Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gamma spectral event power is elevated in Fragile X Syndrome and associated with single trial gamma power during auditory chirp

Background: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from silencing of the FMR1 gene. One of the most common and debilitating symptoms of FXS is sensory hyperarousal, especially in the auditory domain. Although the neural mechanisms of auditory hyperarousal in FXS are not well understood, electroencephalography (EEG) studies demonstrate increases in background gamma power during auditory paradigms, which are associated with more severe behavior and impairments in auditory synchronization. Methods: High-frequency neural responses to the auditory chirp stimulus were studied in 36 individuals with FXS and 39 controls. Gamma Non-continuous high power events (spectral events) were quantified and compared from source localized EEG recordings. Correlation testing of spectral event properties was performed to averaged EEG features and clinical measures. Results: Our results show that gamma event peak power was increased in the temporal source of male subjects with FXS (p<0.001, adj. p=0.008) as well as correlated with background average gamma power, while event number, event duration, and frequency span did not differ between groups. Further, absolute event power was positively correlated with clinical measures of obsessive behavior (R=0.63, adj. p=0.011) and stereotypic behavior (R=0.57, adj. p=0.031). Conclusions: Our results indicate that gamma event peak absolute power likely underlies the increased background single trial gamma power observed during auditory processing in FXS, and that the temporal dynamics of gamma activity do not differ.
Dexamethasone modulate TWIST mediated EndMT changes in venous EC under acute shear stress. Implications for vein grafts disease.

Background: The use of vein grafts in coronary artery surgery is complicated by a high late restenosis rate resulting from the development of intimal hyperplasia, and accelerated atherosclerosis. TGF{beta} has been implicated in the process of intimal hyperplasia but the role of TGF{beta} driven Endothelial to mesenchymal is not fully understood. Here, we have investigated the hypothesis that arterial shear stress (flow) can trigger Endothelial to mesenchymal changes in venous ECs mediated by TGF{beta} / SMAD pathway in-vitro and ex-vivo and that a brief pretreatment of vein with Dexamethasone can suppress such changes. Methods and Results: Comparative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining and Western blotting revealed that arterial shear stress induced TGF{beta} / SMAD dependent in HUVEC which was regulated by TWIST 1&2 as the selective inhibition of TWIST 1 or 2 using specific siRNA suppressed EndMT in response to shear stress. We also noted that brief pretreatment of HUVECs with Dexamethasone can modulate EndMT changes in response to shear stress. Using spatial cell sequencing in human long saphenous vein segments exposed to acute arterial flow identified a cluster of cells that had both EC and SMC phenotypes where TWIST2 was significantly upregulated. We validated the untargeted spatial findings in segments of veins under acute arterial flow ex-vivo using comparative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining and RNAscope and observed that Dexamethasone can suppress EndMT changes in vein segments by suppressing TGF{beta} / SMAD / TWIST1 &2. Conclusion: Dexamethasone brief pretreatment can suppress EndMT changes triggered by acute exposure of long saphenous vein segments to arterial haemodynamics by modulating TGF{beta} / SMAD / TWIST1 &2 pathway.
“The Slums Have To Be Shown”: Documenting Drug Injection in Public Spaces Ahead of the Opening of a Drug Consumption Room in Marseille

