Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delay in Seeking Health Care and associated Factors among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in North Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia: Institution Based Cross-sectional Study

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the leading infectious diseases in Ethiopia. Emergence of MDR TB worsened the countries strategies towards the control of the diseases. Delay in seeking health care may worsen the disease, increase the risk of death and aggravate tuberculosis transmission in the community. Objective: This study was aimed at determining delay in seeking health care and analyzes factors influencing the delay from onset of symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis until the presentation of modern health facilities. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional studies were conducted in randomly selected TB clinics, which deliver both diagnosis and treatment for TB in North Wollo health departments. Delay has analyzed from a period between onset of TB symptoms to first visit of any health provider (health seeking period). Respondents have interviewed on the same date of diagnosis using a semi-structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis applied to analyze the factors of delays. Results: Five hundred and twenty eight pulmonary TB patients aged 18 years and above enrolled in the study. Among these, 56.6% were males, 58.7% were married and 64% residing in rural areas. The median age was 33.5 (IQR=21) years. The median patient delay was 36 days and 62.3% of patients seek their first consultations after 30 days cut-off point. Long distance, rural residence, seeking treatment from traditional healers and poor knowledge about TB were associated factors that predict patient delay. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of long patients delay observed in seeking health care after 30 days cut-off point. Local authorities should collaborate, intensified awareness raising efforts to reduce high prevalence of patient delay in seeking health care.
Potentiation of cancerous progression by LISCH7 via direct stimulation of TGFB1 transcription in triple‐negative breast cancer

As an aggressive breast cancer (BCa) subtype, triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) responses poorly to chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, and usually has a worse prognosis. This is largely due to the lack of specific therapeutic targets, laying claim to an imperious demand to clarify the key signaling pathways potentiating TNBC progression. Herein, we report that expression levels of the liver‐specific bHLH‐Zip transcription factor (LISCH7), a recently identified key player in cancerous progression, preferentially enriched in TNBC in comparison with other BCa subtypes, and this upregulation was observed to be correlated to a poor survival outcome in patients with TNBC. Ablation of LISCH7 in TNBC cells impaired cell proliferation, reduced cell invasiveness, and enhanced sensitivity to the first‐line chemotherapeutic drug docetaxel at both in vitro and in vivo levels. Importantly, concurrent induction of TGFB1, the gene encoding transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), an essential multipluripotent regulator of TNBC, was accompanied with these alterations in cancerous properties. We further showed that LISCH7 could directly bind to the TGFB1 promoter and stimulate TGFB1 transcription in TNBC cells. The recruitment of LISCH7 onto the TGFB1 chromatin and transactivation of TGFB1 were substantially augmented by treatment with the exogenous TGF‐β1 in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Collectively, these findings suggest that LISCH7 and TGF‐β1 form a reciprocal positive regulatory loop and cooperatively regulate cancerous progression in TNBC cells. Thus, simultaneous inhibition of both LISCH7 and TGF‐β1 signaling may represent a more effective approach to counteract advanced TNBC.
Functional Analysis Reveals the Regulatory Role of PpTST1 Encoding Tonoplast Sugar Transporter in Sugar Accumulation of Peach Fruit

Sugar content is related to fruit sweetness, and the complex mechanisms underlying fruit sugar accumulation still remain elusive. Here, we report a peach PpTST1 gene encoding tonoplast sugar transporter that is located in the quantitative trait loci (QTL) interval on Chr5 controlling fruit sucrose content. One derived Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (dCAPS) marker was developed based on a nonsynonymous G/T variant in the third exon of PpTST1. Genotyping of peach cultivars with the dCAPS marker revealed a significant difference in fruit sugar content among genotypes. PpTST1 is located in the tonoplast, and substitution of glutamine by histidine caused by the G/T variation has no impact on subcellular location. The expression profile of PpTST1 exhibited a consistency with the sugar accumulation pattern, and its transient silencing significantly inhibited sugar accumulation in peach fruits. All of these results demonstrated the role of PpTST1 in regulating sugar accumulation in peach fruit. In addition, cis-elements for binding of MYB and WRKY transcript factors were found in the promoter sequence of PpTST1, suggesting a gene regulatory network of fruit sugar accumulation. Our results are not only helpful for understanding the mechanisms underlying fruit sugar accumulation, but will also be useful for the genetic improvement of fruit sweetness in peach breeding programs.
Artificial Intelligence for MR Image Reconstruction: An Overview for Clinicians

