Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“It is what I tell her that she will do”: a mixed methods study of married men’s knowledge and attitude towards supporting their wives’ cervical cancer screening in rural South-East Nigeria

Introduction cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among Nigerian women. Women often require spousal support before attending cervical cancer screening services. This study assessed married men´s knowledge and attitude towards male involvement in cervical cancer screening of their wives. Methods a cross-sectional study using a mixed methods approach was conducted among 245 married men in Izzi, Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria. Quantitative data collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and qualitative data from focus group discussions were triangulated. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20. Qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Results the mean knowledge of cervical cancer was 2.06±0.55. Only 2.9% of the respondents had adequate knowledge of risk factors for cervical cancer. Up to 89.8% were willing to approve screening for their spouses. Majority (76.3%) considered screening important in cervical cancer prevention, while 91.4% were willing to pay for the screening test. Most of them exhibited patriarchal tendencies and insisted that their wives must obtain their consent before screening as depicted by the statement “It is what I tell her that she will do”. Previous spousal screening was a predictor of good knowledge (OR = 10.94, 95% CI = 2.44-48.93; P=0.002). Conclusion married men in this study had poor knowledge of cervical cancer. However, they were willing to support cervical cancer screening conditional on their pre-information and consent. Awareness creation activities on cervical cancer screening should incorporate active engagement of husbands in order to promote screening uptake by their wives.
Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and mucin 1 in colorectal cancer

In colorectal cancer (CRC), pathological factors that correlate with negative prognosis include, among others, overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and abundant expression of mucin 1 (MUC1). COX-2 overexpression may therefore be associated with MUC1 overexpression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between COX-2 and MUC1 expression and to assess the correlation between their individual expression and the clinicopathological features of patients, paying particular attention to survival. The following data was collected from the 170 patients with CRC included in the present study: Age, sex, tumour localization, disease stage and survival. Tumour samples were immunostained with antibodies against COX-2 and MUC1. Protein expression was scored, relative to reference staining, and correlated with the clinicopathological data of patients. The results revealed no correlation between the expressions of COX-2 and MUC1, or with any of the studied clinicopathological variables. In addition, the expression of the two proteins were not associated. Neither of the proteins demonstrated prognostic value for survival. The present study did not confirm a direct relationship between the expressions of COX-2 and MUC1, or between the expression of either protein and the clinicopathological features of patients, including survival.
TRIATOMA (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE) INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI IN SOUTH TEXAS WOOD RAT DENS

A study of Triatoma (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) has been made in the wood rat (Neotoma micropus) dens in Cameron County, Texas. Species taken include T. sanguisuga, T. gerstaeckeri and T. neotomae. Of 390 Triatoma examined for infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative organism of Chagas disease, 161 were found to harbor the trypanosomes in their dejecta. Representatives of the large, bloodsucking insects of the genus Tri- atoma, family Reduviidae, are widely distributed in the southwestern United States. Common names for these insects include "kissing bugs," "giant bed bugs," and "cone-nosed bugs. " They feed on any available warm-blooded animals, including man, and on lower forms such as reptiles and amphibians. Individual susceptibility to Triatoma bites varies greatly. Although little more than localized swelling usually results, systemic reactions believed to be allergic in nature are not uncommon. These insects are also involved in the natural history of Chagas disease or American trypanosomyiasis. The causative agent of this disease is the protozoan flagellate, Trypanosoma cruzi, which exhibits little vertebrate host specificity. During a Texas State De- partment of Health study in Corpus Christi in 1957-58 (unpublished) slightly over 16 percent of 391 opossums examined were found to be harboring Trypanosoma cruzi in their peripheral blood as demon- strated in thick blood films. Wood rats and armadillos are also fre- quently infected with this trypanosome.
Effect of Steroid on Oyster-III

The effect of estradiol-17β on the tissue distribution of PAS-positive substance digestable by saliva-treatment, namely, glycogen was studied using the Japanese common oysters during sexual maturation. The experiment was carried out indoors. In oysters which were kept in sea water containing low concentrations of estradiol-17β (total steroid applied, 4 μg and less/oyster), sexual maturation proceeded normally without sex reversal and an acceleration of glycogenolysis by this steroid was found in females. However, no such effect was seen in the experimental groups treated with high concentrations (10 μg and over/oyster) except at a level of 1, 000-4, 000 μg/oyster. These results indicate that the concentration of steroid applied is of special importance for the appearance of such an effect. The decrease in the glycogen amount which was observed in the 1, 000-4, 000 μg group should be considered to be qualitatively different from that occurring in the 4 μg and less group, because of the high frequency of mortality which is most likely due to serious pathological changes in the digestive diverticula. The present study together with the previous one1) strongly suggests that the acceleration of glycogenolysis by estradiol-17β may occur in female C. gigas provided that sexual maturation proceeds normally without sex reversal.
Automatic ID Consultation for Inpatients With COVID-19: Point, Counterpoint, and a Single-Center Experience

