Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoAI attenuates periodontitis in diabetic rats by inhibiting gingival fibroblast‐induced macrophage migration

Low‐grade inflammation, a common feature of both diabetes and periodontitis, partly accounts for the complexity and refractoriness of diabetes‐associated periodontitis. Adiponectin (APN), the most abundant adipokine in human blood, has been widely reported to have anti‐inflammatory functions. Herein, we investigated the ability of an APN receptor agonist, AdipoAI, to alleviate diabetes‐associated periodontitis. Furthermore, we revealed the possible mechanism underlying its anti‐inflammatory effects.
Learning From Recorded Lectures: Perceptions of Students With ADHD

With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, education systems worldwide, including higher education institutions, switched to remote learning in various modes, including recordings of lectures and lessons. Learning this way can be especially effective for students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) who have difficulties maintaining organization, focus, and concentration. Hence, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to examine the perceptions of 12 students with ADHD that studied from recorded lectures from the perspective of the symptoms that define this disorder. Findings showed that learning from recordings of lectures gave students a sense of control over the learning in terms of pace, place, time, and convenience. The research contributes to understanding how to tailor accessible remote learning to students with ADHD.
Trends in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies in Western Australia between 1980 and 2020: A population‐based study

Abstract Background Advances in screening and diagnostics have changed the way in which we identify and diagnose congenital anomalies. Objective To examine changes in rates of prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies over time and by demographic characteristics. Methods We undertook a population‐based retrospective cohort study of all children born in Western Australia between 1980 and 2020 and diagnosed with a congenital anomaly. Age at diagnosis (prenatal, neonatal, infancy, early childhood or childhood) prevalence (all‐type and type‐specific), and prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated. We fit joinpoint regression models to describe the average annual percentage change (APC) in prenatal diagnosis over time, and log‐binomial regression models to estimate the association between prenatal diagnosis and demographic characteristics. Results Prenatal diagnosis prevalence between the first (1980–1989: 28.3 per 10,000 births) and last (2005–2014: 156.1 per 10,000 births) decades of the study increased 5.5‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.0, 5.9). Substantial increases were observed for cardiovascular (PR 10.7, 95% CI 8.0, 14.6), urogenital (PR 10.5, 95% CI: 8.7, 12.6) and chromosomal anomalies (PR 7.0, 95% CI 5.9, 8.3). Prenatal diagnosis was positively associated with the birth year (adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.04), advanced maternal age (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11, 1.18), multiple anomalies (RR 2.86, 95% CI 2.77, 2.96) and major anomalies (RR 3.75, 95% CI 3.36, 4.19), and inversely associated with remoteness (RR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.95) and Aboriginality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83, 0.97). Conclusions Increases in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies were observed in Western Australia from 1980 to 2020, reflecting advances in screening. Prenatal diagnosis was less common in remote regions and in Aboriginal children, strengthening calls for increased provision of antenatal care services for these populations.
Modeling the Effects of IL-1β-mediated Inflammation During Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Using a Split Human Donor Model

Background. The association between interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations during ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) with donor organ quality and post-lung transplant outcome has been demonstrated in several studies. The mechanism underlying IL-1β-mediated donor lung injury was investigated using a paired single-lung EVLP model. Methods. Human lung pairs were dissected into individual lungs and perfused on identical separate EVLP circuits, with one lung from each pair receiving a bolus of IL-1β. Fluorescently labeled human neutrophils isolated from a healthy volunteer were infused into both circuits and quantified in perfusate at regular timepoints. Perfusates and tissues were subsequently analyzed, with perfusates also used in functional assays. Results. Neutrophil numbers were significantly lower in perfusate samples collected from the IL-1β-stimulated lungs consistent with increased neutrophil adhesion (P = 0.042). Stimulated lungs gained significantly more weight than controls (P = 0.046), which correlated with soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (R2 = 0.71, P = 0.0043) and von-Willebrand factor (R2 = 0.39, P = 0.040) in perfusate. RNA expression patterns for inflammatory genes were differentially regulated via IL-1β. Blockade of IL-1β significantly reduced neutrophil adhesion in vitro (P = 0.025). Conclusion. These data illustrate the proinflammatory functions of IL-1β in the context of EVLP, suggesting this pathway may be susceptible to therapeutic modulation before transplantation.
Hospital Nurses’ Experiences of Providing Care for Muslim Patients in the United States

