Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The minimal clinically important difference in Berg Balance Scale scores among patients with early subacute stroke: a multicenter, retrospective, observational study

ABSTRACT Background Balance dysfunction is common in stroke patients. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is useful for evaluating the balance function of stroke patients, and it can estimate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in balance. BBS scores differ among stroke patients depending on whether they require walking assistance. The MCID should thus be estimated separately for patients who require assistance and those who do not. Objectives To estimate the MCID of individuals who have had an early subacute stroke and require a walking aid and those who do not, to assist the clinical determination of the effectiveness of therapy. Methods This was a retrospective clinical analysis of 80 early subacute stroke patients. We estimated the MCID by using the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) as anchors for changes in BBS scores during a 1-month period. The MCID was estimated based on a cutoff score for separating the patients who achieved a FAC change ≥1 point on receiver operator characteristic curves. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to measure the discrimination accuracy. The MCID was estimated for the patients who needed walking assistance and those who did not. Results The estimated MCID of BBS scores in the assisted-walking group was 5 points and the AUC was 0.84 (p < .01); the corresponding values in the unassisted-walking group were 4 points and 0.62 (p = .26). Conclusions For early subacute stroke patients who require assistance to walk, a 5-point improvement in the BBS score is a useful indicator for reducing the amount of assistance.
COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Adults — United States, December 14, 2020–May 22, 2021

The U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program launched on December 14, 2020. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for specific groups of the U.S. population who were at highest risk for COVID-19 hospitalization and death, including adults aged ≥75 years*; implementation varied by state, and eligibility was gradually expanded to persons aged ≥65 years beginning in January 2021. By April 19, 2021, eligibility was expanded to all adults aged ≥18 years nationwide. † To assess patterns of COVID-19 vaccination coverage among U.S. adults, CDC analyzed data submitted on vaccinations administered during December 14, 2020-May 22, 2021, by age, sex, and community-level characteristics. By May 22, 2021, 57.0% of persons aged ≥18 years had received ≥1 COVID-19 vaccine dose; coverage was highest among persons aged ≥65 years (80.0%) and lowest among persons aged 18-29 years (38.3%). During the week beginning February 7, 2021, vaccination initiation among adults aged ≥65 years peaked at 8.2%, whereas weekly initiation among other age groups peaked later and at lower levels. During April 19-May 22, 2021, the period following expanded eligibility to all adults, weekly initiation remained <4.0% and decreased for all age groups, including persons aged 18-29 years (3.6% to 1.9%) and 30-49 years (3.5% to 1.7%); based on the current rate of weekly initiation (as of May 22), younger persons will not reach the same levels of coverage as older persons by the end of August. Across all age groups, coverage (≥1 dose) was lower among men compared with women, except among adults aged ≥65 years, and lower among persons living in counties that were less urban, had higher social vulnerabilities, or had higher percentages of social determinants of poor health. Continued efforts to improve vaccination confidence and alleviate barriers to vaccination initiation, especially among adults aged 18-49 years, could improve vaccination coverage.
Thinking of future as an older individual increases perceived risks for age‐related diseases but not for COVID‐19

Actively thinking of one's future as an older individual could increase perceived risk and risk aversion. This could be particularly relevant for COVID‐19, if we consider the common representation of the risk of being infected by COVID‐19 as associated with being older. Increased perceived risk could bear consequences on the adoption of preventive behaviours. Thus, we investigated whether increasing the salience of individuals' future as an older adult would impact on their perceived risk for COVID‐19 and medical conditions varying for age‐relatedness. One hundred and forty‐four Italian adults (M age = 27.72, range: 18–56) were randomly assigned to either a future as older adult thinking or control condition. Perceived risk for COVID‐19 and other strongly, and weakly age‐related medical conditions during the lifetime was measured. Results showed that thinking about the future as an older adult increased perceived risk for strongly and weakly age‐related diseases, but not for COVID‐19. The salience of the COVID‐19 outbreak may have raised the perceived risks in both experimental conditions, making the manipulation ineffective. In conclusion, manipulating future‐oriented thinking might be a successful communication strategy to increase people's perceived risk of common diseases, but it might not work for highly salient pathologies such as COVID‐19.
COVID-19 Surveillance and Investigations in Workplaces — Seattle & King County, Washington, June 15–November 15, 2020

