Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Daily sitting time and its association with non-communicable diseases and multimorbidity in Catalonia

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of deaths worldwide and individual behaviours such as sedentariness play an important role on their development and management. However, the detrimental effect of daily sitting on multiple NCDs has rarely been studied. This study sought (i) to investigate the association between sitting time and main NCDs and multimorbidity in the population of Catalonia and (ii) to explore the effect of physical activity as a modifier of the associations between sitting time and health outcomes. Methods Cross-sectional data from the 2016 National Health Survey of Catalonia were analyzed, and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for socio-demographics and individual risk factors (tobacco and alcohol consumption, diet, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, body mass index) was used to estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between sitting time and NCDs. Results A total of 3320 people ≥15 years old were included in the study. Sitting more than 5 h/day was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (OR 1.90, 95% CI: 1.21–2.97), respiratory disease (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13–2.30) and multimorbidity (OR 2.80, 95% CI: 1.53–5.15). Sitting more than 3 h/day was also associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity (OR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.23–4.16). Physical activity did not modify the associations between sitting time and any of the outcomes. Conclusions Daily sitting time might be an independent risk factor for some NCDs, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and multimorbidity, independently of the level risk of physical inactivity.
New species and new records of Scolytoplatypus Schaufuss (Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from China, and resurrection of Scolytoplatypussinensis (Tsai & Huang, 1965) as a distinct species

﻿Abstract This study describes two new species, Scolytoplatypuswugongshanensis Liao, Lai & Beaver, sp. nov. and S.skyliuae Liao, Lai & Beaver, sp. nov., reinstates S.sinensis (Tsai & Huang, 1965) from synonymy with S.mikado (Blandford, 1893), and records five species for the first time from China, S.brahma Blandford, 1898, S.curviciliosus Gebhardt, 2006, S.minimus Hagedorn, 1904, S.ruficauda Eggers, 1939, S.samsinghensis Maiti & Saha, 2009, and three from mainland China, S.blandfordi Gebhardt, 2006, S.calvus Beaver & Liu, 2007, S.pubescens Hagedorn, 1904. A key to the males of Scolytoplatypus species in China is given. Genetic data from four genes indicate a rather isolated position for both new species, although their genetic relationship to each other was close.
Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Prescriptions in the United States – A Time Series Analysis

Abstract Background Uptake of HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been increasing in the United States since its FDA approval in 2012; however, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected this trend. Our objective was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PrEP prescriptions in the United States. Methods We analyzed data from a national pharmacy database from January 2017 through March 2021 to fit an interrupted time-series model that predicted PrEP prescriptions and new PrEP users had the pandemic not occurred. Observed PrEP prescriptions and new users were compared with those predicted by the model. Main outcomes were weekly numbers of PrEP prescriptions and new PrEP users based on a previously developed algorithm. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was quantified by computing rate ratios and percent decreases between the observed and predicted counts during 3/15/2020 – 3/31/2021. Results In the absence of the pandemic, our model predicted that there would have been 1,058,162 PrEP prescriptions during 3/15/2020 – 3/31/2021. We observed 825,239 PrEP prescriptions, a 22.0% reduction (95% CI: 19.1%-24.8%) after the emergency declaration. The model predicted 167,720 new PrEP users during the same period; we observed 125,793 new PrEP users, a 25.0% reduction (95% CI: 20.9%-28.9%). The COVID-19 impact was greater among younger persons and those with commercial insurance. The impact of the pandemic varied markedly across states. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted an increasing trend in PrEP prescriptions in the United States, highlighting the need for innovative interventions to maintain access to HIV prevention services during similar emergencies.
Echocardiographic estimate of pulmonary artery pressure in sarcoidosis patients - real world data from a multi-national study

