Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heart rate recovery to assess fitness: comparison of different calculation methods in a large cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT We propose a cross-sectional study based on 980 maximal effort tests to quantify the effect of the calculation method of heart rate recovery (HRR) on its association with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). For five different time t0 after exercise cessation, HRR has been calculated as: the difference and the ratio between maximal measured heart rate and heart rate (HR) at t0 HR at t0 the decay time of an exponential decay encompassing the first t0 minutes of the HR recovery. The associations between HRR indices and CRF were estimated from generalized estimating equations stratified by gender and adjusted for age and body mass index. For HRR indices based on exponential regression, no significant association with CRF was found, whereas the other HRR indices are associated with CRF when t0 is at least 1 minute and is maximum for t0 = 2 minutes for females and t0 = 3 minutes for males.
Deciphering the association of intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms of crystallin gene family with congenital cataract

Purpose: Introns play an important role in gene regulation and expression. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in introns have the potential to cause disease and alter the genotype–phenotype association. Hence, this study aimed to decipher the association of SNPs in the introns of the crystallin gene in congenital cataracts. Methods: SNPs in the introns of crystallin gene family – CRYAA (rs3788059), CRYAB (rs2070894), CRYBA4 (rs2071861), and CRYBB2 (rs5752083, rs5996863) – were genotyped in 248 participants consisting of 141 congenital cataracts and 107 healthy controls by allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction method. Around 10% of samples for each SNPs were sequenced to confirm the genotypes. The allele, genotype, and haplotype frequency were evaluated by the SHEsis online tool. Results: Using dominant model, the “A” allele of rs3788059 was found to have an increased risk toward congenital cataract development whereas the “G” allele was found to be protective (AA + AG vs. GG; odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.73 [1.71, 8.15], P = 0.0009). The “A” allele of both rs2070894 (AA + AG vs. GG; OR [95% CI] = 0.49 [0.29, 0.84], P = 0.012) and rs5752083 (AA + AC vs. CC; OR [95% CI] = 0.25 [0.08, 0.76], P = 0.016) were suggested to have a protective role by the dominant model. The A-C-T haplotype (rs2071861, rs5752083, and rs5996863) was found to be a significant risk factor for the development of congenital cataract. Conclusion: Intronic SNPs in crystallin genes may play a role in the predisposition toward congenital cataract. However, the present findings need to be replicated in a large cohort with more number of samples.
Mice lacking melatonin MT2 receptors exhibit attentional deficits, anxiety and enhanced social interaction

Background: Aside from regulating circadian rhythms, melatonin also affects cognitive processes, such as alertness, and modulates the brain circuitry underlying psychiatric diseases, such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, via mechanisms that are not fully clear. In particular, while melatonin MT1 receptors are thought primarily to mediate the circadian effects of the hormone, the contribution of the MT2 receptor to melatonin actions remains enigmatic. Aims: To characterise the contribution of MT2 receptors to melatonin’s effects on cognition and anxiety/sociability. Methods: Mice with a genetic deletion of the MT2 receptor, encoded by the Mtnr1b gene, were compared with wild-type littermates for performance in a translational touchscreen version of the continuous performance task (CPT) to assess attentional processes and then monitored over 3 days in an ethological home-cage surveillance system. Results: Mtnr1b knockout (KO) mice were able to perform at relatively normal levels in the CPT. However, they showed consistent evidence of more liberal/risky responding strategies relative to control mice, with increases in hit rates and false alarm rates, which were maintained even when the cognitive demands of the task were increased. Assessment in the home-cage monitoring system revealed that female Mtnr1b KO mice have increased anxiety levels, whereas male Mtnr1b KO mice show increased sociability. Conclusions: The results confirm that the MT2 receptor plays a role in cognition and also modulates anxiety and social interactions. These data provide new insights into the functions of endogenous melatonin and will inform future drug development strategies focussed on the MT2 receptor.
A longitudinal study on depression and anxiety in college students during the first 106-days of the lengthy Argentinean quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background The Argentinean quarantine is among the strictest and longest quarantines in the world. To determine if a worsening pattern on mental health would emerge with a prolonged quarantine duration, a longitudinal analysis pertaining to the lengthy mandatory Argentinean quarantine was conducted. Aim To examine depression and anxiety changes in college students, as a function of quarantine duration, demographic and health-related factors, during successive time cuts of the lengthy mandatory quarantine in Argentina. Methods We used a longitudinal design, N = 1492 college students. For the first measurement, successive samplings were carried out across quarantine sub-periods of up to 106-days duration. The follow-up was one month later. Results Particularly women, young, and having a history of mental disorder and suicidal behavior, were more depressed and anxious under mandatory restrictive quarantine conditions. Repeated measures of both depression and anxiety scores remained constantly high during the more restrictive quarantine sub-periods of up to 13 and 53-days duration, and decreased during the less restrictive quarantine sub-period of up to 106-days duration, but with small effect sizes (0.10–0.08). Conclusions Restrictive quarantine has negative effects on mental health outcomes. Partial spontaneous remissions of depression and anxiety symptoms may be expected with further quarantine relaxations.
Diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography angiography in the detection of neovasculature in age‐related macular degeneration: a meta‐analysis

