Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and Vaccine Hesitancy

A significant portion of the U.S. population may experience vaccine hesitancy of a new COVID-19 vaccine, which poses dangers to both the individual and their community, since exposure to a contagious disease places the person at risk, and individuals are far more likely to spread the disease to others if they do not get vaccinated. Many individuals are doubtful, and without the healthcare community, speaking with one voice has led to distrust. Experience from the influenza vaccines have shown vaccine acceptance has not been optimal, and this new vaccine, even though it is not approved, is already showing layperson skepticism compounded by political influences.
Short‐term outcomes of parastomal hernia prophylaxis with Stapled Mesh stomA Reinforcement Technique (SMART) in permanent stomas

Parastomal hernias occur in 50–80% after stoma formation. Even with mesh repairs, recurrence can be as high as 33%. Stapled Mesh stomA Reinforcement Technique (SMART) places a prophylactic onlay mesh in the trephine during permanent stoma formation to prevent parastomal hernia. Our study aims to describe the short‐term outcomes of SMART procedures.
EARLY RESPONSE TO DEHYDRATION 7 Remodels Cell Membrane Lipid Composition During Cold Stress in Arabidopsis.

Plants adjust to unfavorable conditions by altering physiological activities such as gene expression. Although previous studies have identified multiple stress-induced genes, the function of many genes during the stress responses remains unclear. Expression of ERD7 (Early Response to Dehydration 7) is induced in response to dehydration. Here, we show that ERD7 plays essential roles in both plant stress responses and development. In Arabidopsis, ERD7 protein accumulated under various stress conditions including exposure to low temperature. A triple mutant of Arabidopsis lacking ERD7 and two closely-related homologs had an embryonic lethal phenotype, whereas a mutant lacking the two homologs and one ERD7 allele had relatively round leaves, indicating that the ERD7 gene family has essential roles in development. Moreover, the importance of the ERD7 family in stress responses was evidenced by the susceptibility of the mutant lines to cold stress. ERD7 protein was found to bind to several, but not all, negatively charged phospholipids, and was associated with membranes. Lipid components and cold-induced reduction of PIP2 in the mutant line were altered relative to wild type. Furthermore, membranes from the mutant line had reduced fluidity. Taken together, ERD7 and its homologs are important for plant stress responses and development and associated with modification of membrane lipid composition.
Nighttime dipping status and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with untreated hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to determine whether nocturnal blood pressure fall, expressed by dipping patterns according to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), is a risk factor for cardiovascular events (CVEs) in untreated hypertensives. Α thorough systematic literature search at MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and gray literature was conducted through March 2020. Two reviewers screened studies and assessed dipping patterns of untreated hypertensives using ABPM with a follow‐up >6 months. Newcastle‐Ottawa scale was used for risk of bias assessment. We initially identified 463 reports; of which, seven cohort studies were eligible for meta‐analysis enrolling 10 438 untreated hypertensives. Untreated patients classified as dippers at baseline (n = 7081) had significant lower risk of CVEs and total mortality compared to non‐dippers (n = 3,357) [RR = 0.67, 95% CI (0.49, 0.92); RR = 0.71, 95% CI (0.59, 0.86)]. However, when patients were further classified into four dipping groups, only reverse dippers, yet not extreme dippers or non‐dippers, were at increased risk for CVEs compared to dippers [RR = 0.47, 95% CI (0.33, 0.66)]. Likewise, only reverse dippers had a higher stroke risk than dippers [RR = 0.39, 95% CI (0.22, 0.72)]. When compared with the whole group of dippers (including extreme dippers), non‐dipping alone (excluding reverse dipping) was not a significant risk factor for CVEs [RR = 0.84, 95% CI (0.61, 1.16)] or total mortality [RR = 0.84, 95% CI (0.61, 1.16); RR = 0.78, 95% CI (0.53, 1.13), respectively]. Untreated hypertensives may benefit more from the evaluation of reverse dipping rather than the non‐dipping phenomenon in general.
Efficacy of telmisartan for the treatment of persistent renal proteinuria in dogs: A double‐masked, randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background Information regarding efficacy of the angiotensin II receptor blocker, telmisartan, for treatment of proteinuria in dogs is limited. Objective To evaluate the antiproteinuric efficacy of telmisartan, as compared to enalapril, in dogs with chronic kidney disease and persistent, renal proteinuria. Animals Thirty‐nine client‐owned dogs with chronic kidney disease and urinary protein‐to‐creatinine ratio (UPC) > 0.5 (if azotemic) or ≥ 1.0 (if nonazotemic). Methods In this prospective, randomized, double‐masked clinical trial, dogs were block randomized, according to presence or absence of azotemia and systemic arterial hypertension, to receive telmisartan (1.0 mg/kg PO q24h), or enalapril (0.5 mg/kg PO q12h), and followed for 120 days. Up‐titration of study drug dosage on days 30 and 60, and addition of the other study drug at day 90, were performed if UPC > 0.5 was noted at these visits. Percentage change in UPC relative to baseline was calculated for all time points. Data are presented as median (range). Results Thirty‐nine (20 telmisartan‐treated, 19 enalapril‐treated) dogs were included. At day 30, percentage change in UPC was greater for telmisartan‐treated (−65% [−95% to 104%]) vs enalapril‐treated (−35% [−74% to 87%]) dogs (P = .002). Among dogs persistently proteinuric at earlier visits, telmisartan remained superior to enalapril at days 60 (P = .02) and 90 (P = .02). No difference in percentage change in UPC between study groups was observed at day 120, when combination therapy was allowed. Combination therapy resulted in relevant azotemia in 4/13 (31%) dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Telmisartan might be a suitable first‐line therapy for dogs with renal proteinuria.
Current-Induced Vasodilation Specifically Detects, and Correlates With the Time Since, Last Aspirin Intake: An Interventional Study of 830 Patients

