Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patients' Willingness of First Visit in Primary Medical Institutions and Policy Implications: A National Cross-Sectional Survey in China

Background The Chinese hierarchical treatment system expects patients to first visit primary medical institutions (PMIs), and patients' willingness determined their utilization of primary health care. The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with patients' willingness to make their first visit to PMIs. Methods We employed multistage stratified sampling and convenience sampling to administer questionnaires to 1,507 patients in Beijing, Qinghai, and Fujian. Patients' willingness of first visit in PMIs was analyzed using Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Results Of the 1,507 participants in the survey, 55.1% were willing to make their first visit in PMIs. Fewer patients in Beijing (17.6%) are willing to make their first visit in PMIs than those in Qinghai (71.9%) and Fujian provinces (72.0%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that higher recognition of the community first visit policy and higher satisfaction with the medical technology of PMIs are associated with patients' willingness of first visit in PMIs. Conclusions Due to differences in local economic conditions, medical resources, and policy formulation, there are differences among provinces in patients' willingness of first visit in PMIs. To increase patients' rate of visits in PMIs, it is important to improve service capacity and quality of PMIs and change residents' attitudes for PMIs.
Manta Net: The Golden Method for Sampling Surface Water Microplastics in Aquatic Environments

Microplastics (MPs) (plastic particles < 5 mm in size) have become the most ubiquitous type of anthropogenic litter contaminating aquatic environments worldwide, and are capable of harming aquatic organisms and entering the food web. Microplastic research has rapidly evolved over several decades, with many studies sampling microplastic in surface waters. For sea surface sampling of MPs, different net devices have been used. But although there is an increasing number of studies using these devices to quantifying MPs in different aquatic environments, data comparison is difficult due to the lack of standardised, harmonised sampling methods and data reporting units. The Manta net device is actually the most commonly used method for sea surface sampling of MPs. The three main parts of this net are: the floating/stabilizing part, the opening mouth and the net bag, and each of them can have its own specifications. These specifications, along with the sampling methods, can be critical for the efficiency of the sampling accurate quantification of MPs in the aquatic environments. The use of different mesh sizes, inconsistency in trawling duration, speed and distance, and in the net opening dimensions, make it impossible to compare the studies between each other. This review analyzes the methodologies and characteristics of Manta nets used for MPs sampling, discussing factors that can impact the efficiency of the sampling and the quantification of MPs, and proposes recommendations in order to improve and standardize the sampling protocol.
Metagenomic Insights Into the Changes of Antibiotic Resistance and Pathogenicity Factor Pools Upon Thermophilic Composting of Human Excreta

