Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropometric Analysis of the Orbital Region in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract It was aimed to examine the orbital region in children with autism spectrum disorder and comparison with the healthy controls in the present study. A total of 195 children and adolescents (101 of them were in the autism group, 94 of them were in healthy group) were evaluated. Anterior view photographs were taken, and endocanthion (en), exocanthion (ex), and pupil were determined bilaterally on the photographs. Outer canthal (ex-ex), intercanthal (ex-en), inner canthal (en-en) and interpupillary distances were measured and intercanthal index [(en-en / ex-ex) × 100] was calculated. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for males for all parameters, while a statistically significant difference was not observed for females. All orbital region distances were higher in male autistic children. Although minor physical anomalies in children and adolescents with autism have been reported before, anthropometric measurements in individuals with autism may differ between genders. Further studies are needed to investigate the differences between genders in autism spectrum disorder.
The Risk of Osseointegration in the Coronavirus Disease 19 Pandemic

Abstract Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is associated with respiratory complications but also with alterations on bone metabolism. Coronavirus disease 19, therefore, might be a risk factor for osseointegration. Recent studies suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is related with bone abnormalities mainly for act via renin-angiotensin system. This report aims to list the bone alterations caused by coronavirus disease 19 and the possible consequences on the peri-implant bone healing. The current data add to the accumulating knowledge that coronavirus disease 19 may negatively impact the osseointegration and it requires further research.
A variant in the 3ʹ-untranslated region of the MC2R gene decreases the risk of schizophrenia in a female Han Chinese population

Objective Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with high heritability. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the stress system of the neuroendocrine system, is considered to impact psychotic disorders. We hypothesized that polymorphisms of HPA axis genes might be involved in the development of schizophrenia. Methods A case–control study comprising 234 patients with schizophrenia and 399 matched healthy controls was conducted to investigate the association between the human melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) gene and schizophrenia risk. Seven tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs16941303, rs16941314, rs2186944, rs28926188, rs7230126, rs948322, and rs948331) of MC2R were genotyped by direct sequencing. Results No significant associations were observed between any of the alleles, genotypes, or haplotypes examined within the MC2R gene and the risk of schizophrenia in the total group or in subgroups stratified by smoking or alcoholism. However, a subgroup analysis stratified by sex revealed that under the additive model, the C allele of the MC2R rs948331 SNP significantly decreased the risk of schizophrenia in females (odds ratio=0.18). Conclusion The C allele of the MC2R rs948331 locus may be a protective factor, reducing the risk of schizophrenia in the female Han Chinese population.
Understanding mechanisms behind unwanted health behaviours in Nordic and South Asian women and how they affect their gestational diabetes follow‐ups: A qualitative study

The type 2 diabetes risk following gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is high, particularly among South Asian women in Western countries. Our study aimed to advance the knowledge regarding the mechanisms behind suboptimal follow‐up in the Nordic and South Asian women with previous GDM by comparing (1) their experiences, (2) health and disease perceptions and (3) barriers to and facilitators of health‐promoting behaviours.
Accumulation of continuously time-varying sensory evidence constrains neural and behavioral responses in human collision threat detection

Evidence accumulation models provide a dominant account of human decision-making, and have been particularly successful at explaining behavioral and neural data in laboratory paradigms using abstract, stationary stimuli. It has been proposed, but with limited in-depth investigation so far, that similar decision-making mechanisms are involved in tasks of a more embodied nature, such as movement and locomotion, by directly accumulating externally measurable sensory quantities of which the precise, typically continuously time-varying, magnitudes are important for successful behavior. Here, we leverage collision threat detection as a task which is ecologically relevant in this sense, but which can also be rigorously observed and modelled in a laboratory setting. Conventionally, it is assumed that humans are limited in this task by a perceptual threshold on the optical expansion rate–the visual looming–of the obstacle. Using concurrent recordings of EEG and behavioral responses, we disprove this conventional assumption, and instead provide strong evidence that humans detect collision threats by accumulating the continuously time-varying visual looming signal. Generalizing existing accumulator model assumptions from stationary to time-varying sensory evidence, we show that our model accounts for previously unexplained empirical observations and full distributions of detection response. We replicate a pre-response centroparietal positivity (CPP) in scalp potentials, which has previously been found to correlate with accumulated decision evidence. In contrast with these existing findings, we show that our model is capable of predicting the onset of the CPP signature rather than its buildup, suggesting that neural evidence accumulation is implemented differently, possibly in distinct brain regions, in collision detection compared to previously studied paradigms.
Posterior Lung Herniation in Pulmonary Agenesis and Aplasia: Chest Radiograph and Cross-Sectional Imaging Correlation

