Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Responsiveness of the Trapeziometacarpal Arthrosis Symptoms and Disability Questionnaire

Background: This study aimed to assess the responsiveness of the Trapeziometacarpal Arthrosis Symptoms and Disability (TASD) questionnaire after corticosteroid injections and operative management for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC-OA). Methods: This longitudinal cohort study included patients with TMC-OA who underwent treatment (corticosteroid injection or surgery). Measurements occurred at baseline and follow-up time points: 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Patient measures were collected electronically using a data repository platform. The TASD is a validated psychometric patient-administered scale. We examined responsiveness by correlating the TASD scores with another known effective indicator of change (shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [QuickDASH]). Repeated score measurements over time were analyzed using analysis of variance, and correlations between questionnaires were reported with repeated measures correlation and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: The nonsurgical cohort undergoing corticosteroid injections included 31 (66%) women and 16 (34%) men, and the surgical cohort included 29 (71%) women and 12 (29%) men. Both the QuickDASH and the TASD captured a statistically significant improvement in symptom burden postoperatively (P < .0001 for both questionnaires), whereas no statistical significance was noted after corticosteroid injections (P = .45 and P = .34, respectively). There was a strong correlation between QuickDASH and TASD questionnaires (r = 0.87, P < .0001). Conclusions: The TASD is a promising TMC-OA–specific questionnaire to capture responsiveness following treatment, particularly following surgery. The responsiveness of TASD was demonstrated in the TMC-OA cohort. Further research is needed to define a minimal clinically important difference.
Adapting the Australian Environmental Assessment Tool—High Care (EAT-HC): Experiences and Practical Implications From Germany, Japan, and Singapore

Background: Assessing the built environment in nursing homes is part of several established instruments. Measurements are primarily published in English, so there is a need for cross-cultural adaptation to be able to use them in other countries. This procedure should be carried out alongside translation guidelines to ensure successful adaptation not only for assessments that capture complex constructs, such as the built environment, but also for assessments to be applied in healthcare in general. Objective: This article presents different approaches to adopt the Australian Environmental Assessment Tool—High Care (EAT-HC) based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for instrument translation. The comparison of these processes should provide implications for further adaptations of the instrument. Methods: The adaptation processes carried out in Germany, Japan, and Singapore were compared using thematic analysis. Steps taken to achieve linguistic validation and to adopt the tool were analyzed qualitatively in the context of overarching needs for adjustment. Results: Every perspective adapted the WHO guidelines for their respective purposes of applying the EAT-HC. The order of steps varied, but elements to validate the results with the instruments’ creators and to ensure validity were included in all three countries. For items that might be challenging, we detected possible reasons that might help future adaptors manage this process more efficiently. Conclusion: The EAT-HC benefits from adaptation alongside the WHO guidelines in terms of enhancing the quality of translation and feasibility of application. Individual supplementary adaptation steps allow the identification of culture-specific needs for application in other countries.
Universal Design for Learning: Application for technology-enhanced learning

The construct of Universal Design (UD) has been used in a number of fields such as engineering and architecture to design and produce products and services that are usable by people with a wide variety of characteristics. The Center for Universal Design (CUD, 1997) at North Carolina State University defines UD as “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” (p. 1). A good example of UD in action is the sidewalk curb cuts now found in cities and towns throughout America. These curb cuts were designed to help people in wheelchairs, but the design is also useful for bicycle riders, skateboarders, runners, and others. The benefit of UD is that products and environments are made more usable to a wider range of people. The field of UD supports a framework that can also be used to enhance the field of education. A number of constructs have been established that have as their goal the improvement of learning environments to benefit people with a wide range of characteristics. One model is called Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) (Burgstahler, 2008; Higbee & Goff, 2008) and another one is Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (CAST, 2008). Both of these models have as their core mission to produce flexible learning environments that reduce learning barriers and support the needs of all learners. Because we embrace a learning-centered philosophy, we have applied the UDL construct to see how it might influence the design of technology-enhanced courses.
What works? A qualitative study of participants experiences of a traditional lifestyle intervention with a work focus

ABSTRACT Purpose Obesity is related to lower labour force participation, increased sickness absence and reduced productivity. The rehabilitation services in Norway have not had much experience introducing a work dimension into lifestyle interventions for persons with obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate one such type of intervention. Methods This is a qualitative study seeking to gather data on the participants’ experiences. Twenty participants were recruited from two lifestyle interventions. Intervention A, with work focus, included lectures and individual guidance from a work consultant in addition to the lifestyle intervention. Intervention B was a traditional lifestyle intervention. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews held at each stay. Results Seven main themes emerged and one of them pointed towards a confusion of the aim of the intervention, which was viewed as focusing on lifestyle rather than a process focused on work. Otherwise, the results showed that persons with obesity struggle with many of the same inhibiting factors as other groups with reduced work ability. Conclusions The application process might explain the focus on lifestyle change. Communication, guidance and support reduce barriers for lifestyle change, but work is important for general health and social well-being and a work focus may therefore be beneficial in all lifestyle interventions.
Immunogenicity, reactogenicity and safety of an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine in children and adolescents 6 months through 17 years of age in India