In times of climate change, practicing a form of sustainable, climate-resilient and productive agriculture is of primordial importance. Compost could be one form of sustainable fertilizer, which is increasing humus, water holding capacity, and nutrient contents of soils. It could thereby strengthen agriculture toward the adverse effects of climate change, especially when additionally combined with biochar. To get access to sufficient amounts of suitable materials for composting, resources, which are currently treated as waste, such as human excreta, could be a promising option. However, the safety of the produced compost regarding human pathogens, pharmaceuticals (like antibiotics) and related resistance genes must be considered. In this context, we have investigated the effect of 140- and 154-days of thermophilic composting on the hygienization of human excreta and saw dust from dry toilets together with straw and green cuttings with and without addition of biochar. Compost samples were taken at the beginning and end of the composting process and metagenomic analysis was conducted to assess the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogenicity factors of the microbial community over composting. Potential ARGs conferring resistance to major classes of antibiotics, such as beta-lactam antibiotics, vancomycin, the MLSB group, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines and quinolones were detected in all samples. However, relative abundance of ARGs decreased from the beginning to the end of composting. This trend was also found for genes encoding type III, type IV, and type VI secretion systems, that are involved in pathogenicity, protein effector transport into eukaryotic cells and horizontal gene transfer between bacteria, respectively. The results suggest that the occurrence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms harboring ARGs declines during thermophilic composting. Nevertheless, ARG levels did not decline below the detection limit of quantitative PCR (qPCR). Thresholds for the usage of compost regarding acceptable resistance gene levels are yet to be evaluated and defined.
Prognostic Impact of Platelet-Large Cell Ratio In Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Background Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a very heterogeneous group of myeloid disorders with high prevalence and risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia. The more accurate risk stratification can provide a better guidance of treatment. The platelet–large cell ratio (P-LCR) is a parameter reported in complete blood cell count tests, and was associated with many diseases, but its role in MDS is not clear. Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of the P-LCR on the prognosis of patients with MDS, which is of great significance for clinical treatment. Methods In the retrospective study, 122 newly diagnosed MDS patients were enrolled. We used the bioinformatics tool X-tile to define a P-LCR threshold of 36.7% to predict prognosis. Patients were divided into P-LCRlow and P-LCRhigh groups, and their characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results Results show that the P-LCRlow was associated with worse overall survival (OS) than the P-LCRhigh patients (median OS, 18.53 months versus 25.77 months, p=0.0057), but there were no statistical differences in progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups (p=0.2001). The results of univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses adjusted for gender, bone marrow blast level, platelet count, and International Prognostic Scoring System scores showed that the P-LCR was useful in the evaluation of PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.212, 95%CI 0.064–0.702, p=0.011] and OS of MDS (HR 0.464, 95%CI 0.284–0.757, p=0.002). Conclusion This study is the first report showing that the P-LCR would be a simple and immediately available biomarker for predicting the prognosis of MDS.
Assessing the Association Between Internet Addiction Disorder and Health Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is a global issue that has resulted in a slew of physical and emotional consequences. Studies have indicated that health risk behaviors might be the risk factors for IAD. The published literature on the correlation between the two is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand better the link between IAD and health risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Methods We searched ten electronic databases for relevant articles. Data were extracted based on IAD and health risk behaviors ( alcohol, smoking, suicidal, gambling and drug abuse). We calculated odds ratios (ORs), a pooled correlation coefficient (r) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A fixed-effect model was applied to summarize the pooled effects. Heterogeneity was examined using I2 statistics and Cochran's Q statistics. All analyses were conducted by using Stata version 15.0. Results A total of 16 studies and 61,823 participants were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that IAD was positively correlated with drinking (r = 0.35; 95% CI 0.32–0.37) and smoking (r = 0.12; 95%CI 0.10–0.15), and was associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior (OR= 1.95; 95% CI 1.65–2.30), drinking (OR= 1.75; 95% CI 1.65–1.85), and smoking (OR= 1.63; 95% CI 1.54–1.72) among adolescents. Conclusion We found significantly increased risks of suicidal behavior, drinking, and smoking in adolescents and young adults with IAD. These findings are important to expand our understanding of IAD and have great guiding significance for preventing health risk behaviors of adolescents and young adults. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42021257729, identifier: PROSPERO CRD42021257729.
Metagenomic Analyses Reveal Distinct Gut Microbiota Signature for Predicting the Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Responsiveness in Breast Cancer Patients

Background Growing evidence supports the modulatory role of human gut microbiome on neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) efficacy. However, the relationships among the gut microbiome, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and NAC response for breast cancer (BC) patients remain unclear. We thus proposed this preliminary study to investigate the relationship between gut microbiome and BC patients’ responses to NAC treatment as well as underlying mechanisms. Methods Prior to receiving NAC, the fecal metagenome collected from 23 patients with invasive BC was analyzed. Patients were subsequently assigned to the NAC non-effectual group and the NAC effectual group based on their response to NAC. The peripheral T lymphocyte subset counts were examined by flow cytometry methods. CellMinor analysis was employed to explore the relationship between CD4 mRNA expression and the reaction of tumor cells to NAC drugs. Results The gut microbiomes of the NAC non-effectual group showed characteristics of low diversity with low abundances, distinct metagenomic composition with decreased butyrate-producing and indolepropionic acid-producing bacteria, and increased potential pathobionts compared with the NAC effectual group. The combination of Coprococcus, Dorea, and uncultured Ruminococcus sp. serves as signature bacteria for distinguishing NAC non-effectual group patients from the NAC effectual group. The absolute numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ TIL infiltration in tumors in the NAC non-effectual group were significantly lower than those in the effectual group. Similar findings were reported for the CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (p’s < 0.05). NAC effectual-related signature bacteria were proportional to these patients’ CD4+ T lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood and tumors (p’s < 0.05). CellMinor analysis showed that the CD4 mRNA expression level dramatically climbed with increased sensitivity of tumor cells to NAC drugs such as cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and carboplatin (p’s < 0.05). Conclusions The composition of the gut microbial community differs between BC patients for whom NAC is effective to those that are treatment resistant. The modulation of the gut microbiota on host CD4+ T lymphocytes may be one critical mechanism underlying chemosensitivity and NAC pathologic response. Taken together, gut microbiota may serve as a potential biomarker for NAC response, which sheds light on novel intervention targets in the treatment of NAC non-effectual BC patients.
Exploring Sex-Related Differences in Microglia May Be a Game-Changer in Precision Medicine

