Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Digital Games for Educational Purposes Among Medical and Paramedical Sciences Students, Mashhad, Iran

This study aimed to investigate the use of digital games for educational purposes among medical and paramedical sciences students at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Northeast of Iran). This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to January 2019. The research population was all students of the school of medicine and school of paramedical sciences at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (n = 496). The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on a literature review. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by its content validity, and the reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated based on the test-retest method (r = 0.82). In this examination of medical and paramedical sciences students' attitudes and perspectives, some novel preliminary insights into the applications, advantages, disadvantages, and features of digital games in education emerge. Overall, the findings showed that the use of interactive digital games can increase students' motivation for learning and make the learning process more attractive for students. This study was approved by the ethical committee of MUMS (approval number IR.MUMS.REC.1397.151).
Association of Copresence of Pathogenic Variants Related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Prognosis

Background and Objectives Despite recent advances, it is not clear whether the various genes/genetic variants related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) interact in modifying patients' phenotype. The aim of this study was to determine whether the copresence of genetic variants related to ALS has interactive effects on the course of the disease. Methods The study population includes 1,245 patients with ALS identified through the Piemonte Register for ALS between 2007 and 2016 and not carrying superoxide dismutase type 1, TAR DNA binding protein, and fused in sarcoma pathogenic variants. Controls were 766 Italian participants age-matched, sex-matched, and geographically matched to cases. We considered Unc-13 homolog A (UNC13A) (rs12608932), calmodulin binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1) (rs2412208), solute carrier family 11 member 2 (SLC11A2) (rs407135), and zinc finger protein 512B (ZNF512B) (rs2275294) variants, as well as ataxin-2 (ATXN2) polyQ intermediate repeats (≥31) and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) GGGGCC intronic expansions (≥30). Results The median survival time of the whole cohort was 2.67 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.67–5.25). In univariate analysis, only C9orf72 (2.51 years, IQR 1.74–3.82; p = 0.016), ATXN2 (1.82 years, IQR 1.08–2.33; p < 0.001), and UNC13AC/C (2.3 years, IQR 1.3–3.9; p < 0.001) significantly reduced survival. In Cox multivariable analysis, CAMTA1 also emerged to be independently related to survival (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% CI 1.001–1.30, p = 0.048). The copresence of 2 detrimental alleles/expansions was correlated with shorter survival. In particular, the median survival of patients with CAMTA1G/G+G/T and UNC13AC/C alleles was 1.67 years (1.16–3.08) compared with 2.75 years (1.67–5.26) of the patients not carrying these variants (p < 0.001); the survival of patients with CAMTA1G/G+G/T alleles and ATXN2≥31 intermediate polyQ repeats was 1.75 years (0.84–2.18) (p < 0.001); the survival of patients with ATXN2≥31 polyQ repeats and UNC13AC/C allele was 1.33 years (0.84–1.75) (p < 0.001); the survival of patients with C9ORF72≥30 and UNC13AC/C allele was 1.66 years (1.41–2.16). Each pair of detrimental alleles/expansions was associated to specific clinical phenotypes. Discussion We showed that gene variants acting as modifiers of ALS survival or phenotype can act on their own or in unison. Overall, 54% of patients carried at least 1 detrimental common variant or repeat expansion, emphasizing the clinical impact of our findings. In addition, the identification of the interactive effects of modifier genes represents a crucial clue for explaining ALS clinical heterogeneity and should be considered when designing and interpreting clinical trials results.
Collagen Protein Ingestion during Recovery from Exercise Does Not Increase Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates

ABSTRACT Introduction Protein ingestion during recovery from exercise has been reported to augment myofibrillar protein synthesis rates, without increasing muscle connective protein synthesis rates. It has been suggested that collagen protein may be effective in stimulating muscle connective protein synthesis. The present study assessed the capacity of both whey and collagen protein ingestion to stimulate postexercise myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, parallel design, 45 young male (n = 30) and female (n = 15) recreational athletes (age, 25 ± 4 yr; body mass index, 24.1 ± 2.0 kg·m−2) were selected to receive primed continuous intravenous infusions with l-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine and l-[3,5-2H2]-tyrosine. After a single session of resistance type exercise, subjects were randomly allocated to one of three groups ingesting either 30 g whey protein (WHEY, n = 15), 30 g collagen protein (COLL, n = 15) or a noncaloric placebo (PLA, n = 15). Blood and muscle biopsy samples were collected over a subsequent 5-h recovery period to assess both myofibrillar and muscle connective protein synthesis rates. Results Protein ingestion increased circulating plasma amino acid concentrations (P < 0.05). The postprandial rise in plasma leucine and essential amino acid concentrations was greater in WHEY compared with COLL, whereas plasma glycine and proline concentrations increased more in COLL compared with WHEY (P < 0.05). Myofibrillar protein synthesis rates averaged 0.041 ± 0.010, 0.036 ± 0.010, and 0.032 ± 0.007%·h−1 in WHEY, COLL and PLA, respectively, with only WHEY resulting in higher rates when compared with PLA (P < 0.05). Muscle connective protein synthesis rates averaged 0.072 ± 0.019, 0.068 ± 0.017, and 0.058 ± 0.018%·h−1 in WHEY, COLL, and PLA, respectively, with no significant differences between groups (P = 0.09). Conclusions Ingestion of whey protein during recovery from exercise increases myofibrillar protein synthesis rates. Neither collagen nor whey protein ingestion further increased muscle connective protein synthesis rates during the early stages of postexercise recovery in both male and female recreational athletes.
INFORMATION TRANSMISSION IN THE SURVEY INTERVIEW: NUMBER OF RESPONSE CATEGORIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF ATTITUDE MEASUREMENT

