Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Womenʼs experiences of being in the sick leave process

Abstract Background Being on sick leave is a risky situation, with loss of meaningful activities, exclusion from the labour market and losing the worker role. Although the benefits of the person’s active involvement in the sick leave process have been emphasized, an increase in sickness absence and longer sick leave periods is still seen, especially among women. Further studies are needed to more deeply understand the person’s own view of the situation. Aims/Objectives To explore the experiences of being on sick leave among a group of women. Methods An explorative, qualitative design was used. The analysis was based on individual, semi-structured interviews with 13 women, using qualitative content analysis. Results Three categories emerged that describe the women’s experiences of the situation of being on sick leave: being regarded as an object, being supported and being engaged. The categories appeared as either barriers or enablers during the sick leave process. Conclusions The sick leave process could be better understood through multiple dimensions, working at the individual, organizational and societal levels. Using occupation based models underlining the importance of the interaction between person, occupation (work activity) and the environment may contribute to elucidating the complexity in supporting options for the return to work.
Tramesan Elicits Durum Wheat Defense against the Septoria Disease Complex

The Septoria Leaf Blotch Complex (SLBC), caused by the two ascomycetes Zymoseptoria tritici and Parastagonospora nodorum, can reduce wheat global yearly yield by up to 50%. In the last decade, SLBC incidence has increased in Italy; notably, durum wheat has proven to be more susceptible than common wheat. Field fungicide treatment can efficiently control these pathogens, but it leads to the emergence of resistant strains and adversely affects human and animal health and the environment. Our previous studies indicated that active compounds produced by Trametes versicolor can restrict the growth of mycotoxigenic fungi and the biosynthesis of their secondary metabolites (e.g., mycotoxins). Specifically, we identified Tramesan: a 23 kDa α-heteropolysaccharide secreted by T. versicolor that acts as a pro-antioxidant molecule in animal cells, fungi, and plants. Foliar-spray of Tramesan (3.3 μM) on SLBC-susceptible durum wheat cultivars, before inoculation of causal agents of Stagonospora Nodorum Blotch (SNB) and Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB), significantly decreased disease incidence both in controlled conditions (SNB: −99%, STB: −75%) and field assays (SNB: −25%, STB: −30%). We conducted these tests were conducted under controlled conditions as well as in field. We showed that Tramesan increased the levels of jasmonic acid (JA), a plant defense-related hormone. Tramesan also increased the early expression (24 hours after inoculation—hai) of plant defense genes such as PR4 for SNB infected plants, and RBOH, PR1, and PR9 for STB infected plants. These results suggest that Tramesan protects wheat by eliciting plant defenses, since it has no direct fungicidal activity. In field experiments, the yield of durum wheat plants treated with Tramesan was similar to that of healthy untreated plots. These results encourage the use of Tramesan to protect durum wheat against SLBC.
Surgical Treatment on Subungual Osteochondromas in Paediatric Feet: A Case Series Study

Subungual osteochondroma (SO) is an infrequent and non-malignant bone tumour of the distal phalanx, especially prominent in paediatric populations. The aim of this research was to describe a case series of paediatric feet with SO which received surgical treatments. The secondary purpose was to compare these descriptive data by sex distribution. Methods: Twenty-three paediatric feet with SO confirmed by clinical or radiological features received surgical treatment. Socio-demographic (age, sex, height, weight and BMI) and clinical features (side, location, tumour or pain presence, and nail lift before surgery, as well as recurrence and adverse effects at one month after intervention) were reported. Results: Regarding clinical features before intervention, the most frequent locations of SO were the first toe (86.8%) and the right lower limb (56.5%). In addition, the presence of the tumour, pain and nail lift showed a prevalence of 91.3%, 69.5% and 47% of the study sample, respectively. Considering clinical features at one month after intervention, the most frequent adverse effect was the pain presence (69.5%). In addition, one case (4.4%) presented ulceration. Only one patient (4.4%) suffered from recurrence with a new tumour. There were not statistically significant differences by sex distribution (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This novel study showed that surgery treatment for SO in paediatric populations presented a very low recurrence degree with minor adverse effects and without differences by sex distribution. Thus, further randomized clinical trials should be carried out in order to determine the effectiveness of this intervention in this special population.
A new stunt nematode, Geocenamus chengi n. sp. (Nematoda: Merliniinae) in the rhizosphere of tea (Camellia sinensis) from Zhejiang Province, China