EPOSIM is a community-based participatory research study which used the Photovoice method with people who inject drugs (PWID) ahead of a possible opening of a drug consumption room (DCR) in Marseille, France. It aimed to identify the strategies used by PWID when injecting, and the risks they take when they have no safe private space to inject in the area they live in. A total of 7 PWID participated in the full study process. The 189 photographs they took provided us with a good understanding of their injection practices in public places. The main results highlighted the spatiality and materiality of injecting experience in a context where no DCR was available. They also showed the relevance of Photovoice to valorize the voices of PWID when implementing a DCR. Through the showcasing of their photographs at various public exhibitions, the participants seized the opportunity to use Photovoice to make their voices heard beyond the group formed for the study, in order to show the different forms of stigma and insalubrious contexts which they faced on a daily basis. Furthermore, the photographs taken demonstrated that having only health and safety records is not enough to fully understand PWID injection practices. Future studies must take into account PWID perceptions of their relationship with injecting in public spaces and with the management of stigma. The questions of pleasure and comfort must also be explored in evaluation studies of harm reduction measures, for example, DCR.
Empathy amongst doctors: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION Empathy is the ability to put oneself in another's emotional space and experience what they feel. Either due to lack of experience or mundaness of practice, a state of empathy can become premised, and individuals become indifferent or detached. We aimed to explore the level of empathy among doctors at different levels of practice, age, gender, academics, non-academics and discipline. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional, observational study on empathy among doctors practicing in the private, public hospital sector and faculty at a medical university in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia that utilised convenience sampling for data collection. The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) a validated tool was used to measure empathy. RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 127 doctors, 52% (n= 66) were males and 48% (n=61) females. There was no significant difference in empathy between male (M=46.44; SD=6.01) and female (M=45.05, SD=5.69) doctors; t (123) = 1.326, p=0.187. Pearson correlation coefficient was computed to assess the linear relationship between age and empathy and revealed no correlation between the two variables: r (125) =0.15, p=0.099. Medical-based doctors (M= 47.47, SD=5.98) demonstrated more empathy than surgicalbased (M=44.32, SD=5.41); t (123) =-3.09, p=0.002. Those already specialised in their fields (M=47.38, SD=4.57) had more empathy than those who had not (M= 44.36, SD=6.52); t (123) =-2.96, p = 0.004. Doctors in the university (M=47.97, SD=4.31) tended to have more empathy than those in the public hospitals (M= 44.63, SD=6.27); t (117) =-2.91, p=0.004. Academicians had more empathy than non-academicians but there was no difference between those who were in clinical practice and not. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that medical-based doctors demonstrate more empathy than surgical-based doctors, and there appeared to be no correlation between age and empathy. However, clinical experience and growth within the specialty seem to improve empathy. Doctors teaching in the university setting demonstrated more empathy than those practicing in the hospital setting. Inclusion of empathy-related sessions in the undergraduate and post-graduate curriculum could bridge the gap in empathy noted with age, discipline, and experience in practice. Further research on empathy among doctors using a wider population in Malaysia and a TEQ questionnaire validated to the Asian population would provide better insight regarding this area of medical practice. Future research on outcomes of inclusion of programmes targeted at improving empathy to create awareness during practice would support patient satisfaction and safety.
Effect of Structural Moral Case Deliberation on Burnout Symptoms, Moral Distress, and Team Climate in ICU Professionals: A Parallel Cluster Randomized Trial*

OBJECTIVES: Moral case deliberation (MCD) is a team-based and facilitator-led, structured moral dialogue about ethical difficulties encountered in practice. This study assessed whether offering structural MCD in ICUs reduces burnout symptoms and moral distress and strengthens the team climate among ICU professionals. DESIGN: This is a parallel cluster randomized trial. SETTING: Six ICUs in two hospitals located in Nijmegen, between January 2020 and September 2021. SUBJECTS: Four hundred thirty-five ICU professionals. INTERVENTIONS: Three of the ICUs organized structural MCD. In three other units, there was no structural MCD or other structural discussions of moral problems. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcomes investigated were the three burnout symptoms—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a low sense of personal accomplishment—among ICU professionals measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory on a 0–6 scale. Secondary outcomes were moral distress (Moral Distress Scale) on a 0–336 scale and team climate (Safety Attitude Questionnaire) on a 0–4 scale. Organizational culture was an explorative outcome (culture of care barometer) and was measured on a 0–4 scale. Outcomes were measured at baseline and in 6-, 12-, and 21-month follow-ups. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using linear mixed models for longitudinal nested data. Structural MCD did not affect emotional exhaustion or depersonalization, or the team climate. It reduced professionals’ personal accomplishment (−0.15; p < 0.05) but also reduced moral distress (−5.48; p < 0.01). Perceptions of organizational support (0.15; p < 0.01), leadership (0.19; p < 0.001), and participation opportunities (0.13; p < 0.05) improved. CONCLUSIONS: Although structural MCD did not mitigate emotional exhaustion or depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment in ICU professionals, it did reduce moral distress. Moreover, it did not improve team climate, but improved the organizational culture.
General practitioners' perceptions of the provision of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C within Australian private general practice: an exploratory qualitative study.