This paper examines the relation between the number of response categories used to measure attitudes in survey interviews and the reliability of such attitude measurements. I review and criticize the hypothesis that reliability increases with the "information carrying capacity" of a response scale. I also review the literature on the relationship between the number of scale points and measurement reliability. This leads to a set of predictions regarding the relationship between the number of scale points and reliability of measurement, which I then examine using results obtained from three-wave panel studies conducted by the General Social Survey and the National Election Study. Reliability estimates were obtained via several procedures (LISREL, EQS, and LISCOMP) employing a vari-
Safe transport of children with disabilities and medical conditions: Caregiver experiences

Abstract Background Road vehicle transportation is essential to support community access and participation for all children. However, little is known about the transport patterns of children with disabilities and medical conditions and their caregivers’ experiences supporting them to be transported safely in road vehicles in Australia. Aim To understand the transport needs of children with disabilities and medical conditions and the transport needs of their caregivers. Materials and Methods A large-scale national survey was undertaken online to explore the experiences and perspectives of 193 caregivers, identifying the challenges and needs associated with providing and supporting safe road transportation for their children. Results Caregivers believed their child was missing out on participating in everyday life due to their transportation needs, with caregivers experiencing multiple challenges and barriers to transporting their child safely. Conclusions and Significance There is a need to provide knowledge and support to caregivers who are primarily responsible for the safe transportation of their children with disabilities and medical conditions.
BCI Control of a Robotic Arm Based on SSVEP With Moving Stimuli for Reach and Grasp Tasks

Brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a novel technology for patients and healthy human subjects to control a robotic arm. Currently, BCI control of a robotic arm to complete the reaching and grasping tasks in an unstructured environment is still challenging because the current BCI technology does not meet the requirement of manipulating a multi-degree robotic arm accurately and robustly. BCI based on steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) could output a high information transfer rate; however, the conventional SSVEP paradigm failed to control a robotic arm to move continuously and accurately because the users have to switch their gaze between the flickering stimuli and the target frequently. This study proposed a novel SSVEP paradigm in which the flickering stimuli were attached to the robotic arm's gripper and moved with it. First, an offline experiment was designed to investigate the effects of moving flickering stimuli on the SSVEP's responses and decoding accuracy. After that, contrast experiments were conducted, and twelve subjects were recruited to participate in a robotic arm control experiment using both the paradigm one (P1, with moving flickering stimuli) and the paradigm two (P2, conventional fixed flickering stimuli) using a block randomization design to balance their sequences. Double blinks were used to trigger the grasping action asynchronously whenever the subjects were confident that the position of the robotic arm's gripper was accurate enough. Experimental results showed that the paradigm P1 with moving flickering stimuli provided a much better control performance than the conventional paradigm P2 in completing a reaching and grasping task in an unstructured environment. Subjects' subjective feedback scored by a NASA-TLX mental workload scale also corroborated the BCI control performance. The results of this study suggest that the proposed control interface based on SSVEP BCI provides a better solution for robotic arm control to complete the accurate reaching and grasping tasks.
Biceps Femoris Fascicle Behavior during Submaximal and Maximal Slow Speed Contractions

