Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Color variations during digital imaging of facial prostheses subjected to unfiltered ambient light and image calibration techniques within dental clinics: An in vitro analysis

Background The study aimed to evaluate 1) the amount of color variations presents within clinical images of maxillofacial prosthetic silicone specimens when photographed under different clinically relevant ambient lighting conditions, and 2) whether white balance calibration (WBC) methods were able to mitigate variations in ambient lighting. Methods 432 measurements were acquired from standardized images of the pigmented prosthetic silicone specimens within different ambient lighting conditions (i.e., 2 windowed and 2 windowless clinics) at noon with no light modifying apparatus. The specimens were photographed once without any white balance calibration (raw), then independently alongside an 18% neutral gray card and Macbeth color chart for calibration in a post-processing (PPWBC) software, and once after camera calibration (CWBC) using a gray card. The LAB color values were extracted from the images and color variations (ΔE) were calculated after referring to the corresponding spectrophotometric values as control. Results Images in windowless and windowed clinics exhibited highly significant differences (p < 0.001) with spectrophotometer (control). CWBC demonstrated no significant differences (p > 0.05) in LAB values across windowed clinics. PPWBC using Macbeth color chart produced no significant differences for a* values (p > 0.05) across all clinics while PPWBC by gray card showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in LAB values when only similar clinics (either windowed or windowless) were compared. Conclusion Significant color variations were present for maxillofacial prosthetic specimens owing to natural ambient light. CWBC and PPWBC using color charts were more suitable for color correction across windowed clinics while CWBC and PPWBC using gray cards had better outcomes across windowless setups.
Alterations in high‐dimensional T‐cell profile and gene signature of immune aging in HIV‐infected older adults without viremia

Alterations in the components of the immune system occur with aging. The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically improved life expectancy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals by suppressing viral replication and increasing CD4+ T‐cell counts. Immunosenescence‐like changes, including the expansion of memory CD8+ T cells with senescent features, are reported in young HIV‐infected individuals who do not have clinically detectable viremia on ART. However, it is less known whether HIV infection affects the immunosenescent status in older HIV‐infected individuals. Here, we addressed this question in older HIV‐infected, HIV‐uninfected, and frail individuals (all groups age ≥65 years) by examining a set of aging‐associated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as by analyzing subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in depth using high‐dimensional CyTOF analysis. Older HIV‐infected individuals had increased expression of aging‐associated genes such as CX3CR1 in PBMCs which are related to IL‐7 receptor low effector memory (IL‐7Rαlow EM) CD8+ T cells, a cell population known to expand with age. The subsets of IL‐7Rαlow EM CD8+ T cells expressing senescent, cytotoxic, and inflammatory molecules, including CD57, perforin, and CX3CR1, as well as memory CD4+ T cells expressing CD161 and CXCR3, molecules associated with replication‐competent HIV‐1 harboring cells, were increased in older HIV‐infected individuals. Overall, older HIV‐infected individuals without detectable viremia on ART had augmented levels of age‐associated immune alterations in PBMCs, suggesting that HIV infection has a persistent impact on senescence in older HIV‐infected individuals despite the clinically controlled viremia.
Patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perspectives on a community-based intervention for schizophrenia in Pakistan: A focus group study

Objective To explore the perceptions and experiences of schizophrenia from patients, their care givers, health care providers, spiritual and traditional healers to develop a community-based intervention for improving treatment adherence for people with schizophrenia in Pakistan. Methods This qualitative study involved four focus group discussions (FGD) with a total of 26 participants: patients and carers (n = 5), primary care staff (n = 7), medical technicians (n = 8) and traditional and spiritual healers (n = 6). The participants were selected using purposive sampling method. FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis was applied to the data set. Results The themes identified were (i) Schizophrenia is not merely a biomedical problem: participants believed that poverty and an inferiority complex resulting from social disparity caused schizophrenia and contributed to non-adherence to medications; (ii) Spiritual healing goes hand in hand with the medical treatment: participants regarded spiritual and traditional treatment methods as an inherent part of schizophrenia patients’ well-being and rehabilitation; (iii) Services for mental illness: mental health is not covered under primary health in a basic health unit: participants believed that the lack of services, training and necessary medication in primary care are major issues for treating schizophrenia in community; (iv) Barriers to community-based interventions: primary care staff believed that multiple pressures on staff, lack of incentives, non-availability of medication and lack of formal referral pathways resulted in disintegration of dealing with schizophrenia patients in primary care facilities. Conclusion The study has identified a number of barriers and facilitators to developing and delivering a psychosocial intervention to support people living with schizophrenia in Pakistan. In particular, the importance of involving spiritual and traditional healers was highlighted by our diverse group of stakeholders.
Comparison of wound architecture in implantable collamer lens surgery: Self-sealing single-plane opposite clear corneal incision versus main surgical incision

