Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of prior vaccination on clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19

ABSTRACT Fully vaccinated people remain at risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We examined association between prior vaccination and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Overall, 387 patients with mild-to-severe COVID-19 were enrolled. Patients were considered fully vaccinated at least 14, 7, and 14 days after receiving the second dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or mRNA-1273, second dose of BNT162b2, or single dose of Ad26.COV2. S, respectively. The primary outcomes (risk of pneumonia, requirement of supplemental oxygen, and progression to respiratory failure) were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the outcomes. There were 204 and 183 patients in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, respectively. The vaccinated group was significantly older and had more comorbidities than the unvaccinated group. Patients in the unvaccinated group were significantly more likely to develop pneumonia (65.6% vs. 36.8%) or require supplemental oxygen (29.0 vs. 15.7%) than the vaccinated group. The vaccinated group had a significantly shorter time from symptom onset to hospital discharge than the unvaccinated group (10 vs. 11 days; p<0.001). The proportion of patients who progressed to respiratory failure did not differ significantly between groups. In multivariable analyses, vaccination was associated with an approximately 70% and 82% lower likelihood of pneumonia and supplemental oxygen requirement, respectively. Being vaccinated was associated with a significantly lower risk of pneumonia and severe disease when breakthrough infection developed. Our findings support continuous efforts to increase vaccine coverage in populations.
LncRNA FLVCR1-AS1 mediates miR-23a-5p/SLC7A11 axis to promote malignant behavior of cervical cancer cells

ABSTRACT Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common gynecological malignant tumor in the world. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) plays an important role in cell activities of various cancers including CC. This study aims to reveal the biological function of FLVCR1-AS1 in CC and clarify its possible mechanism of action. The findings suggest that the expression of FLVCR1-AS1 was elevated in CC tissues and cell lines, and that high expression of FLVCR1-AS1 was associated with poor prognosis of CC patients. In addition, knockdown of FLVCR1-AS1 could inhibit the proliferation and migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of CC cells, as well as accelerating apoptosis, to inhibit the development of CC. In addition, via the dual-luciferase reporting assay and RIP assay were confirmed that FLVCR1-AS1 acted as a competitive endogenous RNA to inhibit the expression of microRNA (miR)-23a-5p, and miR-23a-5p targeted the 3’-untranslated region site of Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and negatively regulated the expression of SLC7A11. Functional rescue experiments showed that miR-23a-5p inhibitors reversed the inhibitory effect of FLVCR1-AS1-silencing on proliferation, EMT, migration and invasion, and the promoting impact of apoptosis of CC cells. In addition, SLC7A11 rescued the effect of miR-23a-5p overexpression on progression of CC cells. In conclusion, FLVCR1-AS1 is involved in the malignant phenotype of CC cells through miR-23a-5p/SLC7A11 axis, which may provide a beneficial direction for the treatment of CC. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Changes in mortality rate of the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time series study in Korea.