ABSTRACT Purpose The present study compared the effects of contraction intensity (submaximal vs maximal) and mode (concentric vs eccentric) on biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle lengthening, rotation, and architectural gear ratio at long and short muscle lengths. Methods Data were captured from 18 healthy adults (10 men and 8 women) without history of right hamstring strain injury. BFlh fascicle length (Lf), fascicle angle (FA), and muscle thickness (MT) were assessed in real time using two serially aligned ultrasound devices while submaximal and maximal concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee flexions were performed at 30°·s−1. Ultrasound videos were exported and edited to create a single, synchronized video, and three fascicles were analyzed through the range of motion (10° to 80°). Changes (Δ) in Lf, FA, MT, and muscle gear at long (60° to 80° knee angle; 0° = full knee extension) and short (10° to 30°) muscle lengths and across the full knee flexion range were measured and compared. Results Greater ΔLf was observed at long muscle length (P < 0.001) during both submaximal and maximal eccentric and concentric contractions. When the full length range was analyzed, a slightly greater ΔMT was observed in concentric contractions (P = 0.03). No significant differences between submaximal and maximal contractions were observed for ΔLf, ΔFA, or ΔMT. No changes were detected in the calculated muscle gear between muscle lengths, intensities, or conditions (P > 0.05). Conclusions Although gear ratio ranged ~1.0 to 1.1 under most conditions, the increased fascicle lengthening observed at long muscle lengths might influence acute myofiber damage risk but also speculatively play a role in chronic hypertrophic responses to training.
Ventilatory Threshold Related to V̇O2reserve, Heart Rate Reserve, and Rating of Perceived Exertion in a Large Varied Sample

ABSTRACT Purpose ACSM guidelines state that aerobic exercise intensity should be 30%/40% to 89% V̇O2reserve (V̇O2R) or heart rate reserve (HRR). Determining the proper intensity within this range is the “art” of exercise prescription, often relying on rating of perceived exertion (RPE) as the adjunctive intensity modulator. Current guidelines do not consider the use of ventilatory threshold (VT) due to the need for specialized equipment and methodological issues. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate VT related to V̇O2peak, V̇O2R, HRR, and RPE across the full spectrum of very low to very high V̇O2peak values. Methods Eight hundred and sixty-three records of exercise tests were retrospectively examined. Data were stratified for V̇O2peak, activity level, age, test modality, and sex. Results When stratified for V̇O2peak, V̇O2 at VT (V̇O2vt) had a lower mean value of ~14 mL·kg−1·min−1 in the lowest fit, rose gradually until median V̇O2peak, and rose steeply thereafter. When graphed relative to V̇O2peak, V̇O2vt as a percentage of V̇O2R (VT%V̇O2R) resembled a U-shaped curve, with a nadir ~43% V̇O2R at V̇O2peak ~40 mL·kg−1·min−1. Average VT%V̇O2R increased to ~75% in groups with the lowest or highest V̇O2peak. There was a large variance in the value of VT at all V̇O2peak levels. Mean RPE at VT was 12.5 ± 0.93, regardless of V̇O2peak. Conclusions Given the relationship of VT as the transition from moderate- to higher-intensity exercise, these data may help the understanding of aerobic exercise prescription in persons across the spectrum of V̇O2peak values.
Carotid Ultrasound Abnormalities of People Living With HIV in Kunming, China: Multiple Correspondence Analysis Approach to Identify Influencing Factors

Background With the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH) is gradually increasing, but subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is becoming increasingly common in PLWH. Methods We obtained data from 326 PLWH. Based on the results of carotid ultrasonography, we divided patients into normal and abnormal carotid ultrasound groups and performed the χ2 test and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to determine the influencing factors of abnormal carotid ultrasound. Results Among the 326 PLWH, the overall abnormality rate of carotid ultrasound was 31.9% (104/326). MCA showed that carotid ultrasound abnormalities were markedly more common in patients with age (non-youth), BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, ART treatment ≥5 years, and CD4+T lymphocyte count <200/μL. Conclusion Carotid ultrasound is more likely to be abnormal when PLWH have higher age, BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, a longer course of ART, and a low CD4+ T lymphocyte count.
1-Deoxynojirimycin promotes cardiac function and rescues mitochondrial cristae in mitochondrial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prominent cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. Due to heterogeneity in clinical manifestations, conventional HCM drugs have limitations for mitochondrial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Discovering more effective compounds would be of substantial benefit for further elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of HCM and treating patients with this condition. We previously reported the MT-RNR2 variant associated with HCM that results in mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we screened a mitochondria-associated compound library by quantifying the mitochondrial membrane potential of HCM cybrids and the survival rate of HCM-induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) in galactose media. 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) was identified to rescue mitochondrial function by targeting optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) to promote its oligomerization, leading to reconstruction of the mitochondrial cristae. DNJ treatment further recovered the physiological properties of HCM iPSC-CMs by improving Ca2+ homeostasis and electrophysiological properties. An angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy mouse model further verified the efficacy of DNJ in promoting cardiac mitochondrial function and alleviating cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. These results demonstrated that DNJ could be a potential mitochondrial rescue agent for mitochondrial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Our findings will help elucidate the mechanism of HCM and provide a potential therapeutic strategy.
American Gastroenterological Association-American College of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline: Pharmacological Management of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