Introduction: Understanding a patient’s culture is imperative to providing holistic patient care. The purpose of the study is to describe and explore the lived experiences of non-Muslim hospital-employed registered nurses providing care for Muslim patients in the United States. Method: This study used a qualitative exploratory research design based on semi-structured interviews utilizing Husserlian phenomenology. A snowball technique was used to recruit the participants. Results: Ten nurses who cared for hospitalized Muslim patients were interviewed and three major themes emerged from the participants’ narratives: Nurse–Patient Relationship, Nurses’ Knowledge and Western Health Care Systems, and Family Influence. Discussion: Muslim patients have cultural expectations and differences that may not be anticipated by nurses, which affects nurses’ experiences when providing care. As the Muslim population continues to grow in the United States, there is a need for increased education on culturally congruent care to assure the highest quality of nursing care.
A Retrospective, Long‐term Follow‐up of the Clinical Outcomes and Cost‐effectiveness of Single‐anesthetic Multiple Total Joint Procedures in Hemophilic Arthropathy

Although total joint replacement (TJR) procedures are efficacious, perioperative high‐dose factors replacement therapy (FRT) to avoid catastrophic bleeding represents a significant hurdle, particularly for patients with multiple joint affection. Double simultaneous bilateral TJRs were reported as safe and cost‐effective. However, little is known about multiple TJRs. The feasibility and effects remain debatable. Surgeons need to weigh the high cost of FRT against safety. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost‐effectiveness of single‐anesthetic multiple‐joint procedures of lower limbs in end‐stage hemophilic arthropathy.
Evolutionary consequences of loss of sexual reproduction on male‐related traits in parthenogenetic lineages of the pea aphid

Transition from sexual reproduction to parthenogenesis constitutes a major life‐history change with deep evolutionary consequences for sex‐related traits, which are expected to decay. The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum shows intraspecific reproductive polymorphism, with cold‐resistant cyclically parthenogenetic (CP) lineages that alternate sexual and asexual generations and cold‐sensitive obligately parthenogenetic (OP) lineages that produce only asexual females but still males. Here, the genotyping of 219 pea aphid lineages collected in cold‐winter and mild‐winter regions revealed contrasting population structures. Samples from cold‐winter regions consisted mostly of distinct multilocus genotypes (MLGs) usually represented by a single sample (101 different MLGs for 111 samples) and were all phenotyped as CP. In contrast, fewer MLGs were found in mild‐winter regions (28 MLGs for 108 samples), all but one being OP. Since the males produced by OP lineages are unlikely to pass on their genes (sexual females being rare in mild‐winter regions), we tested the hypothesis that their traits could degenerate due to lack of selection by comparing male production and male reproductive success between OP and CP lineages. Male production was indeed reduced in OP lineages, but a less clear pattern was observed for male reproductive success: females mated with OP males laid fewer eggs (fertilized or not) but OP and CP males fertilized the same proportion of eggs. These differences may stem from the type of selective forces: male production may be counter‐selected whereas male performances may evolve under the slower process of relaxed selection. The overall effective reproductive capacity of OP males could result from recent sex loss in OP lineages or underestimated reproductive opportunities.
Comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics between pandemic and pre-pandemic period in non-COVID intensive care units: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: A major problem of the coronavirus pandemic is the increase of patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) support in an extremely limited period of time. As a result, most countries have prioritized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) care in ICUs and take new arrangements to increase hospital capacity in emergency department and ICUs. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the number, clinical and demographic characteristics of patients hospitalized in non-COVID ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to the previous year (pre-pandemic period), and to reveal the effects of the pandemic. METHODS: Hospitalized patients in non-COVID ICUs of our hospital between 11 March 2019 and 11 March 2021 were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to date of the start of the COVID period. Patient data were scanned and recorded retrospectively from hospital information system and ICU assessment forms. Information regarding demographics (age and gender), comorbidities, COVID 19 polymerase chain reaction result, place of ICU admission, the diagnoses of patients admitted to ICU, length of ICU stay, Glasgow coma scale and mortality rates, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score were collected. RESULTS: A total of 2292 patients were analyzed, including 1011 patients (413 women and 598 men) in the pre-pandemic period (Group 1) and 1281 patients (572 women and 709 men) in the pandemic period (Group 2). When the diagnoses of patients admitted to ICU were compared between the groups, there was a statistically significant difference between post-operation, return of spontaneous circulation, intoxication, multitrauma, and other reasons. In the pandemic period, the patients had a statistically significant longer length of ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Changes were observed in the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients hospitalized in non-COVID-19 ICUs. We observed that the length of ICU stay of the patients increased during the pandemic period. Due to this situation, we think that intensive care and other inpatient services should be managed more effectively during the pandemic.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates and staffing shortages among healthcare personnel in nursing homes before, during, and after implementation of mandates for COVID-19 vaccination among 15 US jurisdictions, National Healthcare Safety Network, June 2021–January 2022