BACKGROUND Unlike other countries, South Korea did not implement a large-scale lockdown or closure of businesses to manage the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but relied on changes in population behaviours and early isolation and treatment of patients. It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of such alternative strategies on the mortality of the general population. METHODS Mortality and monthly population data from 2013 to 2020 were obtained. A quasi-Poisson regression model adjusting for age structure, seasonality and time was used to evaluate whether underlying trends for monthly mortality rate have changed with the pandemic. Stratification analyses based on sex and location of deaths (inside vs outside of medical facilities) were conducted. RESULTS The risk estimates showed no changes in non-accidental mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic [relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval, 95% CI), slope change: 1.00 (1.00, 1.01), step change: 0.99 (0.97, 1.01)] compared with those before the pandemic. In cause-specific analysis, there was an abrupt and sustained decrease in the mortality rate of respiratory diseases [RR (95% CI), step change: 0.81 (0.77, 0.84)]. In the analysis of deaths by location, an increase in non-accidental mortality [RR (95% CI), slope change: 1.01 (1.01, 1.02), step change: 1.16 (1.11, 1.22)] and several cause-specific mortalities was observed outside of medical facilities. CONCLUSIONS The non-accidental mortality rate in South Korea for the first year of the pandemic followed the historical trends. However, there was a decrease in mortality associated with respiratory diseases, and an increase in mortality occurring outside of medical facilities. The findings may be attributed to changes in public behaviours, and availability of medical resources during the pandemic.
Impact of a livelihood promotion program on income generation and food consumption among ultra-poor households in rural Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Background Bangladesh has achieved notable economic progress in recent decades while economic inequality increased. Special attention is warranted on the ultra-poor population of the country. An 18 month-long economic development program, designed based on an ultra-poor graduation approach, was implemented to alleviate poverty and improve child nutrition in rural Bangladesh. Objective The study examined the impact of livelihood components of an economic development program on outcomes related to poultry/crop production, consumption, and income generation among the ultra-poor throughout quarterly follow-ups. Methods This secondary data analysis used the monitoring records of 2960 poor or ultra-poor households receiving assets of (1) 9–26 ducks (n = 2125), (2) 11 chickens (n = 872), and/or (3) vegetable seeds (n = 2407). Data measuring the production of assets, income generation, and consumption of assets were collected quarterly throughout 2019. To examine a one-year-long trend in participation, production, income generation, and consumption of assets, a one-way analysis of variance was conducted across the follow-ups. Additional analyses of annual income and consumption comparing duck and chicken groups were performed using linear regression models. Results The number of poultry assets per household decreased between the April– June and July–Sep follow-ups, while consumption of poultry and vegetable assets increased during the monsoon season (p < 0.001 for all). The vegetable production reflected seasonal fluctuations, where the lowest production and income were reported during the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. We observed increasing voluntary adoption of poultry farming among the non-asset group for both duck and chicken over the follow-ups (p < 0.001 for all). The households provided with duck assets gained a greater mean annual income compared to the households provided with chicken assets. Conclusions Our findings highlight opportunities for strengthening the ultra-poor graduation approach on livelihood promotion in future scale-up in rural Bangladesh.
Surrogate neutralization responses following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination in people with HIV: comparison between inactivated and mRNA vaccine

Objective: People with HIV (PWH) co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are at higher odds of severe diseases. Whereas the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccine and adenovirus-vectored vaccine was similar between PWH in stable condition and healthy adults, the effects of inactivated vaccines are not known. Design: Prospective longitudinal observational study in real-world setting. Methods: Adult PWH in care and planning to receive either inactivated (day 0 and day 28) or mRNA-based (day 0 and day 21) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 were recruited, with blood samples collected over 6 months for surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). Demographic and clinical data including age, sex, CD4+ cell count, and suppressed viral load (SVL) status were transcribed for analyses, by simple and multivariable linear regression models, and multivariable linear generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: A total of 611 HIV patients, 91% male patients, were recruited, of whom 423 and 184 have received mRNA-based and inactivated vaccine, respectively. The seroconversion rate was 99% for mRNA-based vs, 86% for inactivated vaccine [odds ratio (OR) = 21.56, P = 0.004]. At 6 months, mRNA-based vaccine continued to give a higher response (94 vs. 57%, P < 0.001). The temporal pattern varied between the two vaccines. By GEE, mRNA-based vaccine (B = 40.59, P < 0.001) and latest SVL status (B = 10.76, P = 0.01) were positively associated with sVNT level, but not latest CD4+ cell count. Conclusion: In HIV patients, inactivated vaccine gave a lower peak and shorter duration of sVNT responses compared with mRNA vaccine. The results suggested that different strategies may be needed in boosting the immunity in anticipation of the emergence of variants in the community.
THE CIVIL SERVICE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The Civil service is one of the agents of development in any nation. The transformation of any society or system depends on the effectiveness and efficiency of its civil service, particularly, the developing societies. This paper critically assessed the role of civil service, and its contribution to national development in Nigeria. The paper also examined the factors impeding the performance of civil service in relation to sustainable development. The paper adopted secondary method of data collection to source information. The paper concluded that the Nigeria Civil Service is bedeviled with series of problems particularly corruption, and needed to be sanitized and strengthened so as to ensure effective service delivery.
The effect of contextual arousal on the integration of emotional words during discourse comprehension

This event-related potential (ERP) study examined the effect of contextual arousal on emotional word integration during discourse comprehension. We used two-sentence discourses as experimental materials. The first sentence served as an emotional context and described a high-arousal positive event, a low-arousal positive event, a high-arousal negative event, or a low-arousal negative event. The second sentence contained one negative word as the critical word, which was identical among different conditions. Thus, four conditions were included in the present study: high-arousal inconsistent, low-arousal inconsistent, high-arousal consistent, and low-arousal consistent. The ERP results showed that inconsistent emotional words elicited larger P200 and LPC than consistent words in the high-arousal context. However, only a P200 effect was observed for inconsistent emotional words in the low-arousal context. Our results indicate that a high-arousal context could lead to more elaborated emotional evaluation in the later stage of emotional word integration and suggest an important role of contextual arousal on the processing of emotional words during discourse processing.
The diabetes health plan and medication adherence among individuals with low incomes

