Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex as a Risk Factor for Developing Cognitive Impairments in National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Participants

Background: It is inconclusive on how sex affects the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Objective: To investigate how sex affects the risk of developing MCI or dementia. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed on data collected from participants enrolled at Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers funded by National Institute on Aging. There were two inclusion criteria: 1) participants were free of dementia at the baseline visit; 2) every participant must have at least one follow-up visit. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate how sex affects the risk of developing cognitive impairments. Results: During a follow-up period of more than 10 years, male participants had a slightly higher incidence than female participants for either MCI or dementia. Not surprisingly, a higher prevalence was observed in male than female participants for either MCI or dementia. However, male participants had a higher mortality rate than their female counterparts. Conclusion: The male sex is associated with a higher risk for developing cognitive impairments along the aging process.
Pharmacological-assisted Psychotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Background: Pharmacological-assisted psychotherapies, using conventional and novel drug agents, are increasingly being used both in clinical and experimental research settings, respectively. Objective: To determine the efficacy of conventional and novel pharmacological-assisted psychotherapies in reducing PTSD symptom severity. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials were undertaken; 21 studies were included. Results: MDMA-assisted therapy was found to statistically superior to active and inactive placebo-assisted therapy in reduction of PTSD symptoms (standardised mean difference −1.09, 95% CI −1.60 to −0.58). There was no evidence of superiority over placebo for any other intervention. Conclusions: MDMA-assisted therapy demonstrated an impressive effect size; however, it is difficult to have confidence at this stage in this intervention due to the small numbers of participants included, and more research in this area is needed. There was no evidence to support the efficacy of any other drug-assisted interventions. HIGHLIGHTS We found that MDMA-assisted therapy is a novel and promising new treatment for severe PTSD. Despite demonstrating an impressive effect size, more research is needed due to the small numbers of participants included. We did not find evidence to recommend any other drug-assisted psychological intervention.
Effective Inclusion of Sizable Amounts of Mo within TiO2 Nanoparticles Can Be Obtained by Reverse Micelle Sol–Gel Synthesis

Six Mo/TiO2 samples (with 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt % Mo nominal contents) were obtained by reverse micelle sol–gel synthesis, followed by calcination at 500 °C. The samples were characterized by means of powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), quantitative phase analysis as obtained by Rietveld refinement, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, N2 adsorption/desorption at −196 °C, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance (DR) UV–vis spectroscopy. As a whole, the adopted characterization techniques showed the inclusion of a sizeable Mo amount, without the segregation of any MoOx phase. Specifically, PXRD showed the occurrence of anatase and brookite with all the studied samples; notwithstanding the mild calcination temperature, the formation of rutile occurred at Mo wt % ≥2.5 likely due to the presence of brookite favoring, in turn, anatase to rutile transition. DR UV–vis and XP spectroscopies allowed determining the samples’ band gap energy (Eg) and valence band energy, respectively, from which the conduction band energy was calculated; and the observed Eg value increase at 10 wt % Mo was ascribed to the Moss–Burstein effect.
Gastroenterological and hepatic manifestations of patients with COVID-19, prevalence, mortality by country, and intensive care admission rate: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims Patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 usually report fever and respiratory symptoms. However, multiple gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain have been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of GI symptoms, elevated liver enzymes and mortality of patients with COVID-19. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies that included a cohort of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were performed from 1 December 2019 to 15 December 2020. Data were collected by conducting a literature search using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We analysed pooled data on the prevalence of individual GI symptoms and elevated liver enzymes and performed subanalyses to investigate the relationship between GI symptoms/elevated liver enzymes, geographical location, mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Results The available data of 78 798 patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 158 studies were included in our analysis. The most frequent manifestations were diarrhoea (16.5%, 95% CI 14.2% to 18.4%), nausea (9.7%, 95% CI 9.0% to 13.2%) and elevated liver enzymes (5.6%, 95% CI 4.2% to 9.1%). The overall mortality and GI mortality were 23.5% (95% CI 21.2% to 26.1%) and 3.5% (95% CI 3.1% to 6.2%), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed non-statistically significant associations between GI symptoms/elevated liver enzymes and ICU admissions (OR=1.01, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.83). The GI mortality was 0.9% (95% CI 0.5% to 2.2%) in China and 10.8% (95% CI 7.8% to 11.3%) in the USA. Conclusion GI symptoms/elevated liver enzymes are common in patients with COVID-19. Our subanalyses showed that the presence of GI symptoms/elevated liver enzymes does not appear to affect mortality or ICU admission rate. Furthermore, the proportion of GI mortality among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 varied based on geographical location.
Spontaneous Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumomediastinum Associated With Influenza B Virus in a Young Male Adult: A Case Report

