Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual and community-level factors associated with skilled birth attendants during delivery in Bangladesh: A multilevel analysis of demographic and health surveys

Background Skilled birth attendants (SBAs) play a crucial role in reducing infant and maternal mortality. Although the ratio of skilled assistance at birth has increased in Bangladesh, factors associated with SBA use are unknown. The main goal of our study was to reveal the individual- and community-level factors associated with SBA use during childbirth in Bangladesh. We also showed the prevalence and trend of SBA use and related independent variables in Bangladesh over the past decade. Methods This study utilized the Bangladesh Health and Demographic Survey (BDHS) 2017–2018, a cross-sectional study. We used binary logistic regression to examine the extent of variation in SBA use attributable to the individual- and community-level variables. Results Overall, 53.35% of women received assistance from SBAs during childbirth. The average annual rate of increase (AARI) in the number of SBA-assisted births over the past 10 years was 8.88%. Respondents who gave birth at or above 19 years had 1.40 times (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.21–1.62) greater odds of having skilled delivery assistance than respondents aged 18 years old or less. Women and their husband’s education levels were significantly associated with using skilled assistance during delivery, with odds of 1.60 (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.45–2.01) and 1.41 (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.21–1.66), respectively compared to those with education up to primary level. Women from rich families and those receiving better antenatal care (ANC) visits were more likely to have professional delivery assistance. Community-level factors also showed significance towards having professional assistance while giving birth. Women from urban communities and those who utilized more than four ANC visits and had completed secondary or higher education showed a greater tendency to use an SBA during childbirth than their counterparts. Conclusion The use of SBAs during delivery was significantly associated with some individual- and community-level factors. To reduce maternal and child mortality, there is a need to focus on rural and uneducated people who are less likely to access these facilities. Special programs could increase awareness and help the poor community obtain the minimum facility in maternal care.
Challenges in the Treatment of Invasive Aspergillosis in Immunocompromised Children

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Voriconazole remains the drug of choice for the treatment of IA in children; however, the complex kinetics of voriconazole in children make dosing challenging and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) essential for treatment success. ABSTRACT Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Voriconazole remains the drug of choice for the treatment of IA in children; however, the complex kinetics of voriconazole in children make dosing challenging and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) essential for treatment success. The overarching goal of this review is to discuss the role of voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole, liposomal amphotericin B, echinocandins, and combination antifungal therapy for the treatment of IA in children. We also provide a detailed discussion of antifungal TDM in children.
Glycine induces enhancement of bactericidal activity of neutrophils

Severe bacterial infections are frequently accompanied by depressed neutrophil functions. Thus, agents that increase the microbicidal activity of neutrophils could add to a direct antimicrobial therapy. Lysophosphatidylcholine augments neutrophil bactericidal activity via the glycine (Gly)/glycine receptor (GlyR) α2/TRPM2/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, the direct effect of glycine on neutrophil bactericidal activity was not reported. In this study, the effect of glycine on neutrophil bactericidal activity was examined. Glycine augmented bactericidal activity of human neutrophils (EC50 = 238 μM) in a strychnine (a GlyR antagonist)-sensitive manner. Glycine augmented bacterial clearance in mice, which was also blocked by strychnine (0.4 mg/kg, s.c.). Glycine enhanced NADPH oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and TRPM2-mediated [Ca2+]i increase in neutrophils that had taken up E. coli. Glycine augmented Lucifer yellow uptake (fluid-phase pinocytosis) and azurophil granule-phagosome fusion in neutrophils that had taken up E. coli in an SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor)-sensitive manner. These findings indicate that glycine augments neutrophil microbicidal activity by enhancing azurophil granule-phagosome fusion via the GlyRα2/ROS/calcium/p38 MAPK pathway. We suggest that glycine could be a useful agent for increasing neutrophil bacterial clearance.
Gene variation impact on prostate cancer progression: Lymphocyte modulator, activation, and cell adhesion gene variant contribution

The view of prostate cancer (PCa) progression as a result of the interaction of epithelial cancer cells with the host's immune system is supported by the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). TILs fate and interaction with the tumor microenvironment is mediated by accessory molecules such as CD5 and CD6, two signal‐transducing coreceptors involved in fine‐tuning of T cell responses. While the nature of the CD5 ligand is still controversial, CD6 binds CD166/ALCAM, a cell adhesion molecule involved in progression and dissemination of epithelial cancers, including PCa. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of CD5, CD6, and CD166/ALCAM gene variants in PCa.
Clinico-pathologic predictors of dismal course in atypical meningiomas: a retrospective single-centre analysis.