Abstract Objective To test the impact of the Diabetes Health Plan (DHP), a diabetes‐specific insurance plan that lowers out‐of‐pocket costs for diabetes‐related medications and clinical visits, on adherence to oral hypoglycemic medications among low‐income adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). Data Sources and Study Setting Cohort of adults (18–64) with T2DM, an annual household income <USD 30,000, and who were continuously enrolled in an employer‐sponsored UnitedHealthcare plan for at least two years between 2009 and 2014. Study Design We employed a linear regression Difference‐In‐Differences (DID) approach with a matched comparison group. To assess for differential DHP effects across adherent versus non‐adherent patients, we ran a Difference‐in‐Difference‐in‐Differences (DDD) analysis by including an interaction term that included indicators for DHP exposure status and time, and low versus high baseline medication adherence. Data Collection The analytic data set is limited to employer groups that purchased the DHP and standard benefit plans from UnitedHealthcare, had internal pharmacy contracts; complete pharmacy claims data, and sufficient medical claims and lab data to identify employees and their dependents with T2DM. Principal Findings Our DID analysis did not show improved medication adherence associated with employer DHP adoption. However, the DDD model suggested a difference between DHP‐exposed and comparison beneficiaries when comparing the relative effect on individuals who were adherent versus non‐adherent at baseline, as suggested by the significant three‐way interaction term (10.2,p = 0.028). This effect was driven by the 8.2 percentage point increase in medication adherence for the DHP subsample that was non‐adherent at baseline. Conclusions The DHP may benefit low‐income patients with low baseline medication adherence. Value‐based insurance design may be an important strategy for mitigating income disparities in T2DM outcomes.
Severe Short Bowel Syndrome: Prognosis for Nutritional Independence Through Management by a Multidisciplinary Nutrition Service and Surgery

Introduction Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a debilitating condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Historically, SBS patients require indefinite parenteral nutrition (PN) and endure lifelong nutritional challenges. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes, specifically nutritional independence, of a multidisciplinary nutrition service. Methods A retrospective analysis of SBS patients followed by our surgical nutrition service was performed. Patients without 1-year follow-up were excluded. Demographics and nutritional parameters were collected at 4 intervals: initial presentation, 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year follow-up. Short bowel syndrome anatomical subtypes identified through operative reports were characterized as end jejunostomy, jejunocolonic, or jejuno-ileocolonic with ileo-cecal valve intact. Intestinal failure was defined by the requirement of PN, while intestinal insufficiency was defined by enteral support requirement. Clinical outcomes examined included mortality, fistula closure, and nutritional independence. Results The study cohort comprised 89 patients, 50 of whom had ≤ 100 cm intestinal length. Mean age was 57 ± 17y, 55 (62%) were female, and median initial intestinal length was 77 [60-120] cm. Short bowel syndrome was complicated by fistulas in 47 (53%) of patients. Overall mortality was 13%, and 67 (75%) were liberated from PN. A total of 58 (65%) underwent operative intervention and fistula closure was achieved in 37 of 47 (79%) patients. Conclusions Short bowel syndrome patients can experience significant benefit under treatment by a multidisciplinary nutrition service. By incorporating surgical intervention, the majority of patients previously relegated to lifelong PN have the opportunity to become nutritionally independent within 5 years.
Effect of Positive Rumination-Based Sports Prescription on the Mental Health of Teenagers.

