Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Divergent decennial trends in mental health according to age reveal poorer mental health for young people: repeated cross-sectional population-based surveys from the HUNT Study, Norway

Objectives Public health trends are formed by political, economic, historical and cultural factors in society. The aim of this paper was to describe overall changes in mental health among adolescents and adults in a Norwegian population over the three last decades and discuss some potential explanations for these changes. Design Repeated population-based health surveys to monitor decennial changes. Setting Data from three cross-sectional surveys in 1995–1997, 2006–2008 and 2017–2019 in the population-based HUNT Study in Norway were used. Participants The general population in a Norwegian county covering participants aged 13–79 years, ranging from 48 000 to 62 000 000 in each survey. Main outcome measures Prevalence estimates of subjective anxiety and depression symptoms stratified by age and gender were assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-5 for adolescents and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for adults. Results Adolescents’ and young adults’ mental distress increased sharply, especially between 2006–2008 and 2017–2019. However, depressive symptoms instead declined among adults aged 60 and over and anxiety symptoms remained largely unchanged in these groups. Conclusions Our trend data from the HUNT Study in Norway indicate poorer mental health among adolescents and young adults that we suggest are related to relevant changes in young people’s living conditions and behaviour, including the increased influence of screen-based media.
Attitudes Toward Peer-Delivered Sexual-Health Services Among New York City Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Who Have Sex with Men and Attend Collective Sex Venues

Collective sex venues such as sex clubs are strategic sites to promote sexual health among sexual and gender minority individuals. We present qualitative findings from a multiple-method study on the acceptability of sexual-health services at collective sex venues in New York City (NYC) among attendees who identified as men, transgender, or gender non-conforming. In a survey used for sample selection (n = 342), most respondents (82.7%) agreed that “having outreach workers at sex venues is a good thing. ” Interviewees (n = 30) appreciated how on-site services could promote sexual health in their community. They felt peer workers should be familiar with collective sex venues and share demographic characteristics with attendees. Some participants felt workers should keep some boundaries from attendees, while others felt they could be fully integrated in the environment, suggesting that either peer outreach or popular-opinion leader types of interventions could be feasible.
Validation of the mental health continuum: Short form among Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

Background Compared to the general Canadian population, military members exhibit a higher prevalence of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the extent to which military members experience positive mental health. Validation of positive mental health measures, including the Mental Health Continuum - Short Form (MHC-SF), is necessary to determine whether well-being can be assessed in a valid and reliable manner among Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) military members. The purpose of this research was to assess the internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, factor structure, and measurement invariance of the MHC-SF among CAF Regular Force and Reserve Force military members. Data and methods Data were drawn from the nationally representative 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey (CFMHS) conducted by Statistics Canada. A random sample of 8,200 CAF military personnel completed the CFMHS, representing 64,400 Regular Force and 4,460 Reserve Force CAF personnel. Results As expected, all three MHC-SF subscales (psychological, social, and emotional well-being) correlated positively with life satisfaction, self-rated mental health, sense of belonging, and social support, and correlated negatively with psychological distress and disability due to health conditions. Internal consistency was high. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure of the MHC-SF, and measurement invariance was satisfied. Interpretation Findings provided support for the reliability, convergent validity, factorial validity, and measurement invariance of the MHC-SF among both Regular Force and Reserve Force military samples. Therefore, researchers and clinicians can reliably implement the MHC-SF as a tool to assess, interpret, and predict military members' psychological, social, and emotional well-being.
Outcomes from a virtual ward delivering oxygen at home for patients recovering from COVID-19: a real world observational study.

BACKGROUND There is a lack of data on the safety of providing oxygen at home to stable patients recovering from COVID-19. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients discharged to a COVID-19 virtual ward (CVW) between January 2021 and March 2021 at a UK district general hospital was performed. Patients with improving clinical trajectories and oxygen requirements up to 4 L/minute were eligible. Outcomes measured were 30-day mortality and readmission rate. RESULTS From 02 January 2021 to 16 March 2021 (74 days), 147 patients discharged to the CVW were included: 71 received continuous or ambulatory oxygen, and 76 received pulse oximetry monitoring only. Five patients were readmitted within 30 days and two patients died. There were no significant differences between readmission and mortality rates between those discharged with or without oxygen. CONCLUSION Provision of oxygen at home for selected patients recovering from COVID-19 is safe with low risk of readmission and death.
Identifying risk factors for prevalent anal human papillomavirus type 16 infection in women living with HIV