Introduction: Echocardiographic measurement of the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) is commonly used for estimating systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) measured during right heart catheterization (RHC) in patients suspected for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Generally, there seems to be a strong correlation. However, this has been reported as less robust in sarcoidosis. We aim to investigate the correlation between RVSP and RHC measurements using real world data and analyzed factors influencing the relationship between RVSP and PASP in sarcoidosis. Methods & Results: Data of patients with and without sarcoidosis associated PH who had both a measurable echocardiographic RVSP and invasive PASP were collected from the RESAPH registry, PULSAR study and Cincinnati Sarcoidosis Clinic database (n=173, 60.1% female, mean age 56.0±9.5 years). Among them, 124 had PH confirmed by RHC. There was a strong correlation between RVSP and PASP (r=0.640). This correlation was significant in both male and female, white or non-white, forced vital capacity (FVC) >60%, and presence of fibrosis (p<0.001). However, it was less robust in patients with FVC of 50% or less. RVSP was considered inaccurate if the difference with PASP was > 10mmHg. Inaccurate echocardiographic estimation of the invasive PASP occurred in 50.8%, with overestimation mostly in patients without PH, and underestimation in patients with severe PH. An RVSP>50mmHg was associated with worse survival. Conclusions: In this real world multicenter cohort of sarcoidosis patients, we found a significant correlation between RVSP as determined by echocardiography and invasive PASP. Over- or underestimation of PASP occurred frequently. Therefore, echocardiographic RVSP measurement alone to screen for PH in sarcoidosis should be used with caution.
A Qualitative Insight Into Factors Pertaining to Alcohol Consumption Among Young Adult Women During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Emerging research suggests young adults, in particular women, may be especially sensitive to changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. This study, which is part of an ongoing research project focusing on young adulthood and substance use during the UK COVID-19 lockdown, aimed to provide an in-depth snapshot of factors that young adult women may describe as influential in their alcohol consumption during this period. Virtual semi-structured interviews were carried out on a sample of 12 (23–25 years) women between April and May 2020. The data were analysed through thematic analysis and preliminary findings led to the identification of three themes: (1) Changes to working environment, (2) Limitations on social opportunities and efforts to socialise in a ‘new normal’, and (3) Effects of cohabitation on increased alcohol consumption. The preliminary findings of this study highlight factors relevant to changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK.
Hunting before herding: A zooarchaeological and stable isotopic study of suids (Sus sp.) at Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands (5450–4250 cal BC)

Suids (Sus sp.) played a crucial role in the transition to farming in northern Europe and, like in many regions, in the Netherlands pig husbandry became an important subsistence activity at Neolithic sites. Yet little is known about wild boar palaeoecology and hunting in the Late Mesolithic Netherlands with which to contextualize this transition. This paper presents the first multi-proxy analysis of archaeological suid remains in the Netherlands. It explores human-suid interactions at the Swifterbant culture sites of Hardinxveld-Giessendam Polderweg and De Bruin (5450–4250 BC) through biometric analysis, estimation of age-at-death, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The results reveal targeted hunting of adult wild boar in the Late Mesolithic (5450–4850 BC), with a possible shift over time towards more juveniles. The wild boar in this period are demonstrated to be of comparably large size to contemporary northern European populations and exhibiting a wide range of dietary regimes. In the final occupational period (4450–4250 BC), small suids are present, possibly domestic pigs, but there is no evidence of pig management. This study demonstrates that the nature of human-suid interactions varied over time, which may have been connected to changing environmental conditions, human mobility, and wild boar behaviour. This study also contributes the first biometric and dietary baseline for mid-Holocene wild boar in the Netherlands.
Depression prevention in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Few studies have assessed depression in healthcare workers (HCWs) in Japan owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and no studies have proposed effective interventions to help support their mental health. Aims To test the hypothesis that enhancing access to mental healthcare professionals helps to improve HCWs’ mental health. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed depressive symptoms in HCWs at three hospitals in Osaka prefecture between May and July, 2020. The survey obtained information on HCWs’ mental state and related situations/perceptions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms. Results Of the 3291 eligible HCWs, 1269 (39%) completed the survey. Of all HCWs, 87 (7%) were physicians, and 700 (55%) were nurses. A total of 181 (14%) HCWs had moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression. Being a frontline worker was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms (odds ratio: 0.86 [95% confidence intervals: 0.54–1.37], P = 0.50). The unwillingness to consult with anyone was significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms (1.70 [1.10–2.63], P < 0.01). HCWs who had no opportunity to confide in family/friends (1.66 [1.10–2.52], P < 0.01) or colleagues/supervisors (3.19 [2.22–4.58], P < 0.001) were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms. Conclusions Being a frontline HCW in a Japanese hospital treating patients with COVID-19 was not significantly associated with having depressive symptoms. The study highlights that encouraging daily communication with close persons (family, friends, colleagues and supervisors), rather than improving access to mental health professionals, might help to prevent depression in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feasibility of EBUS-TBNA for histopathological and molecular diagnostics of NSCLC—A retrospective single-center experience