Background: Galvanic current-induced vasodilation (CIV) is impaired in patients under low-dose aspirin (ASA; ≤ 500 mg/day), but potential covariates and the impact of the time since the last ASA intake are unknown. Objectives: We used tissue viability imaging (TiVi) in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease and examined its association with self-reported treatments. Patients/Methods: We recorded the age, gender, height, weight, smoking status, and use of 14 different drug categories in 822 patients either with known peripheral artery disease or at risk thereof. The difference between TiVi arbitrary units (TAUs) where stimulation was applied and an adjacent skin area was recorded, as well as the time since the last ASA intake. Step-by-step regression analysis was used to determine the factors that affect CIV amplitude. Results and Conclusions: CIV was 28.2 ± 22.9 vs. 14.6 ± 18.0 TAUs (P < 0.001) in patients treated with ASA (n = 287) and not treated with ASA (n = 535), respectively. The main determinants of CIV amplitude, by order of importance, were: aspirin intake, diabetes mellitus, age, and male sex. In ASA-treated patients, the main determinants were diabetes mellitus, time since the last ASA intake, male gender, and age. Non-invasive determination of the physiological effects of low-dose ASA is feasible in routine clinical practice. It could be a clinical approach to provide objective evidence of ASA intake, and potentially could be used to test adherence to treatment in ASA-treated patients.
Effects of 5% Albumin Plus Saline Versus Saline Alone on Outcomes From Large-Volume Resuscitation in Critically Ill Patients

