Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-Dependent Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism After Medical or Surgical Treatment Initiation

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Increased risk of atrial fibrillation was reported in patients with primary aldosteronism. However, data are limited regarding the time-dependent risk of atrial fibrillation in surgically or medically treated primary aldosteronism. From the National Health Insurance Claim database in Korea (2003–2017), a total of 1418 patients with primary aldosteronism (adrenalectomy [ADX], n=755, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist n=663) were age- and sex-matched at a 1:5 ratios to patients with essential hypertension (n=7090). Crude incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation was 2.96% in primary aldosteronism and 1.97% in essential hypertension. Because of nonproportional hazard observed in new onset atrial fibrillation, analysis time was split at 3 years. Compared with essential hypertension, risk of new onset atrial fibrillation peaked at 1 year gradually declined but remained elevated up to 3 years in overall treated primary aldosteronism (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.02; P<0.001) as well as in both ADX (aHR, 3.54; P<0.001) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist groups (aHR 2.27; P=0.031), which became comparable to essential hypertension afterward in both groups (ADX aHR, 0.38; P=0.102; mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist aHR, 0.60; P=0.214). Nonetheless, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist group was associated with increased risk of nonfatal stroke (aHR, 1.21; P=0.031) compared with essential hypertension, whereas ADX was not (aHR, 1.26; P=0.288). Our results suggest the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation remained elevated up to 3 years in treated primary aldosteronism compared with essential hypertension, which declined to comparable risk in essential hypertension thereafter. Monitoring for atrial fibrillation up to 3 years after treatment, particularly ADX, might be warranted.
Effect of endogenous hormones, antisperm antibody and oxidative stress on semen quality of crossbred bulls

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of factors like hormones, antisperm antibody (ASA), and oxidative stress and its relation with semen quality in crossbred bulls. Ejaculates from two bulls were categorized into good (n = 12) and poor (n = 12) based on initial progressive motility, that is, ≥70% and ≤50%, respectively. The level of hormones like Testosterone (p < 0.05) and PGE2 (p < 0.01) was significantly higher in good-quality ejaculates compared to poor-quality ejaculates; however, estradiol (p < 0.05), progesterone, oxidative stress, and ASAs were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in poor-quality ejaculates compared to good-quality ejaculates. Therefore, it could be concluded that oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance might have resulted in high number of dead and defective spermatozoa which was ultimately responsible for poor quality semen ejaculates.
Sustained COVID-19 vaccine willingness after safety concerns over the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

INTRODUCTION Prompted by reports of thromboembolic events - some with fatal outcomes - among people who had received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine from Oxford-AstraZeneca against COVID-19, a number of European countries paused vaccination with this vaccine in early and mid-March 2021. Prior studies have suggested that vaccine willingness is highly dependent on public trust in the safety of vaccines. We therefore investigated whether vaccine willingness dropped in the wake of the reported cases of thromboembolic events in relation to the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS Using longitudinal survey data from Denmark, we compared vaccine willingness shortly before and after the reported cases of thromboembolic events, as well as the perceived safety of the two most widely used COVID-19 vaccines in Denmark - those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - in the wake of these events. RESULTS We found sustained vaccine willingness after the reported cases of thromboembolic events (89% both before and after). However, the safety of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was perceived to be significantly and substantially lower than the safety of the vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech, and this difference was particularly pronounced among those who were vaccine-hesitant. CONCLUSIONS The vaccine willingness of Danes does not seem to have been affected by the reports of thromboembolic events in relation to the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. FUNDING The study was funded by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant number: NNF20SA0062874). TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.
Necrotrophic Fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Triggers Expression of Multiple Resistance Components in Resistant and Susceptible Wheat Cultivars

