Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dedicated Research Seed Funding to Support High-Priority Clinician-Led Research: A Survey of Clinician-Researchers

Background and Objectives: Developing research capacity and supporting research engagement among health professionals are essential parts of bridging the evidence-to-practice gap. The objective of this study was to describe and assess the impact of research seed funding in promoting the engagement of nursing and allied health professionals in leading practice-based research studies within a health care organization. Methods: An impact assessment survey was administered to health professional grant recipients (n = 30) to collect self-reported observations of changes related to clinical practice, patient care, and organizational priorities as a result of the funded research projects. The electronic survey was developed in collaboration with an interprofessional advisory committee and contained 23 closed- and open-ended questions. Survey data were analyzed descriptively, and responses to open-ended survey questions were used to characterize the funded research activities and the perceived successes and challenges experienced by the research teams. Results: A large proportion of health professional grant recipients reported observing impact from their research studies on clinical practice, organizational priorities, and external networks. The grant funds were used to carry out knowledge dissemination activities such as conference presentations, publications, and sharing findings at professional meetings and networks. The majority of grant expenditures were used for research personnel, and the most common challenge to conducting research was related to the need for protected research time. Most grant recipients were interested in participating in another grant-funded research project in the future. Conclusion: Organizational funding and support for research led by health professionals have potential impact on clinical practice, patient care, and organizational priorities. This study provides evidence to support the value of investing in continued and expanded research funding programs for health professionals.
Boundary mixing in a stratified fluid

A vertically oscillating grid is used to simulate boundary mixing in the laboratory. The oscillation of the grid creates a turbulent mixing region in its vicinity, and mixing within this region creates a step-like structure in an initial density distribution which varies linearly with depth. If the initial density varies only at the boundary between two homogeneous layers, the same grid turbulence generates additional steps above and below the initial one. The steps, in turn, drive multiple intrusions of mixed fluid away from the boundary and into the non-turbulent interior of the fluid. A compensat- ing return flow carries fluid from the interior into the turbulent mixing region. From the data, the inference is made that the intrusions make a negligible direct contribution to the vertical mass transport. An analytical model of the intrusions, which employs only molecular values of the transport coefficients and also demonstrates negligible vertical mass transport, is consissent with the laboratory observations. Nevertheless, the data indicate that the fluid eventually reaches a homogeneous density by means of the gradual change of the gradient at a rate which is essentially the same both near the grid and far from it. For an initially uniform density profile this change occurs at all heights simultaneously, and for an initial density step it occurs preferentially near the step. Thus in both cases the interior flow must include slow vertical advection away from the horizontal centre plane. These advective currents can be made part of a consistent dynamic model, the buoyant equivalent of the spin- down in a rotating flow, provided that the net effect of the grid mixing includes a decrease in the local slope of the density gradient. This mode of adjustment explains satisfactorily the experimentally observed negligible horizontal density gradients. For the cme of an initially uniform density stratification, the shape of the evolving density gradient is not accounted for. In particular, it is not clear why the gradient changes at mid-depth almost simultaneously with variations at top and bottom boundaries. The vertical mass flux is found to be independent of container length, and it increases with grid frequency of oscillation, amplitude of oscillation and with the mean density gradient.
Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapeutics: Typical Profiles, Evaluation Approaches, and Points to Consider Compared with Small Molecule Drugs

Oligonucleotide therapeutics are attracting attention as a new treatment modality for a range of diseases that have been difficult to target using conventional approaches. Technical advances in chemical modification and drug delivery systems have led to the generation of compounds with excellent profiles as pharmaceuticals, and 16 oligonucleotide therapeutics have been marketed to date. There is a growing need to develop optimal and efficient approaches to evaluate drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) and drug–drug interactions (DDIs) of oligonucleotide therapeutics. The DMPK/DDI profiles of small molecule drugs are highly diverse depending on their structural and physicochemical characteristics, whereas oligonucleotide therapeutics share similar DMPK profiles within each chemistry type. Most importantly, the mechanisms and molecules involved in the distribution and metabolism of oligonucleotides differ from those of small molecules. In addition, there are considerations regarding experimental approaches in the evaluation of oligonucleotides, such as bioanalytical challenges, the use of radiolabeled tracers, materials for in vitro metabolism/DDI studies, and methods to study biodistribution. In this review, we attempt to summarize the DMPK characteristics of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics and discuss some of the issues regarding how to optimize the evaluation and prediction of the DMPK and DDI of ASOs.
Association between the quality of plant-based diets and periodontitis in the US general population.