Purpose Incision architecture can play an important role in corneal astigmatism management through peripheral corneal relaxing incisions. The aim of this study was to compare the incision architecture of single-plane opposite clear corneal incisions (OCCIs) and main surgical incisions (MSIs) in patients undergoing implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional tomographic analysis of MSI and OCCI architectures was performed 6 months after ICL surgery. Image acquisition was performed using spectral-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Results A total of 31 OCCIs and 24 MSIs were evaluated. The mean incision angle was 42.83 ± 5.69 degrees for MSIs and 48.26 ± 6.07 degrees for OCCIs (p < 0.01), and the mean MSI and OCCI length was 1146.70 ± 150.48 µm and 976.68 ± 140.19 µm, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean increase in epithelium depth in the wound was 37.63 ± 11.91 µm in the MSI group and 47.64 ± 15.45 µm in the OCCI group (p = 0.02). Endothelial misalignment was observed in both types of incisions. However, the misalignment with MSI was greater than with OCCI, 106.67 ± 31.84 µm versus 83.75 ± 23.39 µm (p = 0.01), respectively. Conclusion Both types of incisions, OCCI and MSI, were shown to be safe with complete wound sealing and healing 6 months postoperatively. The MSIs performed in the temporal position were more angled and longer, with greater endothelial retraction and minor epithelial thickening in the wound area compared with astigmatic incisions without manipulation.
Primary laparoscopic RPLND for pure seminona metastasis: feasibility of supine and lateral approaches

ABSTRACT Introduction Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RPLND) is well established as a primary treatment, especially for high-risk stage I and stage IIA/B nonseminomatous tumors, but its value in seminomatous tumors is underreported (1). Classically, seminomas with isolated retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy are treated with external beam radiation therapy or systemic chemotherapy. Although these modalities are effective, they are associated with significant long-term morbidity (2, 3). Some retrospective studies have demonstrated the potential of RPLND as a first-line treatment for stage IIa seminoma, and two very recent prospective trials, still with interim results: SEMS TRIAL and PRIMETEST(3-7). The RPLND robotic technique has been previously described in the post-chemotherapy scenario, however, surgical videos of primary laparoscopic approach are lacking, especially in seminomatous disease (8). Materials and Methods We present two cases of primary videolaparoscopic RPLND, using different approaches.Case 1: Thirty four years-old, with prior right orchiectomy for mixed tumor. After 8 months he presented an two cm enlarged interaortocaval lymph node. Percutaneous biopsy showed pure seminoma metastasis.Case 2: Thirty three years-old, with previous left orchiectomy for stage I pure seminoma, without risk factors. After nine months, the patient had a three cm enlarged para-aortic lymph node. Results The surgical time ranged from 150 to 210 minutes, with a maximum bleeding of 300 mL and hospital discharge in 48 hours. In one of the cases, we identified a significant desmoplastic reaction, with firm adhesions to the great vessels, requiring vascular sutures, however, no major complication occurred. Pathological anatomy confirmed pure seminoma lymph node metastases in both cases. Conclusion Laparoscopic primary RPLND proved to be technically feasible, with less postoperative pain and early hospital discharge. We understand that more studies should be performed to confirm our oncological results.
Theory of planet formation

We review the current theoretical understanding how growth from micro-meter sized dust to massive giant planets occurs in disks around young stars. After introducing a number of observational constraints from the solar system, from observed protoplanetary disks, and from the extrasolar planets, we simplify the problem by dividing it into a number of discrete stages which are assumed to occur in a sequential way. In the first stage - the growth from dust to kilometer sized planetesimals - the aerodynamics of the bodies are of central importance. We discuss both a purely coagulative growth mode, as well as a gravoturbulent mode involving a gravitational instability of the dust. In the next stage, planetesimals grow to protoplanets of roughly 1000 km in size. Gravity is now the dominant force. The mass accretion can be strongly non-linear, leading to the detachment of a few big bodies from the remaining planetesimals. In the outer planetary system (outside a few AU), some of these bodies can become so massive that they eventually accrete a large gaseous envelope. This is the stage of giant planet formation, as understood within the core accretion-gas capture paradigm. We also discuss the direct gravitational collapse model where giant planets are thought to form directly via a gravitational fragmentation of the gas disk. In the inner system, protoplanets collide in the last stage - probably after the dispersal of the gaseous disk - in giant impacts until the separations between the remaining terrestrial planets become large enough to allow long term stability. We finish the review with some selected questions.
Hair cortisol as a biomarker of chronic stress in preadolescents: influence of school context and bullying