Tan spot of wheat, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), results in a yield loss through chlorosis and necrosis of healthy leaf tissue. The major objective of this study was to compare gene expression in resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars after infection with Ptr ToxA-producing race 2 and direct infiltration with Ptr ToxA proteins. Greenhouse experiments included exposure of the wheat cultivars to pathogen inoculum or direct infiltration of leaf tissue with Ptr-ToxA protein isolate. Samples from the experiments were subjected to RNA sequencing. Results showed that ToxA RNA sequences were first detected in samples collected eight hours after treatments indicating that upon Ptr contact with wheat tissue, Ptr started expressing ToxA. The resistant wheat cultivar, in response to Ptr inoculum, expressed genes associated with plant resistance responses that were not expressed in the susceptible cultivar; genes of interest included five chitinases, eight transporters, five pathogen-detecting receptors, and multiple classes of signaling factors. Resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars therefore differed in their response in the expression of genes that encode chitinases, transporters, wall-associated kinases, permeases, and wound-induced proteins, among others. Plants exposed to Ptr inoculum expressed transcription factors, kinases, receptors, and peroxidases, which are not expressed as highly in the control samples or samples infiltrated with ToxA. Several of the differentially expressed genes between cultivars were found in the Ptr resistance QTLs on chromosomes 1A, 2D, 3B, and 5A. Future studies should elucidate the specific roles these genes play in the wheat response to Ptr.
Lobeglitazone: A Novel Thiazolidinedione for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction. Among available oral antidiabetic agents, only the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) primarily target insulin resistance. TZDs improve insulin sensitivity by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have been used widely for T2DM treatment due to their potent glycemic efficacy and low risk of hypoglycemia. However, their use has decreased because of side effects and safety issues, such as cardiovascular concerns and bladder cancer. Lobeglitazone (Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corporation), a novel TZD, was developed to meet the demands for an effective and safe TZD. Lobeglitazone shows similar glycemic efficacy to pioglitazone, with a lower effective dose, and favorable safety results. It also showed pleiotropic effects in preclinical and clinical studies. In this article, we summarize the pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and clinical characteristics of lobeglitazone.
Relative Humidity Affects Acute Otitis Media Visits of Preschool Children to the Emergency Department

Objective: The associations between climate variables and diseases such as respiratory infections, influenza, pediatric seizure, and gastroenteritis have been long appreciated. Infection is the main reason for acute otitis media (AOM) incidence. However, few previous studies explored the correlation between climatic parameters and AOM infections. The most important meteorological factors, temperature, relative humidity, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), were included in this study. We studied the relationship between these meteorological factors and the AOM visits. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A linear correlation and a linear regression model were used to explore the AOM visits and meteorological factors. Results: A total of 7075 emergency department visits for AOM were identified. Relative humidity was found an independent risk factor for the AOM visits in preschool children (regression coefficient = −10.841<0, P = .039 < .05), but not in infants and school-age children. Average temperature and PM2.5 were not correlated with AOM visits. Conclusion: Humidity may have a significant inverse impact on the incidence of AOM in preschool-age children.
Effect of biscuits formulated with high-amylose maize flour on satiety-related sensations and food intake

Abstract The amount of amylose within a food may elicit lower glycemic and insulin postprandial responses and thus potentially modulate the satiating effect. In this context, the effect of biscuits formulated with high amylose starch (HAS) flour on satiety-related sensations and food intake was studied. Three types of biscuits were produced: control biscuit (CRT, 0% of HAS), Amy-25 (25% HAS), and Amy-50 (50% HAS). Fifteen healthy volunteers were enrolled to conduct two in vivo experiments. In experiment 1, volunteers consumed biscuits ad libitum and their sensations of satiety and food intake were evaluated. In experiment 2, volunteers received a quantity of biscuits equivalent to the 20% of the daily estimated energy requirements, and both satiety-related sensations and food intake were checked at subsequent meal. The Amy-50 significantly reduced food intake at subsequent meal (p ˂ 0.05), compared to Amy-25 and CRT. The satiety-related sensations were not significantly affected in both experiments, excepted for intra-meal hunger variation induced by Amy-25 which resulted significantly higher (p ˂ 0.05) than Amy-50 and CRT. These findings support the need to reformulate carbohydrate rich foods commonly consumed in a dietary context, to provide consumers healthier alternatives to prevent and tackle obesity and related chronic diseases.
Molecular dynamics simulations of hexopyranose ring distortion in different force fields

Abstract The four classical, biomolecular force fields designed to study hexopyranose-based carbohydrates (GROMOS 56a6CARBO/56a6CARBO_R, GROMOS 53a6GLYC, CHARMM and GLYCAM06) have been tested in the context of ring-inversion properties. These properties were evaluated for both unfunctionalized monomers of all hexopyranoses of the d series and for residues in a chain composed of uniform units connected by α(1→4) and β(1→4) glycosidic linkages. The results indicate that the tested force fields differ in their predictions of the ring-inversion properties of both monomers and residues in a chain. The comparison with the available experimental data and with the semi-empirical Angyal scheme reveals that, at the level of monomers, GROMOS 56a6CARBO, GROMOS 53a6GLYC and CHARMM correctly reproduce the ring-inversion free energies. However, due to the lack of analogous reference data we cannot state which force field is more or less accurate in the context of ring distortion of residues in a chain. Therefore, the use of ab initio potentials is recommended in the prospective, quantitative studies on the related subject.
Custodial Grandparent’s Job Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Relationship With Parenting Stress and Mental Health