BACKGROUND Despite continuous refinement of the WHO classification for meningiomas, the biological behaviour of atypical meningiomas remains difficult to predict on the basis of this grading system alone. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of clinical and radiological parameters in a series of atypical meningioma with long follow-up of minimum 5 years. METHODS Of 1675 meningiomas treated at the Medical University Vienna between 1993 and 2015, 179 were atypical meningioma. Of those, 93 patients were identified with follow-up of ≥5 years. Patients were grouped by recurrence and evaluated for overall and progression free survival as well as potential prognostic parameters such as age, gender, tumor size and location, edema, irregular surface, contrast enhancement, bone invasion and hyperostosis, necrosis, EOR and MIB-1. RESULTS From 42 (45%) patients in group recurrent and 51 (55%) patients in group nonrecurrent, seven independent factors were associated with decreased progression-free survival in univariate analysis: size ≥5 cm, age ≥60 years, male gender, subtotal resection, irregular surface, and necrosis on magnetic resonance imaging, and MIB-1 ≥6%. In multivariable analysis, only larger size, older age, necrosis and higher MIB-1 remained independent prognostic risk factors for recurrence of atypical meningioma. CONCLUSIONS We identified larger size, older age, presence of necrosis on magnetic resonance imaging, and higher MIB-1, as detrimental parameters for recurrence of atypical meningioma. Until molecular profiling of atypical meningioma becomes routinely available, these parameters may aid the clinician in decision making about surveillance intervals and adjuvant radiation treatment.
Covid-19 vaccination intensions among literate Ghanaians: Still the need to dissipate fear and build trust on vaccine efficacy?

Purpose The study examined Covid-19 vaccinations intentions among literate Ghanaians and how it is been influenced by vaccine mistrust and the fear of the unforeseen side effects. Design/Methodology/Approach We used cross sectional data collected from 223 respondents by means of questionnaire disseminated through social media from 16th to 20th April, 2021. Likert-scale questions were asked regarding the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of literate Ghanaians towards COVID-19 vaccines. Kruskal-Wallis and sample t-test were performed to ascertain the differences in vaccination intentions between key socioeconomic variables. A pairwise correlation was performed to examine the relationship between vaccination intensions and fear of the unforeseen, mistrust of the vaccine and concerns of profiteering. Finally, a binary probit regression model was fitted to examine the predictive effect of key variables on respondent’s vaccination intentions. Findings The results revealed a relatively low level of knowledge about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. The sample t-test showed that males have a relatively positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccines than females at 5% level of significance. Mistrust of vaccine safety and efficacy have a significant negative influence on vaccination intensions at 1% significance level. Originality/Value This study provides the Ghanaian government and other stakeholders with useful information to aid in educational campaigns on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. More campaign efforts towards females could help increase uptake given their relatively poor attitudes towards the vaccine.
Perceptions of Partners’ Fertility Preferences and Women's Covert Contraceptive Use in Eight Sub‐Saharan African Countries

Abstract Covert use of contraception is a common but underreported and understudied phenomenon where one partner uses contraception without the other's knowledge. We used Demographic and Health Survey couple data to examine the relationship between wives’ perceptions of husbands’ fertility preferences and type of contraceptive use (overt vs. covert) in Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia using logistic regression. Wives who perceived that their husbands wanted more children than them had increased odds of using covertly, compared to those who perceived that husbands wanted the same number of children in all countries except Benin, and the strength of the relationships ranged from adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.89 (95 percent confidence interval (CI) 1.75–4.76) in Zambia to aOR 4.01 (95 percent CI 1.68–9.58) in Mali. Wives who reported not knowing their husbands’ fertility preferences had increased odds of using covertly compared to wives who perceived that their husbands wanted the same number of children in all countries except Zambia, ranging from aOR 2.02 (95 percent CI 1.11–3.69) in Ethiopia to aOR 3.82 (95 percent CI 2.29–6.37) in Kenya. Our findings indicate that efforts to increase partner engagement to align couple's fertility preferences may encourage overt use.
Curcumin improves D-galactose and normal-aging associated memory impairment in mice: In vivo and in silico-based studies