Objective To describe the anatomic locations and imaging features of posterior lung herniation in unilateral pulmonary agenesis and aplasia, focusing on radiograph-CT/MRI correlation. Materials and Methods A total of 10 patients (seven with pulmonary agenesis and three with pulmonary aplasia, male: female = 1:9, mean age 7.3 years, age range from 1 month to 20 years) were included. Chest radiographs (n = 9), CT (n = 9), and MRI (n = 1) were reviewed to assess the type of lung underdevelopment, presence of anterior and posterior lung herniation, bronchus origin, supplying artery, and draining vein of the herniated lung. Results Pulmonary agenesis/aplasia more commonly affected the left lung (n = 7) than the right lung (n = 3). Anterior lung herniation was observed in nine of the 10 patients. Posterior lung herniation was observed in seven patients with left pulmonary agenesis/aplasia. Two patients showed posterior lung herniation crossing the midline but not beyond the aorta, and five patients showed the posteriorly herniated right lower lobe crossing the midline to extend into the left hemithorax farther beyond the descending thoracic aorta through the space between the esophagus and the aorta. This anatomical configuration resulted in a characteristic radiographic finding of a radiolucent area with a convex lateral border and a vertical medial border in the left lower lung zone, revealing a tongue-like projection on CT and MRI. Conclusion Posterior lung herniation occurs in unilateral left lung agenesis/aplasia. Approximately 70% of the cases of posterior lung herniation reveal a unique radiolucent tongue-like projection in the left lower lung zone on imaging studies, which is caused by the extension of the posteriorly herniated right lung farther beyond the descending aorta.
Awareness of pharmacists and consumers towards protective effects of sunscreens against skin cancer

The objective of the present study was to assess the awareness level of individuals on the use of sunscreen products, and pharmacists’ perception of sunscreen safety. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Participants involved included 224 female undergraduates of Ajman University (aged 18-25 years old), 234 patients visiting numerous pharmacies, and 58 pharmacists from the private sector in Dubai. Questionnaires were designed and distributed to all participants. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Sciences) version 20. Among female undergraduate students, 94.7% used sun protection, 81.1% understood what is meant by SPF (Sun Protection Factor) Value, and 70.2% used the optimal SPF (15-20). Additionally, 95.2% reported that sunscreens do not have any side effects. Out of the 234 patients who participated in the study, 86.8% used sun protection, 56.8% understood what is meant by SPF, and 43.2% used the optimal SPF. Furthermore, 93.2% stated that sunscreens do not have any side effects. Female patients were found to use sunscreens with higher SPF values (above 50) as compared to male patients (P ≤ 0.024). Patients above the age of 40 also used sunscreens with high SPF (P ≤ 0.001). As for pharmacists, they all agreed that sunscreens have a marked safety profile, with no side effects, and that the optimal SPF for use is 15-20. Most pharmacists (80%) reported that consumers are in fact aware and knowledgeable about the proper use and application of sunscreens. Optimal use of routine sunscreen is of paramount importance to prevent skin damage as well as cancer.
Impact on quantitative fit-test results after application of prophylactic hydrocolloid dressing under N95 respirators