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedure, well established as a diagnostic modality of first choice for diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The therapeutic decisions for advanced NSCLC require comprehensive profiling of actionable mutations, which is currently considered to be an essential part of the diagnostic process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of EBUS-TBNA cytology specimen for histological subtyping, molecular profiling of NSCLC by massive parallel sequencing (MPS), as well as for PD-L1 analysis. A retrospective review of 806 EBUS bronchoscopies was performed, resulting in a cohort of 132 consecutive patients with EBUS-TBNA specimens showing NSCLC cells in lymph nodes. Data on patient demographics, radiology features of the suspected tumor and mediastinal engagement, lymph nodes sampled, the histopathological subtype of NSCLC, and performed molecular analysis were collected. The EBUS-TBNA specimen proved sufficient for subtyping NSCLC in 83% and analysis of treatment predictive biomarkers in 77% (MPS in 53%). The adequacy of the EBUS-TBNA specimen was 69% for EGFR gene mutation analysis, 49% for analysis of ALK rearrangement, 36% for ROS1 rearrangement, and 33% for analysis of PD-L1. The findings of our study confirm that EBUS-TBNA cytology aspirate is appropriate for diagnosis and subtyping of NSCLC and largely also for treatment predictive molecular testing, although more data is needed on the utility of EBUS cytology specimen for MPS and PD-L1 analysis.
A Description of COVID-19-Directed Therapy in Children Admitted to US Intensive Care Units 2020

Abstract Background It is unclear how acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-directed therapies are used in children with life-threatening COVID-19 in US hospitals. We described characteristics of children hospitalized in the intensive care unit or step-down unit (ICU/SDU) who received COVID-19-directed therapies and the specific therapies administered. Methods Between March 15, 2020 and December 27, 2020, children <18 years of age in the ICU/SDU with acute COVID-19 at 48 pediatric hospitals in the United States were identified. Demographics, laboratory values, and clinical course were compared in children who did and did not receive COVID-19-directed therapies. Trends in COVID-19-directed therapies over time were evaluated. Results Of 424 children in the ICU/SDU, 235 (55%) received COVID-19-directed therapies. Children who received COVID-19-directed therapies were older than those who did not receive COVID-19-directed therapies (13.3 [5.6-16.2] vs 9.8 [0.65-15.9] years), more had underlying medical conditions (188 [80%] vs 104 [55%]; difference = 25% [95% CI: 16% to 34%]), more received respiratory support (206 [88%] vs 71 [38%]; difference = 50% [95% CI: 34% to 56%]), and more died (8 [3.4%] vs 0). Of the 235 children receiving COVID-19-directed therapies, 172 (73%) received systemic steroids and 150 (64%) received remdesivir, with rising remdesivir use over the study period (14% in March/April to 57% November/December). Conclusion Despite the lack of pediatric data evaluating treatments for COVID-19 in critically ill children, more than half of children requiring intensive or high acuity care received COVID-19-directed therapies.
Untangling the tingle: Investigating the association between the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), neuroticism, and trait & state anxiety

The Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is an intensely pleasant tingling sensation originating in the scalp and neck and is elicited by a range of online video-induced triggers. Many individuals now regularly watch ASMR videos to relax, and alleviate symptoms of stress and insomnia, all which are indicative of elevated levels of anxiety. Emerging literature suggests that ASMR-capable individuals are characterised by high trait neuroticism, which is associated with a tendency to experience negative emotional states such as anxiety. To date however no literature has empirically linked these personality constructs and watching ASMR videos on the effect of reducing anxiety. In the current study, 36 ASMR-experiencers and 28 non-experiencers watched an ASMR video, and completed assessments of neuroticism, trait anxiety, and pre- / post-video state anxiety. MANCOVA with Group as the independent measures factor showed that ASMR-experiencers had significantly greater scores for neuroticism, trait anxiety, and video engagement than non-experiencers. Pre-video state anxiety was also significantly greater in the ASMR-experiencers and was significantly attenuated on exposure to the ASMR video, whereas non-experiencers reported no difference in state anxiety pre- and post-video. Thus, watching ASMR alleviated state anxiety but only in those who experienced ASMR. Subsequent mediation analyses identified the importance of pre-existing group differences in neuroticism, trait and (pre-video) state anxiety in accounting for the group difference in the reduction of state anxiety. The mediation analysis further lends support for watching ASMR videos as an intervention for the reduction of acute state anxiety. Future areas for research are discussed.
A Discussion on Offshore Wind Power Output Characteristics and Its Accommodation