BACKGROUND Under the pressure of study, relationship, socializing, employment and other aspects, there is an increasing number of teenagers with psychological problems such as pessimism, anxiety, and depression, seriously affecting their physical and mental health and comprehensive development. Therefore, it is of vital importance to attach great importance and actively seek intervention methods to effectively improve their mental health. The aim was to investigate the intervention effect of positive rumination-based sports prescription on the mental health of teenagers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS 497 teenagers living in four communities randomly selected in Guangxi, China community from February 2021 to August 2021 were included in this study using convenience sampling method. Firstly, Beck Depression Inventory was adopted for measurement, and 61 volunteers were randomly selected from a population of depressive symptoms to participate in intervention. There were 29 people the Experimental group, 32 in the control group. The intervention using positive rumination-based sports prescription was performed on the Experimental group. RESULTS After intervention, the depression score of the control group and the Experimental group was lower than that before intervention (P<0.001). After intervention, the anxiety score of Experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the scores regarding optimism, hope, self-efficacy, resiliency and psychological capital (P>0.05), and the scores of the Experimental group regarding optimism, hope, self-efficacy, resiliency and psychological capital were increased after the intervention, significantly higher than before intervention (P<0.001), and there was no significant difference in the score of resiliency before and after intervention (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Positive rumination group counseling and the intervention of health Qigong exercise can effectively reduce anxiety levels of teenagers, improve the levels of optimism, hope, self-efficacy, resiliency and psychological capital, help cultivate teenagers' positive psychology and alleviate negative psychology.
Autonomous Spinal Robotic System for Transforaminal Lumbar Epidural Injections: A Proof of Concept of Study

Study Design Phantom study Objective The aim of our study is to demonstrate in a proof-of-concept model whether the use of a marker less autonomous robotic controlled injection delivery system will increase accuracy in the lumbar spine. Methods Ideal transforaminal epidural injection trajectories (bilateral L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 and S1) were planned out on a virtual pre-operative planning software by 1 experienced provider. Twenty transforaminal epidural injections were administered in a lumbar spine phantom model, 10 using a freehand procedure, and 10 using a marker less autonomous spinal robotic system. Procedural accuracy, defined as the difference between pre-operative planning and actual post-operative needle tip distance (mm) and angular orientation (degrees), were assessed between the freehand and robotic procedures. Results Procedural accuracy for robotically placed transforaminal epidural injections was significantly higher with the difference in pre- and post-operative needle tip distance being 20.1 (±5.0) mm in the freehand procedure and 11.4 (±3.9) mm in the robotically placed procedure (P < .001). Needle tip precision for the freehand technique was 15.6 mm (26.3 – 10.7) compared to 10.1 mm (16.3 – 6.1) for the robotic technique. Differences in needle angular orientation deviation were 5.6 (±3.3) degrees in the robotically placed procedure and 12.0 (±4.8) degrees in the freehand procedure (P = .003). Conclusion The robotic system allowed for comparable placement of transforaminal epidural injections as a freehand technique by an experienced provider, with additional benefits of improved accuracy and precision.
An Objective Comparison of Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab Effectiveness in Crohn's Disease Patients' Failure to TNF-Alpha Inhibitors

INTRODUCTION: The use of ustekinumab and vedolizumab as second-line therapies in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in which tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) failed is still debated. The aim of this study was to compare, in a large multicenter observational retrospective cohort, the effectiveness of ustekinumab and vedolizumab as second-line therapies, as assessed by clinical and objective outcomes including endoscopy and gastrointestinal imaging. METHODS: Clinical response, remission, and steroid-free remission at weeks 26 and 52 were evaluated in a retrospective propensity score–weighted and propensity score–matched cohort of patients in which TNFi failed. Objective response and remission were evaluated by 1 or more techniques among endoscopy, magnetic resonance/computed tomography enteroclysis, and small bowel ultrasound. RESULTS: A total of 470 patients with CD (239 treated with ustekinumab and 231 treated with vedolizumab) were included in the study. At week 26, clinical outcomes were similar between the 2 groups. At week 52, clinical remission (ustekinumab 42.5% vs vedolizumab 55.5%, P = 0.01) and steroid-free remission (ustekinumab 40.6% vs vedolizumab 51.1%, P = 0.038) rates were significantly higher in vedolizumab-treated patients. Three hundred two patients (hundred thirty-five treated with ustekinumab and hundred sixty-seven treated with vedolizumab) had an objective evaluation of disease activity at baseline and week 52. At week 52, objective response and remission rates were similar between the 2 groups. Clinical response at week 26 predicted steroid-free remission at week 52 in both ustekinumab-treated and vedolizumab-treated patients. Safety profiles were similar between the 2 groups. DISCUSSION: In patients with CD in which TNFi failed, both ustekinumab and vedolizumab showed similar clinical effectiveness after 26 weeks of treatment. At 1 year, vedolizumab was associated with a higher rate of clinical remission when compared with ustekinumab. However, no difference was observed between the 2 groups when objective outcomes were investigated at this time point.