Abstract The tea plant is native to China; the country has the greatest tea production areas in the world. In an attempt to investigate the nematode biodiversity associated with the tea plantations of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, a population of stunt nematode was detected. This group of nematodes is comprised of migratory ecto-parasites of roots and can subsist on a variety of host plants. Therefore, the detected population was studied carefully using the integrative taxonomy approach and identified as a new species of genus Geocenamus. Geocenamus chengi n. sp. can be characterized by females having six incisures in the lateral field; labial region is dome shaped and slightly offset from the rest of the body having four to five annuli; head framework is weakly developed; deirids are absent; excretory pore is located at the anterior region of basal pharyngeal bulb. Under SEM, the vulva is a transverse slit, vulval lips are elongated and ellipsoidal with epiptygma. The tail is annulated, elongated, and conical having bluntly pointed tip and a terminal hyaline region that forms 21 to 33% of the tail length. Spicule is 22 to 25 μm long, gubernaculum is saucer shaped; bursa is crenated covering the tail until the hyaline tail region. Morphologically, the species is close to G. circellus, G. joctus, G. loofi, G. ordinarius, G. processus, G. tetyllus, and G. tortilis. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species based on D2-D3 expansion domains of 28 S, ITS, and 18 S rRNA genes indicated that G. chengi n. sp. clustered in a separate clade with G. vietnamensis.
Examining public stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and its correlates among Korean Americans

This study examined public stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among Korean Americans and identified factors affecting their public stigma. Data used in the study were collected using a cross-sectional survey with 268 Korean Americans. Guided by attribution theory, different domains of public stigma were assessed: pity, antipathy, and social distance. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to AD, social networking, and AD knowledge on each stigma domain. The influence of emotional attributions (pity and antipathy) on behavioral attributions (social distance) in the stigma process suggested in attribution theory was also examined. Results show that pity is most prevalent followed by social distance and antipathy. Being more proficient in English, knowing fewer relatives/friends with AD, and knowing less about AD risk factors are associated with having more pity stigma. Being less socially engaged and knowing less about AD risk factors are related to having more antipathy stigma. Being younger and more proficient in English and having stronger antipathy stigma are associated with having more social distance stigma. Findings reveal multifaceted nature of public stigma associated with AD in Korean Americans and suggest that we need to work on both positive and negative sides of public stigma for stigma change. Findings of different factors associated with each public stigma domain can be considered when trying to foster and/or reduce certain stigmatic beliefs and behaviors associated with AD.
Frailty markers comprise blood metabolites involved in antioxidation, cognition, and mobility

Significance Frailty resulting from age-related deterioration of multiple organ systems displays complex features, including cognitive dysfunction, hypomobility, and impaired daily activity. However, metabolic aspects of frailty remain unclear. We performed untargeted, comprehensive metabolomics of whole blood from 19 frail and nonfrail elderly patients. We identified 22 markers, including 15 for frailty, 6 for cognition, and 12 for hypomobility, most of which are abundant in blood. Frailty markers include 5 of 6 for cognition and 6 of 12 for hypomobility. These overlapping markers include decreased levels of metabolites related to antioxidation, nitrogen, and amino acid metabolism. Ergothioneine, an antioxidant involved in neuronal diseases, declines in frailty. Thus, we reveal essential metabolites linked to the pathogenesis of frailty, including vulnerability to oxidative stress. As human society ages globally, age-related disorders are becoming increasingly common. Due to decreasing physiological reserves and increasing organ system dysfunction associated with age, frailty affects many elderly people, compromising their ability to cope with acute stressors. Frail elderly people commonly manifest complex clinical symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, hypomobility, and impaired daily activity, the metabolic basis of which remains poorly understood. We applied untargeted, comprehensive LC-MS metabolomic analysis to human blood from 19 frail and nonfrail elderly patients who were clinically evaluated using the Edmonton Frail Scale, the MoCA-J for cognition, and the TUG for mobility. Among 131 metabolites assayed, we identified 22 markers for frailty, cognition, and hypomobility, most of which were abundant in blood. Frailty markers included 5 of 6 markers specifically related to cognition and 6 of 12 markers associated with hypomobility. These overlapping sets of markers included metabolites related to antioxidation, muscle or nitrogen metabolism, and amino acids, most of which are decreased in frail elderly people. Five frailty-related metabolites that decreased—1,5-anhydroglucitol, acetyl-carnosine, ophthalmic acid, leucine, and isoleucine—have been previously reported as markers of aging, providing a metabolic link between human aging and frailty. Our findings clearly indicate that metabolite profiles efficiently distinguish frailty from nonfrailty. Importantly, the antioxidant ergothioneine, which decreases in frailty, is neuroprotective. Oxidative stress resulting from diminished antioxidant levels could be a key vulnerability for the pathogenesis of frailty, exacerbating illnesses related to human aging.
Analysis of the Consolidation Phase of Immunological Memory within the IgG Response to a B Cell Epitope Displayed on a Filamentous Bacteriophage