This work is a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in the identification of choroidal neovascularization due to age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in comparison with fluorescein angiography (FA). A systematic search of the literature was carried out on Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Center for Reviews and Dissemination. Studies comparing OCTA with FA for the diagnosis of choroidal neovascularization due to AMD that included data on the diagnostic validity of the test or the data necessary for its calculation were selected. The QUADAS‐2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias in selected studies. The quantitative analysis of the results was performed by meta‐analysis. Seven primary studies were included. The quality of the evidence was good. The total population included in the meta‐analysis comprised 553 eyes, with a cumulative sensitivity and specificity of 85.9% (95% CI 81.9–89.3%) and 89% (95% CI 83.5–93.2%), respectively, cumulative positive and negative likelihood ratios of 8.36 and 0.15, respectively (95% CI of 3.05–22.890 and 0.09–0.24, respectively), and a cumulative diagnostic odds ratio of 67.21 (95% CI 22.58–200.05). The evidence obtained does not demonstrate the superiority of OCTA over FA. Its use as a support technique could improve patient flow and reduce the number of FA.
Sudden bilateral vision loss in a COVID-19 patient: A case report

We present a Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient who developed sudden bilateral vision loss after a bilateral occipital ischemic stroke and without a history of stroke risk factors. An 84-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room with bilateral sudden vision loss while receiving Favipiravir treatment for 5 days following a COVID-19 diagnosis. The patient had no history of stroke risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, or arrhythmia. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of the patient revealed acute ischemia in the bilateral posterior occipital lobe and bilateral cerebellar hemisphere. We conclude that COVID-19 may rarely cause bilateral ischemic stroke presented only in the form of vision loss.
Effect of Community-Acquired Pneumonia on Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major contributor to hospitalization for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The clinical manifestations of AECOPD with and without CAP are confusing. The difference in the survival or readmission rate of AECOPD with or without CAP remains controversial. A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients who were consecutively hospitalized due to AECOPD from May 2015 to December 2019. Grouping was based on chest computed tomography findings. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the predictors for early identification between CAP exacerbations and non-CAP exacerbations. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare the cumulative survival rate and readmission rate for a 12-month follow-up between the two groups. A total of 378 patients with AECOPD were enrolled, including 200 patients with CAP and 178 patients without CAP. The presence of pleuritic pain, usage of ICS, and elevated levels of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin on admission were the predictors for the early discrimination between AECOPD with and without CAP. During a 1-year follow-up, the cumulative survival rate was lower in patients with AECOPD with CAP than in those with AECOPD without CAP (13.0% vs. 3.37%; HR: 4.099; 95% CI, 2.049–8.199; p < 0.001), but the readmission rate was similar in both groups. Patients with first-time exacerbation due to CAP were more likely to experience subsequent pneumonic exacerbation. CAP is frequent among patients hospitalized for AECOPD and associated with increased mortality and successive pneumonic exacerbation.
The Effect of Local Heat Therapy versus Cold Rub Gel on Pain and Joint Functions in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

This study compared the effect of local heat therapy versus cold rub gel on pain and joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. One hundred seventeen patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to cold rub gel, local heat therapy, and control group. Data were collected by knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score at a week prior to the interventions and on weeks of 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the interventions. A significant difference was found between the three groups in terms of pain severity (p = .001), joint symptoms (p = .001), ADL function (p = .001), Sport and Recreation function (p = .001), except Knee related QOL (p = .3). Cold rub gel and heat therapy were both effective in improving pain and joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Lack of impact of type and extent of prior therapy on outcomes of mogamulizumab therapy in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma in the MAVORIC trial