INTRODUCTION: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a common disorder associated with significant impairment in quality of life. This clinical practice guideline, jointly developed by the American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology, aims to inform clinicians and patients by providing evidence-based practice recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of CIC in adults. METHODS: The American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel that conducted systematic reviews of the following agents: fiber, osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol, magnesium oxide, lactulose), stimulant laxatives (bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate, senna), secretagogues (lubiprostone, linaclotide, plecanatide), and serotonin type 4 agonist (prucalopride). The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework to assess the certainty of evidence for each intervention. The Evidence to Decision framework was used to develop clinical recommendations based on the balance between the desirable and undesirable effects, patient values, costs, and health equity considerations. RESULTS: The panel agreed on 10 recommendations for the pharmacological management of CIC in adults. Based on available evidence, the panel made strong recommendations for the use of polyethylene glycol, sodium picosulfate, linaclotide, plecanatide, and prucalopride for CIC in adults. Conditional recommendations were made for the use of fiber, lactulose, senna, magnesium oxide, and lubiprostone. DISCUSSION: This document provides a comprehensive outline of the various over-the-counter and prescription pharmacological agents available for the treatment of CIC. The guidelines are meant to provide a framework for approaching the management of CIC; clinical providers should engage in shared decision making based on patient preferences as well as medication cost and availability. Limitations and gaps in the evidence are highlighted to help guide future research opportunities and enhance the care of patients with chronic constipation.
Cingulin and paracingulin tether myosins-2 to junctions to mechanoregulate the plasma membrane

Rouaud et al. show that cingulin and paracingulin bind to specific myosin-2 isoforms through coiled-coil rod-mediated interactions and tether them to junctions to transmit force and modulate ZO-1 junctional accumulation, tight junction membrane tortuosity, apical membrane stiffness, and junctional architecture.
Effect of dysmorphic plantar arch on venous hemodynamics of the lower limb

Background The role of the plantar venous pump (PVP) on venous return is evident but the effects of the foot morphology have never been characterized properly. Method 52 healthy volunteers—26 with normal plantar arch (control) and 26 with dysmorphic plantar arch (in two subgroups: 13 flat feet, 13 hollow feet)—were included. Using Doppler ultrasound, we measured the diameter and the peak systolic velocity in the large veins of the lower limb after PVP stimulation by manual compression and bodyweight transfer. Result The mean peak systolic velocity of the studied veins varied from 12.2 cm/s to 41.7 cm/s in the control group and from 10.9 cm/s to 39.1 cm/s in the dysmorphic plantar group. The foot arch morphology did not affect significantly the venous blood flows, except in the great saphenous vein during manual compression. Conclusion The plantar morphology did not induce a significant increase of venous blood velocity resulting from PVP stimulation.
Atherosclerotic renovascular disease: a clinical practice document by the European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) board of the European Renal Association (ERA) and the Working Group Hypertension and the Kidney of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH)

ABSTRACT Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) is the most common type of renal artery stenosis. It represents a common health problem with clinical presentations relevant to many medical specialties and carries a high risk for future cardiovascular and renal events, as well as overall mortality. The available evidence regarding the management of ARVD is conflicting. Randomized controlled trials failed to demonstrate superiority of percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) with or without stenting in addition to standard medical therapy compared with medical therapy alone in lowering blood pressure levels or preventing adverse renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ARVD, but they carried several limitations and met important criticism. Observational studies showed that PTRA is associated with future cardiorenal benefits in patients presenting with high-risk ARVD phenotypes (i.e. flash pulmonary oedema, resistant hypertension or rapid loss of kidney function). This clinical practice document, prepared by experts from the European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) board of the European Renal Association (ERA) and from the Working Group on Hypertension and the Kidney of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), summarizes current knowledge in epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic assessment of ARVD and presents, following a systematic literature review, key evidence relevant to treatment, with an aim to support clinicians in decision making and everyday management of patients with this condition.
Altered high‐density lipoprotein composition is associated with risk for complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Asian descendants: A cross‐sectional, case‐control study on lipoprotein subclass profiling

Composition of high‐density lipoproteins (HDL) is emerging as an important determinant in the development of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Dutch South Asian (DSA) individuals with T2DM display an increased risk of microvascular complications compared with Dutch white Caucasian (DwC) individuals with T2DM. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether changes in HDL composition associate with increased microvascular risk in this ethnic group and lead to new lipoprotein biomarkers.