One area of microglial biology that has been relatively neglected until recently is sex differences and this is in spite of the fact that sex is a risk factor in several diseases that are characterized by neuroinflammation and, by extension, microglial activation. Why these sex differences exist is not known but the panoply of differences extend to microglial number, genotype and phenotype. Significantly, several of these sex-related differences are also evident in health and change during life emphasizing the dynamic and plastic nature of microglia. This review will consider how age impacts on sex-related differences in microglia and ask whether the advancement of personalized medicine demands that a greater focus is placed on studying sex-related differences in microglia in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and models of inflammatory stress and trauma in order to make true progress in dealing with these conditions.
Ivermectin Plasma Concentration in Iberian Ibex (Capra pyrenaica) Following Oral Administration: A Pilot Study

Sarcoptic mange is considered the main driver of demographic declines occurred in the last decades in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) populations. Mass treatment campaigns by administration of in-feed acaricides are used as a measure to mitigate the impact of mange in the affected populations. However, there are no data on ivermectin (IVM) pharmacokinetics in this wild caprine, and the treatment through medicated feed is not endorsed by evidence on its effectiveness. The aim of this study is to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of IVM in plasma samples of ibexes after the experimental oral administration of IVM, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with automated solid phase extraction and fluorescence detection. A dose of 500 μg of IVM per body weight was orally administered in a feed bolus to nine healthy adult ibexes (seven males and two females). Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture into heparin-coated tubes at day 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 15, and 45 post-administration (dpa). The highest plasma concentration of IVM (Cmax = 3.4 ng/ml) was detected 24 h after the oral administration (T1), followed by a rapid decrease during the first week post-administration. Our results reveal that plasma IVM concentration drops drastically within 5 days of ingestion, questioning the effectiveness of a single in-feed dose of this drug to control sarcoptic mange. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on plasma availability of oral IVM in ibexes and in any wild ungulate species.
CD8+ T Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Induced Disease and Cancer—Clinical Perspectives

Dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity is a sign of SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and cancer. CD8+ T cells are important cells of the immune system. The cells belong to the adaptive immunity and take a front-line defense against viral infections and cancer. Extreme CD8+ T-cell activities in the lung of patients with a SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and within the tumor microenvironment (TME) will change their functionality into exhausted state and undergo apoptosis. Such diminished immunity will put cancer cases at a high-risk group for SARS-CoV-2-induced disease, rendering viral sepsis and a more severe condition which will finally cause a higher rate of mortality. Recovering responses from CD8+ T cells is a purpose of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this review is to discuss the CD8+ T cellular state in SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and in cancer and to present some strategies for recovering the functionality of these critical cells.
HSP60-Derived Peptide as an LPS/TLR4 Modulator: An in silico Approach

As a part of innate immunity mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway serves as one of the mainstay lines of defense against pathogenic microorganisms and cell dysfunction. Nevertheless, TLR overactivation induces a systemic proinflammatory environment compromising organ function or causing the patient’s death. TLRs modulators, specially those focused for TLR4, remain a promising approach for inflammatory diseases treatment, being peptide-based therapy a trendy approach. Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) not only plays a pivotal role in the development of several maladies with strong inflammatory components but also HSP60 peptides possess anti-inflammatory properties in TLR4-mediated diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, and atherosclerosis. The experimental treatment using HSP60 peptides has proven to be protective in preclinical models of the heart by hampering inflammation and modulating the activity of immune cells. Nonetheless, the effect that these peptides may exert directly on cells that express TLR and its role to inhibit overactivation remain elusive. The aim of this study is to evaluate by molecular docking, a 15 amino acid long-HSP60 peptide (Peptide-2) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding site of TLR4/MD2, finding most Peptide-2 resulting conformations posed into the hydrophobic pocket of MD2. This observation is supported by binding energy obtained for the control antagonist Eritoran, close to those of Peptide-2. This last does not undergo drastic structural changes, moving into a delimited space, and maintaining the same orientation during molecular dynamics simulation. Based on the two computational techniques applied, interaction patterns were defined for Peptide-2. With these results, it is plausible to propose a peptidic approach for TLR4 modulation as a new innovative therapy to the treatment of TLR4-related cardiovascular diseases.
Effects of Different Oligosaccharides on Growth Performance and Intestinal Function in Broilers