Artificial intelligence (AI) shows tremendous promise in the field of medical imaging, with recent breakthroughs applying deep‐learning models for data acquisition, classification problems, segmentation, image synthesis, and image reconstruction. With an eye towards clinical applications, we summarize the active field of deep‐learning‐based MR image reconstruction. We review the basic concepts of how deep‐learning algorithms aid in the transformation of raw k‐space data to image data, and specifically examine accelerated imaging and artifact suppression. Recent efforts in these areas show that deep‐learning‐based algorithms can match and, in some cases, eclipse conventional reconstruction methods in terms of image quality and computational efficiency across a host of clinical imaging applications, including musculoskeletal, abdominal, cardiac, and brain imaging. This article is an introductory overview aimed at clinical radiologists with no experience in deep‐learning‐based MR image reconstruction and should enable them to understand the basic concepts and current clinical applications of this rapidly growing area of research across multiple organ systems.
Sex differences in text-mined possible adverse drug events associated with drugs for psychosis

Background: Understanding sex differences in adverse drug reactions to drugs for psychosis could potentially guide clinicians in optimal drug choices. Aims: By applying a text-mining approach, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between drugs for psychosis and biological sex differences in frequencies and co-occurrences of potential adverse drug events (ADEs). Methods: Electronic patient records of a psychiatric population (1427 men and 727 women) were text mined for potential ADEs. The relative risk of experiencing specific ADEs and co-occurrence of ADEs were calculated for each sex. Results: Findings included 55 potential ADEs with significantly different frequencies between the two sexes. Of these, 20 were more frequent in men, with relative risks of 1.10–7.64, and 35 were more frequent in women, with relative risks of 1.19–21.58. Frequent potential ADEs were psychiatric symptoms, including sexual dysfunction and disturbances in men, and gastrointestinal symptoms, suicidal and self-injurious behaviour and hyperprolactinemia-related events in women. Mention of different hyperprolactinemia-related ADEs often co-occurred in female patients but not in male patients. Conclusion: Several known sex-related ADEs were identified, as well as some previously not reported. When considering the risk–benefit profile of drugs for psychosis, the patient’s sex should be considered.
Twelve Weeks of Aerobic Exercise at the Lactate Threshold Improves Autonomic Nervous System Function, Body Composition, and Aerobic Performance in Women with Obesity

Background The present study examined the effects of a prolonged exercise intervention at the lactate threshold (LT) on body composition, aerobic performance, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in women with obesity. Methods A total of 36 obese Korean women aged 36 to 55 years (mean±standard deviation, 44.8±5.2 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, n=18) or an experimental group (EXP, n=18); and EXP underwent aerobic exercise training three times a week at a heart rate corresponding to the LT (HR_LT) for 12 weeks. All dependent variables (body composition, aerobic performance, and ANS function parameters) were evaluated before and after training. Results Compared with the CON group, the EXP group showed significant improvement in body composition (body weight, −4.57 vs. −2.40 kg; body mass index, −1.79 vs. −0.96 kg/m2; %body fat, −4.63 vs. −1.41; fat-free mass, 3.24 vs. –0.08 kg), aerobic performance (oxygen consumption at LT, 5.74 vs. 0.12 mL/kg/min; maximal oxygen consumption, 5.41 vs. 2.14 mL/kg/min; treadmill speed at HR_LT, 1.40 vs. 0.29 km/hr; bicycle load at HR_LT, 18.62 vs. 4.52 w; and ANS function (mean RR, 50.83 vs. −15.04 ms; standard deviation of NN intervals, 5.08 vs. −0.55 ms; root mean square of successive differences, 6.42 vs. 1.87 ms; total power, 0.34 vs. 0.10 ms2; high frequency, 0.32 vs. −0.04 ms2; low frequency/high frequency, −0.09 vs. 0.01). Conclusion Aerobic exercise at the LT for 12 weeks is a practical method of improving body composition, aerobic performance, and ANS function for women with obesity.
Using machine learning to reveal the population vector from EEG signals