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. OBJECTIVES: To compare 5% albumin with 0.9% saline for large-volume resuscitation (> 60 mL/Kg within 24 hr), on mortality and development of acute kidney injury. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Patients admitted to ICUs in 13 hospitals across Western Pennsylvania. We analyzed two independent cohorts, the High-Density Intensive Care databases: High-Density Intensive Care-08 (July 2000 to October 2008, H08) and High-Density Intensive Care-15 (October 2008 to December 2014, H15). PATIENTS: Total of 18,629 critically ill patients requiring large-volume resuscitation. INTERVENTIONS: Five percent of albumin in addition to saline versus 0.9% saline. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After excluding patients with acute kidney injury prior to large-volume resuscitation, 673 of 2,428 patients (27.7%) and 1,814 of 16,201 patients (11.2%) received 5% albumin in H08 and H15, respectively. Use of 5% albumin was associated with decreased 30-day mortality by multivariate regression in H08 (odds ratio 0.65; 95% CI 0.49–0.85; p = 0.002) and in H15 (0.52; 95% CI 0.44–0.62; p < 0.0001) but was associated with increased acute kidney injury in H08 (odds ratio 1.98; 95% CI 1.56–2.51; p < 0.001) and in H15 (odds ratio 1.75; 95% CI 1.58–1.95; p < 0.001). However, 5% albumin was not associated with persistent acute kidney injury and resulted in decreased major adverse kidney event at 30, 90, and 365 days. Propensity matched analysis confirmed similar associations with mortality and acute kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: During large-volume resuscitation, 5% albumin was associated with reduced mortality and major adverse kidney event at 30, 90, and 365 days. However, a higher rate of acute kidney injury of any stage was observed that did not translate into persistent renal dysfunction.
Implementation case study: Multifamily group intervention in first‐episode psychosis programs

Family interventions are a core component of first‐episode psychosis (FEP) treatment; however, low implementation rates are consistently reported. As such, work is needed to understand the factors impacting real‐world treatment delivery. The present paper describes the implementation of the McFarlane‐model multifamily psychoeducational groups (MFG) in established FEP early intervention programs within a single state. The aims were to examine (a) training participation and implementation of MFG, (b) barriers and facilitators to implementation, and (c) modifications made to MFG.
How ready is the system to deliver primary healthcare? Results of a primary health facility assessment in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract Primary health centres are an effective means of achieving access to primary healthcare (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed service availability, service readiness and factors influencing service delivery at public PHC centres in Enugu State, Nigeria. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 60 randomly selected public health centres in Enugu using the World Health Organization’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) survey. The most senior health worker available was interviewed using the SARA questionnaire, and an observational checklist was used for the facility assessment. None of the PHC centres surveyed had all the recommended service domains, but 52 (87%) offered at least half of the recommended service domains. Newborn care and immunization (98.3%) were the most available services across facilities, while mental health was the least available service (36.7%). None of the surveyed facilities had a functional ambulance or access to a computer on the day of the assessment. The specific-service readiness score was lowest in the non-communicable disease (NCD) area (33% in the rural health centres and 29% in the urban health centres) and NCD medicines and supplies. Availability of medicine and supplies was also low in rural PHC centres for the communicable disease area (36%) and maternal health services (38%). Basic equipment was significantly more available in urban health centres (P = 0.02). Urban location of facilities and the presence of a medical officer were found to be associated with having at least 50% of the recommended infrastructure / basic amenities and equipment. Continuing medical education, funding and security were identified by the health workers as key enablers of service delivery. In conclusion, despite a focus on expanding primary care in Enugu State, significant gaps exist that need to be closed for PHC to make significant contributions towards achieving universal healthcare, core to achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goal agenda.
Rab11a mediates cell-cell spread and reassortment of influenza A virus genomes via tunneling nanotubes