ABSTRACT Bullying has been identified as the most common form of aggression and a major source of stress among children and adolescents. The main objective of this study was to analyze the association that school context in general and bullying in particular might have with hair cortisol concentration (HCC), examining the effect of executive function and sex on this association. The study included 659 11-year-old preadolescents from the cohorts of Gipuzkoa and Sabadell of the INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente-Children and Environment) project. We gathered information about school-related factors (bullying, school environment, problems with peers and academic performance) and executive function (risky decision-making). Hair samples were collected to measure cortisol concentrations and Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine associations between school-related factors, executive function and HCC. Results showed that being involved as a bully/victim was related to higher HCC and, higher HCC was associated with poorer executive function. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the consequences that chronic exposure to a stressful factors may have on preadolescents’ health and developmental outcomes. Besides, our results are relevant for designing programs for prevention and intervention, which could modify individual physiological responses to stress and reduce the effects of stress on the health.
Addressing health disparities as a function of ethnicity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with significant health disparities, as it disproportionately and more severely affects vulnerable and disadvantaged population groups in the United States and around the world, that is, women, ethnic minorities, individuals living in poverty, less educated, and lacking medical insurance. Both, genetic and non-genetic factors, contribute to these disparities. To overcome these health disparities and reduce poor outcomes among disadvantaged SLE populations, interventions on non-genetic amendable factors, especially on social health determinants, are necessary.
Anti‐PANoptosis is involved in neuroprotective effects of melatonin in acute ocular hypertension model

Acute ocular hypertension (AOH) is the most important characteristic of acute glaucoma, which can lead to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and permanent vision loss. So far, approved effective therapy is still lacking in acute glaucoma. PANoptosis (pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis), which consists of three key modes of programmed cell death—apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis—may contribute to AOH‐induced RGC death. Previous studies have demonstrated that melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) exerts a neuroprotective effect in many retinal degenerative diseases. However, whether melatonin is anti‐PANoptotic and neuroprotective in the progression of acute glaucoma remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the role of melatonin in AOH retinas and its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that melatonin treatment attenuated the loss of ganglion cell complex thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and RGC after AOH injury, and improved the amplitudes of a‐wave, b‐wave, and oscillatory potentials in the electroretinogram. Additionally, the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling‐positive cells was decreased, and the upregulation of cleaved caspase‐8, cleaved caspase‐3, Bax, and Bad and downregulation of Bcl‐2 and p‐Bad were inhibited after melatonin administration. Meanwhile, both the expression and activation of MLKL, RIP1, and RIP3, along with the number of PI‐positive cells, were reduced in melatonin‐treated mice, and p‐RIP3 was in both RGC and microglia/macrophage after AOH injury. Furthermore, melatonin reduced the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase‐1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and cleaved GSDMD, and decreased the number of Iba1/interleukin‐1β‐positive cells. In conclusion, melatonin ameliorated retinal structure, prevented retinal dysfunction after AOH, and exerted a neuroprotective effect via inhibition of PANoptosis in AOH retinas.
Comparison of the SARS-CoV-2 BD Veritor Nasal Antigen Test with Nasopharyngeal Reverse Transcription-PCR in Symptomatic Patients

This study provides important and useful information, especially for diagnostic laboratories, since the results show that the BD Veritor system can provide a fast and safe point-of-care antigen diagnostic test for rapid detection of COVID-19 that has high sensitivity, reproducibility, and accuracy. ABSTRACT This study evaluated the BD Veritor system for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, an immunochromatographic point-of-care test, by comparing it with a standard reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) methodology using samples from symptomatic patients. Samples from 146 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic patients between the 1st and the 40th day of infection were evaluated. The nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs were inserted in a tube containing 0.9% saline solution and stored at refrigerator temperature until the moment of use. The samples were first tested with the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (GeneXpert) kit (RT-PCR method), and the cycle thresholds (CTs) for the E and N2 genes encoding the SARS-CoV-2 envelope and nucleoprotein, respectively, were established. Subsequently, the same samples were tested using the Veritor rapid test. We analyzed the CTs of the N2 gene, which is detected in both methodologies, and observed sensitivities of 100%, 98.8%, 89.6%, and 82.7% for the CTs of <25, <27, and <30 and all the CTs, respectively. The greatest sensitivity was observed when we performed the test on patients within 5 days of symptom onset. The BD Veritor system’s workflow is simple and fast, taking approximately 16 min from sample preparation to obtaining the test result. In addition to its satisfactory sensitivity, with results that correlate with those of the RT-PCR, the BD Veritor analyzer instrument reduces the subjectivity of unaided visual readings and consequent potential variation in result interpretation. Therefore, our results showed that the BD Veritor diagnostic test can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE This study provides important and useful information, especially for diagnostic laboratories, since the results show that the BD Veritor system can provide a fast and safe point-of-care antigen diagnostic test for rapid detection of COVID-19 that has high sensitivity, reproducibility, and accuracy.
A Survey of the Effect of Social Capital on Knowledge Management (The Case Study: Payame Noor University of Hormozgan (Bandarabbas)