Objective. Since the discovery of the population vector that directly relates neural spiking activity with arm movement direction, it has become feasible to control robotic arms and neuroprostheses using invasively recorded brain signals. For non-invasive approaches, a direct relation between human brain signals and arm movement direction is yet to be established. Approach. Here, we investigated electroencephalographic (EEG) signals in temporal and spectral domains in a continuous, circular arm movement task. Using machine learning methods that respect the linear mixture of brain activity within EEG signals, we show that directional information is represented in the temporal domain in amplitude modulations of the same frequency as the arm movement, and in the spectral domain in power modulations of the 20–24 Hz frequency band. Main results. In the temporal domain, the directional information was mainly expressed in primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) contralateral to the moving arm, while in the spectral domain SM1 and PPC of both hemispheres predicted arm movement direction. The different cortical representations suggest distinct neural representations in both domains. Significance. This direct relation between neural activity and arm movement direction in both domains demonstrates the potential of machine learning to reveal neuroscientific insights about the dynamics of human arm movements.
Antiviral activity of curcumin-nanoemulsion associated with photodynamic therapy in vulvar cell lines transducing different variants of HPV-16

Abstract Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound with antineoplastic properties. The use of nanoparticles containing curcumin could allow a better performance of this compound in therapies. So, VIN biopsies were collected and HPV DNA detection was performed by PCR, positive samples were genotyped by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and HPV-16 variants were determined by sequencing. HPV-16 positive vulva carcinoma cells (A431) were transduced with E-P and E-350G HPV-16 E6 variants. The viability of the transduced cells treated with nanoemulsions was determined by MTT assay. Besides, apoptosis was evaluated by enzymatic activity of Caspase-3/7. The cell viability assay showed that both the empty nanoemulsion (NE-V) and the nanoemulsion of curcumin (NE-CUR) had little effect on cell viability as compared to control cells. Additionally, we observed that cells irradiated in the presence of NE-CUR presented 90% of cell death. The apoptosis assay further revealed a significant increase in the activity of caspases 3 and 7 in A431 cells expressing both HPV-16 E6 variants after treatment with NE-CUR. Finally, we submitted the HPV transduced A431 cells to organotypic cultures and observed that the combination of treatments affected tissue architecture with evident signals of tissue damage. We concluded that nanoemulsions attain good biocompatibility, since no cytotoxicity was observed and NE-CUR associated with photoactivation showed promising results, leading to death only in cells subjected to irradiation. This drug delivery system associated with photodynamic therapy may become promising in the treatment of vulva lesions.
Compensatory physical activity: Impact on type of physical activity and physical activity habits among female young adults

Abstract Engaging in physical activity (PA) to compensate for drinking-related calories is common among female college students. The objective was to test whether frequency of compensatory PA was associated with type of PA (Study 1) and PA habit strength (Study 2). Study 1 utilized a cross-sectional design. Female undergraduates (N = 198) completed questionnaires assessing frequency of compensatory PA and PA types. In Study 2, female undergraduates (N = 280) were assessed on frequency of compensatory PA at Time 1 and PA habit strength at Time 2, 4-weeks later. Study 1 revealed that frequency of compensatory PA was significantly related to high intensity PA but was unrelated to low or moderate intensity PA. Study 2 revealed that frequency of compensatory PA at Time 1 was a significant predictor of PA habit strength at Time 2. The studies advance our understanding of the immediate and long-lasting impact of compensatory PA on behaviors and habits.
Telemonitoring readiness among Austrian diabetic patients: A cross-sectional validation study