Workplace activities involving close contact with coworkers and customers can lead to transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1,2). Information on the approach to and effectiveness of COVID-19 workplace investigations is limited. In May 2020, Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC), King County, Washington established a COVID-19 workplace surveillance and response system to enhance COVID-19 contact tracing and identify outbreaks in workplaces. During June 15-November 15, 2020, a total of 2,881 workplaces in King County reported at least one case of COVID-19. Among 1,305 (45.3%) investigated workplaces,* 524 (40.3%) met the definition of a workplace outbreak. † Among 306 (58.4%) workplaces with complete data,§ an average of 4.4 employee COVID-19 cases¶ (median = three; range = 1-65) were identified per outbreak, with an average attack rate among employees of 17.5%. PHSKC and the Washington State Department of Health optimized resources by establishing a classification scheme to prioritize workplace investigations as high, medium, or low priority based on workplace features observed to be associated with increased COVID-19 spread and workforce features associated with severe disease outcomes. High-priority investigations were significantly more likely than medium- and low-priority investigations to have two or more cases among employees (p<0.001), two or more cases not previously linked to the workplace (p<0.001), or two or more exposed workplace contacts not previously identified during case interviews (p = 0.002). Prioritization of workplace investigations allowed for the allocation of limited resources to effectively conduct workplace investigations to limit the potential workplace spread of COVID-19. Workplace investigations can also serve as an opportunity to provide guidance on preventing workplace exposures to SARS-CoV-2, facilitate access to vaccines, and strengthen collaborations between public health and businesses.
PF4-Dependent Immunoassays in Patients with Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: Results of an Interlaboratory Comparison

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCov-19 may rarely lead to vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Antibody-mediated, platelet factor 4 (PF4)-dependent platelet activation appears to resemble a key mechanism in VITT, partially comparable to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The use of PF4/heparin immunoassays has been proposed as part of a diagnostic approach, but their sensitivity has not been established. Methods Sera from 12 well-defined VITT patients were first studied by two different laboratories in functional assays. Sera where then used for an interlaboratory comparison, in which five different PF4/heparin immunoassays were used by four laboratories. Results Results for functional testing were highly concordant. VITT antibodies were also reliably detected by PF4/heparin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (92–100%). In contrast, only 25% of VITT antibodies were reactive in a particle gel immunoassay (PaGIA), and 8% in a lateral flow assay (LFA). An automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) was negative for all sera tested (0%). Conclusion It seems feasible to establish functional antibody testing for the confirmation of VITT. For the initial screening of suspected VITT cases, PaGIA, LFA, and CLIA are useless when applied as single tests. Only ELISA-based PF4/heparin immunoassays are sensitive enough to be incorporated in the diagnostic workup. However, a combination of a positive ELISA and a negative CLIA may be useful to identify VITT antibodies in the absence of confirmatory functional assays.
Asymmetrical deposition and modification of histone H3 variants are essential for zygote development

A low level of H3.1/2 deposition in the perinucleolar regions of male pronuclei in zygotes prevents accumulation of H3.1/2K27me3 modification which has detrimental effect on DNA replication. The pericentromeric heterochromatin of one-cell embryos forms a unique, ring-like structure around the nucleolar precursor body, which is absent in somatic cells. Here, we found that the histone H3 variants H3.1 and/or H3.2 (H3.1/H3.2) were localized asymmetrically between the male and female perinucleolar regions of the one-cell embryos; moreover, asymmetrical histone localization influenced DNA replication timing. The nuclear deposition of H3.1/3.2 in one-cell embryos was low relative to other preimplantation stages because of reduced H3.1/3.2 mRNA expression and incorporation efficiency. The forced incorporation of H3.1/3.2 into the pronuclei of one-cell embryos triggered a delay in DNA replication, leading to developmental failure. Methylation of lysine residue 27 (H3K27me3) of the deposited H3.1/3.2 in the paternal perinucleolar region caused this delay in DNA replication. These results suggest that reduced H3.1/3.2 in the paternal perinucleolar region is essential for controlled DNA replication and preimplantation development. The nuclear deposition of H3.1/3.2 is presumably maintained at a low level to avoid the detrimental effect of K27me3 methylation on DNA replication in the paternal perinucleolar region.
Agricultural cooperatives participating in vegetable supply chain integration: A case study of a trinity cooperative in China

