Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Fear of the New Coronavirus Lead to Low-Carbon Behaviors: The Moderating Effect of Outcome Framing

Purpose Air pollution has been found to aggravate the infection and mortality of COVID-19, leading to increasing attention on pro-environmental behaviors. Considering individuals’ psychological distance from COVID-19, this research aims to examine the relationship between fear of COVID-19, air pollution concern, and low-carbon behaviors. Methods Two survey-based studies were conducted in this research. Study 1 consisted of 323 participants and examined the relationships between psychological distance (PD) from COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, air pollution concern, and low-carbon behaviors. Study 2 identified the moderating effect of outcome framing using an intergroup experiment in which 304 participants were randomly assigned to two groups (gain framing vs loss framing). Results The results of Study 1 showed that the closer the PD was, the higher the fear was. Fear of COVID-19 and low-carbon behaviors were positively associated. Additionally, air pollution concern acted as a mediator in their relationship. The results of the moderating effect test in Study 2 showed that fear and air pollution concern led to higher low-carbon behavioral intention within gain framing than within loss framing. Conclusion This research revealed that personal fear of public health emergencies will lead to environmental pollution concern and pro-environmental behaviors, and information from the outside plays a moderating role. The results provide implications for policy advocacy of the health and environmental sectors and for guiding people’s low-carbon behaviors.
Oxidative Stress (Malondialdehyde) in Adults Beta-Thalassemia Major and Intermedia: Comparison Between Before and After Blood Transfusion and Its Correlation with Iron Overload

Background Iron overload is a major problem in both transfusion-dependent (TDT) and non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). It has been known to increase oxidative stress. Meanwhile, blood transfusion as main therapy for thalassemia increases iron overload. One of the markers of oxidative stress is malondialdehyde (MDA). This study aims to provide data on MDA levels in adult thalassemia patients, and to compare the levels before and after transfusion in patients with TDT and NTDT. Methods This is a cross-sectional, pre-post study in adult patients with thalassemia major and intermedia that received blood transfusion with or without iron-chelating agents in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Blood samples were taken immediately before the transfusion and one day after. Serum ferritin (SF) assays were conducted by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method, while transferrin saturation (TS) was calculated by dividing serum iron by the binding capacity. Subsequently, plasma MDA levels assays were performed using the Wills method, and data analysis was conducted using the t-test/Mann–Whitney and Pearson/Spearman correlation test, depending on the data distribution. Results The 63 respondents recruited consist of 51 TDT and 12 NTDT patients, and their median plasma MDA level before and after transfusion was 0.49 µmol/L and 0.45 µmol/L, respectively. Before transfusion, there was no correlation between SF and MDA, and TS and MDA levels. After the transfusion, there was no correlation between, SF and MDA, or TS and MDA levels. Conclusion There is no significant difference in MDA levels before and after transfusion. Although blood transfusion increases the iron load in thalassemia patients, there was no increase in median MDA level after transfusion. Meanwhile, there was no correlation between markers of iron overload and MDA level in thalassemia patients both before and after transfusion.
Grip power test: A new valid and reliable method for assessing muscle power in healthy adolescents

The assessment of the strength and muscle mass of the hand-finger segment are reliable indicators of health and predictors of cardiometabolic risk in the adult population. However, there are no valid and reliable tests to assess the muscle power of this segment in healthy adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine the validity and inter-day reliability of a grip power test (GripW test) in healthy adolescents. Twenty-one adolescents (15.61 ± 2.20 years old) were part of the study. All participants were instructed to perform a grip with incremental load sets from 1–10 kg as fast as possible. The validity of the GripW test was determined with the load-power curve and linear regression equation. Inter-day reliability considered the coefficient of variation (CV), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and standard error of the mean (SEM). The significance level for all statistical analyses was p < 0.05. The parabola in the load-power curve for both hands showed normality for the GripW test. In addition, the analysis showed a CV = 4.63% and ICC = 1.00 for the right hand, while the left hand showed a CV = 3.23% and ICC = 1.00. The GripW test proved to be valid and reliable for assessing gripping muscle power functionally and unilaterally in healthy adolescents.
Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Volume Distribution Width in Canine Parvoviral Enteritis