Background Women living with HIV (WLHIV) have a high risk of anal cancer. Identifying risk factors for anal HPV 16 infection, the most significant risk factor for anal cancer, is essential for prevention and screening strategies. Methods In the EVVA Cohort study, 151 WLHIV had cervical and anal HPV testing with genotyping every 6 months for 2 years, while demographic and clinical data were collected via questionnaires and chart reviews. Here, we present results of baseline data analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results Among 150 women with adequate HPV test results at baseline, HPV 16 DNA was detected anally in 23 (15.3%; 95%CI:10.4–22.1) and cervically in 5 (3.3%; 95%CI:1.4–7.8). In multivariable analysis, current smoking (OR = 6.0; 95%CI: 1.5–23.9), nadir CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/μL (OR = 8.4; 95%CI: 2.0–34.3), prevalent cervical HPV 16 (OR = 14.7; 95%CI: 1.0–222.5) and anogenital herpes in previous 6 months (OR = 9.8, 95%CI: 1.7–56.8) were associated with prevalent anal HPV 16. Conclusions Knowledge of risk factors can help identify WLHIV at greatest risk of anal HPV 16 infection and, potentially, developing subsequent anal cancer. Identification of the subgroup of these women in whom HPV 16 persists could be an early step in the algorithm of anal cancer screening.
Repertoires of SARS-CoV-2 epitopes targeted by antibodies vary according to severity of COVID-19

ABSTRACT Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are central to recovery and immunity from COVID-19. However, the relationship between disease severity and the repertoire of antibodies against specific SARS-CoV-2 epitopes an individual develops following exposure remains incompletely understood. Here, we studied seroprevalence of antibodies to specific SARS-CoV-2 and other betacoronavirus antigens in a well-annotated, community sample of convalescent and never-infected individuals obtained in August 2020. One hundred and twenty-four participants were classified into five groups: previously exposed but without evidence of infection, having no known exposure or evidence of infection, seroconverted without symptoms, previously diagnosed with symptomatic COVID-19, and recovered after hospitalization with COVID-19. Prevalence of IgGs specific to the following antigens was compared between the five groups: recombinant SARS-CoV-2 and betacoronavirus spike and nucleocapsid protein domains, peptides from a tiled array of 22-mers corresponding to the entire spike and nucleocapsid proteins, and peptides corresponding to predicted immunogenic regions from other proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Antibody abundance generally correlated positively with severity of prior illness. A number of specific immunogenic peptides and some that may be associated with milder illness or protection from symptomatic infection were identified. No convincing association was observed between antibodies to Receptor Binding Domain(s) (RBDs) of less pathogenic betacoronaviruses HKU1 or OC43 and COVID-19 severity. However, apparent cross-reaction with SARS-CoV RBD was evident and some predominantly asymptomatic individuals had antibodies to both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV RBDs. Findings from this pilot study may inform development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutic antibodies, and provide insight into viral pathogenic mechanisms.
An appraisal of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): the dynamic molecule of wound healing and its current clinical applications

Abstract Angiogenesis is a critical step of wound healing, and its failure leads to chronic wounds. The idea of restoring blood flow to the damaged tissues by promoting neo-angiogenesis is lucrative and has been researched extensively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key dynamic molecule of angiogenesis has been investigated for its functions. In this review, we aim to appraise its biology, the comprehensive role of this dynamic molecule in the wound healing process, and how this knowledge has been translated in clinical application in various types of wounds. Although, most laboratory research on the use of VEGF is promising, its clinical applications have not met great expectations. We discuss various lacunae that might exist in making its clinical application unsuccessful for commercial use, and provide insight to the foundation for future research.
Manual acupuncture at ST36 attenuates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and enhancing Treg cell populations in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats

Objectives: Acupuncture has been found to be effective at relieving many inflammatory pain conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of manual acupuncture (MA) treatment of RA using adjuvant-induced arthritic (AIA) rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of MA at ST36 (Zusanli) in AIA rats were assessed using paw withdrawal latency and swelling, histological examination and cytokine detection by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The cell–cell communication (CCC) network was analyzed with a multiplex immunoassay of 24 immune factors expressed in the inflamed joints, and the macrophage and Treg populations and associated cytokines regulated by MA were investigated using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), ELISA and flow cytometry. Results: MA markedly decreased heat hyperalgesia and paw swelling in AIA rats. MA-treated rats also exhibited decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β) coupled with increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1) in the ankle joints at protein and mRNA levels. CCC network analysis confirmed that macrophages are of critical importance and are potential therapeutic targets in RA. Repeated treatment with MA triggered a macrophage phenotypic switch in the paws, with fewer M1 macrophages. Prominent increases in the Treg cell population and TGF-β1 in the popliteal lymph nodes demonstrated the immunomodulatory effects of MA. Furthermore, a selective TGF-β1-receptor inhibitor, SB431542, attenuated the anti-inflammatory effects of MA and MA-induced suppression of the levels of M1-released cytokines. Conclusion: These findings provide novel evidence that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of MA on RA act through phenotypic modulation involving the inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization and an increase in the Treg cell population, highlighting the potential therapeutic advantages of acupuncture in controlling pain and ameliorating inflammatory conditions.
Ocular Manifestations in an Italian Cohort of Patients with Takayasu Arteritis

ABSTRACT Purpose We describe ophthalmic manifestations, therapy, and outcomes in 16 patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA). Methods Takayasu retinopathy was detected in 15 eyes of 9 patients and hypertensive retinopathy in 14 eyes of 7 patients. Results Visual acuity was normal in 7 eyes, 20/40 to 20/200 in 20 eyes, counting fingers in 2 eyes, hand motion in 2 eyes, and no light perception in 1 eye. Glucocorticoids associated with immunosuppressive agents induced a sustained remission in 13 patients. Three relapsing-refractory patients were given the monoclonal antibody tocilizumab, which led to partial and complete response in 1 and 2 patients respectively. Steroid-induced cataracts developed in 4 patients. Restenosis and the consequent recurrence of visual symptoms were detected in 2 of 9 patients who underwent a patency procedure for their stenotic lesions. Conclusions Ocular manifestations were a common feature (37.2%) in our cohort of TA patients and were frequently responsible for severe visual deterioration. Abbreviations BCVA: best-corrected visual acuity; FFA: fundus fluorescein angiography; GC: glucocorticoids; HR: hypertensive retinopathy; ITAS: Indian Takayasu activity score; OCT: optical coherence tomography; TA: Takayasu arteritis; TR: Takayasu retinopathy.
Isolation and structure elucidation of a steroidal moiety from Withania somnifera and in silico evaluation of antimalarial efficacy against artemisinin resistance Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 protein

Abstract According to the 2021 Malaria report, 241 million clinical episodes with 627000 deaths penalty was estimated across the worldwide. However, mutation in the propeller domain of Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 protein resulted in longer parasite clearance time following an artemisinin-based treatment and had a greater survival rate of ring-stage parasites even after a brief exposure to a high dose of artesunate. Clinical manifestations become more complex and worse with the emerging trend of drug resistance against artemisinin derivatives and the poor effectiveness of malaria vaccination drive. Steroidal lactone (withanolide) moiety (C-28) isolated from methanolic leaf extract Withania somnifera show a greater affinity towards Pfkelch 13 protein in comparison to the artemisinin derivatives (artesunate, artemether). The isolated compound was characterized to be withaferin A with a percentage yield of 29.01% w/w in chloroform fraction, 1.75% w/w in methanolic extract, and 0.29% w/w in raw leaf powder. Structure-based analysis shows that withaferin A (docking score −8.253, −9.802) has a higher affinity for two distinct binding pockets I and II of the Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 protein than artesunate (docking score −4.470, −3.656). Further, Gibbs binding free energy signifies thermodynamic stability of the docked complex of withaferin A (-43.25, −43.76 Kcal/mol) in comparison to artesunate docked complex (-8.49, −5.75 Kcal/mol). The pharmacokinetic profile of withaferin A shows more drug-likeness characteristics without violating Jorgensen’s rule of three, and Lipinski's rule of five. Hence above experimental findings suggest withaferin A could be a suitable therapeutic adjunct for preclinical evaluation of antimalarial potentiality in artemisinin-resistant malaria. HIGHLIGHTs Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species. The emerging trend of artemisinin resistance and severe side effects (CNS and cardiotoxicity) are the potential challenges faced by antimalarial therapeutics. Artemisinin-mimic potentiality (ROS-mediated antiparasitic activity) of withaferin A shows a strong affinity towards artemisinin resistance Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 protein. The pharmacokinetic profiling of the withaferin A signifies its drug-likeness characteristics without violating Jorgensen’s rule of three, and Lipinski's rule of five. Based on molecular docking and pharmacokinetic profiling, withaferin A could be a suitable therapeutic adjunct for preclinical investigation of antimalarial potentiality in artemisinin-resistant malaria. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma Graphical Abstract
The Use of Simulators for Teaching Practical Clinical Skills to Veterinary Students — A Review