BACKGROUND There is a need to increase the involvement of Australian general practitioners (GPs) working in private practice to realise the potential of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for people with the hepatitis C virus. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2018 with seven GPs and two practice nurses working in private general practice to elicit the experiences and perceptions of their involvement in providing care for patients with hepatitis C virus in this setting. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed to inform interventions to maximise the provision of DAA in private general practice. RESULTS Participants described individual GPs purposely limiting their scope of clinical practice (SOCP) and expressed an expectation that DAA provision would not be included in all GP's SOCP. When GPs delineate their SOCP, their confidence to competently provide quality health care to their patients and GPs' professional special interests are important considerations. CONCLUSION Providing DAA training, skill development, support and resources to GPs is necessary, but may not ensure that individual private GPs will provide this care. Where GPs do not include DAA in their SOCP, care pathways need to be developed for patients who will benefit from DAA, including GP-to-GP referral. These findings may be applicable to other areas of unmet need that rely on GPs including provision of care in their SOCP.
The Utility of ctDNA in Lung Cancer Clinical Research and Practice: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies

Abstract This systematic review with embedded meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in lung cancer. After screening and review of the Embase database search, 111 studies from 2015 to 2020 demonstrated ctDNA’s value in prognostication/monitoring disease progression, mainly in patients with advanced/metastatic disease and non–small cell lung cancer. ctDNA positivity/detection at any time point was associated with shorter progression-free survival and overall survival, whereas ctDNA clearance/decrease during treatment was associated with a lower risk of progression and death. Validating these findings and addressing challenges regarding ctDNA testing integration into clinical practice will require further research.
Evaluation of plasma Short chain fatty acid levels as markers for Inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Background Specific variations of short chain fatty acids in fecal samples have been shown for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to assess if Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with altered concentrations of short chain fatty acids also in blood plasma. Method Between 2016-2019, Swedish adults referred to a tertiary center for colonoscopy were asked to participate in a cross-sectional study. Individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis as well as individuals with no findings on the colonoscopy (defined as clean colon) were included in the study. Data on colonoscopy findings, blood samples (including haemoglobin, C-reactive protein and short chain fatty acid analysis) as well as a validated lifestyle questionnaire including 277 questions were collected from all participants. Linear regression was used to compare mean concentrations of short chain fatty acids between Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and clean colon. Results The cohort consisted of 132 individuals with Crohn’s disease, 119 with ulcerative colitis and 205 with clean colon. In the crude model, succinic acid was significantly lower (p < 0.05) among patients with Crohn’s disease (mean 3.00 µM SE 0.10) and ulcerative colitis (mean 3.13 µM SE 0.10) in comparison to clean colon (mean 3.41 µM SE 0.08), however when adjusting for sex, age and diet the results did not remain statistically significant. No differences in plasma concentration of the other measured short chain fatty acids were detected. Conclusion Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are not associated with altered short chain fatty acid concentrations in plasma. Further research is needed to confirm or refute our findings. Summary In this cross-sectional study including individuals with inflammatory bowel disease and healthy subjects we found no association between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and short chain fatty acid concentrations in plasma.
Comparison of Retinal and Choroidal Microvasculature Changes in Monocular Amblyopic and Non-amblyopic Eyes following Short-term Patch Occlusion Treatment

Abstract Purpose Our objective was to investigate whether there were differences in the short-term changes of retinal and choroidal microvasculature between amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes after patch occlusion treatment in patients with monocular amblyopia. Additionally, we aimed to determine if these changes were associated with improvements in clinical parameters. Methods We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal paired-eye case-control study by analyzing the medical records of patients under the age of 12 who had monocular amblyopia and underwent patch occlusion treatment for a duration of 2 to 12 months. Using optical coherence tomography angiography images, we compared the foveal avascular zone width, retinal blood vessel density (VD), choroidal thickness (CT), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes before and after patch occlusion treatment. We analyzed the correlations between the aforementioned parameters and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and stereopsis. Results Overall, 114 eyes from 57 patients were enrolled. At baseline, parafoveal superficial plexus VD, foveal and parafoveal deep capillary plexus VD (DCPD) were lower by 0.994 ± 3.312% (p = .026), 2.403 ± 8.273% (p = .033), and 2.469 ± 4.095% (p < .001), respectively; CT was thicker by 30.6 ± 90.7 μm (p = .014); and CVI was higher by 1.920 ± 3.432% (p < 001) in the amblyopic eyes than in the non-amblyopic eyes. Following short-term patch occlusion treatment, foveal and parafoveal DCPD increased by 1.264 ± 3.829% (p = .017) and 1.028 ± 3.662% (p = .036), respectively, CT thinned by 15.5 ± 51.5 μm (p = .019), and CVI decreased by 1.296 ± 3.997% (p = .018) in the amblyopic eyes. Following patch occlusion treatment, as the foveal DCPD decreased and CVI increased, the BCVA improved (p = .017 and .035, respectively). Conclusion Following patch occlusion treatment, increased foveal DCPD and decreased CVI were associated with improved BCVA.
Perceptions of and interactions with green neighbourhood environment – A qualitative study

