Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in value priorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic—A 4-year cross-sectional study with German students

In March 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic. Since then, the German government has tried to control the spread of the virus with various restrictions. These restrictions had a direct impact on the life of German students. In this study, we investigate to what extent the restrictions led to a change of value priorities of German students. From January 2019 to January 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study with four measurement points and, in total, 1,328 participants. Two measurement points were before the first outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, one in the second lockdown phase and the third after two years in the pandemic. In this study, the students were asked to indicate their value priorities while solving a real-world decision problem important to them. Results suggest increased value priorities of the values Intellectual Fulfillment and Environment and Nature and a decrease of Family and Partner value priority as a direct effect of the second lockdown phase. We also found small differences regarding value priorities between the male and female subjects. The data show bounce-back effects as the pandemic became more normal to the students. In the long run, value priorities seem to be stable, with the exception of a longer-lasting increase in Freedom and Independence.
Association of hospital and market characteristics with 30-day readmission rates from 2009 to 2015

Objectives: The US government implemented the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program on 1 October 2012 to reduce readmission rates through financial penalties to hospitals with excessive readmissions. We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis of US hospitals from 2009 to 2015 to determine the association of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program with 30-day readmissions. Methods: We utilized multivariable linear regression with year and state fixed effects. The model was adjusted for hospital and market characteristics lagged by 1 year. Interaction effects of hospital and market characteristics with the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program indicator variable was also included to assess whether associations of Hospital Readmission Reduction Program with 30-day readmissions differed by these characteristics. Results: In multivariable adjusted analysis, the main effect of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program was a 3.80 percentage point (p < 0.001) decrease in readmission rates in 2013–2015 relative to 2009–2012. Hospitals with lower readmission rates overall included not-for-profit and government hospitals, medium and large hospitals, those in markets with a larger percentage of Hispanic residents, and population 65 years and older. Higher hospital readmission rates were observed among those with higher licensed practical nurse staffing ratio, larger Medicare and Medicaid share, and less competition. Statistically significant interaction effects between hospital/market characteristics and the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program on the outcome of 30-day readmission rates were present. Teaching hospitals, rural hospitals, and hospitals in markets with a higher percentage of residents who were Black experienced larger decreases in readmission rates. Hospitals with larger registered nurse staffing ratios and in markets with higher uninsured rate and percentage of residents with a high school education or greater experienced smaller decreases in readmission rates. Conclusion: Findings of the current study support the effectiveness of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program but also point to the need to consider the ability of hospitals to respond to penalties and incentives based on their characteristics during policy development.
Association between syndecan-4 and subclinical atherosclerosis in ankylosing spondylitis

Background: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the risk of cardiovascular complications in AS patients is still higher than in the general population. Macrophages are at the intersection of the basic pathogenetic processes of AS and atherosclerosis. Although syndecan-4 (SDC4) mediates a variety of biological processes, the role of SDC4 in macrophage-mediated atherogenesis in AS patients remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of SDC4 in subclinical atherosclerosis in AS patients. Methods: Subjects were selected from eligible AS patients and control subjects without a prior history of AS who were referred to the rheumatology outpatient clinics. All participants’ past medical records and clinical, and demographic characteristics were scanned. In addition, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and disease activity index measurement were applied to all patients. Results: According to our data, serum SDC4 level was significantly higher among AS patients compared with the control group (6.7 [1.5–35.0] ng/mL vs 5.1 [0.1–12.5] ng/mL, P < .001). The calculated CIMT was also significantly higher in AS patients than in the control group (0.6 [0.3–0.9] mm vs 0.4 (0.2–0.7), P < . 001]. Additionally, serum C-reactive protein level and SDC4 level were independent predictors of AS and strongly associated with CIMT. Linear regression analysis showed that serum SDC4 level was the best predictor of CIMT (P = .004). Conclusion: Our data indicate that serum SDC4 levels provide comprehensive information about the clinical activity of the disease and subclinical atherosclerosis in AS patients.
Identifying prognostic factors for pulmonary embolism patients with hemodynamic decompensation admitted to the intensive care unit

