Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between dimensions of empathy and symptoms of depression among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A network analysis

Background The relationship between different dimensions of empathy and individual symptoms of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear, despite the established link between empathy and depression. The network analysis offers a novel framework for visualizing the association between empathy and depression as a complex system consisting of interacting nodes. In this study, we investigated the nuanced associations between different dimensions of empathy and individual symptoms of depression using a network model during the pandemic. Methods 1,177 students completed the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), measuring dimensions of empathy, and the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), measuring symptoms of depression. First, we investigated the nuanced associations between different dimensions of empathy and individual depressive symptoms. Then, we calculated the bridge expected influence to examine how different dimensions of empathy may activate or deactivate the symptoms of depression cluster. Finally, we conducted a network comparison test to explore whether network characteristics such as empathy-depression edges and bridge nodes differed between genders. Results First, our findings showed that personal distress was positively linked to symptoms of depression. These symptoms involved psychomotor agitation or retardation (edge weight = 0.18), sad mood (edge weight = 0.12), trouble with concentrating (edge weight = 0.11), and guilt (edge weight = 0.10). Perspective-taking was found to be negatively correlated with trouble with concentrating (edge weight = −0.11). Empathic concern was negatively associated with suicidal thoughts (edge weight = −0.10) and psychomotor agitation or retardation (edge weight = −0.08). Fantasy was not connected with any symptoms of depression. Second, personal distress and empathic concern were the most positive and negative influential nodes that bridged empathy and depression (values of bridge expected influence were 0.51 and −0.19 and values of predictability were 0.24 and 0.24, respectively). The estimates of the bridge expected influence on the nodes were adequately stable (correlation stability coefficient = 0.75). Finally, no sex differences in the studied network characteristics were observed. Conclusions This study applied network analysis to reveal potential pathways between different dimensions of empathy and individual symptoms of depression. The findings supported the existing theoretical system and contribute to the theoretical mechanism. We have also made efforts to suggest interventions and preventions based on personal distress and empathic concern, the two most important dimensions of empathy for depressive symptoms. These efforts may help Chinese university students to adopt better practical methods to overcome symptoms of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treatment with extracts of Eugenia jambolana seed and Aegle marmelos leaf prevents hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Eugenia jambolana and Aegle marmelos are used extensively in the indigenous system of medicine as an anti-diabetic agent. The current investigation focuses on the serum insulin augmentation, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic property of a combined aqueous extracts of E. jambolana and A. marmelos (EA) on alloxan induced diabetic rats. The diabetes induced animals were fed with plant extracts at the increasing dosage of 200, 300 and 400 mg of body wt. The combined plant extracts administrated animals revealed a significant (P < 0.001) increment of serum insulin levels, higher reduction in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia when compared to the diabetic control rats (P < 0.001). The histological studies of the endocrine region of pancreas of diabetic animals revealed that shrinkage of β cells of islets of langerhans. The combined plant extracts treated animals revealed restoration of β-cells. The restoration of β cells was evident at higher dose level that is, 400 mg/by wt extracts fed groups. Key words: Eugenia jambolana, Aegle marmelos, alloxan, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia.
Effects of Plum Plantation Ages on Soil Organic Carbon Mineralization in the Karst Rocky Desertification Ecosystem of Southwest China

Soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization is closely related to carbon source or sink of terrestrial ecosystem. Understanding SOC mineralization under plum plantation is essential for improving our understanding of SOC responses to land-use change in karst rocky desertification ecosystem. In this study, 2-year, 5-year, and 20-year plum plantations and adjacent abandoned land dominated by herbs were sampled, and a 90-day incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of plum plantations with different ages on SOC mineralization in subtropical China. Results showed that: (1) Plum plantation significantly decreased SOC content compared with abandoned land, but there was no significant difference in SOC content among plum plantations with different ages. Oppositely, the accumulative SOC mineralization (Ct) and potential SOC mineralization (C0) showed different responses to plum plantation ages. (2) The dynamics of the SOC mineralization were a good fit to a first-order kinetic model. Both C0 and Ct in calcareous soil of this study was several- to 10-folds lower than other soils in non-karst regions, indicating that SOC in karst regions has higher stability. (3) Correlation analysis revealed that both Ct and C0 was significantly correlated with soil calcium (Ca), suggesting an important role of Ca in SOC mineralization in karst rocky desertification areas. In conclusion, a Ca-rich geological background controls SOC mineralization in karst rocky desertification areas.
Eradicating BVD, reviewing Irish programme data and model predictions to support prospective decision making