Immunological memory can be defined as the ability to mount a response of greater magnitude and with faster kinetics upon re-encounter of the same antigen. We have previously reported that a booster dose of a protein antigen given 15 days after the first dose interferes with the development of memory, i.e., with the ability to mount an epitope-specific IgG response of greater magnitude upon re-encounter of the same antigen. We named the time-window during which memory is vulnerable to disruption a “consolidation phase in immunological memory”, by analogy with the memory consolidation processes that occur in the nervous system to stabilize memory traces. In this study, we set out to establish if a similar memory consolidation phase occurs in the IgG response to a B cell epitope displayed on a filamentous bacteriophage. To this end, we have analyzed the time-course of anti-β-amyloid IgG titers in mice immunized with prototype Alzheimer’s Disease vaccine fdAD(2-6), which consists of a fd phage that displays the B epitope AEFRH of β -amyloid at the N-terminus of the Major Capsid Protein. A booster dose of phage fdAD(2-6) given 15 days after priming significantly reduced the ratio between the magnitude of the secondary and primary IgG response to β-amyloid. This analysis confirms, in a phage vaccine, a consolidation phase in immunological memory, occurring two weeks after priming.
Checking NEKs: Overcoming a Bottleneck in Human Diseases

In previous years, several kinases, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), have been linked to important human diseases, although some kinase families remain neglected in terms of research, hiding their relevance to therapeutic approaches. Here, a review regarding the NEK family is presented, shedding light on important information related to NEKs and human diseases. NEKs are a large group of homologous kinases with related functions and structures that participate in several cellular processes such as the cell cycle, cell division, cilia formation, and the DNA damage response. The review of the literature points to the pivotal participation of NEKs in important human diseases, like different types of cancer, diabetes, ciliopathies and central nervous system related and inflammatory-related diseases. The different known regulatory molecular mechanisms specific to each NEK are also presented, relating to their involvement in different diseases. In addition, important information about NEKs remains to be elucidated and is highlighted in this review, showing the need for other studies and research regarding this kinase family. Therefore, the NEK family represents an important group of kinases with potential applications in the therapy of human diseases.
U-Shaped Association between Sleep Duration, C-Reactive Protein, and Uric Acid in Korean Women

Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum uric acid (SUA) are biomarkers that predict chronic inflammation and cardiovascular dysfunction. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between sleep duration, hsCRP, and SUA in Korean women. Cross-sectional data from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for an association between higher hsCRP (>2.0 mg/L) or higher SUA (>5.6 mg/dL) and sleep duration were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses after adjusting for potential confounders. In total, 6151 women were included in the analysis. There was a U-shaped relationship between continuous sleep duration, hsCRP, and SUA. Compared to those who slept for 7–8 h, the ORs (95% CIs) for higher hsCRP were 1.43 (0.95–2.16) in short sleepers and 1.64 (1.09–2.48) in long sleepers after adjusting for confounders. Compared with those who slept for 7–8 h, the ORs (95% CIs) for higher SUA were 1.54 (1.04–2.26) in short sleepers and 1.94 (1.27–2.96) in long sleepers after adjusting for confounders. We found a U-shaped association between sleep duration, hsCRP, and SUA in Korean women. 7–8 h sleep was associated with lower level of hsCRP and SUA in Korean women.
Clinical and morphological consequences of permanent indwelling transmural plastic stents in disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome

Background: Long-term indwelling transmural stents in patients with walled-off necrosis (WON) and disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is an effective strategy to decrease risk of recurrence of pancreatic fluid collection (PFC). However, long-term studies on the safety and efficacy of this strategy are lacking. Methods: Retrospective analysis of database of patients with WON treated with endoscopic transmural drainage over the past 8 years was done to identify patients with DPDS and indwelling transmural stents for >3 years. Results: During the past 8 years, 56 patients with indwelling transmural stent for >3 years were identified and 67.85% of these patients had 10 Fr stents and 32.15% of patients had 7 Fr stents. On follow-up, 5 (8.9%) patients had pancreatic pain with one patient (1.78%) developing recurrence of PFC despite stent being in situ. Two (3.5%) patients had asymptomatic spontaneous external migration of the transmural stent. Fourteen (25%) patients developed diabetes. Two (3.5%) patients developed local complications due to indwelling stent (stent eroded into descending colon in one patient and stent-induced parenchymal calcification in the other). Forty-eight (85.7%) patients underwent EUS on follow-up and disconnected pancreas revealed ≥5 criteria for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis in 15 (31.25%) patients. Conclusions: Long-term indwelling transmural plastic stents in patients with WON and DPDS are safe and effective with minimal complications. Despite the presence of stents, disconnected pancreas develops morphological changes resembling chronic pancreatitis in one-third patients and clinical consequences of these changes need to be further evaluated.
Early periventricular leukomalacia in preterm neonates