We aimed to determine prognostic indicators of PE patients with hemodynamic decompensation admitted to the ICU. PE patients with hemodynamic decompensation at ICU admission from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database were included. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator with 2 specific lambdas were performed to reduce the dimension of variables after univariate analysis. Then we conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis and 2 models were built. A total of 548 patients were included, among whom 187 died. Lactate, creatine-kinase MB, troponin-T were significantly higher in death group. Eight common factors were screened out from first model statistically mostly in consistent with second model: older age, decreased hemoglobin, elevated anion gap, elevated International Standard Ratio (INR), elevated respiratory rate, decreased temperature, decreased blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and the onset of cardiac arrest were significantly risk factors for in-Hospital mortality. The nonlinear relationships between these indicators and mortality were showed by the restricted cubic spline and cutoff values were determined. Our study demonstrated that age, hemoglobin levels, anion gap levels, INR, respiratory rate, temperature, SpO2 levels, the onset of cardiac arrest could be applied to predict mortality of PE patients with hemodynamic decompensation at ICU admission.
sRNAfrag: a pipeline and suite of tools to analyze fragmentation in small RNA sequencing data

Abstract Fragments derived from small RNAs such as small nucleolar RNAs are biologically relevant but remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we developed sRNAfrag, a modular and interoperable tool designed to standardize the quantification and analysis of small RNA fragmentation across various biotypes. The tool outputs a set of tables forming a relational database, allowing for an in-depth exploration of biologically complex events such as multi-mapping and RNA fragment stability across different cell types. In a benchmark test, sRNAfrag was able to identify established loci of mature microRNAs solely based on sequencing data. Furthermore, the 5’ seed sequence could be rediscovered by utilizing a visualization approach primarily applied in multi-sequence-alignments. Utilizing the relational database outputs, we detected 1411 snoRNA fragment conservation events between two out of four eukaryotic species, providing an opportunity to explore motifs through evolutionary time and conserved fragmentation patterns. Additionally, the tool’s interoperability with other bioinformatics tools like ViennaRNA amplifies its utility for customized analyses. We also introduce a novel loci-level variance-score which provides insights into the noise around peaks and demonstrates biological relevance by distinctly separating breast cancer and neuroblastoma cell lines after dimension reduction when applied to small nucleolar RNAs. Overall, sRNAfrag serves as a versatile foundation for advancing our understanding of small RNA fragments and offers a functional foundation to further small RNA research. Availability: https://github.com/kenminsoo/sRNAfrag.
Multimodal and Interdisciplinary Interventions for the Treatment of Localized Provoked Vulvodynia: A Scoping Review of the Literature from 2010 to 2023

Introduction Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) is a chronic condition characterized by pain in the vulvar vestibule, which can be provoked by pressure or touch and which is not tied to a clear underlying cause. Research into the etiology of and most appropriate treatment strategy for LPV is still limited. Methods Using Arksey and O’Malley’s model for scoping reviews, we evaluated the research question: what is the current evidence regarding the efficacy/effectiveness of multimodal or interdisciplinary interventions for the treatment of LPV? We collated and analyzed articles from 2010 to 2023 to capture the current research landscape. Results Our review identified 27 studies, which either compared treatments between classes (eg pharmacologic versus psychologic modalities) or described interdisciplinary treatment programs. We identify several trends in the literature. First, outcome measures are inconsistent between studies, often unvalidated, and may not adequately mirror patient concerns. Second, the absence of appropriate comparator groups in many studies restricts providers’ ability to appraise which treatments may be most efficacious. Third, selection bias and demographic homogeneity limit generalizability. Finally, we highlight the need for head-to-head trials of vestibulectomy with other treatments considered first line for vulvodynia management. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence to suggest the superiority of one treatment modality for LPV relative to others or to recommend a particular interdisciplinary management strategy. Future research should use a head-to-head design where sham control is impossible, incorporate patient-centered outcome measures, and investigate impacts of treatment among diverse samples of LPV patients.
Pure white cell aplasia before and after thymectomy in the rare conundrum of thymoma: A case report and review of the literature

Rationale: Pure white cell aplasia (PWCA) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that occurs in patients with thymomas. Currently, the pathogenesis and treatment of this disease remain in the exploratory stage. Patient concerns: We report a 68-year-old woman with thymoma experienced PWCA involvement as her first presentation. The patient had high fever and agranulocytosis at the onset of the disease. The white blood cell count in the complete blood count was 1.9 × 109/L with a neutrophil of 0.1 × 109/L. The bone marrow aspirates showed decreased granulocyte proliferation. Computed tomography showed a large mass in the anterior mediastinum. Diagnoses: The final diagnosis of our patient was PWCA and thymoma. Interventions: She underwent a thymectomy and cyclosporine A administration during first remission. Outcomes: Long-term remission was achieved following the readministration of cyclosporine A after the disease recurrence. Lessons: PWCA or agranulocytosis with thymoma has been confirmed to be an extremely rare disease. Thymomas with PWCA correlate with autoimmunity. From this case study and the literature review, we concluded that the pathogenesis of thymomas in PWCA is mainly related to the activation of autoreactive T cells. Thymectomy and the immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine A, were chosen for treatment. The patient’s granulocyte levels were unable to recover after surgery because of the inability to promptly clear activated T cells. After surgery, cyclosporine A continued to take for a long time. Thymectomy combined with prolonged cyclosporine A administration may be an effective method for treating this rare disease.
Omega-3 supplementation and outcomes of heart failure: A systematic review of clinical trials

