitors (p = 0.1175). Even after HDCT/ASCT, a substantial proportion of MCL patients will relapse and ultimately die of the disease, emphasizing the need for new therapeutic options including CAR T‐cell treatment for this lymphoma subtype.
Genetic and epigenetic analysis of the serotonin 2A receptor in the context of cocaine abuse

ABSTRACT Despite more than 2 million American cocaine users monthly, there is no approved drug for treating cocaine use disorder. Cocaine use disorder has a multifactorial aetiology, including both genetic and environmental factors. Both cocaine use and genetic variations demonstrably alter DNA methylation and gene expression in the brain in a complex manner. How these factors interact in the context of cocaine abuse in humans is unknown. We propose that we can identify potential drug targets for treating cocaine use disorders by examining genetic, epigenetic, and expression changes in the brains of individuals that abused cocaine. In this study, we identified the interaction between the epigenetics changes (DNA CpG methylation) and genetic variants (SNPs) in the HTR2A gene in the context of cocaine addiction by using brain tissue collected from individuals that overdosed on cocaine (N = 14) and healthy matched controls (N = 16). We generated DNA CpG methylation profiles in eight regions of HTR2A harbouring frequent SNPs, measuring both allelic and total methylation, and compared these methylation profiles with HTR2A mRNA expression. Furthermore, we examined the influence of common variants rs6311 and rs6313 on cocaine abuse, methylation, and gene expression. We found evidence that rs6311 regulates HTR2A methylation, consistent with earlier studies. Furthermore, the minor alleles for rs6311 and rs6313 are associated with significantly increased expression of a splice isoform in which exon 2 is truncated in both cocaine and control samples. These results reveal specific roles for HTR2A in the context of cocaine abuse, highlighting opportunities to modulate this target for treating cocaine use disorder.
Surgery versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with Child- Pugh class-A/single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/Aims We compared the post-treatment overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) between patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class-A and single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 391 HCC patients with CTP class-A who underwent SR (n=232) or RFA (n=159) as first-line therapy for single small (≤3 cm) HCC. Survival was compared according to the tumor size (≤2 cm/2–3 cm) and the presence of cirrhosis. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPW) method was used to estimate the average causal effect of treatment. Results The median follow-up period was 64.8 months (interquartile range, 0.1–162.6). After IPW, the estimated OS was similar in the SR and RFA groups (P=0.215), and even in patients with HCC of ≤2 cm (P=0.816) and without cirrhosis (P=0.195). The estimated RFS was better in the SR group than in the RFA groups (P=0.005), also in patients without cirrhosis (P<0.001), but not in those with HCC of ≤2 cm (P=0.234). The weighted Cox proportional hazards model with IPW provided adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for OS, and the RFS after RFA versus SR were 0.698 (0.396–1.232) (P=0.215) and 1.698 (1.777–2.448) (P=0.005), respectively. Conclusions SR was similar for OS compared to RFA, but was better for RFS in patients with CTP class-A and single small (≤3 cm) HCC. The RFS was determined by the presence or absence of cirrhosis. Hence, SR rather than RFA should be considered in patients without cirrhosis to prolong the RFS, although there is no OS difference.