ABSTRACT Efficacy and safety data on quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs) for immunization of Indian children are scarce. This phase 3, registration study evaluated the immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of a QIV in Indian children aged 6–35 months (Group 1) and 3–17 y (Group 2). Subjects received one or two doses (0.5 mL each) of the study vaccine based on their priming status. Immunogenicity (post-vaccination geometric mean fold increase in hemagglutination inhibition [HI] titers and proportion of patients with seroprotection and seroconversion against the four influenza strains), unsolicited adverse events (AEs), and tolerability were analyzed. Among 118 subjects enrolled in each group, the geometric mean(standard deviation) fold increase in HI titers against A(H3N2), A(H1N1), B(Victoria), and B(Yamagata) strains were 31.7(5.33), 10.5(6.06), 4.1(5.70), and 8.6(5.34) in Group 1 and 14.0(4.37), 9.2(4.26), 14.3(6.73), and 14.4(5.41) in Group 2, respectively. Seroprotection was achieved by 91.2%, 83.3%, 41.2%, and 68.4% subjects in Group 1 and 100%, 95.8%, 73.7%, and 89.8% subjects in Group 2, respectively. Seroconversion was achieved by 87.7%, 66.7%, 41.2%, and 64.9% subjects in Group 1 and 89.0%, 78.8%, 69.5%, and 75.4% subjects in Group 2, respectively. Vaccination site pain and fever were the most common local and systemic reactions, respectively. Systemic reactions were more frequent in Group 1 (16.9% vs 7.6%). Most subjects (>90%) did not experience inconvenience within 7 d of vaccination; <10% in both groups reported unsolicited AEs. Thus, the QIV had a positive benefit/risk profile in Indian children/adolescents aged 6 months to 17 y. CTRI Registry No: CTRI/2018/05/014191 Registry Name: Clinical Trials Registry – India Date of Trial Registration: May 29, 2018 Study Dates: August 03, 2018 (first subject first visit) to January 31, 2019 (last subject last visit) Drugs Controller General of India [DCGI] permission letter number: CT-03/2018
Food security and well-being among older, rural Americans before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many aspects of our lives. Older adults, those with less income or fewer resources, and those living in rural parts of the United States are potentially more vulnerable. To understand the negative impact of COVID-19 on perceived food security, physical and mental health, and loneliness in a sample of older, rural, low-income adults in the United States, we use results from a mailed survey in which residents of four Indiana counties contrasted their status during the early period of the pandemic to their typical pre-pandemic status. We test for significant changes in status and what predicts negative impacts to food security, health, and loneliness. We asked respondents to report on both pre-pandemic and since-pandemic experiences in the instrument, which was administered after the pandemic had begun, in May 2020. We measure food security using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module (six-item short form; HFSSM), physical and mental health using the Centers for Disease Control’s Healthy Days Measures (HRQOL-4), and loneliness using the UCLA Revised Loneliness Scale. A binomial test identified significant declines in status for all three measures. Logistic regressions identified factors associated with each of the measures worsening. Fear of going to the store or food pantry was associated with all three measures. Decreased store hours and closed food pantries were associated with lower food security. More education, fewer years of age, being female, decreased income, and stockpiling were associated with more reported days of poor physical or mental health. Fewer years of age, lack of transportation, and eating less often with others were associated with perceived increased loneliness. The pandemic had a negative impact on respondents’ food security, unhealthy days, and loneliness, but different factors were associated with each measure for this population. Our findings provide insight for targeted recovery efforts.
Helminth parasites are associated with reduced survival probability in young red deer

Abstract Abstract Helminths are common parasites of wild ungulates that can have substantial costs for growth, mortality and reproduction. Whilst these costs are relatively well documented for mature animals, knowledge of helminths' impacts on juveniles is more limited. Identifying these effects is important because young individuals are often heavily infected, and juvenile mortality is a key process regulating wild populations. Here, we investigated associations between helminth infection and overwinter survival in juvenile wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) on the Isle of Rum, Scotland. We collected fecal samples non-invasively from known individuals and used them to count propagules of 3 helminth taxa (strongyle nematodes, Fasciola hepatica and Elaphostrongylus cervi). Using generalized linear models, we investigated associations between parasite counts and overwinter survival for calves and yearlings. Strongyles were associated with reduced survival in both age classes, and F. hepatica was associated with reduced survival in yearlings, whilst E. cervi infection showed no association with survival in either age class. This study provides observational evidence for fitness costs of helminth infection in juveniles of a wild mammal, and suggests that these parasites could play a role in regulating population dynamics.
The Three Musketeers in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Subregion-specific Structural and Functional Plasticity Underlying Fear Memory Stages