In this report, we present a case of influenza B-associated spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) and subcutaneous emphysema (SE) in a young male patient. Although there are several causes responsible for this condition, it is considered extremely rare to occur spontaneously with no prior trauma or predisposing factors, especially in older age groups. Rare cases of SPM and SE, as described in several case reports worldwide, have been reported to have a benign course for the most part. Nevertheless, implementing unified management guidelines with clear protocols is highly recommended to prevent the potential unfavorable complications associated with these conditions.
Integration of a Virtual Dispensing Simulator “MyDispense” in an Experiential Education Program to Prepare Students for Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

Background: Technology is increasingly used to enhance pharmacy education. We sought to evaluate student learning and preparedness for community introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) after implementation of “MyDispense” into experiential education. Methods: Both first-year pharmacy students and assigned community IPPE preceptors were eligible. Students were stratified based on previous community pharmacy experience (< or ≥ 50 h), then randomized to complete MyDispense exercises before IPPE (group A) or after 24–32 h of IPPE (group B). We evaluated preceptors’ assessment of student readiness using a 6-item Likert scale survey and students’ readiness and opinion of MyDispense using an anonymous 9-item survey. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize data. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare groups and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 177 eligible students, 155 were randomized and 56 completed study. Group A included 32 students; 56.3% had prior community practice experience. Group B included 24 students; 50% had prior community practice experience. Forty-eight preceptors were enrolled. Students who completed exercises before rotation received higher preceptor scores for patient counseling of self-care and of medications (p < 0.05 for both). Students self-assessed their counseling skills lower than all other skills; 30.4% and 42.9% of students felt mostly or always prepared to counsel for self-care and medications, respectively. Students found MyDispense straightforward, realistic, and appreciated the ability to practice in a safe, electronic, community pharmacy, patient-care environment. Conclusion: Simulation-based software, such as MyDispense, can enhance learner understanding of the prescription fill and counseling process in a community pharmacy practice setting.
Immune Response Failure in Paucisymptomatic Long-Standing SARS-CoV-2 Spreaders

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread throughout the world. This disease has a spectrum of different clinical pictures with different outcomes. Herein, we report all the data from three paucisymptomatic patients during a hospital stay that might represent a paradigmatic example of the method by which SARS-CoV-2 is shed. We demonstrated the lack of an adequate qualitative and quantitative immune response by multiparametric flow cytometry analysis. Our data can provide a new perspective about the method by which SARS-CoV-2 is shed and the clinical weight of viral persistence. In all three cases, the long persistence of the virus and the consistent reduction in both innate and adaptative immune cells are not associated with greater disease severity. These patients might represent at least part of the population. In particular, one patient oscillated between positive and negative swab tests several times without presenting any immune response. In all three cases, the immune response failure was not associated with a clinically significant involvement, indicating that it is not the virus’s ability to impair the immune system, as well as its presence and persistence the fundamental mechanism that might causally lead to death. Finally, this kind of immune response in paucisymptomatic patients could pose a considerable danger to public health that questions the quarantine period. It is urgent to quantify the phenomenon with a large sample study.
PaCE Yourself: Impact of COVID-19 on Patient-Centered Care Experience