Supply chain integration plays an important role in the development of the vegetable industry in terms of vegetable quality, vegetable safety, and vegetable security in rural China. This paper explores how agricultural cooperatives integrate the vegetable supply chain by taking a trinity cooperative as an example in China. It explains the translation concatenation of supply chain integration for this cooperative by constructing actor networks in four development stages, including the seed stage, start-up stage, development stage, and mature stage. The findings show that supply chain integration in production cooperation, supply & sales cooperation, and credit cooperation is a useful trinity cooperative model of supply chain integration for investigating vegetable supply chain integration through internal integration and external integration. This paper suggests that cooperatives in the vegetable supply chain should facilitate close coordination among different shareholders and further improve the efficiency of supply chain integration. The government should provide training opportunities and funding to encourage cooperatives to participate in supply chain integration within the vegetable industry.
Association between personality and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Abstract Background Nearly half of adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), characterized by cognitive impairments in two or more cognitive domains, which can interfere with everyday functioning. Many factors are thought to influence such cognitive impairments in adults with HIV; one factor seldom examined is personality. Objective This study investigated the association between five major dimensions of personality (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and cognitive function in older adults with HIV. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a secondary data analysis was conducted on 261 HIV + participants. Participants completed a norm-based cognitive battery covering seven cognitive domains, which yielded the following indices: global cognitive impairment, and global and domain-specific T-scores. The Big Five Inventory was used to assess personality traits. Results Higher openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness were associated with better performance on individual cognitive domains while agreeableness and openness were also positively associated with global cognitive T-scores (p < .01). Only openness significantly predicted global cognition when adjusting for covariates (p < .01). Discussion Openness was associated with better global cognitive function in persons with HIV. This study provides a basis for further investigation of potential mechanisms for the association between personality and cognition in people with HIV in order to ultimately inform intervention strategies.
Poor oral function is associated with loss of independence or death in functionally independent older adults

Aim To clarify the association of poor oral function with loss of independence (LOI) or death in functionally independent older adults in the community. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study in two municipalities in Japan. We included participants who were older than 65 years of age and had no certification in long-term care at baseline. Poor oral function was evaluated by the Kihon Checklist. Among participants with poor oral function, they were further classified by the degree of quality of life (QOL) impairment due to dysphagia. Main outcome is LOI or death from all cause. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence of intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for potential confounders. Results Of 1,272 participants, 150 participants (11.8%) had poor oral function. The overall incidence of LOI or death was 10.0% in the participants with poor oral function, while 3.3% in the participants without. Participants with poor oral function were more likely to develop LOI or death than those without (crude HR = 3.17 [95% CIs 1.74–5.78], adjusted HR = 2.30 [95% CIs 1.22–4.36]). 10 participants (0.79%) were classified as poor oral function with QOL impairment, and were more likely to develop LOI or death than those without poor oral function (crude HR = 7.45 [95% CIs 1.80–30.91], adjusted HR = 8.49 [95% CIs 1.88–38.34]). Conclusions Poor oral function was associated with higher risk of LOI or death in functionally independent older adults in the community.
Tanshinone IIA alleviates acute ethanol‐induced myocardial apoptosis mainly through inhibiting the expression of PDCD4 and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway

Myocardial apoptosis contributes to acute ethanol‐induced cardiac injury. Improving immoderate apoptosis has become the potential therapeutic strategy for acute ethanol‐induced heart damage. Previous studies reported that Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a key ingredient extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, performed an anti‐apoptotic role against acute ethanol‐related cell damage. In this study, we investigated whether Tan IIA protected the acute ethanol‐induced cardiac damage in vivo and in vitro. C57BL/6 mice were treated with acute ethanol and then treated with Tan IIA. The results showed that Tan IIA significantly improved heart function and blocked myocardial apoptosis. Acute ethanol exposure induced H9C2 cells apoptosis. Treatment with Tan IIA abrogated acute ethanol‐induced H9C2 cells apoptosis. Mechanistically, Tan IIA inhibited apoptosis by downregulating the programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) expression and activating the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Furthermore, PDCD4 overexpression abrogated Tan IIA‐mediated anti‐apoptotic role and activation on the PI3K/Akt pathway. Interestingly, the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) application significantly attenuated the main protective effects of Tan IIA. In conclusion, Tan IIA improves acute ethanol‐induced myocardial apoptosis mainly through regulating the PDCD4 expression and activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. We provide evidence that Tan IIA is a new treatment approach for acute ethanol‐induced heart damage.
Loss of FCHSD1 leads to amelioration of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Significance Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema) is a life-threatening disorder with high morbidity and mortality that is prevalent worldwide. It is characterized by destruction of the alveolar wall and a decline in lung function. However, few palliative therapies are currently available. We show that FCH and double SH3 domains 1 (Fchsd1) knockout mice are protected against airspace enlargement induced by elastase. FCHSD1 deficiency enhanced nuclear translocation of NRF2 and attenuated elastase-induced reduction in SIRT1 levels, which reduced inflammation and apoptosis of lung cells. These data indicate that FCHSD1 promotes the initiation phase of emphysema development and indicate potential therapeutic targets for COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/emphysema) is a life-threatening disorder and there are few effective therapies. Cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress, airway inflammation, and apoptosis of lung cells have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD/emphysema and lead to alveolar septal destruction. Here we show that the expression level of FCH and double SH3 domains 1 (FCHSD1) was drastically increased in mice in response to elastase instillation, an experimental model of COPD. FCHSD1 is a member of the F-BAR family with two SH3 domains. We found that Fchsd1 knockout (Fchsd1−/−) mice were protected against airspace enlargement induced by elastase. Elastase-instilled lungs of Fchsd1−/− mice showed reduced inflammation and apoptosis compared with WT mice. We also found that elastase-induced reduction of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels, a histone deacetylase reported to protect against emphysema, was attenuated in the lungs of Fchsd1−/− mice. Furthermore, FCHSD1 deficiency enhanced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-like 2 (NRF2), a redox-sensitive transcription factor, following H2O2 stimulation. Conversely, Fchsd1 overexpression inhibited NRF2 nuclear translocation and increased the reduction of SIRT1 levels. Notably, FCHSD1 interacted with NRF2 and SNX9. Our results show that FCHSD1 forms a multicomplex with NRF2 and SNX9 in the cytosol that prevents NRF2 from translocating to the nucleus. We propose that FCHSD1 promotes initiation of emphysema development by inhibiting nuclear translocation of NRF2, which leads to down-regulation of SIRT1.
Dual oxidase 1 promotes antiviral innate immunity