AIM This study investigated the relationships of plant-based diet indices with periodontitis and serum IgG antibodies against periodontopathogens in the US population. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study analyzed cross-sectional data on 5,651 participants ≥40 years of age from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Food frequency questionnaire data were used to calculate the overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI). Periodontitis was defined using a half-reduced CDC/AAP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Academy of Periodontology) case definition. Serum antibodies against 19 periodontopathogens were used to classify the population into two subgroups using hierarchical clustering. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regressions were applied to assess the associations of PDI/hPDI/uPDI z-scores with periodontitis and hierarchical clusters after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS A total of 2,841 (50.3) participants were defined as having moderate/severe periodontitis. Overall PDI z-score was not significantly associated with the clinical and bacterial markers of periodontitis. By considering the healthiness of plant foods, we observed an inverse association between hPDI z-score and periodontitis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.925, 95% confidence interval = 0.860 to 0.995). In contrast, higher uPDI z-score (adherence to unhealthful plant foods) might increase the risk of periodontitis (OR = 1.100, 1.043 to 1.161). Regarding antibodies against periodontopathogens, the participants in cluster 2 had higher periodontal antibodies than those in cluster 1. The hPDI z-score was positively associated with cluster 2 (OR = 1.192, 1.112 to 1.278). In contrast, an inverse association between uPDI z-score and cluster 2 was found (OR = 0.834, 0.775 to 0.896). CONCLUSION Plant-based diets were associated with periodontitis, depending on their quality. A healthy plant-based diet was inversely related to an increased risk of periodontitis but positively related to elevated antibody levels against periodontopathogens. For an unhealthy plant-based diet, the opposite trends were observed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Failure Rates of Repaired Bucket-Handle Tears of the Medial Meniscus Concomitant With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Cohort Study of 253 Patients From the SANTI Study Group With a Mean Follow-up of 94 Months

Background: Failure rates of repaired bucket-handle medial meniscal tears (BHMMTs) concomitant with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are as high as 20%. The outcomes of posteromedial portal suture hook repair have not been compared with all-inside repair techniques for this subtype of meniscal lesion. Purpose/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and failure rates of patients who underwent BHMMT repair concomitant with ACLR using an all-inside technique, suture hook + all-inside technique, or suture hook + outside-in technique. It was hypothesized that no significant differences in failure rates would be found between the groups. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients diagnosed with a BHMMT who underwent meniscal repair during primary ACLR and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients were grouped based on the meniscal repair technique used: all-inside repair, suture hook + all-inside repair, or suture hook + outside-in repair. At the end of the study period, secondary medial meniscectomy rates were determined. Results: The study population comprised 253 patients who underwent repair of a BHMMT with concomitant ACLR with a mean follow-up of 94.0 ± 47.6 months. A total of 114 patients (45.1%) underwent all-inside repair, 61 patients (24.1%) underwent suture hook + all-inside repair, and 78 patients (30.8%) underwent suture hook + outside-in repair. Overall, there were 36 failures. The failure rates were 20.2%, 14.8%, and 5.1%, respectively (P = .0135). All-inside repairs were >4 times more likely to fail than suture hook + outside-in repairs (hazard ratio [HR], 4.103; 95% CI, 1.369-12.296; P = .0117). Failure was also 3 times higher (HR, 2.943; 95% CI, 1.224-7.075; P = .0159) for patients <30 years of age compared with those aged ≥30 years. An additional anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) was also found to reduce the failure rate of repaired BHMMTs concomitant with ACLR. Conclusion: Combined suture hook + outside-in repair of BHMMTs resulted in significantly fewer failures than all other techniques. Furthermore, age <30 years and no additional ALLR were associated with higher failure rates.
Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in a Patient with Non-Specific Rheumatologic Symptoms and Glomerulonephritis