Abstract There are many unknowns with regard to COVID-19 clinical management, including the role of Infectious Diseases Consultation (IDC). As hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue, hospitals are assessing how to optimally and efficiently manage COVID-19 inpatients. Typically, primary teams must determine when IDC is appropriate, and ID clinicians provide consultation upon request of the primary team. IDC has been shown to be beneficial for many conditions; however, the impact of IDC for COVID-19 is unknown. Herein, we discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of automatic IDC for COVID-19 inpatients. Important considerations include the quality of care provided, allocation and optimization of resources, and clinician satisfaction. Finally, we describe how automatic IDC changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic at a single academic medical center.
The ecological consequences of Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris establishment within remnant vegetation of Queensland

The effects of Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris presence and dominance in 78 Poplar Box Eucalyptus populnea woodland remnants of south central Queensland are documented, Buffel Grass was recorded from the majority of sites sampled, As the relative cover of Buffel Grass increased at both the quadrat and site level, the number of native ground cover species declined significantly. Most commonly recorded ground cover species displayed significant changes in frequency as Buffel Grass cover increased, Only two species increased with increased Buffel Grass cover: Desert Goosefoot Chenopodium desertorum subsp. anidiophyllum and Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena birchii. The average cover of Buffel Grass decreased significantly from the edge of remnants towards the core areas. The foliage projected cover of the sub-canopy layers appeared to be an important factor affecting the relative cover of Buffel Grass at any one site indicating that shading and competition with the woody layers are important determinants in the structure and composition of the ground cover layer. A number of sub-canopy species were found to produce leachates that were capable of significantly reducing the germination or growth of Buffel Grass seeds, alluding that allelopathy may play a minor role in determining ground cover species assemblages. However, this result can only be interpreted conservatively in relation to its ecological relevance with effects related to competition with overstorey woody species being of greater importance. This study quantifies the long observed effect that the exotic perennial Buffel Grass excludes other ground cover species, which may have detrimental ramifications on the functioning of remnant native vegetation over much of the state. With the recent introduction of regulations controlling broad scale tree clearing on both freehold and leasehold lands in Queensland, it is now important to identify a range of issues pertaining to the effective on ground management of remnant vegetation located outside the existing nature refuge network.
Levels of PM10 and PM2.5 and Respiratory Health Impacts on School-Going Children in Kenya

Background. The respiratory system of children is vulnerable to exposure to particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 and 10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) or even lower. Objective. This study assessed PM10 and PM2.5 levels and respiratory health impacts on children in schools located in an industrialized suburb in Kenya. Method. The PM10 and PM2.5 levels were sampled from five public primary schools in Athi River Township and a control school during the wet and dry seasons. Outdoor and classroom samples were collected concurrently on an 8-hour mean during school hours on two consecutive days in each school and analyzed using gravimetric techniques. Five hundred and seventy-eight (n = 578) pupils aged 9–14 years from these schools were also evaluated for symptoms of respiratory illnesses and lung function using a questionnaire and spirometric method, respectively, during the same periods. Results. Indoor median PM10 levels (μg/m3) ranged from 60.8–269.1 and 52.8–232.3 and PM2.5 values (μg/m3) of 17.7–52.4 and 28.5–75.5 during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The control classrooms had significantly (p <0.05) lower median PM10 levels (μg/m3) of 5.2 and 4.2, and PM2.5 levels (μg/m3) of 3.5 and 3.0 during the respective seasons. Nearly all the classrooms in Athi River schools had PM2.5 and PM10 median levels that exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended levels. The indoor-to-outdoor ratios varied from 0.35–1.40 and 0.80–2.40 for PM10 and 0.30–0.80 and 0.80–1.40 for PM2.5 during the dry and wet seasons, respectively, suggesting higher levels in the classrooms during the wet season. The relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) presented higher prevalence of respiratory diseases following PM exposure in all the Athi River schools than the control during the dry and wet seasons. At 95% CI, the RR and OR showed strong associations between high PM10 and PM2.5 levels and lung function deficits and vice versa. The association was more prevalent during the wet season. Conclusions. The study calls for effective indoor air management programs in school environments to reduce PM exposure and respiratory health impacts. Participant Consent. Obtained. Ethics Approval. The research permit and approvals were obtained from the University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital Ethics and Research Committee (KNH-UoN ERC Reference: P599/08/2016) and the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (Reference: NACOSTI/P/18/4268/25724). Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Reconciling apparent discrepancies among studies relating life span, structure and function of leaves in contrasting plant life forms and climates: the blind men and the elephant retold'