Abstract Patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) often require multiple lines of systemic therapy. In the phase 3 MAVORIC study (NCT01728805), mogamulizumab demonstrated superiority to vorinostat in median progression-free survival (PFS) and confirmed overall response rate (ORR) in patients with MF/SS. This post hoc analysis examined the effects of number and type of prior systemic therapies on mogamulizumab response. MAVORIC patients randomized to mogamulizumab (1.0 mg/kg intravenously weekly) or vorinostat (400 mg orally daily) were grouped by number of prior therapies and immunomodulatory activity of immediate prior systemic therapy while also considering time elapsed since treatment. ORR, PFS, and duration of response (DOR) did not vary with number of prior therapies. ORR and DOR remained consistent regardless of immediate prior therapy type. Additionally, immunomodulatory activity of the last prior therapy and time from prior treatment generally did not affect the ORR or PFS observed in response to mogamulizumab.
Bacteriophages as tools for biofilm biocontrol in different fields

Abstract Microbial biofilms are difficult to control due to the limited accessibility that antimicrobial drugs and chemicals have to the entrapped inner cells. The extracellular matrix, binds water, contributes to altered cell physiology within biofilms and act as a barrier for most antiproliferative molecules. Thus, new strategies need to be developed to overcome biofilm vitality. In this review, based on 223 documents, the advantages, recommendations, and limitations of using bacteriophages as ‘biofilm predators’ are presented. The plausibility of using phages (bacteriophages and mycoviruses) to control biofilms grown in different environments is also discussed. The topics covered here include recent historical experiences in biofilm control/eradication using phages in medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and food industries, the pros and cons of their use, and the development of microbial resistance/immunity to such viruses.
Long-term blood pressure trajectories and associations with age and body mass index among urban women in South Africa.

BACKGROUND Blood pressure (BP) is known to increase inevitably with age. Understanding the different ages at which great gains could be achieved for intervention to prevent and control BP would be of public health importance. METHODS Data collected between 2003 and 2014 from 1 969 women aged 22 to 89 years were used in this study. Growth curve models were fitted to describe intra- and inter-individual trajectories. For BP tracking, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure dependency of observations from the same individual. RESULTS Four patterns were identified: a slow decrease in BP with age before 30 years; a period of gradual increase in midlife up to 60 years; a flattening and slightly declining trend; and another increase in BP in advanced age. These phases persisted but at slightly lower levels after adjustment for body mass index. Three groups of increasing trajectories were identified. The respective number (%) in the low, medium and highly elevated BP groups were 1 386 (70.4%), 482 (24.5%) and 101 (5.1%) for systolic BP; and 1 167 (59.3%), 709 (36.0%) and 93 (4.7%) for diastolic BP. The ICC was strong at 0.71 and 0.79 for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results show that BP preventative and control measures early in life would be beneficial for control later in life, and since increase in body mass index may worsen hypertension, it should be prevented early and independently.
A review of minimally invasive fracture stabilization in dogs and cats

Abstract Objective To summarize and discuss peer‐reviewed studies on minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) of long bone, physeal, and articular fractures in dogs and cats. Study Design Invited review. Methods A critique of literature was performed to assess MIO feasibility, outcomes, and complications through PubMed, Scopus, and CAB abstracts research databases (2000–2020). Results More than 40 MIO articles have been published in the last 15 years, but most studies had small numbers, lacked control groups, and used limited outcome measures. Studies generally showed that MIO was feasible in dogs and cats with low complication rates. The current evidence does not demonstrate superior bone healing or functional outcomes with MIO when compared to standard methods. Although treatment principles, case selection, and techniques varied depending on the anatomical location, there were no salient differences in complication rates among long bones, physeal, and articular fractures treated by MIO. Conclusion The current available evidence and the personal experience of the authors support MIO as a promising fracture management modality. MIO can yield excellent outcomes when applied in carefully selected cases, performed by surgeons experienced in the technique. We cannot, however, conclude that MIO is superior to open fracture stabilization based on the available evidence in veterinary literature. Randomized controlled studies are warranted to prospectively compare MIO with other osteosynthesis techniques and thereby validate its role in fracture management for dogs and cats.
miRNA‐34 and miRNA‐210 target hexamerin genes enhancing their differential expression during early brain development of honeybee (Apis mellifera) castes