Abstract Objective: To examine temporal changes in coverage with a complete primary series of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and staffing shortages among healthcare personnel (HCP) working in nursing homes in the United States before, during, and after the implementation of jurisdiction-based COVID-19 vaccination mandates for HCP. Sample and setting: HCP in nursing homes from 15 US jurisdictions. Design: We analyzed weekly COVID-19 vaccination data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network from June 7, 2021, through January 2, 2022. We assessed 3 periods (preintervention, intervention, and postintervention) based on the announcement of vaccination mandates for HCP in 15 jurisdictions. We used interrupted time-series models to estimate the weekly percentage change in vaccination with complete primary series and the odds of reporting a staffing shortage for each period. Results: Complete primary series vaccination among HCP increased from 66.7% at baseline to 94.3% at the end of the study period and increased at the fastest rate during the intervention period for 12 of 15 jurisdictions. The odds of reporting a staffing shortage were lowest after the intervention. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that COVID-19 vaccination mandates may be an effective strategy for improving HCP vaccination coverage in nursing homes without exacerbating staffing shortages. These data suggest that mandates can be considered to improve COVID-19 coverage among HCP in nursing homes to protect both HCP and vulnerable nursing home residents.
Adapted motivational interviewing for brief healthcare consultations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of treatment fidelity in real‐world evaluations of behaviour change counselling

Abstract Background Behaviour change counselling (BCC) is an adaptation of motivational interviewing (MI) designed to maximize the effectiveness of time‐limited health behaviour change consultations. To improve intervention quality and understanding of treatment effects, it is recommended that evaluations of health behaviour change interventions incorporate existing fidelity frameworks (e.g. The National Institutes of Health [NIH] Behaviour Change Consortium) and ensure that treatment fidelity is assessed and reported. Purpose This systematic review was designed to examine (a) adherence to NIH fidelity recommendations, (b) provider fidelity to BCC and (c) impact of these variables on the real‐world effectiveness of BCC for adult health behaviours and outcomes. Methods and Results Searches of 10 electronic databases yielded 110 eligible publications describing 58 unique studies examining BCC delivered within real‐world healthcare settings by existing providers. Mean study adherence to NIH fidelity recommendations was 63.31% (Range 26.83%–96.23%). Pooled effect size (Hedges g) for short‐term and long‐term outcomes was . 19 (95% CI [.11, .27]) and . 09 (95% CI [.04, .13]), respectively. In separate, random‐effects meta‐regressions, neither short‐term nor long‐term effect sizes were significantly modified by adherence to NIH fidelity recommendations. For the subgroup of short‐term alcohol studies (n = 10), a significant inverse relationship was detected (Coefficient = −.0114, 95% CI [−.0187, −.0041], p = .0021). Inadequate and inconsistent reporting within the included studies precluded planned meta‐regression between provider fidelity and BCC effect size. Conclusions Further evidence is needed to clarify whether adherence to fidelity recommendations modifies intervention effects. Efforts to promote transparent consideration, evaluation and reporting of fidelity are urgently needed. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
Habitual fish consumption and healthy lifestyle behaviours may be associated with higher total serum bilirubin level and anti-inflammatory activity: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Habitual fish consumption and a healthy lifestyle are associated with lower atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk. Mildly elevated bilirubin, an end product of Hb metabolism, may be associated with anti-inflammatory effects, suppressing ASCVD risk. No data exist on the relationship between fish consumption, total serum bilirubin (TSB) and inflammation in clinical settings. We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 2019 and March 2020 in a cohort of 8292 participants (average age, 46·7 (sd 12·9) years and 58·9 % men) with no history of ASCVD and TSB concentrations < 2·0 mg/dl. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed Hb concentrations were a solid positive determinant of TSB concentrations (β = 0·302, P< 0·0001). Fish consumption (β = 0·025, P= 0·019) and aerobic exercise (β = 0·021, P= 0·043) were statistically weak but significantly positive determinants of TSB concentrations. Cigarette smoking negatively affected TSB concentrations (β = −0·104, P< 0·0001). Moreover, with increasing fish consumption, the proportion of participants with a habit of cigarette smoking decreased, and that of participants who engaged in aerobic exercises increased (P< 0·0001 for both). Furthermore, as TSB concentrations increased, the leukocyte counts and C-reactive protein concentrations decreased (P< 0·0001 for both). In conclusion, despite the lesser relevance given to TSB concentrations than Hb concentrations, higher fish consumption and healthier lifestyle behaviours related to fish consumption habits may be additively or synergistically associated with higher TSB concentrations and anti-inflammatory activity, leading to attenuated ASCVD risk. Further investigations are needed to clarify the causal relationships between these factors.
A human model of asthma exacerbation reveals transcriptional programs and cell circuits specific to allergic asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease most commonly associated with allergy and type 2 inflammation. However, the mechanisms that link airway inflammation to the structural changes that define asthma are incompletely understood. Using a human model of allergen-induced asthma exacerbation, we compared the lower airway mucosa in allergic asthmatics and allergic non-asthmatic controls using single-cell RNA sequencing. In response to allergen, the asthmatic airway epithelium was highly dynamic and up-regulated genes involved in matrix degradation, mucus metaplasia, and glycolysis while failing to induce injury-repair and antioxidant pathways observed in controls. IL9-expressing pathogenic TH2 cells were specific to asthmatic airways and were only observed after allergen challenge. Additionally, conventional type 2 dendritic cells (DC2 that express CD1C) and CCR2-expressing monocyte-derived cells (MCs) were uniquely enriched in asthmatics after allergen, with up-regulation of genes that sustain type 2 inflammation and promote pathologic airway remodeling. In contrast, allergic controls were enriched for macrophage-like MCs that up-regulated tissue repair programs after allergen challenge, suggesting that these populations may protect against asthmatic airway remodeling. Cellular interaction analyses revealed a TH2–mononuclear phagocyte–basal cell interactome unique to asthmatics. These pathogenic cellular circuits were characterized by type 2 programming of immune and structural cells and additional pathways that may sustain and amplify type 2 signals, including TNF family signaling, altered cellular metabolism, failure to engage antioxidant responses, and loss of growth factor signaling. Our findings therefore suggest that pathogenic effector circuits and the absence of proresolution programs drive structural airway disease in response to type 2 inflammation. Description A pathogenic TH2-mononuclear phagocyte-basal cell circuit amplifies mucosal inflammation and drives airway remodeling in asthma. Off-kilter asthmatic airways A subset of individuals with allergies also have asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness. Uncertainty remains about what cellular and molecular events in the airway after allergen exposure differentiate patients with allergic asthma from those who just have allergies. Alladina and Smith et al. performed bronchoscopic experimental allergen challenges in lung segments of house dust mite- or cat-allergic individuals with and without asthma. Analysis of cellular and gene-expression changes in cells collected from the airways one day post-challenge revealed dysregulated cellular interactions in asthmatics involving both immune and structural cells that preferentially amplified inflammation rather than promoting repair. The findings provide fresh insights into the pathogenic cellular circuits specifically associated with asthmatic lung disease. —IRW
STING-activating nanoparticles normalize the vascular-immune interface to potentiate cancer immunotherapy