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea is an infectious production disease of major importance in many cattle sectors of the world. The infection is predominantly transmitted by animal contact. Postnatal infections are transient, leading to immunologically protected cattle. However, for a certain window of pregnancy, in utero infection of the foetus results in persistently infected (PI) calves being the major risk of BVD spread, but also an efficient target for controlling the infection. There are two acknowledged strategies to identify PI animals for removal: tissue tag testing (direct; also known as the Swiss model) and serological screening (indirect by interpreting the serological status of the herd; the Scandinavian model). Both strategies are effective in reducing PI prevalence and herd incidence. During the first four years of the Irish national BVD eradication programme (2013–16), it has been mandatory for all newborn calves to be tested using tissue tag testing. During this period, PI incidence has substantially declined. In recent times, there has been interest among stakeholders in a change to an indirect testing strategy, with potential benefit to the overall programme, particularly with respect to cost to farmers. Advice was sought on the usefulness of implementing the necessary changes. Here we review available data from the national eradication programme and strategy performance predictions from an expert system model to quantify expected benefits of the strategy change from strategic, budgetary and implementation points of view. Key findings from our work include (i) drawbacks associated with changes to programme implementation, in particular the loss of epidemiological information to allow real-time monitoring of eradication progress or to reliably predict time to eradication, (ii) the fact that only 25% of the herds in the Irish cattle sector (14% beef, 78% dairy herds) would benefit financially from a change to serosurveillance, with half of these participants benefiting by less than EUR 75 per annum at herd level or an average of EUR 1.22 per cow, and (iii) opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of the current programme, particularly in terms of time to eradication, through enforced compliance with PI removal as currently outlined in programme recommendations. The assembled information provides scientific arguments, contributing to an informed debate of the pros and cons of a change in eradication strategy
Improving the Effectiveness of Individual Training Accounts: Long-Term Findings from an Experimental Evaluation of Three Service Delivery Models (Appendices)

According to findings from a new study, job seekers in the United States could realize potential net benefits over 20 years of approximately $41,000 per person if local workforce training agencies implemented programs that combine higher, more flexible individual limits for expenditures on state-approved training with support from training counselors. The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, is the first long-term evaluation of the relative effects of alternative training models used under the Workforce Investment Act. It shows that moving away from the status quo to provide more flexible, higher-value training awards is cost-effective and has large, positive impacts on the long-term earnings of ITA job seekers.
CERVICOVAGINAL FLUID CYTOKINES' LEVELS IN PRETERM BIRTH HIGH-RISK WOMEN COULD BE USED AS EARLY PREDICTORS FOR RECURRENT PRETERM BIRTH

Background: Differences in cytokine distribution across different biological fluids; maternal plasma, cervicovaginal fluid (CVF), and amniotic fluid are evident throughout normal pregnancy, but profiles of numerous cytokines varied across trimesters in women delivering term versus preterm in both CVF and serum. Objective: To evaluate cytokine profile in cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) of women had previous preterm birth (PTB) and the effect imposed by cerclage on these levels. Patients and Methods: Seventy study women with previous PTB and currently had cercical length (CL) of 25 mm were studied. At the 24th gestational week (GW; T1), all women had CL estimation and CVF sampling. At time of labor or removal of the suture (T2), study women had CL re-estimation and CVF re-sampling. CVF levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were ELISA estimated. Shirodkar cervical cerclage (CC) was performed within 4 days after T1 sampling. Outcomes included difference in T1-CVF cytokines' levels between study and control women, effect of cerclage on CL and CVF cytokines' levels and the value of T1-CVF cytokines' levels as predictors of pregnancy duration. Results: T1-CVF levels were significantly higher in study than control women and to their T2- levels. T1- and T2-CL in study women was significantly shorter than T1-CL in controls with significant difference between T1- and T2-CL. Percentage of T2-CL decrease was negatively correlated with the percentage of decrease of T2-CVF levels. Duration of pregnancy of study women was negatively correlated with percentage of CL shortening, while was positively correlated with percentage of decrease of T2-CVF levels of MCP-1 and TNF-α. Statistical analyses defined high T1-CVF levels of MCP-1, IL-β and TNF-α as significant early predictor for PTB. Conclusion: High CVF cytokines' levels were associated with increased risk of PTB. Cerclage worked beyond its mechanical action through reduction of CVF cytokines' levels. High CVF cytokines' levels at 24th GW, especially high levels of MCP-1 and TNF-α, may help to predict PTB.
Clinical outcome of prenatally suspected cardiac rhabdomyomas of the fetus