Fear memory recruits various brain regions with long-lasting brain-wide subcellular events. The medial prefrontal cortex processes the emotional and cognitive functions required for adequately handling fear memory. Several studies have indicated that subdivisions within the medial prefrontal cortex, namely the prelimbic, infralimbic, and anterior cingulate cortices, may play different roles across fear memory states. Through a dedicated cytoarchitecture and connectivity, the three different regions of the medial prefrontal cortex play a specific role in maintaining and extinguishing fear memory. Furthermore, synaptic plasticity and maturation of neural circuits within the medial prefrontal cortex suggest that remote memories undergo structural and functional reorganization. Finally, recent technical advances have enabled genetic access to transiently activated neuronal ensembles within these regions, suggesting that memory trace cells in these regions may preferentially contribute to processing specific fear memory. We reviewed recently published reports and summarize the molecular, synaptic and cellular events occurring within the medial prefrontal cortex during various memory stages.
Methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus root augments the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of amoxicillin and clindamycin against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus of bovine origin

The present study evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus root (MHIR) in combination with amoxicillin and clindamycin against biofilm‐forming methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from milk samples of mastitic cows. Microdilution susceptibility testing and microtitre plate assays were used to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of MHIR and antibiotic combinations against MRSA (n = 12). Furthermore, in vitro findings were validated in a murine model. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration of amoxicillin and clindamycin in combination with MHIR were significantly (P < 0·05) lower than when used alone against MRSA. In terms of antibacterial activity, MHIR showed additive interaction (fractional inhibitory concentrationindex >0·5–4) with amoxicillin and clindamycin against all the MRSA isolates, whereas MHIR synergizes (fractional biofilm inhibitory concentrationindex ≤0·5) the antibiofilm activity of amoxicillin and clindamycin against 58·33% and 83·33% of the MRSA isolates respectively. Amoxicillin/clindamycin in combination with MHIR significantly (P < 0·05) reduced disease activity score, and bacterial load and Gram‐positive spots in kidney and liver of MRSA‐infected mice. The combined efficacy of MHIR and amoxicillin/clindamycin was comparable to clindamycin alone but superior to amoxicillin alone. Hence, the combination of MHIR with amoxicillin/clindamycin is advocated in the treatment of MRSA‐associated infections.
3D matrix promotes cell dedifferentiation into colorectal cancer stem cells via integrin/cytoskeleton/glycolysis signaling

The potential for tumor occurrence triggered by cancer stem cells (CSCs) has emerged as a significant challenge for human colorectal cancer therapy. However, the underlying mechanism of CSC development remains controversial. Our study provided evidence that the bulk of tumor cells could dedifferentiate to CSCs and reacquire CSC‐like phenotypes if cultured in the presence of extracellular matrix reagents, such as Matrigel and fibrin gels. In these 3D gels, CD133− colorectal cancer cells can regain tumorigenic potential and stem‐like phenotypes. Mechanistically, the 3D extracellular matrix could mediate cytoskeletal F‐actin bundling through biomechanical force associated receptors integrin β1 (ITGB1), contributing to the release of E3 ligase tripartite motif protein 11 (TRIM11) from cytoskeleton and degradation of the glycolytic rate‐limiting enzyme phosphofructokinase (PFK). Consequently, PFK inhibition resulted in enhanced glycolysis and upregulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF1α), thereby promoting the reprogramming of stem cell transcription factors and facilitating tumor progression in patients. This study provided novel insights into the role of the extracellular matrix in the regulation of CSC dedifferentiation in a cytoskeleton/glycolysis‐dependent manner.
Lipid lowering therapy patterns and the risk of cardiovascular events in the 1-year after acute myocardial infarction in United Arab Emirates

Aim In United Arab Emirates, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality and 22% of CVD deaths are attributable to acute myocardial infarction (MI). Adherence to guidelines for lipid management is incompletely described in the Middle East. This study aimed to characterize lipid lowering therapy (LLT) patterns and the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events (CVEs) in the first year after MI. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study using the Dubai Real-World Claims Database, including all patients discharged with MI between January 01, 2015 and December 31, 2018, followed-up until December 31, 2019. Results In the first year after MI, 8.42% of 4,595 patients included experienced at least one recurrent MI (rate 6.77 events/100 person-years [PYs]), 2.94% had one revascularization (cumulative rate 0.55 events/100 PYs) and 2.66% had one hospitalization due to unstable angina (cumulative rate 5.16 new events/100 PYs). The majority (60.40%) of the patients presented with LDL-C levels ≥ 70 mg/dL after MI. In the first year after MI, 93.45% of the patients received LLT, mainly high-intensity statin (67.79%); with a minority of patients receiving statin + ezetimibe (4.55%), PCSK9i (0.20%) or ezetimibe alone (0.07%). Conclusion Patients hospitalized with MI in Dubai present an increased risk of CVEs in their first-year post-discharge. Majority of the patients presented with LDL-C levels above 70 mg/dL, which indicates suboptimal lipid control with existing LLT, particularly in high-risk patients.
The Cerebellum as an Embodying Machine