Aging-induced memory impairment is closely associated with oxidative stress. D-Galactose (D-gal) evokes severe oxidative stress and mimics normal aging in animals. Curcumin, a natural flavonoid, has potent antioxidant and anti-aging properties. There are several proteins like glutathione S-transferase A1 (GSTA1), glutathione S-transferase omega-1 (GSTO1), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), and amine oxidase [flavin-containing] A (MAOA) are commonly involved in oxidative stress and aging. This study aimed to investigate the interaction of curcumin to these proteins and their subsequent effect on aging-associated memory impairment in two robust animal models: D-Gal and normal aged (NA) mice. The aging mice model was developed by administering D-gal intraperitoneally (i.p). Mice (n = 64) were divided into the eight groups (8 mice in each group): Vehicle, Curcumin-Control, D-gal (100mg/kg; i.p), Curcumin + D-gal, Astaxanthin (Ast) + D-gal, Normal Aged (NA), Curcumin (30mg/kg Orally) + NA, Ast (20mg/kg Orally) + NA. Retention and freezing memories were assessed by passive avoidance (PA) and contextual fear conditioning (CFC). Molecular docking was performed to predict curcumin binding with potential molecular targets. Curcumin significantly increased retention time (p < 0.05) and freezing response (p < 0.05) in PA and CFC, respectively. Curcumin profoundly ameliorated the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, advanced oxidation protein products, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation in mice hippocampi. In silico studies revealed favorable binding energies of curcumin with GSTA1, GSTO1, KEAP1, BACE1, and MAOA. Curcumin improves retention and freezing memory in D-gal and nature-induced aging mice. Curcumin ameliorates the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in mice. Anti-aging effects of curcumin could be attributed to, at least partially, the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes through binding with GSTA1, GSTO1, KEAP1, and inhibition of oxidative damage through binding with BACE1 and MAOA.
Intermediate risk pulmonary embolism concomitant with or without lung cancer: a wide spectrum of features

ABSTRACT Objectives We aimed to investigate the differences in clinical features between pulmonary embolism (PE) patients concomitant with lung cancer and without lung cancer (LC) and gain further understanding of the impact of lung cancer on pulmonary embolism. Methods This retrospective study sampled 114 patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism from January 2017 to April 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The patients were categorized into the LC group (n = 22) or non-LC group (n = 92). Myocardial injury, coagulation and blood cell parameters, along with imaging findings, were analyzed for the two groups. The primary outcome measure was the 90-day mortality. Results Of the 114 patients with pulmonary embolism in the present study, the 90 intermediate-risk patients were enrolled for further investigations. Compared to the non-LC group, patients in the LC group had milder myocardial injury, more severe coagulation function disorder, a higher incidence of central PE and a smaller change in diameter of the main pulmonary artery. We found that the occurrence of pericardial effusion created the risk of lung cancer in patients with pulmonary embolism, but there was no increase in the 90-day mortality for non-LC group versus LC group. Conclusion Intermediate risk PE patients concomitant with lung cancer seem to be more likely to present specific clinical features, accordingly, clinicians must pay great attention to PE patients concomitant with lung cancer and implement effective treatments to simultaneously manage the two conditions.
Comparison of median sternotomy closure‐related complication rates using orthopedic wire or suture in dogs: A multi‐institutional observational treatment effect analysis

Abstract Objective To determine and compare median sternotomy (MS) closure‐related complication rates using orthopedic wire or suture in dogs. Study design Multi‐institutional, retrospective observational study with treatment effect analysis. Animals 331 client‐owned dogs, of which 68 were excluded. Methods Medical records of dogs with MS were examined across nine referral centers (2004–2020). Signalment, weight, clinical presentation, surgical details, complications, and outcomes were recorded. Follow‐up was performed using patient records and email/telephone contact. Descriptive statistics, treatment effect analysis and logistic regression were performed. Results Median sternotomy closure was performed with wire in 115 dogs and suture in 148. Thirty‐seven dogs experienced closure‐related complications (14.1%), 20 in the wire group and 17 in the suture group. Twenty‐three were listed as mild, four as moderate and 10 as severe. Treatment effect analysis showed a mean of 2.3% reduction in closure‐related complications associated with using suture versus wire (95% CI: −9.1% to +4.5%). In multivariable logistic regression, the only factor associated with increased risk of closure‐related complications was dog size (p = .01). This effect was not modified by the type of closure used (interaction term: OR = 0.99 [95% CI: 0.96/1.01]). Conclusion The incidence of closure‐related complication after MS was low compared to previous reports. The likelihood of developing a closure‐related complication was equivalent between sutures and wires, independent of dog size, despite a higher proportion of complications seen in larger dogs (≥20 kg). Clinical significance Use of either orthopedic wire or suture appear to be an appropriate closure method for sternotomy in dogs of any size.
Prevalence and force of Plasmodium vivax blood-stage infection and associated clinical malaria burden in the Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND Understanding the epidemiology of malaria through the molecular force of the blood-stage infection of Plasmodium vivax (molFOB) may provide a detailed assessment of malaria transmission. OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated risk factors and spatial-temporal patterns of incidence of Plasmodium infection and clinical malaria episodes in three peri-urban communities of Manaus, Western Brazilian Amazon. METHODS Monthly samples were collected in a cohort of 1,274 individuals between April 2013 and March 2014. DNA samples were subject to Plasmodium species. molFOB was calculated by counting the number of genotypes observed on each visit, which had not been present in the preceding two visits and adjusting these counts by the respective times-at-risk. FINDINGS Respectively, 77.8% and 97.2% of the population remained free of P. vivax and P. falciparum infection. Expected heterozygosity for P. vivax was 0.69 for MSP1_F3 and 0.86 for MS2. Multiplicity of infection in P. vivax was close to the value of 1. The season was associated with P. vivax positivity [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.6 (1.9-5.7)] and clinical disease [aHR 10.6 (2.4-47.2)]. P. falciparum infection was associated with previous malarial episodes [HR 9.7 (4.5-20.9)]. Subjects who reported possession of a bed net [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.6 (1.2-2.2)] or previous malaria episodes [IRR 3.0 (2.0-4.5)] were found to have significantly higher P. vivax molFOB. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Overall, P. vivax infection prevailed in the area and infections were mostly observed as monoclonal. Previous malaria episodes were associated with significantly higher P. vivax molFOB.
Clinicopathological characteristics and risk factors in elderly patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy

Abstract Background Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) has been well studied among young people, but few data on clinicopathological characteristics, treatment response and outcomes for elderly IgAN patients are available. Methods A cohort study of elderly IgAN patients was performed. The combined endpoints of renal outcome were a 50% decline in eGFR compared with the time of renal biopsy, end-stage kidney disease and/or death. Risk factors associated with poor renal outcomes were then determined. The benefits of immunosuppressant therapies were also evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis. Results This study ultimately included 126 elderly patients with IgAN. Comparison between the endpoint and non-endpoint groups indicated that patients with poor outcomes had more severe clinical features, such as worse kidney function, severe hematuria and lower albumin levels. Cox regression analysis indicated that age (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29, p = 0.021), male gender (HR 9.71, 95% CI 1.00–97.56, p = 0.050), and urine red blood cells (HR 1.003, 95% CI 1.000–1.006, p = 0.029) were independent risk factors for poor renal outcome in elderly IgAN patients. To explore possible reasons accounting for the predictive value of age and sex, patients were divided into two groups based on these two variables. Patients in the geriatric group had lower serum albumin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin and aspartate aminotransferase levels than those in the quinquagenarian group. Male patients tended to have higher hemoglobin, higher alanine aminotransferase, and lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels than female patients. To investigate different treatment responses, patients were classified into two groups depending on treatment strategies (renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and immunosuppressive therapy), and the survival analysis indicated no significant difference in kidney outcome between the two groups (p > 0.05). This result still holds after adjusting for age, sex, eGFR, hematuria, and proteinuria. Conclusion Advanced age, male, and hematuria might be independently associated with poor kidney outcomes in elderly patients with IgAN. Immunosuppressive therapy might confer no overall benefit to older IgAN patients.
Survival Rate and Prognostic Factors for Colorectal Cancer in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia: A Retrospective Cohort of a Population-Based Study

Background: Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem with significant number of cases and death in the population. This study aimed to determine the 5-year overall survival rate and the prognostic factors for colorectal cancer patients in Sabah. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted using secondary data from Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR) database. A 5-year overall survival and the median survival time were determined with Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Cox regression analysis was done to determine the prognostic factors on survival. Results: A total of 1,152 patients were included in this study. The majority of the patients had colon cancer and presented at late stage (stage III and IV) as compared to early stage (stage I and II). From the analysis, the 5-year overall survival for colorectal cancer was 23.2% (95% CI: 21.8, 24.6) and the median survival time was 16 months (95% CI: 14.3, 17.7). Higher survivals are seen in males (23.6%, 95% CI: 20.4, 24.7), aged 50-74 years old (24.2%, 95% CI: 22.4, 26.0), Chinese (25.5%, 95% CI: 23.0, 28.0), lived in Keningau (25.6%, 95% CI: 20.8, 30.4), colon as primary tumor site (24.5%, 95% CI: 22.5, 26.4), diagnosed with stage I (55.6%, 95% CI: 48.7, 62.5) and received surgery with chemotherapy or radiotherapy (31.3%, 95% CI: 27.8, 34.8). The significant prognostic factor was the stage at diagnosis. Patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (HR: 11.18; 95% CI: 3.48, 35.93) had eleven times risk of dying as compared to stage I. Conclusion: The survival rate for colorectal cancer patients in Sabah was comparatively lower than other states in Malaysia and in some Asian countries. Those patients who presented at later stage had poorer survival. Health promotion and community-based screening program should be emphasized in addition to encouraging early diagnosis to improve survival.
Click me…! The influence of clickbait on user engagement in social media and the role of digital nudging

Clickbait to make people click on a linked article is commonly used on social media. We analyze the impact of clickbait on user interaction on Facebook in the form of liking, sharing and commenting. For this, we use a data set of more than 4,400 Facebook posts from 10 different news sources to analyze how clickbait in post headlines and in post text influences user engagement. The results of our study revealed that certain features (e.g., unusual punctuation and common clickbait phrases) increase user interaction, whereas others decrease engagement with Facebook posts. We further use our results to discuss the potential role of digital nudging in the context of clickbait. Our results contribute to understanding and making use of the effect of different framings in social media.