Bacterial translocation from the damaged intestinal tract, reported in canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis, is thought to be responsible for the systemic inflammatory response resulting from coliform septicemia, which could ultimately progress to septic shock and death. Alterations in platelet indices, specifically mean platelet volume (MPV), is a consistent finding in critically ill people and dogs with and without sepsis. Increased MPV has been reported to be an indirect indicator of platelet activation and of bone marrow response in people and dogs with sepsis. The study aim was to compare admission MPV and platelet volume distribution width (PVDW) in dogs with CPV enteritis to that of healthy aged-matched control dogs. Forty-eight dogs with CPV enteritis and 18 healthy age matched control dogs were included. CPV infection was confirmed with electron microscopy and concurrent blood-borne infections were excluded using PCR. EDTA whole blood samples were analyzed on an automated cell counter, ADVIA 2120, within 30-60 min from collection. There was no significant difference for platelet count between the groups. The MPV for CPV infected dogs (median: 14.0; IQR: 12.2–15.1) was significantly higher compared to controls (11.3; IQR: 10.3–13.1, P = 0.002). The PVDW for CPV infected dogs (66.9; IQR: 64.2–68.8) was significantly higher compared to controls (63.3; IQR: 60.2–65.1, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that significant platelet activation is present in dogs with CPV enteritis which may play a role in the disease outcome, similar to people with sepsis. Further studies are required to investigate the prognosticating ability of MPV in dogs with CPV enteritis.
A Promising Single Oral Disintegrating Tablet for Co-Delivery of Pitavastatin Calcium and Lornoxicam Using Co-Processed Excipients: Formulation, Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Study

Significance Statins are an important class of drugs that help to control hyperlipidemia, and one of these statins recently used is pitavastatin calcium (PITA). Nevertheless, the most reported adverse effect of statins is myopathy. Therefore, combining statins with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as Lornoxicam (LORNO) can help in the management of statin-induced myopathy. Purpose This study aimed to formulate and evaluate different oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs) containing PITA using different co-processed excipients. The best PITA-ODT was selected and reformulated with the addition of LORNO, forming a single ODT comprising both drugs. The pharmacokinetic parameters of PITA and LORNO in a single ODT were compared to those of the marketed products (Lipidalon® and Lornoxicam®). Methods Eight PITA-ODTs were prepared via direct compression. The prepared PITA-ODTs were evaluated for their weight variation, thickness, breaking force, friability, drug content, and wetting time (WT). In-vitro disintegration time (DT) and dissolution were also evaluated and taken as parameters for selection of the best formula based on the criteria of scoring the fastest DT and highest Q10 min. LORNO was added to the selected PITA-ODT, forming a single ODT (M1) comprising both drugs, which was subjected to an in-vivo pharmacokinetic study using rats as an animal model and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for analysis of both drugs in rat plasma. Results Results showed that all PITA-ODTs had acceptable physical properties in accordance with pharmacospecial standards. PITA-ODT prepared with Pharmaburst® (F2) had significantly (p<0.05) the fastest DT (6.66±1.52 s) and highest Q10 min (79.07±2.02%) and was chosen as the best formula. The in-vivo pharmacokinetic study of M1 formula showed higher percent relative bioavailability (%RB) of 286.7% and 169.73% for PITA and LORNO, respectively, compared with the marketed products. Conclusion The single ODT comprising PITA and LORNO was promising for instant co-delivery of both drugs with higher %RB when compared with the marketed products.
Validation of the Arabic Version of General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) in Sudanese Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Objective The aim of this study was to validate the Arabic version of General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) in Sudanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A 3-month cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with T2DM at Al-Daraja Health Center, located in Wad Medani, Sudan. A convenient sample of patients was selected, and the study sample size was calculated using the item response ratio. Factorial, known group, and construct validities were determined. Internal consistency and reliability were also determined. Results Responses were provided by 500 patients. The average medication adherence score was 30 (median 31). The normed fit index (NFI) was 0.950, the comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.963, the incremental fit index (IFI) was 0.963, and the root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.071. The results from these fit indices indicated a good model. Factorial, known group and construct validities were all established. A significant association was found between adherence score and age (P = 0.03) since a larger proportion of older patients were found to have high adherence compared to patients in other age groups. The reliability (α) of the questionnaire was 0.834. Conclusion The Arabic version of GMAS was validated in Sudanese patients with T2DM making it a suitable scale to be used in this population.
Hyperprogression of a mismatch repair-deficient colon cancer in a humanized mouse model following administration of immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab

Immunotherapy is an established treatment modality in oncology. However, in addition to primary or acquired therapy resistance with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), hyperprogressive disease (HPD) or hyperprogression (HP) with acceleration of tumor growth occurs in a subset of patients receiving ICB therapy. A validated and predictive animal model would help investigate HPD/HP to develop new approaches for this challenging clinical entity. Using human cytotoxic T-cell line TALL-104 injected intraperitoneally into immunodeficient NCRU-nude athymic mice bearing mismatch repair-deficient (MMR-d) human colon carcinoma HCT116 p53-null (but not wild-type p53) tumor xenograft, we observed accelerated tumor growth after PD-1 blockade with pembrolizumab administration. There was increased colon tumor cell proliferation as determined by immunohistochemical Ki67 staining of tumor sections. There was no increase in MDM2 or MDM4/MDMX in the p53-null HCT116 cells versus the wild-type p53-expressing isogenic tumor cells, suggesting the effects in this model may be MDM2 or MDM4/MDMX-independent. Human cytokine profiling revealed changes in IFN-γ, TRAIL-R2/TNFRSF10B, TRANCE/TNFSF11/RANK L, CCL2/JE/MCP-1, Chitinase 3-like 1, IL-4 and TNF-α. This represents a novel humanized HPD mouse model with a link to deficiency of the p53 pathway of tumor suppression in the setting of MMR-d. Our novel humanized preclinical TALL-104/p53-null HCT116 mouse model implicates p53-deficiency in an MMR-d tumor as a possible contributor to HPD/HP and may help with evaluating therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy to extend clinical benefits of ICB’s in a broader patient population.
Comparison of MICs in Escherichia coli isolates from human health surveillance with MICs obtained for the same isolates by broth microdilution

Abstract Objectives Human health surveillance and food safety monitoring systems use different antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods. In this study, we compared the MICs of Escherichia coli isolates provided by these methods. Methods E. coli isolates (n = 120) from human urine samples and their MICs were collected from six medical laboratories that used automated AST methods based on bacterial growth kinetic analyses. These isolates were retested using broth microdilution, which is used by the food safety monitoring system. The essential and categorical agreements (EA and CA), very major errors (VME), major errors (ME) and minor errors (mE) for these two methods were calculated for 11 antibiotics using broth microdilution as a reference. For statistical analysis, clinical breakpoints provided by EUCAST were used. Results Five study laboratories used VITEK®2 and one MicroScan (Walkaway Combo Panel). Out of 120 isolates, 118 isolates (98.3%) were confirmed as E. coli. The 99 E. coli isolates from five study laboratories that used VITEK®2 showed high proportions of EA and CA with full agreements for gentamicin, meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem. Additionally, 100% CA was also observed in cefepime. Few VME (0.5%), ME (1.9%) and mE (1.5%) were observed across all antibiotics. One VME for ceftazidime (7.1%) and 12 MEs for ampicillin (29.4%), cefotaxime (2.4%), ciprofloxacin (3.2%), tigecycline (1.5%) and trimethoprim (22.2%) were detected. Conclusions MICs from E. coli isolates produced by VITEK®2 were similar to those determined by broth microdilution. These results will be valuable for comparative analyses of resistance data from human health surveillance and food safety monitoring systems.
Health Extension Workers Knowledge and Associated Factors on Child Immunization in Bako Tibe, West Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose To assess health extension workers knowledge of child immunization schedules and associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted among health extension workers working in Bako Tibe Woreda. The data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaires, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Chi-square (χ2) was used to identify factors associated with the knowledge of health extension workers on the immunization schedules. Results The response rate of the study was 92.1% (58/63). All of the health extension workers included in the study were females. The majority of health extension workers 45 (77.59%) had satisfactory knowledge of the child immunization schedule. Educational status (χ2 = 11.05; P= 0.001), work experience of as health extension workers (χ2 = 6.22; P= 0.045), on job training on immunization (χ2 = 11.12; P= 0.002), marital status (χ2 = 6.30; P= 0.019) were factors associated with health extension workers knowledge. Conclusion The majority of health extension workers had satisfactory knowledge of the child immunization schedule. Educational status, work experience as health extension worker, on job training on immunization, and marital status were factors associated with the knowledge of health extension workers on the child immunization schedule.
A Preliminary Study on Public Health Implications of Avian Tuberculosis in Selected Districts of the Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background Avian tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease which remains a problem in extensive poultry production systems under which chickens scavenge for survival in unhygienic environments. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to June 2017 at high-land areas of Gerar Jarso and Ada'a and Boset districts located at mid and low altitudes of Oromia, Ethiopia, respectively, to assess the perception of farmers on the occurrence of avian tuberculosis in chickens and its public health implications using a semistructured questionnaire. Result The study evidenced poor awareness of the farmers, as only 11% (10/91) of them had well-perceived occurrence of the disease in chickens and its risk of zoonosis. Conclusion Hence, it revealed that there is poor public perception on the occurrence as well as public health implications of avian tuberculosis, demanding further studies for verification and technical interventions.
Characterization and in vitro biological effects of ambient air PM10 from a rural, an industrial and an urban site in Sulaimani City, Iraq