Data on leaf structure, physiology and life span from studies in contrasting plant life forms and biomes ― alpine and lowland herbs in Austria, lowland temperate trees in Japan and lowland tropical trees in Venezuela - have led researchers to different conclusions about the relationships between leaf life span and other leaf traits. Results of the alpine/lowland study with herbs questioned the validity of a general theory of leaf life span, whereas results of the tropical forest study supported the theory and the temperate forest study fell in between. In this paper I evaluate whether these different results reflect innate differences among plant life forms, biomes and/or communities in this respect, or whether these apparent discrepancies can be reconciled with one explanation (.)
Metformin promotes cell proliferation and osteogenesis under high glucose condition by regulating the ROS-AKT-mTOR axis

Metformin, a cost-effective and safe orally administered antidiabetic drug used by millions of patients, has exhibited great interest for its potential osteogenic-promoting properties in different types of cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Diabetic osteopathy is a common comorbidity of diabetes mellitus; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of metformin on the physiological processes of MSCs, under high glucose condition, remain unknown. To determine the effects of metformin on the regulatory roles of proliferation and differentiation in MSCs, under high glucose conditions, osteogenesis after metformin treatment was detected with Alizarin Red S and ALP staining. The results demonstrated that high glucose levels significantly inhibited cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation under high glucose conditions. Notably, addition of metformin reversed the inhibitory effects induced by high glucose levels on cell proliferation and osteogenesis. Furthermore, high glucose levels significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), whereas treatment with metformin helped maintain MMP. Further analysis of mitochondrial function revealed that metformin significantly promoted ATP synthesis, mitochondrial DNA mass and mitochondrial transcriptional activity, which were inhibited by high glucose culture. Furthermore, metformin significantly scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by high glucose levels, and regulated the ROS-AKT-mTOR axis inhibited by high glucose levels, suggesting the protective effects of metformin against high glucose levels via regulation of the ROS-AKT-mTOR axis. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated the protective role of metformin on the physiological processes of MSCs, under high glucose condition and highlighted the potential molecular mechanism underlying the effect of metformin in promoting cell proliferation and osteogenesis under high glucose condition.
Co-abuse of alprazolam augments the hepato-renal toxic effects of methylphenidate

OBJECTIVE: Methylphenidate (MPH) is a first-line treatment option for attention-deficit hyperactive disorder and narcolepsy. MPH is one of the most abused psychostimulants by the adults and young population to stay awake, perform better, or improve concentration. The scanty reports say that the medical users or abusers mostly consider the administration of benzodiazepines to overcome the adverse effects, i.e., mood- and anxiety-related problems associated with MPH chronic abuse. This work aims to study the effect of alprazolam (ALZ) on MPH-associated adverse effects on liver and kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Wistar rats (n = 58) were administered with MPH (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and ALZ (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) alone and in combination for 28 days. Bodyweight, feed intake, and water intake were monitored weekly. Parameters related to liver and renal function, oxidative stress, and histopathology were performed to evaluate the toxic impacts on the liver and kidneys. RESULTS: ALZ, along with MPH, increased the serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea levels. The co-abuse also led to elevated oxidative stress and structural abnormalities in the liver and kidney tissues. CONCLUSION: The co-abuse of ALZ has amplified the hepato-renal toxic effects of MPH. Therefore, it is a significant concern for public safety, and their co-abuse must be restricted and discouraged.
Evolution of patients with surgically treated drug-resistant occipital lobe epilepsy

Background: This study was to describe the evolution of patients who underwent surgical treatment of drug- resistant occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE) at our institution. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from electronic and paper clinical records of 20 patients who were diagnosed of OLE and underwent epilepsy surgery at our institution between 1998 and 2018. We also contacted patients by telephone and asked them to fill out a questionnaire about quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE-10). Assembled data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The age at surgery ranged between 19 and 55 years. The period encompassing epilepsy onset and the date of surgery was variable. Semiology of seizures included visual symptoms in 75% of patients. In 90% of cases subdural grids, depth electrodes or a combination of both were used to plan the surgery. The most frequent neuroimaging and histopathological finding was cortical dysplasia (55%). The postoperative follow-up period was up to 15 years. The most common score on the Engel scale was I (70%). Visual deficits increased after surgery. Median score on QOLIE-10 questionnaire was 82.5 (interquartile range: 32.5). Conclusion: Surgical treatment of drug-resistant OLE offers hopeful results to those patients who have run out of pharmacological options and leads to postoperative deficits that are deemed expectable and occasionally acceptable.
Small-scale heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of carabid beetles in the southern Finnish taiga