Digitalized healthcare services offer remote and cost-effective treatment of diabetes patients. Thus, the present online study analyzed the readiness to use telemonitoring among Austrian diabetes patients. We developed and validated a German version of the patient telehealth readiness assessment tool and performed quantitative context analysis of free-text comments on perceived barriers and benefits of telemonitoring. Participants (n = 41, 42.6% females) achieved a medium average readiness level for telemonitoring. The three top benefits were intensified care, shorter travel and waiting times, and better therapy adjustment. The top three barriers were data privacy issues, loss of personal communication and focus on blood sugar, and teledoctor competence. Diabetes patients represent a suitable target group for remote treatment opportunities. However, a shift from traditional face-to-face medical care to exclusive telemonitoring treatment from diagnosis to consultation and treatment requires fundamental new legal framework conditions.
Pulmonary hypertension in children with Down syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). In this review, we explore the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of PH in the population with DS and examine genetic, molecular and clinical contributions to the condition. The presence of an additional copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) increases the risk of developing PH in children with DS through many mechanisms, including increased hemodynamic stress in those with congenital heart disease, hypoxemia through impaired ventilation to perfusion matching secondary to developmental lung abnormalities, pulmonary hypoplasia from pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction, and an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance often related to pulmonary comorbidities. We review recent studies looking at novel biomarkers that may help diagnose, predict or monitor PH in the population with DS and examine current cardiopulmonary guidelines for monitoring children with DS. Finally, we review therapeutic interventions specific to PH in individuals with DS. Contemporary work has identified exciting mechanistic pathways including the upregulation of antiangiogenic factors and interferon activity, which may lead to additional biomarkers or therapeutic opportunities. Throughout the manuscript, we identify gaps in our knowledge of the condition as it relates to the population with DS and offer suggestions for future clinical, translational, and basic science research.
Comparison of phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of unripe and ripe fruit of Sonneratia caseolaris

Sonneratia caseolaris, also known as mangrove apple produces the edible fruit which can be found mainly on tidal mud in mangroves area. Since this fruit is considered as underutilized fruit as it is not fully discovered for its potential health benefits and not fully commercialized, hence this study aimed to determine the phytochemicals contents (i.e. total flavonoid, phenolic, anthocyanins and carotenoids contents), antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of different parts (flesh and stem cap) of the unripe and ripe fruit extracts. Phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities were determined using standard methods of spectrophotometric analysis. The flesh part of unripe S. caseolaris displayed the highest total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid contents as compared to the other parts in 80% methanol extract with the values of 67.67±0.10 mg (GAE/g), 37.06±0.30 mg (RE/g) and 5.41±0.10 mg (BC/100 g), respectively. The flesh part of unripe S. caseolaris in 80% methanol extract exhibited the best antioxidant properties in three different assays (i.e. DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) with the values of 98.32±0.28%, 67.72±0.74 mmol/g and 91.24±1.23 mg/g, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition also was found to be higher in the flesh part of unripe 80% methanol S. caseolaris extract with 47.18±0.68% at the concentration of 250 µg/mL. Therefore, utilization of this fruit as natural antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition sources may develop new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.
PPA_A_222642 13..21