Universities because of the importance and position they play in the every countrie’s socio-economic development, require attention to personnel social capital at the university, because the social capital, makes effective knowledge management possible. Hence, this study was performed to investigate the effect of social capital on knowledge management among staff of payame Noor University at Hormozgan province (Bandar Abbas). This research is survey-descriptive of correlation type and the required data were collected through library- field. The subjects in this study consist of Payame Noor University staff of Hormozgan province. In this study, 54 staff of Bandar Abbas Payame Noor University were selected through random sampling. Data gathering tool was knowledge management questionnaire and knowledge management process was measured based on the five dimensions such as registration knowledge, acquisition knowledge, transmission knowledge, creation knowledge, application knowledge which its validity was face validity and its reliability was established through cronbachs alpha. Data analysis was performed by spss software version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistics such as regression, one way anova, t test. The result show that the staff mean score of knowledge management was 76/66±20/48. The result show that there was a significant relationship between social capital and knowledge management. Also there was a significant relationship between social capital and the five component of knowledge management such as creation of knowledge, acquisition of knowledge, capture of knowledge, transfering of knowledge, application of knowledge.
Validation of Global Mental Health Assessment Tool in Western Development Region, Nepal: A Cross Sectional Study

(GMHAT/PC) is comprehensive tool that can encompass wide array of mental health problems. This can be used by health professionals in detecting and managing mental disorders in primary care and general health settings. Objective: This Study aim to Validate and examine Feasibility of Global Mental Health Assessment Tool Primary Care Version in Primary Healthcare Setting of Nepal. Methods: We Conducted a Cross sectional study in the regional hospital of Western Development Region, Nepal. The GMHAT/PC tool and semi structured questionnaire were used to collect data. Interview was taken by the paramedical person with Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL) in General medicine qualification. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 version. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to measure the validity of GMHAT/PC. Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of tool, positive and negative likelihood ratio were calculated. Cohen's Kappa statistics was calculated to determine inter-rater reliability for the tool. Average time taken for the interview, patient satisfaction and completion of interview by the patient was taken as an indicator of feasibility. Results: The tool had good sensitivity 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73-0.85) and excellent specificity 0.94 (95% CI: 0.83 – 1). Overall there was a good level of agreement between psychiatrist and GMHAT/PC tool 0.76 (95% CI: 0.67 – 0.84). Likewise, overall Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of the test was excellent 0.98 (95% CI: 0.94 – 0.99) while Negative Predictive Value (NPV was fair 0.40 (95% CI: 0.24 – 0.56). And Likelihood Ratio Positive (LR+ve) of diagnostic agreement of the GMHAT/PC tool was 13.17 (95% CI: 2.01 – 90.67) and Likelihood Ratio Negative (LR –ve) was 0.22 (95% CI: 0.15 – 0.31). Conclusion: This study provides proven evidence to use Global Mental Health Assessment Tool Primary Care Version in specialist limited healthcare setting of Nepal. Findings of this study also support mid-level health workers and possibly others health workers having some training, can use the computer assisted programme GMHAT/PC to make a valid assessment and diagnosis for early detection and management of mental health related problem.
Theorizing Masculinities Contemporary Britain

Publisher's copyright statement: Anderson, E. and McCormack, M. (2014) 'Theorizing masculinities in contemporary Britain. ', in Debating modern masculinities : change, continuity, crisis? Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMilllan, pp. 125-144 reproduced with permission of Palgrave Macmillan. This extract is taken from the author's original manuscript and has not been edited. The de nitive, published, version of record is available here: http://dx.doi. org/10.1057/9781137394842.0011