Patient: Male, 57 Final Diagnosis: Infective endocarditis Symptoms: Dyspnea on exertion • fatigue • rash • weight loss Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Point-of-care ultrasound Specialty: General and Internal Medicine Objective: Mistake in diagnosis Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is performed at the bedside by a healthcare professional who is directly caring for the patient. Subacute infective endocarditis can be challenging to diagnose, as patients often present with non-specific symptoms. The modified Duke criteria include echocardiographic findings as a major criterion, but the role of POCUS has not been established. This report is of a case of infective endocarditis diagnosed using POCUS. Case Report: A 57-year-old man was admitted to hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis secondary to vasculitis associated with a non-specific rheumatologic condition that had developed during the previous three months. Several specialist physicians had previously examined him. On hospital admission, POCUS was performed by the internal medicine physician, which showed mitral valve endocarditis resulting in a change in clinical management from steroid therapy to antibiotic therapy. Blood cultures were performed, which grew Streptococcus mutans. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of infective endocarditis diagnosed by an internist using POCUS in a patient admitted to hospital with an alternative diagnosis and management plan in place. This case highlights the potential role of POCUS in the acute hospital setting and supports the need for studies to compare the diagnostic performance of POCUS with transthoracic echocardiography for the detection of valvular vegetations. POCUS may be considered for patients with a possible diagnosis of infective endocarditis that cannot be excluded using the modified Duke criteria, potentially resulting in earlier diagnosis and management, with an improved clinical outcome.
Kinetic and Kinematic Assessment of the Band-Assisted Countermovement Jump

Abstract Fernandes, JFT, Arede, J, Clarke, H, Garcia-Ramos, A, Perez-Castilla, A, Norris, JP, Wilkins, CA, and Dingley, AF. Kinetic and kinematic assessment of the band-assisted countermovement jump. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1588–1593, 2023—This study sought to elucidate kinetic and kinematic differences between unloaded and band-assisted countermovement jumps (CMJs). In a randomized order, 20 healthy subjects (mass 84.5 ± 18.6 kg) completed 3 repetitions of CMJs across 3 conditions: unloaded (at body mass), low, and moderate band (8.4 ± 1.9 and 13.3 ± 3.3 kg body mass reduction, respectively). For all repetitions, a force platform and linear position transducer were used to record and calculate kinetic and kinematic data. Body mass was significantly different between the unloaded, low, and moderate band conditions (p < 0.05). Peak velocity, absolute peak, and mean force and movement duration displayed a trend that was mostly related to the condition (i.e., unloaded > low > moderate) (p < 0.05). The opposing trend (i.e., moderate > low > unloaded) was generally observed for relative peak and mean force, reactive strength index modified, and flight time (p < 0.05). No differences were observed for mean velocity, movement duration, and absolute and relative landing forces (p > 0.05). The use of band assistance during CMJs can alter force, time, and velocity variables. Practitioners should be aware of the potential positive and negative effects of band assistance during CMJs.
A critical review of fabrication challenges and reliability issues in top/bottom gated MoS2 field-effect transistors

The voyage of semiconductor industry to decrease the size of transistors to achieve superior device performance seems to near its physical dimensional limitations. The quest is on to explore emerging material systems that offer dimensional scaling to match the silicon- based technologies. The discovery of atomic flat two-dimensional materials has opened up a completely new avenue to fabricate transistors at sub-10 nanometer level which has the potential to compete with modern silicon-based semiconductor devices. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a two-dimensional layered material with novel semiconducting properties at atomic level seems like a promising candidate that can possibly meet the expectation of Moore’s law. This review discusses the various ‘fabrication challenges’ in making MoS2 based electronic devices from start to finish. The review outlines the intricate challenges of substrate selection and various synthesis methods of mono layer and few-layer MoS2. The review focuses on the various techniques and methods to minimize interface defect density at substrate/MoS2 interface for optimum MoS2-based device performance. The tunable band-gap of MoS2 with varying thickness presents a unique opportunity for contact engineering to mitigate the contact resistance issue using different elemental metals. In this work, we present a comprehensive overview of different types of contact materials with myriad geometries that show a profound impact on device performance. The choice of different insulating/dielectric gate oxides on MoS2 in co-planar and vertical geometry is critically reviewed and the physical feasibility of the same is discussed. The experimental constraints of different encapsulation techniques on MoS2 and its effect on structural and electronic properties are extensively discussed.
Pandemic Response Box® library as a source of antifungal drugs against Scedosporium and Lomentospora species