(1) Background: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, forced colleges of pharmacy to implement new online learning methodologies to ensure that students could complete required courses. This transition was especially acute for laboratory simulation courses that require students to practice professional skills. This study aims to compare student assessment performance within a simulation-based laboratory course for students who completed the module prior to and after the online transition. (2) Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort comparison of student outcome performance with two distinct content delivery methods. Students were organized into two tracks at the beginning of the semester to determine the order of the simulation module. The online learning transition occurred in-between the delivery of the same module, which allowed comparison of online versus in-person content delivery with consistent assessment. Remediation rates on each assessment were compared using chi-squared tests. (3) Results: Student pharmacists across the first and second professional year performed similarly despite in-person or online course formats, with no significant differences in remediation rates. (4) Conclusions: Pharmacy course content, including laboratory-based simulation activity, may produce similar assessment performance when using online content delivery. Further research into hybrid or mixed-delivery models may enhance learning without affecting assessment performance.
Health-promoting lifestyle and its association with the academic achievements of medical students in Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to assess health-promoting lifestyles among university medical students and to investigate whether such lifestyles are associated with students’ academic achievement. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive investigative study was performed on 576 medical college students of King Saud University (KSU) in March 2019. Data were collected using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) scale, which includes six dimensions (health responsibility, spiritual growth, physical activity, interpersonal relationships, nutrition, and stress management). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: A mean score of 3.39 for total health-promoting behaviors was reported. The highest mean score was reported for spiritual growth (3.75) and the lowest was reported for health responsibility (3.23). The mean body mass index (BMI) of the students was 24.9 ± 6.4 kg/m2. An analysis of variance identified an association between a student’s GPA and the spiritual growth dimension (P = 0.014). Based on the Pearson matrix correlation coefficient, there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between the HPLP II dimensions (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Since the HPLP scores were good, there is a need to enhance and promote healthy behaviors in students. The BMI data indicated that one-third of male students were overweight or obese; thus, health program planning, particularly involving physical activity and nutrition, is recommended.
The Implications of Zinc Therapy in Combating the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

Abstract The global pandemic from COVID-19 infection has generated significant public health concerns, both health-wise and economically. There is no specific pharmacological antiviral therapeutic option to date available for COVID-19 management. Also, there is an urgent need to discover effective medicines, prevention, and control methods because of the harsh death toll from this novel coronavirus infection. Acute respiratory tract infections, significantly lower respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia are the primary cause of millions of deaths worldwide. The role of micronutrients, including trace elements, boosted the human immune system and was well established. Several vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; microelement including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; omega-3 fatty acids as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plays essential physiological roles in promoting the immune system. Furthermore, zinc is an indispensable microelement essential for a thorough enzymatic physiological process. It also helps regulate gene-transcription such as DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division, and cell activation in the human biological system. Subsequently, zinc, together with natural scavenger cells and neutrophils, are also involved in developing cells responsible for regulating nonspecific immunity. The modern food habit often promotes zinc deficiency; as such, quite a few COVID-19 patients presented to hospitals were frequently diagnosed as zinc deficient. Earlier studies documented that zinc deficiency predisposes patients to a viral infection such as herpes simplex, common cold, hepatitis C, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of reducing antiviral immunity. This manuscript aimed to discuss the various roles played by zinc in the management of COVID-19 infection.
A comparison of ketamine-midazolam combination and propofol-fentanyl combination on procedure comfort and recovery process in pediatric colonoscopy procedures

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of midazolam-ketamine combination versus fentanyl-propofol combination in pediatric diagnostic colonoscopy. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 68 children undergoing diagnostic gastroenterology with midazolam-ketamine combination (Group-K) or with fentanyl-propofol combination (Group-P) in the pediatric gastroentology department at a Turkish tertiary hospital between January 2015 and June 2017. An intravenous midazolam was administered one minute before ketamine administration in Group K. Intravenous fentanyl was given to Group P, followed by intravenous propofol. Results: There were statistically no significant differences between the groups as for age, gender, weight, duration of colonoscopy and complications observed during procedure. Ramsay sedation score was significantly higher in Group K. Recovery time and the rate of complications during the recovery of Group-K (23 patients, 65.7%) was significantly higher than that of Group P (8 patients, 24.2%) (p= 0.001). Conclusions: Colonoscopy procedures can be quite comfortable in children when using the midazolam-ketamine combination. However, adverse effects related to ketamine were observed during recovery.
Screening of Zizyphus jujuba for antibacterial , phytotoxic and haemagglutination activities