Abstract High urban atmospheric pollution is caused by economic and industrial growth, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess possible relationships between in vitro effects on human alveolar epithelial cells of source-related dust types collected at Sulaimani City (Iraq), and to determine their mineralogical and chemical composition. A passive sampler was used to collect dust particles at a rural, an industrial and an urban sampling site during July and August 2014. The samples were size-fractionated by a low-pressure impactor to obtain respirable dust with aerodynamic diameters of less than 10 µm. The dust was mainly composed of quartz and calcite. Chrysotile fibers (white asbestos) were also found at the urban site. Dust from the industrial and urban sites triggered cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in the cells, whereas only minor effects were observed for the sample from the rural site.
Predictors of COVID-19 Infection: A Prevalence Study of Hospitalized Patients

Aim To find the predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized patients. Methods A prevalence study compared the characteristics of COVID-19 patients with non-COVID-19 patients from January 19, 2020, to February 18, 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Laboratory test results and pulmonary chest imaging of confirmed COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients were collected by retrieving medical records in our center. Results 96 COVID-19 patients and 122 non-COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this study. COVID-19 patients were older (53 vs. 39; P < 0.001) and had higher body mass index (BMI) than non-COVID-19 group (24.21 ± 3.51 vs. 23.00 ± 3.27, P = 0.011); however, differences in gender were not observed between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that exposure history (OR: 23.34, P < 0.001), rhinorrhea (odds radio (OR): 0.12, P = 0.006), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR: 1.03, P = 0.049), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (OR: 1.01, P = 0.020), lymphocyte (OR: 0.27, P = 0.007), and bilateral involvement on chest CT imaging (OR: 23.01, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for COVID-19. Moreover, bilateral involvement on chest CT imaging (AUC = 0.904, P < 0.001) had significantly higher AUC than others in predicting COVID-19. Conclusions Exposure history, elevated ALT and LDH, absence of rhinorrhea, lymphopenia, and bilateral involvement on chest CT imaging provide robust evidence for the diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in resource-limited conditions where nucleic acid detection is not readily available.
Predictors of 30- and 90-Day COPD Exacerbation Readmission: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background Readmission following COPD exacerbation is a common and challenging clinical problem. New approaches to predicting readmissions are required to help mitigate risk and develop novel interventions. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study in 82 COPD patients admitted due to an exacerbation of COPD. Lung function measures [spirometry, forced oscillation technique (FOT) indices and peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR)], inflammatory biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes including previous exacerbation history, breathlessness, quality of life and frailty were measured at admission and discharge. We prospectively followed patients for 30 and 90 days to identify predictors for readmission. Results The readmission rate within 30 days was 38%, and 56% within 90 days. Previous exacerbations, higher COPD Assessment Test score at discharge, frailty, reduced PIFR and increased length of stay were significantly associated with 30-day readmission. PIFR at discharge and frailty had the highest predictive ability for 30-day readmission using area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC 0.86, 95% CI 0.78–0.95, p < 0.001 and AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.71–0.90, p < 0.001, respectively). Ninety-day readmissions were significantly associated with previous exacerbations and hospitalisations, higher CAT score at discharge, frailty, depression, lower PIFR and greater expiratory flow limitation (EFL) in the supine position. The best predictive variable in multivariable analysis for both 30- and 90-day readmission was PIFR at discharge. Conclusion PIFR, CAT score, frailty, and EFL were found to be associated with 30- and 90-day readmission following COPD exacerbation. These findings help identify those at highest risk and to optimise care prior to discharge.
Cat owners’ perception on having a pet cat during the COVID-19 pandemic

Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the lives of pet animals. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the welfare of pet cats across countries, as well as the owners’ experience in relation to their cat(s). An online survey containing 21 questions was distributed internationally. Questions were related to information about the cat and its behaviour and health, changes in the household due to the pandemic, and how the owner related to the cat. The survey was completed by 324 respondents from 25 different countries. The survey showed that keeping pet cats during the COVID-19 pandemic did not create problems for the owners, except some difficulties in acquiring veterinary care. The majority (67.3%) of respondents reported no changes in their cats’ behaviour. When behavioural changes were reported, they were mostly of a positive nature. Owners who took more measures in relation to the cat to prevent the spread of the virus, e.g., reduced contact, were 1.8 times more likely to report changes in the behaviour of their cats but also 3.8 times more likely to report difficulties related to the care of the cat during the pandemic. Two-third of the respondents indicated a reduction of their own psychological tensions due to having a cat during the pandemic. We concluded that the welfare of pet cats, as reported by the owners, was not adversely affected by the pandemic and the human-cat interaction had positive effects on the owners during the lockdown.