Scedosporium and Lomentospora species are opportunistic filamentous fungi that cause localized and disseminated infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. These species are considered resistant fungi due to their low susceptibility to most current antifungal agents used in healthcare settings. The search for new compounds that could work as promising candidate antifungal drugs is an increasing field of interest. In this context, in the present study we screened the Pandemic Response Box® library (Medicines for Malaria Venture [MMV], Switzerland) to identify compounds with antifungal activity against Scedosporium and Lomentospora species. An initial screening of the drugs from this collection at 5 μM was performed using a clinical Scedosporium aurantiacum isolate according to the EUCAST protocol. Compounds with activity against this fungus were also tested against four other species (S. boydii¸ S. dehoogii, S. apiospermum and L. prolificans) at concentrations ranging from 0.078 to 10 μM. Seven compounds inhibited more than 80% of S. aurantiacum growth, three of them (alexidine, amorolfine and olorofim) were selected due to their differences in mechanism of action, especially when compared to drugs from the azole class. These compounds were more active against biofilm formation than against preformed biofilm in Scedosporium and Lomentospora species, except alexidine, which was able to decrease preformed biofilm about 50%. Analysis of the potential synergism of these compounds with voriconazole and caspofungin was performed by the checkerboard method for S. aurantiacum. The analysis by Bliss methodology revealed synergistic effects among selected drugs with caspofungin. When these drugs were combined with voriconazole, only alexidine and amorolfine showed a synergistic effect, whereas olorofim showed an antagonistic effect. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that alexidine induces morphology alterations in S. aurantiacum biofilm grown on a catheter surface. Reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial activity and surface components were analyzed by fluorescent probes when S. aurantiacum was treated with selected drugs and revealed that some cell parameters are altered by these compounds. In conclusion, alexidine, amorolfine and olorofim were identified as promising compounds to be studied against scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis.
Validation of the IMPACT-III Questionnaire in French Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives: This study assessed the reliability and validity of the IMPACT-III questionnaire, a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument, in French children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Eighty-four children and adolescents (45 boys, aged 14.3 ± 2.7 years) were included in a validation study of the IMPACT-III questionnaire. Patients completed 2 questionnaires for measuring HRQoL: the IMPACT-III and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach α. Factor analysis was performed on data from the IMPACT-III to help construct domains. Concurrent validity was assessed by calculating Spearman correlation coefficients. Results: Cronbach α for the PedsQL total score was good (0.89). The most robust factor solution was a 3-domain structure: (a) Concerns, (b) Body Image and Physical Condition, and (c) Symptoms and Socializing. All domains had good reliability (0.674–0.863). Only 2 items had to be removed. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by significant differences (P < 0.001) in median IMPACT-III scores between inactive and active disease for the total score (83.3 vs 72.0), and for Concerns (P < 0.002) and Symptoms and Socializing (P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that IMPACT-III appears to be a useful instrument for measuring HRQoL in French children with IBD.
Intravenous iron infusion in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and study‐level meta‐analysis

There is considerable variability in the effect of intravenous iron on hard cardiovascular (CV)‐related outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We use a meta‐analytic approach to analyse data from existing RCTs to derive a more robust estimate of the effect size of intravenous iron infusion on CV‐related outcomes in patients with HF.
Changes in the management of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia in Korean adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: data from the 2010-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to analyze the changes in chronic disease management indicators, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesteremia, from 2010-2020 and before (2019) and during (2020) the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS This study included 58,504 individuals aged ≥30 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2020. Trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of chronic diseases and the difference in those between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using the SAS program PROC SURVEYREG. RESULTS From 2010-2020, the awareness, treatment, and control in adults aged ≥30 years for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia continuously improved, whereas no significant change in the management indicators of diabetes mellitus was observed. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia in men increased from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was no significant change in the management indicators of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in men and women, and the awareness, treatment, and control rates for hypercholesterolemia increased by 5.5%p, 6.9%p, and 4.1%p respectively. CONCLUSIONS In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia increased, but the management indicators of the chronic diseases did not significantly deteriorate. Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to monitor changes in chronic disease management indicators and to develop efficient and accessible chronic disease prevention and management programs.