Abstract Background The main objective of this retrospective analysis in a large tertiary center was the clinical outcome of prenatally diagnosed cardiac rhabdomyomas as well as the identification of factors influencing fetal prognosis. Methods A total of 45 cases of fetuses with prenatally suspected rhabdomyoma and their clinical outcome were analyzed retrospectively. A review of the literature was also performed. Results In five cases, after a tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) mutation had been confirmed, termination of pregnancy was chosen. In 30 cases postnatal data were available. In 93% TSC was confirmed clinically or by mutational analysis. Two thirds of fetuses presented with multiple tumor while one third presented with a solitary tumor. In two fetuses mild pericardial effusions were observed. Another three fetuses presented with extrasystoles prenatally. No hydrops fetalis or fetal perinatal demise were observed. After birth 41% of the children suffered from arrhythmia including supra- and ventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrioventricular block. One child received a Fontan procedure with Glenn anastomosis. Another child with a dilatative cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 15% died. Fifty-two percent of the children with TSC suffered from epilepsy ranging from absence epilepsy and West syndrome to generalized seizures with a frequency of up to 40 per day. Two children underwent neurosurgery to remove the epileptogenic focus. One child suffered from TSC and Lesch-Nyhan disease. In another case Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome was identified as the causative disorder. Conclusion Rhabdomyoma are rare, benign tumors. There is an association with TSC. In the majority of cases rhabdomyoma are not hemodynamically relevant and do not increase in size. The quality of life of affected patients is impaired particularly due to epilepsy and psychomotor retardation.
Audiological characteristics and cochlear implant outcome in children with cochlear nerve deficiency

Objectives This study aimed to examine the audiological characteristics and validity of predicting outcomes of cochlear implants (CIs) in children with cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) based on the internal auditory meatus (IAM) nerve grading system. Methods The audiological characteristics of 188 ears in 105 children diagnosed with CND were analyzed based on the IAM nerve grading system. In addition, 42 children with CND who underwent CI were also divided into four groups based on the system, and their auditory and speech performance at baseline (preoperative) and 6, 12, and 24 months after CI were analyzed and compared with those of the control group (n = 24) with a normal cochlear nerve (CN) and CI. Results The audiological test results showed no significant differences among the four CND groups in terms of elicited rates of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) (p = 1.000), auditory brainstem response (ABR) (p = 0.611), and cochlear microphonic (CM) (p = 0.167). Hearing in the CND IV group was significantly better than that in the CND I group (p < 0.05). In children with CI, the auditory and speech performance of the control group was significantly higher than all CND groups from 6 to 24 months (p < 0.05) and 12 to 24 months (p < 0.05), respectively. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences between each pair group in the four CND groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Children with CND, including those in whom the CN was not visualized by MRI, can benefit from CI. Additionally, the IAM nerve grading system could not predict the outcomes of CI in children with CND.
Inter-Individual Variability in Metabolic Syndrome Severity Score and VO2max Changes Following Personalized, Community-Based Exercise Programming

This study sought to examine the effectiveness of a personalized, community-based exercise program at reducing MetS severity and consequently Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. One-hundred and fifty physically inactive participants (aged 18–83 years) were randomized to a non-exercise control group (n = 75; instructed to continue their usual lifestyle habits) or treatment group (n = 75). Participants randomized to the treatment group completed a 12 week personalized exercise training program based on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Integrated Fitness Training (IFT) model guidelines. Z-scores were derived from levels of metabolic syndrome risk factors to determine the severity of MetS (MetS z-score). After 12 weeks, the treatment group showed a significant favorable change in MetS z-score, whereas the control group demonstrated increased severity of the syndrome (between-group difference, p < 0.05). The proportion of MetS z-score responders (Δ > −0.48) was greater following the exercise intervention (71%, 50/70) compared to control (10%, 7/72) (between group difference, p < 0.001). The inter-individual variability in VO2max change also showed a similar trend. These findings provide critical translational evidence demonstrating that personalized exercise programming based upon the ACE IFT model guidelines can be successfully implemented within the community setting to reduce T2DM and CVD risk.
A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF BODY, LAMINA, SPINOUS PROCESS AND VERTEBRAL FORAMEN OF VERTEBRA PROMINENS (C7) IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION: A CLINICO-ANATOMICAL APPROACH