Influenza A virus (IAV) genomes comprise eight negative strand RNAs packaged into virions in the form of viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). Rab11a plays a crucial role in the transport of vRNPs from the nucleus to the plasma membrane via microtubules, allowing assembly and virus production. Here, we identify a novel function for Rab11a in the inter-cellular transport of IAV vRNPs using tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) as molecular highways. TNTs are F-Actin rich tubules that link the cytoplasms of nearby cells. In IAV-infected cells, Rab11a was visualized together with vRNPs in these actin-rich intercellular connections. To better examine viral spread via TNTs, we devised an infection system in which conventional, virion-mediated, spread was not possible. Namely, we generated HA-deficient reporter viruses which are unable to produce progeny virions but whose genomes can be replicated and trafficked. In this system, vRNP transfer to neighboring cells was observed and this transfer was found to be dependent on both actin and Rab11a. Generation of infectious virus via TNT transfer was confirmed using donor cells infected with HA-deficient virus and recipient cells stably expressing HA protein. Mixing donor cells infected with genetically distinct IAVs furthermore revealed the potential for Rab11a and TNTs to serve as a conduit for genome mixing and reassortment in IAV infections. These data therefore reveal a novel role for Rab11a in the IAV life cycle, which could have significant implications for within-host spread, genome reassortment and immune evasion. Author Summary Influenza A viruses infect epithelial cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract in humans. Infection is propagated by the generation of viral particles from infected cells, which disseminate within the tissue. Disseminating particles can encounter obstacles in the extracellular environment, including mucus, ciliary movement, antibody neutralization and uptake by phagocytic immune cells. An alternative mode of spread, which avoids these hazards, involves direct transport of viral components between cells. This cell-cell spread of infection is not a well understood process. In this study we demonstrate that the host factor Rab11a mediates the transport of viral genomes in the cell-cell spread of infection. Rab11a is already known to play a pro-viral role in the transport of viral genomes to the plasma membrane for assembly into virus particles. Here, we see that this same transport mechanism is co-opted for direct cell-cell spread through cellular connections called tunneling nanotubes. We show that complexes of Rab11a and viral components can be trafficked across tunneling nanotubes, transmitting infection without the formation of virus particles. Importantly, this route of spread often seeds viral genomes from multiple donor cells into recipient cells, which in turn increases viral genetic diversity.
Initial Assessment of the Impact of the Emergency State Lockdown Measures on the 1st Wave of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION Portugal took early action to control the COVID-19 epidemic, initiating lockdown measures on March 16th when it recorded only 62 cases of COVID-19 per million inhabitants and reported no deaths. The Portuguese public complied quickly, reducing their overall mobility by 80%. The aim of this study was to estimate the initial impact of the lockdown in Portugal in terms of the reduction of the burden on the healthcare system. MATERIAL AND METHODS We forecasted epidemic curves for: Cases, hospital inpatients (overall and in intensive care), and deaths without lockdown, assuming that the impact of containment measures would start 14 days after initial lockdown was implemented. We used exponential smoothing models for deaths, intensive care and hospitalizations and an ARIMA model for number of cases. Models were selected considering fitness to the observed data up to the 31st March 2020. We then compared observed (with intervention) and forecasted curves (without intervention). RESULTS Between April 1st and April 15th, there were 146 fewer deaths (-25%), 5568 fewer cases (-23%) and, as of April 15th, there were 519 fewer intensive care inpatients (-69%) than forecasted without the lockdown. On April 15th, the number of intensive care inpatients could have reached 748, three times higher than the observed value (229) if the intervention had been delayed. DISCUSSION If the lockdown had not been implemented in mid-March, Portugal intensive care capacity (528 beds) would have likely been breached during the first half of April. The lockdown seems to have been effective in reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, serious COVID-19 disease, and associated mortality, thus decreasing demand on health services. CONCLUSION An early lockdown allowed time for the National Health Service to mobilize resources and acquire personal protective equipment, increase testing, contact tracing and hospital and intensive care capacity and to promote broad prevention and control measures. When lifting more stringent measures, strong surveillance and communication strategies that mobilize individual prevention efforts are necessary.
A critical role for STING signaling in limiting pathogenesis of Chikungunya virus.