Background: Preterm neonates are at increased risk for brain injury. More than 10% will sustain neurological injuries leading to significant learning disabilities, motor developmental delay, cerebral palsy, seizures and mental retardation. Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is the most common form of white matter injury of prematurity. The objective of the present study was to identify the incidence of early periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and its associated risk factors in the study group.Methods: All preterm neonates with either Gestational age <32weeks and/or Birth weight <1500 grams who were admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within the period of 1st November 2013 to 30th April 2015 were taken for study. A total of 112 babies met the inclusion criteria but 104 were finally taken into the study. Screening of intraventricular haemorrhage and early PVL changes in VLBW babies was done by neurosonogram on day 3 and day 14 of life by a single well qualified radiologist. Follow up cranial ultrasound was done weekly for the babies who were diagnosed to have IVH and/or PVL by day 14 of life.Results: The incidence of early periventricular leukomalacia in very low birth weight babies in present study was 7.7%. It was seen that 87.5% babies had periventricular flares and 12.5% babies had cystic changes. It was seen that birth weight<1000grams (OR 0.006; CI:0.00-0.50; p value 0.023) and neonatal sepsis (OR 80.9; CI:1.65-3947.6;p value 0.027) significantly increased the risk of developing PVL in VLBW babies. The duration of hospital stay was found to be significantly increased in babies having PVL.Conclusions: The incidence of early periventricular leukomalacia in babies born <32weeks gestation and/or birth weight<1500grams is 7.7%. Birth weight <1000 grams and neonatal sepsis were found to increase the risk of periventricular leukomalacia in these babies.
Clinical, Molecular and Serological Diagnosis of Canine Leishmaniosis: An Integrated Approach

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania and characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical signs in dogs. Early diagnosis is of great importance in order to perform an appropriate therapy and to prevent progression towards severe disease. The aim of this study was to compare a point-of-care molecular technique, i.e., the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), with a real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR), and three serological techniques, i.e., immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a rapid SNAP Leishmania test, to develop an integrated approach for the diagnosis of CanL. Sixty dogs were chosen after physical examination and collection of blood and sera samples, fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes, and conjunctival swabs were performed. Lymphadenopathy (82.3%), as well as clinicopathological alterations of total proteins (70.6%), were the most frequent signs. Forty-one (68.3%) samples resulted positive at least to one technique. IFAT resulted in the best serological diagnostic method (specificity = 100%, sensitivity = 97.2%), detecting a higher number of positive samples than those revealed by other techniques. Among the samples used for molecular analysis, fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes was revealed as the best sample source. LAMP showed a substantial agreement (κ = 0.80; p <0.0001) with Rt-PCR; therefore, it could be promising for the rapid diagnosis of CanL. Nevertheless, further studies should be performed to confirm these findings.
Clinical Integration of a Smartphone App for Patients With Chronic Pain: Retrospective Analysis of Predictors of Benefits and Patient Engagement Between Clinic Visits

Background Although many pain-related smartphone apps exist, little attention has been given to understanding how these apps are used over time and what factors contribute to greater compliance and patient engagement. Objective This retrospective analysis was designed to help identify factors that predicted the benefits and future use of a smartphone pain app among patients with chronic pain. Methods An app designed for both Android and iOS devices was developed by Brigham and Women’s Hospital Pain Management Center (BWH-PMC) for users with chronic pain to assess and monitor pain and communicate with their providers. The pain app offered chronic pain assessment, push notification reminders and communication, personalized goal setting, relaxation sound files, topics of interest with psychological and medical pain management strategies, and line graphs from daily assessments. BWH-PMC recruited 253 patients with chronic pain over time to use the pain app. All subjects completed baseline measures and were asked to record their progress every day using push notification daily assessments. After 3 months, participants completed follow-up questionnaires and answered satisfaction questions. We defined the number of completed daily assessments as a measure of patient engagement with the pain app. Results The average age of participants was 51.5 years (SD 13.7, range 18-92), 72.8% (182/253) were female, and 36.8% (78/212) reported the low back as their primary pain site. The number of daily assessments ranged from 1 to 426 (average 62.0, SD 49.9). The app was easy to introduce among patients, and it was well accepted. Those who completed more daily assessments (greater patient engagement) throughout the study were more likely to report higher pain intensity, more activity interference, and greater disability and were generally overweight compared with others. Patients with higher engagement with the app rated the app as offering greater benefit in coping with their pain and expressed more willingness to use the app in the future (P<.05) compared with patients showing lower engagement. Patients completing a small number of daily assessments reported less pain intensity, less daily activity interference, and less pain-related disability on average and were less likely to use the two-way messaging than those who were more engaged with the pain app (P<.05). Conclusions Patients with chronic pain who appeared to manage their pain better were less likely to report benefits of a smartphone pain app designed for chronic pain management. They demonstrated lower patient engagement in reporting their daily progress, in part, owing to the perceived burden of regularly using an app without a perceived benefit. An intrinsically different pain app designed and targeted for individuals based on early identification of user characteristics and adapted for each individual would likely improve compliance and app-related patient engagement.