In the context of veterinary education, simulators are devices or sets of conditions aiming to imitate real patients and enable students to practice skills without the need for live animal use. Simulator use in veterinary education has increased significantly in recent years, allowing consistent practical teaching without reliance on clinical cases. This review examines the available literature regarding the use of simulation and simulators for teaching practical day one competences to veterinary students. Scientific databases were searched and 73 relevant articles were reviewed. The reviewed articles revealed that there are a number of simulators currently available to veterinary educators, that simulators can enhance student skills and provide an alternative learning environment without the need for live animal and/or cadaver use, and that they usually receive positive feedback from the students who use them. There appears to be a bias towards small animal simulators — however, some skills that are developed through the use of small animal or table-top models will be transferrable to other species. The majority of large animal simulators focus on bovine rectal palpation and/or pregnancy diagnosis. Further research is required to increase the repertoire of available simulators for use in veterinary education, in order to improve the practical skills of veterinary students and reduce the use of live animals and cadaver material for teaching purposes.
Neural correlates of attachment in adolescents with trauma: a preliminary study on frustrative non-reward

Abstract Despite the proposed early life origins of attachment style and its implications for risk for psychopathology, little is known about its neurodevelopmental course. Adolescence represents a key transition period when neural substrates of emotion regulation and reward undergo dramatic maturational shifts. Thus, maladaptive coping strategies associated with insecure attachment styles may have an exaggerated effect during adolescence. The current study, therefore, examined the neural correlates of insecure attachment in a diverse sample of adolescents using a frustrative non-reward task (i.e. repeatedly being denied an expected reward). Although there were no significant interactions in the whole-brain activation averaged over the course of the task, the use of complementary analytic approaches (connectivity, change in activation over the course of the task) revealed widespread alterations associated with avoidant attachment during the immediate reaction to, and ensuing recovery from, being denied a reward. Most strikingly, increased avoidant attachment, adjusting for anxious attachment, predicted functional connectivity and change in activity over time in amygdala–prefrontal and frontostriatal networks to reward blocked vs received trials. These patterns were in the opposite direction compared to those exhibited by adolescents lower in avoidant attachment. The findings suggest that negative emotional experiences, such as receiving frustrating feedback, may be uniquely aversive internal experiences for avoidantly attached adolescents and provide preliminary evidence that early coping strategies may persist into adolescence in the form of altered emotion- and reward-related neural patterns.
Depression, worry, and loneliness are associated with subsequent risk of hospitalization for COVID-19: a prospective study

Abstract Background Pre-pandemic psychological distress is associated with increased susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but associations with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity are not established. The authors examined the associations between distress prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent risk of hospitalization. Methods Between April 2020 (baseline) and April 2021, we followed 54 781 participants from three ongoing cohorts: Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII), Nurses' Health Study 3 (NHS3), and the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) who reported no current or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection at baseline. Chronic depression was assessed during 2010–2019. Depression, anxiety, worry about COVID-19, perceived stress, and loneliness were measured at baseline. SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization due to COVID-19 was self-reported. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated by Poisson regression. Results 3663 participants reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test (mean age = 55.0 years, standard deviation = 13.8) during follow-up. Among these participants, chronic depression prior to the pandemic [RR = 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–2.46], and probable depression (RR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.08–3.03), being very worried about COVID-19 (RR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.12–2.86), and loneliness (RR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.02–3.20) reported at baseline were each associated with subsequent COVID-19 hospitalization, adjusting for demographic factors and healthcare worker status. Anxiety and perceived stress were not associated with hospitalization. Depression, worry about COVID-19, and loneliness were as strongly associated with hospitalization as were high cholesterol and hypertension, established risk factors for COVID-19 severity. Conclusions Psychological distress may be a risk factor for hospitalization in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Assessment of psychological distress may identify patients at greater risk of hospitalization. Future work should examine whether addressing distress improves physical health outcomes.