The stimulator-of-interferon-gene (STING) pathway controls both DNA and RNA virus infection. STING is essential for induction of innate immune responses during DNA virus infection, while its mechanism against RNA virus remains largely elusive. We show that STING signaling is crucial for restricting Chikungunya virus infection and arthritis pathogenesis. Sting-deficient mice (Sting gt/gt) had elevated viremia throughout the viremic stage and viral burden in the feet transiently, along with a normal type I IFN response. Sting gt/gt mice presented much greater foot swelling, joint damage and immune cell infiltration than WT mice. Intriguingly, expression of interferon gamma and Cxcl10 was continuously upregulated by ~7-10-fold, and further elevated in Sting gt/gt mice synchronously with arthritis progression. However, expression of chemoattractants for and activators of neutrophils, Cxcl5, Cxcl7 and Cxcr2 was suppressed in Sting gt/gt joints. These results demonstrate that STING deficiency leads to an aberrant chemokine response that promotes pathogenesis of CHIKV arthritis.
Ovarian response to prostaglandin F2α in lactating dairy cows: A clinical update

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and its analogs are used to induce luteolysis in estrus synchronization programs to terminate unwanted pregnancies or to promote ovulation in certain cow subpopulations. In the past few decades, the luteolytic dose of PGF2α has remained unchanged. This review explores the clinical implications of increasing the standard dose for these applications in high-producing dairy cows. Ultrasonography may assist in selecting the most appropriate PGF2α dose and improve the results. A reference has been used for PGF2α for promoting ovulation in herds showing poor reproductive performance.
Socio-cultural factors influencing the decision of women to seek care during pregnancy and delivery: A qualitative study in South Tongu District, Ghana

ABSTRACT Many low-income countries still encounter high mortality rates. The use of maternal health care services is known to be a key intervention in reducing maternal death. Despite investment in the healthcare sector, in 2015 Ghana did not meet the Millennium Development Goal 5 of reducing maternal mortality (MM). The Volta Region registered the highest rate of MM, the lowest percentage of antenatal care (ANC) coverage and the lowest percentage of skilled delivery. This is a qualitative study that used focus group discussions and key-informant interviews to explore the views on pregnancy among rural communities in the Volta Region, identify the barriers in accessing ANC and skilled attendance birth and collect views on how to improve the access to maternal care services. Overall, the study argues that members of the community of the rural villages acknowledge the benefits of ANC and skilled delivery, and the potential risk related to home delivery. However, pregnant women in the Volta Region still encounter different kinds of obstacles that prevent them from seeking maternal health care. These obstacles are driven by social and economic constraints, and by the fact that women may still lack voice in the decision-making process, and by low males’ participation.
EFFECT OF NEGOTIATION STRATEGY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA

The study focused on determine the influence of negotiation strategy on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The financial sector is undergoing transformations in order to serve the needs of its clients owing to the existing global environmental dynamism in which the industry is operating in. The sector has been dogged with serious challenges in attempt to manage change in relation to its performance. Negotiation strategy is intended to help government’s planners and banks deal with and adapt to their changing internal and external circumstances. The study population comprised of the 43 commercial banks in Kenya which were in operation during the six-year period of the study that is from 2011 to 2016 chosen using census method. The target population was 436 Bank employees from the commercial banks with a sample population of 272 bank employees of various cadres being selected using the method of stratified random sampling. A descriptive research design was adopted and a positivist paradigm guided the study. Primary data was collected with use of structured questionnaires from employees of commercial banks. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mode, median, mean, standard deviation. The study findings revealed that negotiation strategy had a significant and positive influence on performance of commercial banks in Kenya. These findings put forward that there is need for researchers to adopt and implement appropriate negotiation strategy in order to improve performance of commercial banks. The study recommends further research on other factors that may have an influence on the performance of commercial banks.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on Firms’ Profitability in Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of corporate governance on firms’ profitability in Nigeria. This research has been performed using a sample of 60 companies listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2004 to 2014. The relationship between corporate governance mechanisms (board characteristics, audit committee, board independence, size, growth and profit variability) and firms’ profitability was observed. The results of the multiple regression analysis were statistically significant at 0.05 level. The F Statistics of 1.036 also shows that the result typically explained the model. The findings of the study confirmed that corporate governance mechanisms enhance firms’ profitability in Nigeria.