Involuntary job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic adds challenges, especially for custodial grandparents that are taking care of grandchildren. Grandparents are relatively vulnerable, and they need more attention and support when facing the negative impacts of COVID-19. This study analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from 234 custodial grandparents via Qualtrics Panels in June 2020 in the United States. After using the propensity score weighting adjustment, results from logistic and ordinary least squares regression showed that compared with grandparents that did not lose their job during the pandemic, grandparents that did had more parenting stress and worse mental health. Moderation analysis also showed that social support was a significant moderator of the relationship between job loss and mental health, but not the relationship between job loss and parenting stress. The findings and implications are discussed.
Evaluation of the microhardness of different resin‐based dental restorative materials treated with gastric acid: Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the microhardness, relative surface roughness, and elemental changes of resin‐based dental restorative materials (RDRMs) after gastric acid treatment. Five different RDRMs (Group 1 [Filtek Z550], Group 2 [Beautifil II], Group 3 [Vertise Flow], Group 4 [Dyract XP], Group 5 [Fuji II LC]) were used. Samples were formed by using plexiglass molds of 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness. A total of 50 samples (n = 10) for microhardness tests and a total of 15 samples (n = 3) for scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were prepared. All samples of each group were treated to gastric acid, simultaneously. A Vickers microhardness tester was used to evaluate the microhardness of the upper surfaces of each sample. SEM–EDX system was used for microstructure and elemental composition detection. The SEM–EDX, microhardness and relative surface roughness analysis were made prior to treatment in gastric acid for 14 days and analysis were repeated on the 14th day. As the difference in the microhardness values of RDRMs was compared, the time‐dependent variation in all RDRMs was found to be statistically significant. It was observed that a drastic decrease in microhardness values was in Beautifil II, Filtek Z550, Vertise Flow, Fuji II LC, and Dyract XP, respectively. Average decrease rate of microhardness values compared to the initial state can be listed from high to low as Beautifil II (%35.72), Vertise Flow (% 28.88), Fuji II LC (% 21.09), Dyract XP (%17.60), and Filtek Z550 (% 16.58). As a result, in in‐vitro conditions gastric acid decreased microhardness while increasing the relative surface roughness of RDRMs.
Understanding Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy in Canada: Attitudes, Norms, Intentions, and Vaccine Uptake

To improve uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnancy, it is important to understand the factors that predict prenatal vaccination. The aim of this study was to test the capability of the theory of planned behavior, augmented with information constructs, to predict and explain influenza vaccination uptake in a sample of 600 pregnant individuals in Canada. A baseline survey at the start of influenza season assessed beliefs, norms, perceived control, and information-seeking behavior related to influenza vaccination in pregnancy, as well as respondent demographics. A follow-up survey at the conclusion of influenza season assessed self-reported influenza vaccine uptake as well as infant vaccination intentions. Multivariable analysis indicated that attitudes toward influenza vaccination in pregnancy, subjective norms, information seeking, and past vaccination behavior predicted intentions to be vaccinated, and intentions predicted vaccine uptake. Neither perceived control nor demographics were significant predictors of intentions or vaccine uptake. These findings suggest that presumptive offering of vaccination in pregnancy by health care providers, as well as patient and public health educational interventions, may be effective in communicating norms and strengthening positive attitudes and intentions concerning influenza vaccination in pregnancy, resulting in higher vaccine coverage.
Multiple sclerosis: Is there a risk of worsening after yellow fever vaccination?

Background: Yellow fever vaccine (YFV) is not advised for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients because of the potential risk of post-vaccine relapses. Objective: To assess the risk of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) worsening after YFV. Methods: Non-interventional observational retrospective, exposed/non-exposed cohort study nested in the French national cohort including MS. Results: 128 RR-MS were included. The 1-year annualized relapse rate (ARR) following YFV did not differ between exposed: 0.219 (0.420) and non-exposed subjects: 0.208 (0.521) (p = 0.92). Time to first relapse was not different between groups (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.53–3.30, p = 0.54). Conclusion: These results suggest that YFV does not worsen the course of RR-MS.
Perception of medical education by learners and teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey of online teaching

ABSTRACT COVID-19 lockdowns have deeply impacted teaching programs. Online teaching has suddenly become the main form of medical education, a form that may be used as long as the pandemic continues. We aimed at analyzing how online teaching was perceived by both teachers and learners to help determine how to adapt curricula in the next few years. An anonymous cross-sectional survey of medical students, pediatric residents, neonatal fellows, and their respective teachers was conducted between June and August 2020 to assess feelings about quality, attendance, equivalence, and sustainability of online teaching programs. 146 Students and 26 teachers completed the survey. 89% of students agreed that the offered online teaching was an appropriate way of teaching during the pandemic. Less than half of learners and teachers felt they have received or provided a training of an equivalent level and quality as in usual courses. About one-third thought that this online teaching should continue after the crisis ends. Medical school students had significantly more mixed opinions on online teaching than residents and fellows did. Attendance of learners significantly improved with synchronous online classes (p < 0.001), and among more advanced learners (p < 0.002). Our study is the first of this kind to assess simultaneously the feelings of learners at different levels (medical students, residents, and fellows) and their respective teachers of pediatric on programs taught online. It showed that online programs were perceived as appropriate ways of teaching during the COVID pandemic. Further studies are, however, needed to assess the efficacy of such teaching methods on medical skills and communication capabilities.
Growth performance, tissue precipitation, metallothionein and cytokine transcript expression and economics in response to different dietary zinc sources in growing rabbits.