Plants are very useful, self-generating machines, producing a variety of useful bioactive products. Keeping in view this idea, the crude methanolic extract and various fractions of Zizyphus jujuba were screened for antibacterial, phytotoxic and haemagglutination activities. The n-hexane and aqueous fractions showed significant activity of 60 and 66.66% against Bacillus pumalis and Pseudomonas aerugenosa, respectively. Activity of ethyl acetate fraction was 65.38, 62.96, 62.96 and 72% against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella typhi, P. aerugenosa and B. pumalis, respectively. On the contrary, no activity of this fraction was recorded against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The crude, nhexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions showed 41.37, 44.82, 41.37, 55.17 and 44.82% activity against Enterobacter aerogenes, respectively. The crude methanolic extract and n-hexane fractions were inactive against Escherichia coli, S. pneumoniae and Klebsella pneumoniae, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction was moderately phytotoxic against Lemna minor L at 1000 μg/ml. All the other fractions showed low phytotoxic activity at 1000 μg/ml. At 100 μg/ml, all the fractions showed low phytotoxic activity except crude methanolic extract, which was inactive. All the test samples were inactive at 10 μg/ml. All dilutions of the test samples showed no haemagglutination activity against any blood group.
Naming Silence and Inadequate Obstetric Care as Obstetric Violence is a Necessary Step for Change

This response article addresses the questions raised in “How Gentle Must Violence Against Women be in Order to not be Violent? Rethinking the Word ‘Violence; in Obstetric Settings” and concludes that naming violence is critical for describing people’s experiences of such violence and for addressing the structures and contexts that create and fuel such violence, not for judgment but for accountability and change. Impact, outcome, and, at times, processes—rather than intention—should underpin applications of the term violence; naming violence does not disempower women, but rather naming structural, systemic, and institutional violence demands acknowledgment, accountability, and responsibility for its effects on both patients and clinicians; and, finally, while the unintended consequences of using such a term may present challenges, they do not outweigh the importance of naming structural violence in health-related systems to identify practices and processes that discriminate, disempower, harm, and oppress.
All type II classic MADS‐box genes in the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii are broadly yet discretely expressed in vegetative and reproductive tissues

The MADS‐box genes constitute a large transcription factor family that appear to have evolved by duplication and diversification of function. Two types of MADS‐box genes are distinguished throughout eukaryotes, types I and II. Type II classic MADS‐box genes, also known as MIKC‐type, are key developmental regulators in flowering plants and are particularly well‐studied for their role in floral organ specification. However, very little is known about the role that these genes might play outside of the flowering plants. We investigated the evolution of type II classic MADS‐box genes across land plants by performing a maximum likelihood analysis with a particular focus on lycophytes. Here, we present the expression patterns of all three type II classic MADS‐box homologs throughout plant development in the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii: SmMADS1, SmMADS3, and SmMADS6. We used scanning electron microscopy and histological analyses to define stages of sporangia development in S. moellendorffii. We performed phylogenetic analyses of this gene lineage across land plants and found that lycophyte sequences appeared before the multiple duplication events that gave rise to the major MADS‐box gene lineages in seed plants. Our expression analyses by in situ hybridization show that all type II classic MADS‐box genes in S. moellendorffii have broad but distinct patterns of expression in vegetative and reproductive tissues, where SmMADS1 and SmMADS6 only differ during late sporangia development. The broad expression during S. moellendorffii development suggests that MADS‐box genes have undergone neofunctionalization and subfunctionalization after duplication events in seed plants.
iTRAQ-based comparative proteomic analysis in different developmental stages of Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic echinococcosis, caused by infection with the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is a chronic zoonosis. The lifecycle of the E. granulosus parasite includes three consecutive stages that require specific gene regulation or protein expression to survive environmental shifts between definitive hosts and intermediate hosts. The aim of the present study is to screen and analyze the stage differential antigens to be considered for vaccine development against E. granulosus. By using the iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) method, the differentially expressed proteins were selected from the three consecutive developmental stages of E. granulosus: oncosphere, adult tapeworms, and protoscolex. Through a bioinformatics analysis including Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway metabolic annotation, we identified some proteins of interest from each stage. The results showed that a large number of differentially expressed proteins (375: oncosphere vs. adult, 346: oncosphere vs. protoscolex, and 391: adult vs. protoscolex) were identified from the three main lifecycle stages. Analysis of the differential protein pathways showed that these differential proteins are mainly enriched in metabolic pathways, Huntington’s diseases, Alzheimer’s diseases, and ribosome metabolic pathways. Interestingly, among these differential proteins, expression levels of paramyosin, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, cathepsin L1, cathepsin D, casein kinase, and calmodulin were significantly higher in the oncosphere than in the adult or protoscolex (p < 0.05). We hope our findings will help to identify potential targets for diagnosis or for therapeutic and prophylactic intervention.