During the honeybee larval stage, queens develop larger brains than workers, with morphological differentiation appearing at the fourth larval phase (L4), just after a boost in nutritional difference both prospective females experience. The molecular promoters of this caste‐specific brain development are already ongoing in previous larval phases. Transcriptomic analyses revealed a set of differentially expressed genes in the L3 brains of queens and workers, which represents the early molecular response to differential feeding females receive during larval development. Three genes of this set, hex70b, hex70c and hex110, are more highly transcribed in the brain of workers than in queens. The microRNAs miR‐34, miR‐210 and miR‐317 are in higher levels in the queens' brain at the same phase of larval development. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the brain of workers expresses higher levels of hexamerins than that of queens during key phases of larval development and that this differential hexamerin genes expression is further enhanced by the repressing activity of miR‐34, miR‐210 and miR‐317. Our transcriptional analyses showed that hex70b, hex70c and hex110 genes are differentially expressed in the brain of L3 and L4 larval phases of honeybee queens and workers. In silico reconstructed miRNA–mRNA interaction networks were validated using luciferase assays, which showed miR‐34 and miR‐210 negatively regulate hex70b and hex110 genes by directly and redundantly binding their 3′UTR (untranslated region) sequences. Taken together, our results suggest that miR‐34 and miR‐210 act together promoting differential brain development in honeybee castes by downregulating the expression of the putative antineurogenic hexamerin genes hex70b and hex110.
Audiovestibular Dysfunction in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome is a disorder of widespread pain with unknown etiology. These patients frequently suffer from otologic complaints. This study aims to analyze the audiovestibular functions in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Methods: The study included 33 fibromyalgia patients and 33 healthy volunteers. All the study subjects underwent audiological assessment, multifrequency tympanometry, transient otoacoustic emission, and ocular and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials tests. Results: Pure-tone hearing thresholds of right and left ears were found to be decreased in fibromyalgia patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Middle ear resonance frequency values were significantly decreased in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared to controls (P < .05). The values for signal-to-noise ratios were higher in controls than in the FMS patients. The difference was significant for 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz (P > .005). Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential waves were obtained in all controls, but could not be obtained in 5 right ears and 4 left ears of the fibromyalgia patients (P < .05). Also, ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials were obtained in all controls, but could not be obtained in 7 right ears and 10 left ears of the patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (P < .05). Conclusion: Our findings support the presence of audiovestibular dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia. Further research that focuses on the pathogenesis of these dysfunctions is required.
Evidence-Based Practice Culture and Mentorship Predict EBP Implementation, Nurse Job Satisfaction, and Intent to Stay: Support for the ARCC© Model.

BACKGROUND The Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC© ) Model is a system-wide framework for implementing and sustaining evidence-based practice (EBP) in hospitals and healthcare systems. The model involves assessing organizational culture and readiness for EBP in addition to the development of a critical mass of EBP mentors who work with point-of-care clinicians to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based care. Determining how the various components of the ARCC© Model relate to one another is important for understanding how EBP culture and mentorship impact EBP implementation, nurses' job satisfaction, and intent to stay. AIMS The current study aimed to test a model that could explain the relationships and direct pathways among eight key variables in the ARCC© Model: (1) EBP culture, (2) mentorship, (3) knowledge, (4) beliefs, (5) competency, (6) implementation, (7) nurses' job satisfaction, and (8) intent to stay. METHODS Structural equation modeling was used to test relationships among the variables in the ARCC© Model with data obtained from an earlier cross-sectional descriptive study with 2,344 nurses from 19 hospitals and healthcare systems across the United States. RESULTS The final structural equation model found that EBP culture and mentorship were key variables that positively impacted EBP knowledge, beliefs, competency, implementation, job satisfaction, and intent to stay among nurses. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION As described in the ARCC© Model, establishing a strong sustainable EBP culture along with a critical mass of EBP mentors is crucial for the development of EBP competency and consistent implementation of evidence-based care by nurses. A strong EBP culture along with EBP mentorship also can result in higher job satisfaction and intent to stay. Implementation of the ARCC© Model is a key strategy in assisting systems to reach health care's Quadruple Aim.
Effect of psychological intervention care on the negative mood and hope level of elderly patients undergoing knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE We explored the influence of psychological intervention care on the negative mood and hope level of elderly patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. METHODS A total of 98 elderly patients undergoing knee arthroplasty in our hospital were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, each with 49 people. The control group was given routine nursing care, and the observation group was given psychological intervention care plus routine nursing care. In the study, we compared the negative mood (Emotional distress Index Scale), preoperative hope level, quality of life, Range of Motion (ROM) of the knee, score of Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and satisfaction in the two groups of patients. RESULTS Patients in the observation group had lower Xinqing index scores than the control group (P<0.001). The scores of preoperative hope level in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). The scores of physical function, general health, social function, emotional role, and mental health were higher in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.01). The ROM scores of patients in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). The HSS scores of patients in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). The patients in the observation group were significantly more satisfied with the care during hospitalization than the control group. CONCLUSION Psychological intervention care was effective for elderly patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. It could improve patients' negative mood, hope level, quality of life, and rehabilitation effects, and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.