Corresponding Author: Dr Monika Lalit, House No.24, Lane 5, Gopal Nagar, Majitha Road Amritsar 143001, Punjab, India. Ph No.9814325454 E-Mail: monika.lalit@yahoo.com Introduction: Anatomical and morphometric aspects of seventh cervical vertebra are important for consideration of ventro-lateral approach in cervical spine surgery. Therefore, a detailed anatomical information of the dimensions of the vertebral elements is very important for successful surgical management in the degenerative, traumatic and neoplastic diseases of the cervical spine. Ethnic variations have also been reported in these dimensions and there have been no morphometric studies performed in this area in the North Indian population. Materials and Methods: 60 dry Vertebra prominens vertebrae (C7) were obtained by maceration of the cadavers, made available for the purpose of dissection. Dimensions of vertebral body, lamina, spinous process and vertebral foramen of vertebra prominens(C7) were quantified for each vertebra. Morphological features included macroscopic appearance of Shape of vertebral foramen of vertebra prominens. Results: The length (VBL), superior width(VBSW), inferior width(VBIW), anterior height(VBAH) and posterior height(VBPH) of vertebral body of vertebra prominens (C7) was 14.21+2.95mm, 25.17+3.45, 24.89+3.25mm, 11.72+1.88mm and 12.61+1.87mm respectively. Height(LH), length(LL) and width(LW) of lamina of were measured as 14.47±1.72 mm, 22.23±2.46mm and 3.74±0.46mm. Length of the spine of vertebra prominens was found to be 28.59+3.72mm. Maximum(widthmax) and minimum(widthmin) width of spine were 12.15+1.99mm and 6.22+1.53mm. Foramen diameter anteroposterior (FDAP) and transverse (FDT) was found to be 12.97+1.66mm and 22.85+2.46mm respectively. Conclusion: Taking these measurements of vertebra prominens(C7) into consideration with combined effects of axial computed tomography, the diameters are valuable in correct estimation of spinal deformities and are of interest from anatomical, anthropological aspect and also from medicolegal point of view.
Growth and physiology of maize under water salinity and nitrogen fertilization in two soils

The nitrogen fertilization, in general, minimizes the effects of salinity on plants, but the mitigating action depends on plant species, cultivar, soil texture and plant age, among other factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity and nitrogen fertilization on maize physiology and growth (Zea mays) in soils with different textures. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in Fortaleza City, CE, Brazil, in PVC soil columns (100 x 20 cm). The design was completely randomized using the factorial 2 x 2 x 4, referring to two soils, an Ultisol and a Quartzipsamment, nitrogen doses of 105 and 210 kg ha-1, under irrigation with saline water of 0.5, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 dS m-1, with four repetitions. With the exception of stem diameter, salinity of water impaired plant growth and leaf gas exchanges. The Ultisol provided better growth and physiological responses compared to the Quartzipsamment. The nitrogen doses did not mitigate growth variables except root biomass. The gas exchanges increased with the highest nitrogen dose, without interaction with the salinity.
Activation of basolateral amygdala to anterior cingulate cortex circuit alleviates MK-801 induced social and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia

Introduction Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence worldwide, however, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Methods and results In this study, we used the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 to induce schizophrenia-like behaviors and confirmed that mice exhibited stereotypic rotational behavior and hyperlocomotion, social interaction defects and cognitive dysfunction, similar to the clinical symptoms in patients. Here, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) were involved in the schizophrenia-like behaviors induced by MK-801. Furthermore, we confirmed BLA sent glutamatergic projection to the ACC. Chemogenetic and optogenetic regulation of BLA-ACC projecting neurons affected social and cognitive deficits but not stereotypic rotational behavior in MK-801-treated mice. Discussion Overall, our study revealed that the BLA-ACC circuit plays a major role and may be a potential target for treating schizophrenia-related symptoms.
DEVELOPING A PILOT STUDY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PTSD TREATMENT IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a significant public health problem in Haiti, with prevalence as high as 36.8% in Port-au-Prince. Untreated PTSD is known to result in high rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, suicide, premature mortality, medical complications, homelessness, unemployment, sexual-risk-taking behaviors, domestic violence, and second-generation mental and physical health problems. The clinical science of PTSD has advanced quickly, producing gold-standard therapies with strong evidentiary support and effectiveness rates of approximately 85%. While prevalence of PTSD in Port-au-Prince is five times that seen in the United States, there are no published studies testing these therapies’ effectiveness and no treatment programs offering these gold-standard approaches in Haiti. Bringing effective PTSD therapy to Haiti requires a careful analysis of the historical, political, cultural, and religious context. Haiti’s experience of public health interventions has been shaped by a complex history of colonialism, foreign intervention, missionary medicine, conflict between belief systems, second-class or non-existent services for the poor majority, and persistent power imbalances between provider institutions and the patients they serve. Such troubling dynamics have been particularly acute in mental health. For a mental health intervention to be effective and accepted in this context, practitioners must be aware of these undercurrents, define services as a concrete benefit to participants, not compromise international gold-standards of care, position services as compliments to existing healing strategies, establish local oversight, transparently share findings, and partner with local organizations to scale up. The proposed pilot program aims to fill these gaps in the literature and services by testing whether individual Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, an intensive 12-week talk therapy protocol, is effective at reducing symptom severity among adults with PTSD in the Cite Soleil neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. This thesis develops the pilot program implementation plan, evaluation plan, and supporting literature reviews. If the pilot is able to show effectiveness on this small scale, the proposed project will make a significant contribution to public health by advancing the literature of evidence-based PTSD treatment in Haiti, and laying the foundation for expanding effective PTSD care to the hundreds of thousands of Haitians suffering from this debilitating, but highly treatable condition.