Anzalee Khan Alyssa Peechatka Nadeeka R Dias 3 Viviane Lima Mary Seddo Ayla Inja Susan M Dallabrida 1Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; 2Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, NY, USA; 3eResearch Technology Inc., Boston, MA, USA; 4Oracle, Burlington, MA, USA Background: Patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) emphasizes the patient perspective and input to inform the research process with the aim to improve the quality of care. Given PCOR’s emphasis on the patient perspective, methods to incorporate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important. Electronic PROs (ePROs) have been implemented successfully in many populations; however, many of thesemeasurements do not incorporate patient perspective in the development of ePROs. For epilepsy and seizure disorders, user perspectives are key to developing measurements that capture real-time data, as seizures are not timed events; therefore, patients can wait days or even weeks and then try to recall their experience which can lead to variations in recall. ePRO can provide the necessary assurance that data were entered by the patient at the time the episode occurs. The aim of the present study was to assess patient perceptions of completing ePROs, expectations of ePROdevices for PCOR and on-site clinical visit in order to guide the development of successful ePRO deployment in seizure-related disorders. Methods: This study used a naturalistic cohort design. A sample of 713 persons completed an online survey which consisted of 11 situational questions. Of the 713 individuals, results from 640 participants were included. Results were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Most participants (71.9%) were able to accurately identify a seizure and 86.3% of participants felt it would be beneficial to have a short training on seizure symptoms prior to completing a daily seizure diary, and seizures should be reasonably reported within 10 mins (n = 426, 66.6%). Participants endorsed that repetitive movements and loss of consciousness as the most predominant symptoms they would look for in an ePRO. A majority of participants, 67.0% indicated that they regularly use accessibility features on using smartphones and tablets, and 38.6% indicated they would like to see more than one item per screen but only if they are related and to see all text in a larger size with scrolling features using fingers (n = 246; 38.4%). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the importance of developing ePROs that satisfy the needs of the participants and caregivers without compromising the scientific and clinical aspects of the disease construct. Developing tools using participant needs, observations, characteristics and input is essential to putting the participant perspective in patient-centered outcomes research.
Role of energy storage systems in energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables

We present the role of heat and electricity storage systems on the rapid rise of renewable energy resources and the steady fall of fossil fuels. The upsurge in renewable resources and slump in fossil fuel consumptions is attributed to sustainable energy systems, energy transition, climate change, and clean energy initiatives. The fast growth of renewables brings new design and operational challenges to transition towards 100% renewable energy goal. Energy storage systems can help ride‐through energy transition from hydrocarbon fuels to renewable sources. Nuclear fusion and artificial photosynthesis are the ultimate Holy Grails for permanent clean energy solutions. Plants harvest light and store it in chemical energy to regulate the food supply chain that may be a guideline for an energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Heat and electricity storage devices can account for the periodic nature of solar and wind energy sources. Solar thermal systems for water and space heating are also a viable solution for subzero temperature areas. This study presents the transition of world's energy prospect from fossil fuels to renewables and new advances in energy storage systems.
Hemoptysis with no malignancy suspected on computed tomography rarely requires bronchoscopy

ABSTRACT Background: Hemoptysis is an alarming and common symptom leading to thorough diagnostic evaluation with computed tomography and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Increasing evidence suggests that bronchoscopy is not necessary in diagnosing lung cancer in hemoptysis patients because of high sensitivity of computed tomography. However, less attention has been paid to non-malignant etiologies of hemoptysis. Objective: We aimed to identify the etiologies established in hemoptysis patients with no malignancy suspected on computed tomography in order to assess the necessity of bronchoscopy in these patients. Design: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of consecutive patients referred to evaluation for hemoptysis with no malignancy suspected on computed tomography at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark, in an eleven-year period from 2006 to 2016. Results: One thousand one hundred and eighty-five patients (mean age 57.5 ± 15.44 years, 61.3% male) were included in the study. Bronchoscopy was performed in 91.9% of cases. Most patients (83.5%) had cryptogenic hemoptysis, while the most frequently identified etiologies were respiratory tract infection (12.6%) and bronchiectasis (2.2%). No patients had malignant disease as their etiology. Conclusions: The vast majority of hemoptysis cases with no malignancy suspected on computed tomography were cryptogenic and all were benign. Bronchoscopy may be reserved for patients with specific conditions suspected and those with persistent symptomatology.