Abstract Background Green environments have been shown to be important for health, although less is known about what, in the environment and the individual, leads to interaction and promotes engagement in activities. Aim To explore some individuals’ perceptions of their green neighbourhood environment and how the interaction with it promotes engagement in activities. Material and methods A qualitative approach was used comprising eight semi-structured interviews and directed content analysis based on the Model of Human Occupation. Results The green neigbourhood environment (GNE) offered opportunities to challenge the participants’ performance capacity, develop habits and engage in activities. The GNE also gave stress relief and helped the participants experience balance. Experiences of interacting with green environments earlier in life and the cultural context seemed to be the main reason why the participants interacted with the GNE. Conclusions and significance: Norms and values from the childhood, previous experiences and interests were of particular importance for interaction with the GNE. Green environments gave perspective, a sense of being part of something larger and helped individuals achieve balance. Based on this knowledge, occupational therapists can enable individuals to interact with the green environment.
A Systematic Review of Interventions Addressing the Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women With Disability

Women with disability experience significantly more violence and abuse than their nondisabled peers. Efforts to implement, evaluate, and scale-up strategies to prevent violence against women are rapidly expanding, but we know less about “what works” to prevent violence against women with disability. While secondary and tertiary prevention aim to identify violence early and prevent further occurrence, this review focuses on primary prevention. In the disability services sector, primary prevention is sometimes referred to as safeguarding and covers a range of activities that aim to address the underlying determinants of violence to prevent it from happening in the first place. The aim of this review is to identify and synthesize research on evaluated interventions addressing the primary prevention of violence against women with disability and explore evidence about their quality and effectiveness. A systematic search across the bibliographic databases of Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and PsychInfo for peer-reviewed literature published in English on or after January 1, 2010, yielded 483 papers of potential interest. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were considered for review. Data were extracted and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Most studies reported outcomes from pre- and post-test research designs and received a weak rating of quality. Although interventions targeting awareness, knowledge, and skill development showed evidence of effectiveness, there is a distinct lack of program development that draws on known risk factors for violence such as the intersection of ableism and gender inequality.
STAT1 is required to establish but not maintain interferon‐γ‐induced transcriptional memory

Exposure of human cells to interferon‐γ (IFNγ) results in a mitotically heritable yet reversible state called long‐term transcriptional memory. We previously identified the clustered GBP genes as strongly primed by IFNγ. Here, we discovered that in primed cells, both interferon‐responsive transcription factors STAT1 and IRF1 target chromatin with accelerated kinetics upon re‐exposure to IFNγ, specifically at promotors of primed genes. Priming does not alter the degree of IFNγ‐induced STAT1 activation or nuclear import, indicating that memory does not alter upstream JAK–STAT signaling. We found STAT1 to be critical to establish transcriptional memory but in a manner that is independent of mere transcription activation. Interestingly, while Serine 727 phosphorylation of STAT1 was maintained during the primed state, STAT1 is not required for the heritability of GBP gene memory. Our results suggest that the memory of interferon exposure constitutes a STAT1‐mediated, heritable state that is established during priming. This renders GBP genes poised for subsequent STAT1 and IRF1 binding and accelerated gene activation upon a secondary interferon exposure.
Association of dengue serotypes and its complications: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION Dengue fever is an arthropod-borne disease and has a wide clinical spectrum. It is hypothesised that dengue serotypes could be a possible factor for such phenomena and therefore be a possible predictor for the development of severe dengue. METHOD A retrospective cohort study was done to explore the association between dengue serotypes and the various complications. All patients who underwent dengue serotyping from 1st January to 31st December 2018 in Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital were selected. Serotypes were randomly done for admitted dengue patients. Notes were then retrieved for data collection. Secondary outcomes like length of stay and highest lactate level were also studied. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. RESULT A total of 193 patient records were included in the analysis. Chi-square test for independence indicated that the proportion of dengue complications between male and female were significantly different (χ2(1) = 11.37, p = 0.001). Dengue serotype was not associated with the development of dengue complications, total number of dengue complications, length of admission, lactate level and survival among the serotypes. Results of the binary logistic regression showed that men have thrice the odds (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.6 6.7) for developing dengue complications. One patient was found to be co-infected with serotype 2 and 3. CONCLUSION Our study did not reveal any association between the different dengue virus serotypes and its complications. Therefore, all dengue infection should be approached with equal meticulousness. There are possibilities that apart from serotype, dengue genotype and lineage would determine clinical outcome. However, more studies are required to study such associations.