Whereas emotion theorists often keep their distance from the embodied approach, theorists of embodiment tend to treat emotion as a mainly physiologic process. However, intimate links between emotions and the body suggest that emotions are privileged phenomena to attempt to reintegrate mind and body and that the body helps the mind in shaping emotional responses. To date, research has favored the cerebrum over other parts of the brain as a substrate of embodied emotions. However, given the widely demonstrated contribution of the cerebellum to emotional processing, research in affective neuroscience should consider embodiment theory as a useful approach for evaluating the cerebellar role in emotion and affect. The aim of this review is to insert the cerebellum among the structures needed to embody emotions, providing illustrative examples of cerebellar involvement in embodied emotions (as occurring in empathic abilities) and in impaired identification and expression of embodied emotions (as occurring in alexithymia).
The rice OsERF101 transcription factor regulates the NLR Xa1‐mediated immunity induced by perception of TAL effectors

Summary Plant nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat receptors (NLRs) initiate immune responses by recognizing pathogen effectors. The rice gene Xa1 encodes an NLR with an N‐terminal BED domain, and recognizes transcription activator‐like (TAL) effectors of Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo). Our goal here was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the induction of immunity by Xa1. We used yeast two‐hybrid assays to screen for host factors that interact with Xa1 and identified the AP2/ERF‐type transcription factor OsERF101/OsRAP2.6. Molecular complementation assays were used to confirm the interactions among Xa1, OsERF101 and two TAL effectors. We created OsERF101‐overexpressing and knockout mutant lines in rice and identified genes differentially regulated in these lines, many of which are predicted to be involved in the regulation of response to stimulus. Xa1 interacts in the nucleus with the TAL effectors and OsERF101 via the BED domain. Unexpectedly, both the overexpression and the knockout lines of OsERF101 displayed Xa1‐dependent, enhanced resistance to an incompatible Xoo strain. Different sets of genes were up‐ or downregulated in the overexpression and knockout lines. Our results indicate that OsERF101 regulates the recognition of TAL effectors by Xa1, and functions as a positive regulator of Xa1‐mediated immunity. Furthermore, an additional Xa1‐mediated immune pathway is negatively regulated by OsERF101.
Monkeypox DNA levels correlate with virus infectivity in clinical samples, Israel, 2022

The current monkeypox virus global spread and lack of data regarding clinical specimens’ infectivity call for examining virus infectivity, and whether this correlates with results from PCR, the available diagnostic tool. We show strong correlation between viral DNA amount in clinical specimens and virus infectivity toward BSC-1 cell line. Moreover, we define a PCR threshold value (Cq ≥ 35, ≤ 4,300 DNA copies/mL), corresponding to negative viral cultures, which may assist risk-assessment and decision-making regarding protective-measures and guidelines for patients with monkeypox.
The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study‐3 (NEMESIS‐3): Objectives, methods and baseline characteristics of the sample

NEMESIS‐3 (Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study‐3) is a psychiatric epidemiological cohort study of the Dutch general population that replicates and expands on two previous NEMESIS‐studies conducted in 1996–1999 and 2007–2018 respectively. The main aims of NEMESIS‐3 are to provide up‐to‐date information on the prevalence, incidence, course and consequences of mental disorders, their risk indicators, and to study the relevant time trends. This paper gives an overview of the objectives and methods of NEMESIS‐3, especially of the recently completed first wave, and describes the sample characteristics.
Interference effect on optical signals of monolayer MoS2

Both Raman spectroscopy and the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy are intensively used in studying the characteristics of monolayer MoS2. However, the substrate-related interference effect will influence the optical signal intensities collected from monolayer MoS2. In this work, we investigated the influence of multilayer film interference on the optical signal intensity of monolayer MoS2 on SiO2/Si substrate. Based on our results, the most commonly used substrate for monolayer MoS2, SiO2/Si with SiO2 thickness around 280–300 nm, is not the optimized choice. By considering the interference effect caused by the Air-MoS2-SiO2 multilayers, we can now enhance the optical signal intensity of monolayer MoS2 greatly by selecting proper SiO2 thickness for any chosen incident light wavelength.