Significance Influenza infections kill millions of people worldwide. Current prophylactic treatment options are limited due to viral strain–specific vaccinations and emerging drug resistance. It is important to discover new immune mechanisms that can fight the influenza virus. Our work presented here identifies such a mechanism. The Duox1 protein helps the airways to clear influenza virus and to reduce infection-related death and sickness in an animal model. Duox1 delays the infection process by directly targeting the virus. Unlike current vaccines, this mechanism is effective against several influenza strains. Our study identifies the function of the Duox1 gene and suggests that it has a therapeutic potential against influenza and potentially other respiratory pathogens, worth exploring in the future. Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) is an NADPH oxidase that is highly expre-ssed in respiratory epithelial cells and produces H2O2 in the airway lumen. While a line of prior in vitro observations suggested that DUOX1 works in partnership with an airway peroxidase, lactoperoxidase (LPO), to produce antimicrobial hypothiocyanite (OSCN−) in the airways, the in vivo role of DUOX1 in mammalian organisms has remained unproven to date. Here, we show that Duox1 promotes antiviral innate immunity in vivo. Upon influenza airway challenge, Duox1−/− mice have enhanced mortality, morbidity, and impaired lung viral clearance. Duox1 increases the airway levels of several cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, CCL1, CCL3, CCL11, CCL19, CCL20, CCL27, CXCL5, and CXCL11), contributes to innate immune cell recruitment, and affects epithelial apoptosis in the airways. In primary human tracheobronchial epithelial cells, OSCN− is generated by LPO using DUOX1-derived H2O2 and inactivates several influenza strains in vitro. We also show that OSCN− diminishes influenza replication and viral RNA synthesis in infected host cells that is inhibited by the H2O2 scavenger catalase. Binding of the influenza virus to host cells and viral entry are both reduced by OSCN− in an H2O2-dependent manner in vitro. OSCN− does not affect the neuraminidase activity or morphology of the influenza virus. Overall, this antiviral function of Duox1 identifies an in vivo role of this gene, defines the steps in the infection cycle targeted by OSCN−, and proposes that boosting this mechanism in vivo can have therapeutic potential in treating viral infections.
Experiences before and after nasogastric and gastrostomy tube insertion with emphasis on mealtimes: a case study of an adolescent with cerebral palsy

ABSTRACT Purpose: Adolescents with cerebral palsy may need a feeding tube due to feeding challenges, since nutritional intake and mealtimes may be negatively affected. The purpose of the study was to describe and better understand how one adolescent with cerebral palsy and her parents experienced mealtimes before and after a nasogastric and gastrostomy tube insertion and how the use of these feeding tubes was experienced in daily life. Methods: Individual interviews were performed with one adolescent and each of her parents. In total, six interviews were conducted on two separate occasions. The qualitative approach known as Interpretive Description was used during the analysis. Results: Four thematic patterns were identified within the data: (i) struggling with nutritional intake, (ii) the paradox of using an aid, (iii) being different, and (iv) challenges of public mealtimes. Conclusions: The results showed that four themes influenced daily mealtimes in adolescents with cerebral palsy and a gastrostomy tube. Nutritional intake and mealtimes may be difficult, which is why using a gastrostomy tube can be a relief. However, the gastrostomy tube can also pose a challenge and a paradox. Time of change and acceptance seems necessary in order to meet these challenges.