The impact of different dietary zinc sources on the growth, serum metabolites, tissue zinc content, economics and relative expression of cytokine and metallothionein genes was evaluated in this study. A total of 120 35-day-old male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomly distributed into four dietary experimental groups with 10 replicates per group and 3 animals per replicate. The control group was fed basal diet with a Zn-free vitamin-mineral premix; the other three groups received control basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg level with zinc oxide (ZnO; as inorganic source), Zn-methionine (Zn-Met; as organic source) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO). The results indicated that Zn-Met and nano-ZnO groups significantly improved body weight, daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nutrient digestibility, as well as decreased mortality, compared to ZnO and control groups. Zn-Met and nano-ZnO significantly reduced serum total cholesterol but did not affect serum proteins and liver function. Nano-ZnO supplemented group also recorded the highest value of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and lysozymes compared to other groups. Nano-ZnO supplementation had increased hepatic Zn and Cu content and decreased faecal Zn content. Also nano-ZnO group recorded higher expression levels of genes encoding for metallothionein I and metallothionein II, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ in the liver of rabbits. The findings of this study demonstrated zinc nanoparticles, and organic zinc supplementation had improved growth performance and health status of growing rabbits than inorganic zinc oxide.
Outcome evaluation of fruits and vegetables distribution interventions in schools: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: Fruits and vegetables (FV) distribution interventions have been implemented as a public health strategy to increase children’s intake of FV at school settings. The purpose of this review was to examine whether snack-based FV distribution interventions can improve school-aged children’s consumption of FV. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of articles published in English, in a peer-reviewed journals, were identified by searching six databases up to August 2020. Standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95 % CI were calculated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was quantified using I 2 statistics. Setting: Population-based studies of interventions where the main focus was the effectiveness of distributed FV as snacks to schoolchildren in North America, Europe and Pacific were included. Results: Forty-seven studies, reporting on fifteen different interventions, were identified; ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. All interventions were effective in increasing children’s consumption of FV, with only one intervention demonstrating a null effect. Pooled results under all classifications showed effectiveness in improving children’s consumption of FV, particularly for multi-component interventions at post-intervention (SMD 0·20, 95 % CI 0·13, 0·27) and free distribution interventions at follow-up (SMD 0·19, 95 % CI 0·12, 0·27). Conclusions: Findings suggest that FV distribution interventions provide a promising avenue by which children’s consumption can be improved. Nonetheless, our results are based on a limited number of studies, and further studies should be performed to confirm these results. More consistent measurement protocols in terms of rigorous study methodologies, intervention duration and follow-up evaluation are needed to improve comparability across studies.
Anal cytology and high‐risk human papilloma virus testing in atypical squamous categories: Value of concurrent testing in management of high‐risk population

Anal squamous cell carcinoma is relatively rare, but its incidence and mortality have been increasing worldwide. While anal cytology is a sensitive cancer screening modality, its specificity is low, and data for concurrent high‐risk human papilloma virus (HR‐HPV) testing are limited. At our institution, anal cancer screening consists of combined anal cytology and high‐risk human papilloma virus (HR‐HPV) testing on all specimens. The aims of the study were to correlate results of atypical cytological diagnoses [atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H)] with HR‐HPV testing and determine if co‐testing may potentially influence management. A retrospective search over 24‐months was performed for anal cytology specimens with diagnoses of ASCUS and ASC‐H. Corresponding HR‐HPV (HPV 16/18 and Other‐31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/66/68) results were retrieved, and concordance/discordance was recorded. Cytology results were correlated with anal biopsy diagnoses, when available. A total of 139 patients, including 127 with ASCUS and 12 with ASC‐H, were identified. Of the ASCUS cases, 90/127 (70.9%) had HR‐HPV, and a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) was evident in 20/39 (51.2%) of biopsies. All 12/12 (100%) ASC‐H were associated with HR‐HPV and 3/6 (50%) biopsies had a SIL. Our study supports use of concurrent cytology and HR‐HPV for anal cancer screening cytology. Co‐testing improves specificity of atypical cytology diagnoses and can identify patients requiring further intervention.