Small-scale distribution of ground beetles (Cole- optera, Carabidae) was examined, based on catches among 300 pitfall traps, in a coniferous forest in southern Finland. The sample from the whole snow-free season comprised 2405 individuals of twenty-two species. Each of the most numerous species (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (F.), Calathus micropterus (Dft.), Leistus terminatus (Hellw. in Pz.), Notiophilus biguttatus (F.) and Cychrus caraboides (L.)) was non-randomly distributed and formed aggrega- tions within the site of c. 1.3 ha in area. Although the five species occurred in every microhabitat defined in the plot, four of them (N. biguttatus was an exception) were more abundantly found in certain microhabitat types than in the others. In addition to vegetation around the traps, the numbers of Formica ants in the traps correlated with the numbers of carabids caught, mostly negatively. The consid- erable variation in catches and species richness among single traps and among blocks of 16 traps tended to even out, when larger subsamples were taken from the total pool (blocks of 48 traps). The distribution patterns observed within the plot were compared to a reference data set from similar habitat in the same region. Species distributions among microhabitats were slightly different in the reference set and the predic- tive success was relatively poor, probably due to different scales of study in the two data sets. Variation in species distribution in the two spatial scales studied (within a habitat patch and among them) is suppos- edly due to different factors. Although no direct evidence is available from our study area, we suggest that active micro- habitat selection explains the small-scale distribution within the study plot, whereas dynamics of local populations, influenced by regional-scale differences in habitat composi- tion, are the most likely explanation for the distribution pat- terns among habitat patches.
MRI tracing of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-labeled endothelial progenitor cells for repairing atherosclerotic vessels in rabbits

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been discovered to be relevant to the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Previous research has demonstrated that EPCs serve vital roles in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Significant improvements have been made in MRI technology and in the experimental use of EPCs for therapeutic angiogenesis and vascular repair. Nevertheless, the migratory, adhesive, proliferative and angiogenic properties of EPCs remain unknown. The aims of the present study were to investigate the potential of using non-invasive monitoring with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (USPION)-labeled endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) after transplantation, and to assess the treatment outcomes in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. EPCs derived from rabbit peripheral blood samples were labeled with USPION-poly-l-lysine (USPION-PLL). The morphology, proliferation, adhesive ability and labeling efficiency of the EPCs were determined by optical and electron microscopy. Moreover, biological activity was assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, T2-weighted image fast spin-echo MRI was used to detect cell labeling. USPION content in the labeled EPCs was determined by Prussian blue staining and scanning electron microscopy. Rabbit atherosclerosis model was established using a high-fat diet. USPION-labeled EPCs were transplanted into rabbits, and in vivo MRI was performed 1 and 7 days after transplantation. It was found that EPCs cultured on Matrigel formed capillary-like structures, and expressed the surface markers CD133, CD31, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The optimal USPION concentration was 32 µg/ml, as determined by adhesion and proliferation assays. It was identified that USPION-PLL nanoparticles were 10–20 nm in diameter. Histopathological analysis results indicated that 1 day after transplantation of the labeled EPCs, blue-stained granules were observed in the intima of vascular lesions in rabbit models after Prussian blue staining. Therefore, the present results suggest that USPION-labeled EPCs may play a role in repairing endothelial injury and preventing atherosclerosis in vivo.
Awareness of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among Young Female Adults in Nigeria

Polycystic ovaries and the associated syndrome are recognized as the most common cause of reproductive and metabolic disorders in adult women, but not much research has been performed especially in Nigeria to examine how polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents in young and old women alike. Polycystic ovaries have been demonstrated in childhood, and there is evidence to show that even very young women may show symptoms and signs of the associated syndrome. This study aims to assess the level of the awareness of PCOS among young female adults. The descriptive study comprised of One hundred and fifty undergraduate female students (15 35 years) from randomly selected Universities in Nigeria were included in the study, of the this, only one hundred and one responses were considered valid. A Google form was created which included a well-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts with a total of 32 questions in all, formulated to determine sociodemographic status, reproductive indices and knowledge or awareness of PCOS. It was observed that 35% had no idea what PCOS was or how it develops. There is a high need for awareness of PCOS among female adults. Early onset of accurate diagnosis is the key to its management and treatment.