As China is expecting a rapid development in offshore wind power,understanding its output characteristics is of great importance for its accommodation problem.By combining practical data analysis and simulation technology,a comparative study is made on the characteristics of offshore and onshore wind power output.A novel index called distribution characteristic index of wind power output is proposed to measure the features of wind power probability distribution.Stochastic and fluctuation characteristics of inshore wind farms are analyzed using the measured historical data.Offshore wind power outputs are obtained and analyzed using simulation technology with parameters from field measurement and the planning scheme.Results show that offshore wind power has higher output and lower hourly variations compared with onshore wind power,and that offshore wind power has higher output in winter than in summer as the output at night than during the day.Meanwhile offshore wind power has higher distribution characteristic index compared with onshore wind power.Discussions on offshore wind power accommodation are also reported.
Effects of dietary oil sources (sunflower and fish) on fermentation characteristics, epithelial gene expression and microbial community in the rumen of lambs fed a high-concentrate diet

ABSTRACT The feeding of high-concentrate diets commonly results in lowered pH and ruminal dysbiosis which cause shifts in uptake dynamics of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and altered epithelial function. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on ruminal fermentation products, gene expression in the ruminal epithelium and the associated changes in ruminal microorganisms in lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. Twenty-six Afshari lambs adapted to a high-concentrate diet during a completely randomised design were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 100 g oil supplement (OS; 60 g sunflower oil and 40 g fish oil) for 10 (OS10), 20 (OS20) and 30 (OS30) d, respectively (n = 6). Lambs with no oil supplementation (OS0, n = 8) were considered as control and slaughtered at d 0 of the experiment, and the remaining lambs were slaughtered at 10, 20 and 30 d on feed. After slaughter, ruminal digesta was collected for evaluating fermentation and microbial community. Ruminal papillae were taken for assessment of epithelial gene expression. Compared with OS0 lambs, supplemental PUFA in OS30 lambs tended to decrease total SCFA concentration with decreased acetic and increased propionic acid concentrations. Acetate:propionate ratios were decreased and ruminal pH was increased in OS20 and OS30 lambs compared to OS0. All groups with included OS had decreased concentrations of iso-valeric and valeric acids compared to OS0. Relative mRNA abundance of monocarboxylate transporter isoforms 1 and 4, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1 and 2 decreased with increasing OS duration. The relative abundance of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 1 mRNA transcript was higher for OS10 and OS20 lambs relative to OS0 lambs. OS20 and OS30 showed a decrease of lipopolysaccharide binding protein mRNA expression compared with OS0. Feeding supplemental PUFA decreased Ciliate protozoa and increased Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens in OS20 and OS30 lambs, whereas Megasphaera elsdenii was increased in OS30 lambs. In conclusion, combined supplementation of sunflower and fish oil to a high-concentrate diet affects the ruminal microbial community with prominent decreases in ruminal ciliate protozoa and increases in B. fibrisolvens and M. elsdenii. These results lead to a more stabilised ruminal pH and a fermentation shift towards more propionate generation. Consideration of nutrients digestion will help to fully understand the benefits of feeding PUFA with a high-concentrate diet.
Sunshine on KOLs: assessment of the nature, extent and evolution of financial ties between the leaders of professional medical associations and the pharmaceutical industry in France from 2014 to 2019: a retrospective study

Objective To investigate the financial relationships between key opinion leader (KOL) or non-KOL physicians and pharmaceutical and device companies in France. Design Retrospective and descriptive study. Setting All doctors practising in France, with a focus on 548 KOLs (board members of the professional medical associations that published guidelines in 2018–2019, identified on the associations’ websites between 2018 and 2020). Ties were collected from the ‘Transparency in Healthcare’ database. Main outcome measures The number and the value of gifts from 2014 to 2019, and of remunerations and contractual agreements from 2017 to 2019. Results KOLs represented 0.24% of the total number of physicians in France. The total value of gifts declared in the French database for all physicians amounted to €818M (US$936M, £741M). At least one gift was declared for 83% of KOLs. KOLs’ gifts represented 0.68% of the total number of gifts to physicians and 1.5% of the total value of gifts, with a mean of €3700 per capita per year. The total value of contractual agreements declared for all physicians amounted to €125M. Contractual agreements involving the KOLs represented 0.72% of the number of contractual agreements with physicians and 2.5% of the value of the agreements, with a mean of €1900 per capita per year. A total of €156M in remunerations were declared for all physicians. KOL remunerations represented 2.3% of the number of physician remunerations and 4.4% of the total value of the remunerations paid to physicians, with a mean of €4100 per capita per year. Almost all professional medical associations (99%) had at least one KOL in their board with a financial tie to the industry, but the amount varied widely among the associations. Conclusion Financial relationships between KOLs and the industry in France are extensive. KOLs have much more financial ties than non-KOL practitioners.