Backgrounds: Omega-3 supplements are endorsed for heart failure (HF) patients to reduce hospitalizations and mortality, offering anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in various databases until November 2022. Eligible studies included clinical trials on patients with HF. Data extraction covered study details, omega-3 specifics, outcomes, and limitations. The JADAD scale was used to assess the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials. Results: The review process involved 572 records from database searches, resulting in 19 studies after eliminating duplicates and screening. These studies assessed the impact of omega-3 on various clinical outcomes, such as mortality, hospitalization, cardiac function, and quality of life. Studied duration varied from weeks to years. Omega-3 supplementation demonstrated potential benefits such as improved heart function, reduced inflammation, and decreased risk of cardiovascular events. Conclusion: Omega-3 supplementation could benefit heart disease treatment, potentially reducing therapy duration and improving outcomes. Starting omega-3 supplementation for HF patients seems favorable.
Efficacy of Virtual Reality Distraction in Reduction of Pain and Anxiety of Pediatric Dental Patients in an Iranian Population: A Split-Mouth Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial

Materials and Methods This crossover clinical trial was conducted with eligible 6–8-year-old children requiring bilateral mandibular molar pulpotomy. At the first treatment visit, pulpotomy was performed for 15 children using VR glasses distraction while the other 15 children received a pulpotomy without any VR glasses; this trend was reversed at the second session and pulpotomy was performed for the contralateral tooth. Pulse rate (PR) and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) measured the anxiety levels. Wong–Baker Faces Pain Scale (WBFP) assessed the pain perception before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 using the Mann–Whitney and χ2 tests. Results The mean PR was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the test group showed significantly lower scores of MCDAS (P value = 0.02) and WBFP (P value = 0.001) compared with the control group. Conclusion The present results suggest that VR headsets can decrease the level of pain and anxiety of patients during primary mandibular pulpotomy. This trial is registered with IRCT20200315046782N1.
Identity leadership and adherence to COVID-19 safety guidance in hospital settings

COVID-19 presents unique and complex challenges to the Scottish National Health Service (NHS). As COVID-19 preventative measures are effective at reducing disease spread, promoting staff adherence in high-risk workplaces is vital. The present research explored the role of identity leadership on (a) staff’s appraisals of leadership and (b) staff’s adherence to and attitudes towards COVID-19 guidance. Semi-structured interviews (N = 25) were conducted with NHS staff across two Scottish hospitals. Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, two over-arching themes were generated: leadership presence and approachable leadership who act on group concerns, where both created positive appraisals of leadership and were seen to facilitate adherence. Guidance from present leaders was perceived as both practical and applicable. Approachable leaders were viewed to facilitate information sharing, clarify guidance, and allow staff to raise concerns. Leaders who were seen to act on group concerns provided resources or updated guidance to promote adherence. The present study provides theoretical and practical advancements to (a) expand the known role of identity leadership in promoting safety in workplaces and (b) facilitate routes for adherence to safety guidance beyond COVID-19.
Magma Ascending Model of 2000 Miyakejima Eruptions

To understand the eruptive mechanism of the 2000 Miyakejima volcanic activity, we conducted intensive geological, petrographic, and mineralogical studies on the pyroclastics of the August 18 eruption. Volcanic ashes, which were rich in accretionary lapilli, covered most of the islands. Cauliflower-shaped bombs and lapilli were ejected along with accidental lava blocks. Black-colored angular scoriaceous particles with abundant vesicles 10 -100 μm in diameter are found among ashes, comprising about 40 wt. % of total constituents. These bombs, lapilli, and black ashes have identical bulk chemical compositions and constituent mineral compositions, suggesting a common origin. Existence of oxidized ashes and accretionary lapilli attached to a large flattened bomb and chemicallyreacted anhydrite particles trapped in the voids of bombs suggest that bombs were still hot and ductile when they were emplaced on the ground. We, therefore, conclude that the August 18 eruption was a phreatomagmatic eruption and cauliflower-shaped bombs and black ashes were essential magmatic materials. Significant SO2 emissions from the volcano after August 18 also suggest convective upwelling of magmas to a shallower level beneath the volcanic edifice. We propose a magma-ascending model in which vesiculating magmas continuously ascend through the wall of subsided piston-like blocks.
Unstable Angina: Risk Stratification for Significant Coronary Artery Disease in The Era of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin

Introduction: High-sensitivity troponin (hsTn) has a very high diagnostic accuracy for myocardial infarction (MI), and patients who were formerly diagnosed with unstable angina (UA) are being reclassified as having NSTEMI in the era of hsTn. This paradigm shift has changed the clinical features of UA, which remain poorly characterized, specifically the occurrence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and the need for myocardial revascularization. The main purpose of this study was to clinically characterize contemporary UA patients, assess predictors of obstructive CAD, and develop a risk model to predict significant CAD in this population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 742 patients admitted to the hospital with UA. All patients underwent coronary angiography. The endpoint of the study was the presence of obstructive CAD on angiography. The cohort was divided into two groups: patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD+) and those without CAD (CAD–). We developed a score (UA CAD Risk) based on the multivariate model and compared it with the GRACE, ESC, and TIMI risk scores using ROC analysis. Results: Obstructive CAD was observed on angiography in 53% of the patients. Age, dyslipidemia, troponin level, male sex, ST-segment depression, and wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography were independent predictors of obstructive CAD. hsTn levels (undetectable vs. nonsignificant detection) had a negative predictive value of 81% to exclude obstructive CAD. We developed a prediction model with obstructive CAD as the outcome (AUC: 0.60). Conclusions: In a contemporary UA cohort, approximately 50% of the patients did not have obstructive CAD on angiography. Commonly available cardiac tests at hospital admission show limited discrimination power in identifying patients at risk of obstructive CAD. A revised diagnostic and etiology algorithm for patients with UA is warranted.
Effect of individualized narrative nursing mode on recovery of elderly patients with fracture complicated with cerebrovascular accident

Fractures often occur in elderly patients. Osteoporosis caused by massive loss of calcium ions in the bones of elderly patients can easily lead to femoral fractures after suffering a low- and medium-energy injury. With the gradual entry of the aging society in China, the incidence of senile fracture is also gradually increasing. However, there is no report on the application of personalized narrative nursing to the mental health, cognitive function, and limb function recovery of elderly patients with fracture complicated with cerebrovascular accident, in order to enhance the cognitive level of elderly patients with fracture complicated with cerebrovascular accident. This study was specially conducted with a positive attitude toward the disease and improving the life quality. During July 2018 to July 2021, 80 elderly patients with fracture complicated with cerebrovascular accident cured were selected in our hospital. The patients were arbitrarily classified into an assigned control group (n = 40) and a study group (n = 40). The former received routine nursing, and the latter received personalized narrative nursing mode. The nursing satisfaction, functional independence scale (FIM), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), cognitive function, fracture healing time, length of hospital stays, and hospitalization expenses were compared. The study group had a satisfaction rate of 100.00%, while the control group had 87.50%. The nursing satisfaction of the study group was higher (P < .05). After 3 months of nursing, the FIM scores augmented. The FIM scores of upper and lower limbs in the study group were remarkably higher (P < .05). A decrease in SAS and SDS scores was observed. The SAS and SDS scores of the study group were lower (P < .05). Three months after discharge, the cognitive function score augmented. At 3 months after discharge, the study group had a higher cognitive function score (P < .05). The fracture healing time, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization in the study group were lower (P < .05). Personalized narrative nursing model can successfully enhance the mental health and cognitive function of elderly patients with fracture complicated with cerebrovascular accident, enhance the recovery of limb function, promote patients’ nursing satisfaction, and alleviate the economic burden.
Les risques de dégradation structurale de la surface des sols en savane humide (Côte d'Ivoire)

Les risques de degradation structurale superficielle des sols d'un petit bassin-versant de savane humide ont ete evalues sous simulation de pluie. Parmi les parametres les plus pertinents, on releve le taux de matiere organique, l'indice d'instabilite structurale et la limite de liquidite. Cependant, ces deux tests de comportement n'ont pas de valeur universelle: leur domaine de validite depend de l'etat hydrique initial. Ainsi, le test d'instabilite structurale de Henin et Monnier semble plutot adapte aux conditions seches, la limite de liquidite d'Atterberg aux conditions humides (.)