Objective This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different oligosaccharides on the growth performance and intestinal function in broilers. Methods A total of 360 1-day-old yellow-feather chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups and fed with a basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (ANT), 3 g/kg isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO), 3 g/kg raffinose oligosaccharide (RFO), and 30 mg/kg chitooligosaccharide (COS). The experiment lasted for 56 days, with 1–28 days as the starter phase and 29–56 days as the grower phase. Results The results showed that dietary supplementation with RFO and COS significantly improved average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p < 0.05). Relative to the control group, diets supplemented with oligosaccharides dramatically increased the level of serum IgM (RFO, COS), T-SOD (COS), and GSH-Px (IMO and RFO) and the expression of ZO-1(IMO) and claudin-1 (RFO) (p < 0.05). Adding antibiotics or oligosaccharides to the diet could remarkedly increase the villus height and villus height (VH)/crypt depth (CD) ratio of each group (p < 0.05). Through the ileum α-diversity analysis and comparison of OTU number in each group showed that the microbial richness of the IMO group increased in the starter phase, and that of the RFO and CSO group increased in the grower phase. Additionally, compared with the control group, IMO supplementation increased the level of ileum sIgA (p < 0.05) and the content of valeric acid (p < 0.05) in the cecum. Conclusions In summary, the addition of oligosaccharides in diet can improve the immune function and antioxidant capacity and improve intestinal health of broilers.
Precursors of Openness to Provide Online Counseling: The Role of Future Thinking, Creativity, and Innovative Behavior of Future Online Therapists

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for online counseling to preserve therapeutic processes that have begun face to face and to provide service to others in need during lockdowns. Previous studies underscored the importance of providing updated training as counselors frequently hesitate to use technological advances in therapeutic sessions. This study aims at reducing such barriers by revealing personal characteristics of future professionals that might inhibit or encourage their openness toward providing online counseling. To this end, this study is focused on several precursors of openness to provide online counseling: preference to communicate emotions online, identification of emotional expressiveness advantages in providing online counseling, innovative behavior, creativity, and future problem-solving thinking skills. The question at focus is which constructs would be found contributive to students’ openness to provide online counseling. The sample included 277 undergraduate students (future counselors) who filled out questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Our findings pointed to the centrality of students’ preference to communicate their emotions online in explaining their openness to conducting online counseling. This study might help pinpointing the adjustments curriculum designers should address to better reflect the intensive changes within the counseling field that necessitate transferring face-to-face skills to online settings.
Precipitation Patterns in Reaction–Diffusion–Reaction Systems of Prussian Blue and Cu–Fe-Based Prussian Blue Analogs

In agarose gel containing [Fe(CN)6]3‒ ions and sandwiched between two metal rods (Ti, Fe, or Cu) with a voltage of 1‒5 V applied for 20–100 h, reaction–diffusion–reaction (RDR) processes (that is, electrochemical reactions at metal rods to generate reactant ions, diffusion of the reactant ions influenced by the electric field in agarose gel, and reactions of the reactant ions to form/decompose precipitates) were coupled to generate diverse precipitation patterns of Prussian blues (PB) or Cu–Fe-based Prussian blue analogs (Cu–Fe PBA). These patterns strongly depended on the type of metal electrode, applied voltage, initial [Fe(CN)6]3‒ concentration, and elapsed time after voltage application. Under the application of 2 V for 20/50 h, the PB/Cu–Fe PBA formed a discrete precipitation band on the anode/cathode side in an agarose gel containing 0.050 M [Fe(CN)6]3‒ ions. In the Cu–Fe PBA system, a relatively long precipitation band of Cu(OH)2 was also generated on the anode side by OH− ions produced on the cathode as a byproduct. Longer voltage applications promoted propagation of the Cu–Fe PBA band to the anode side and caused the discrete PB band to disappear. Higher initial [Fe(CN)6]3‒ concentrations deepened the color of the generated patterns. Higher voltage applications suppressed the propagation of the Cu–Fe PBA band to the anode side and caused the PB band to disappear. Experiments using a Ti cathode suggested that the formation and subsequent decomposition of PB or Cu–Fe PBA at the cathode surface are important for forming precipitation band(s) in the gel near the cathode. The application of cyclic alternating voltages (particularly, 4 V for 1 h and 1 V for 4 h) was effective in generating Liesegang-band-like periodic bands, particularly for the Cu–Fe PBA system.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated With HIV/AIDS: A Review of the Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one of the most common genitourinary tumors, is induced by many factors, primarily smoking, obesity, and hypertension. As a non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may also play a critical role in the incidence and progression of RCC. It is evident that individuals who are infected with HIV are more likely than the general population to develop RCC. The age of RCC diagnosis among HIV-positive patients is younger than among HIV-negative individuals. However, many other characteristics remain unknown. With the increase in RCC incidence among HIV-infected patients, more research is being conducted to discover the relationship between RCC and HIV, especially with regard to HIV-induced immunodeficiency, diagnosis, and treatment. Unexpectedly, the majority of the literature suggests that there is no relationship between RCC and HIV-induced immunodeficiency. Nonetheless, differences in pathology, symptoms, or treatment in HIV-positive patients diagnosed with RCC are a focus. In this review, we summarize the association of RCC with HIV in terms of epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.