The tumor-associated vasculature imposes major structural and biochemical barriers to the infiltration of effector T cells and effective tumor control. Correlations between stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway activation and spontaneous T cell infiltration in human cancers led us to evaluate the effect of STING-activating nanoparticles (STANs), which are a polymersome-based platform for the delivery of a cyclic dinucleotide STING agonist, on the tumor vasculature and attendant effects on T cell infiltration and antitumor function. In multiple mouse tumor models, intravenous administration of STANs promoted vascular normalization, evidenced by improved vascular integrity, reduced tumor hypoxia, and increased endothelial cell expression of T cell adhesion molecules. STAN-mediated vascular reprogramming enhanced the infiltration, proliferation, and function of antitumor T cells and potentiated the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T cell therapy. We present STANs as a multimodal platform that activates and normalizes the tumor microenvironment to enhance T cell infiltration and function and augments responses to immunotherapy. Description A nanoparticle STING agonist reprograms aberrant tumor vasculature to enhance T cell infiltration and responsiveness to immunotherapy. A STANd against tumors Effective antitumor T cell responses are often hampered by the constraints of aberrant tumor-associated vasculature. Wang-Bishop et al. present an approach harnessing activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway to promote vascular normalization and enhance antitumor responses. They evaluated STING-activating nanoparticles (STANs) intravenously in multiple tumor models. STANs were able to normalize tumor vasculature and integrity, decrease tumor hypoxia, and promote expression of T cell adhesion molecules, which enhanced antitumor T cell infiltration and improved efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy. These findings suggest STANs to be a potential therapeutic approach that can target tumor vasculature and enhance effects of immunotherapy. —CNF
Novel candidate genes for lignin structure identified through genome-wide association study of naturally varying Populus trichocarpa

Populus is a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for biofuels and bioproducts. However, the cell wall biopolymer lignin is a major barrier in conversion of biomass to biofuels. To investigate the variability and underlying genetic basis of the complex structure of lignin, a population of 409 three-year-old, naturally varying Populus trichocarpa genotypes were characterized by heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A subsequent genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using approximately 8.3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which identified 756 genes that were significantly associated (−log10(p-value)>6) with at least one lignin phenotype. Several promising candidate genes were identified, many of which have not previously been reported to be associated with lignin or cell wall biosynthesis. These results provide a resource for gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis and new targets for future genetic improvement in poplar.