Abstract Objective: Discomfort and device-related pressure injury (DRPI) caused by N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are common. The use of prophylactic hydrocolloid dressings is one of the strategies that may improve comfort and reduce DRPI. In this study, we investigated the impact of these dressings on N95 respirator fit. Methods: We performed a repeat quantitative fit testing through the Respiratory Protection Program on 134 healthcare workers (HCWs), who applied hydrocolloid dressings on the bridge of their nose under the N95 FFRs that they passed the initial fit test with, but reported discomfort with the FFR. Results: With the hydrocolloid dressings in place, the fit-test pass rate for the semirigid cup style (3M 1860) was 94% (108 of 115); for the the vertical flat-fold style (BYD), the pass rate was 85% (44 of 52); for the duckbill style (BSN medical ProShield and Halyard Fluidshield), the pass rate was 81% (87 of 108); and for the 3-panel flat-fold style (3M Aura) N95 FFRs, the pass rate was 100% (3 of 3). There was a statistically significant reduction in the overall fit factors for both the vertical flat-fold and duckbill type N95 respirators after the application of hydrocolloid dressings. Conclusions: Hydrocolloid dressings are likely to disturb the mask seal for nonrigid-style N95 FFRs, particularly the vertical flat-fold style and the duckbill style N95 FFRs. Given the risk of mask seal disturbance of N95 respirators as shown in this study, we advocate that any HCW requiring the use of prophylactic dressings should undergo repeat quantitative fit testing with the dressing in place prior to using the dressing and mask in combination.
Comparison of Equiosmolar Doses of 7.5% Hypertonic Saline and 20% Mannitol on Cerebral Oxygenation Status and Release of Brain Injury Markers During Supratentorial Craniotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Hyperosmolar therapy is the mainstay of treatment to reduce brain bulk and optimize surgical exposure during craniotomy. This study investigated the effect of equiosmolar doses of 7.5% hypertonic saline (HTS) and 20% mannitol on intraoperative cerebral oxygenation and metabolic status, systemic hemodynamics, brain relaxation, markers of cerebral injury, and perioperative craniotomy outcomes. Methods: A total of 51 patients undergoing elective supratentorial craniotomy were randomly assigned to receive 7.5% HTS (2 mL/kg) or 20% mannitol (4.6 mL/kg) at scalp incision. Intraoperative arterial and jugular bulb blood samples were collected at predefined time intervals for assessment of various indices of cerebral oxygenation; multiple hemodynamic variables were concomitantly recorded. S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase levels were determined at baseline, and at 6 and 12 hours after surgery for assessment of neuronal injury. Brain relaxation and perioperative outcomes were also assessed. Results: Demographic and intraoperative data, brain relaxation score, and perioperative outcomes were comparable between groups. Jugular bulb oxygen saturation and partial pressure of oxygen, arterial-jugular oxygen and carbon dioxide differences, and brain oxygen extraction ratio were favorably affected by 7.5% HTS up to 240 minutes postinfusion (P<0.05), whereas mannitol was associated with only a short-lived (up to 15 min) improvement of these indices (P<0.05). The changes in cerebral oxygenation corresponded to transient expansion of intravascular volume and improvements of cardiovascular performance. Increases in S100B and neuron-specific enolase levels at 6 and 12 hours after surgery (P<0.0001) were comparable between groups. Conclusions: The conclusion is that 7.5% HTS has a more beneficial effect on cerebral oxygenation than an equiosmolar dose of 20% mannitol during supratentorial craniotomy, yet no clear-cut clinical superiority of either solution could be demonstrated.
Chinese Immigrant Women's Experiences as Community Health Workers in Korea: A Focus Group Study

ABSTRACT Background The number of immigrant women in Korea is rapidly increasing. Immigrant women in Korea experience a host of health problems associated with living in a new country. Community health workers (CHWs) may be effective at delivering health promotion programs to vulnerable groups such as recent immigrants. Purpose Qualitative analysis was performed to identify the main themes characterizing the experiences of CHWs in recommending and guiding preventive screening tests for immigrant women. Methods This focus-group study was designed to investigate the experiences and perceptions of CHWs. We conducted interviews with 15 Chinese immigrant women who served as CHWs in a cancer screening program. We asked questions about the attitudes and perceptions that CHWs had from their research experiences. Each interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Results Three main themes emerged: (a) recognizing the need for preventive healthcare, (b) becoming the CHWs who help people to be healthy, and (c) challenges to overcome to make CHWs more active. The CHWs in this study were willing to help other Chinese immigrant women and to improve their competency to help more effectively. However, they recognized limitations on their ability to address problems when delivering a breast and cervical cancer screening program. Conclusions When training CHWs for immigrants in Korea, frequent opportunities for consultation should be provided during program delivery to facilitate troubleshooting and help CHWs overcome challenges. A program that utilizes CHWs for various minority groups is needed.
SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rate and seroprevalence of related antibodies among a sample of patients in Cairo: Pre-wave 2 results of a screening program in a university hospital

Background Research has revealed that asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections are important contributors to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in populations. In Egypt, the true prevalence of infections is veiled due to the low number of screening tests. The aim of this study was to determine the SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rate as well the seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before the ultimate development of a second wave of the epidemic in Cairo, Egypt. Methods Our study was carried out between May 5 and the end of October 2020. It included all patients requiring admission to Ain Shams University hospitals. An interview questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical data. Laboratory tests for all participants included RT-PCR and total antibody assay for SARS-CoV-2. Results A total of 4,313 subjects were enrolled in our study, with females representing 56% of the sample. Adults and middle-aged individuals represented around 60% of the study sample. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 PCR was 3.84% (95% CI 3.29–4.48), and the SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was 29.82% (95% CI: 28.16–31.51). Males showed a higher risk for getting the COVID-19 infection, while middle-age group had significantly higher antibody seroprevalence rates. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection imposes a high burden on the community as detected by high seroprevalence rates.
Substitution driven structural and magnetic transformation in Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles

Bi1−xCaxFeO3; (x = 0–0.20) nanoparticles were synthesized by tartaric acid based sol–gel route. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies reveal the phase purity and nanocrystalline nature (45–90 nm) of Bi1−xCaxFeO3 samples. The Ca ion substitution driven structural transition from rhombohedral (space group R3c) to orthorhombic (Pnma) symmetry leads to enhancement in saturation magnetization due to the distorted cycloid spin structure (as also suggested by Mossbauer studies) and uncompensated surface spins which is accorded with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies as well. The ferromagnetic ordering contribution increases up to x = 0.15 samples with maximum saturation magnetization of 0.09 emu g−1 for x = 0.15 sample. The presence of high content orthorhombic phase for x = 0.20 sample results in the sharp decrease in the ferromagnetic component due to appearance of collinear antiferromagnetic ordering in agreement with EPR results. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the dominancy of Fe3+ oxidation states along with the shifting of the binding energy of Bi 4f orbital indicating the substitution of Ca2+ at Bi-site. Systematic change of Mossbauer parameters of nanoparticulate samples with Ca concentration are obtained by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The results of both one- and two-sextet fittings of the Mossbauer spectra provide evidence for destruction of the spin cycloid in Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles.
Mutually exclusive substrate selection strategy by human m3C RNA transferases METTL2A and METTL6

Abstract tRNAs harbor the most diverse posttranscriptional modifications. The 3-methylcytidine (m3C) is widely distributed at position C32 (m3C32) of eukaryotic tRNAThr and tRNASer species. m3C32 is decorated by the single methyltransferase Trm140 in budding yeasts; however, two (Trm140 and Trm141 in fission yeasts) or three enzymes (METTL2A, METTL2B and METTL6 in mammals) are involved in its biogenesis. The rationale for the existence of multiple m3C32 methyltransferases and their substrate discrimination mechanism is hitherto unknown. Here, we revealed that both METTL2A and METTL2B are expressed in vivo. We purified human METTL2A, METTL2B, and METTL6 to high homogeneity. We successfully reconstituted m3C32 modification activity for tRNAThr by METT2A and for tRNASer(GCU) by METTL6, assisted by seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) in vitro. Compared with METTL2A, METTL2B exhibited dramatically lower activity in vitro. Both G35 and t6A at position 37 (t6A37) are necessary but insufficient prerequisites for tRNAThr m3C32 formation, while the anticodon loop and the long variable arm, but not t6A37, are key determinants for tRNASer(GCU) m3C32 biogenesis, likely being recognized synergistically by METTL6 and SerRS, respectively. Finally, we proposed a mutually exclusive substrate selection model to ensure correct discrimination among multiple tRNAs by multiple m3C32 methyltransferases.
The Edinburgh Lifetime Musical Experience Questionnaire (ELMEQ): Responses and non-musical correlates in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

There is growing evidence of the potential effects of musical training on the human brain, as well as increasing interest in the potential contribution of musical experience to healthy ageing. Conducting research on these topics with older adults requires a comprehensive assessment of musical experience across the lifespan, as well as an understanding of which variables might correlate with musical training and experience (such as personality traits or years of education). The present study introduces a short questionnaire for assessing lifetime musical training and experience in older populations: the Edinburgh Lifetime Musical Experience Questionnaire (ELMEQ). 420 participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 completed the ELMEQ at a mean age of 82 years. We used their responses to the ELMEQ to address three objectives: 1) to report the prevalence of lifetime musical experience in a sample of older adults; 2) to demonstrate how certain item-level responses can be used to model latent variables quantifying experience in different musical domains (playing a musical instrument, singing, self-reported musical ability, and music listening); and 3) to examine non-musical (lifespan) correlates of these domains. In this cohort, 420 of 431 participants (97%) completed the questionnaire. 40% of participants reported some lifetime experience of playing a musical instrument, starting at a median age of 10 years and playing for a median of 5 years. 38% of participants reported some lifetime experience of singing in a group. Non-musical variables of childhood environment, years of education, childhood cognitive ability, female sex, extraversion, history of arthritis and fewer constraints on activities of daily living were found to be associated, variously, with the domains of playing a musical instrument, singing, self-reported musical ability, and music listening. The ELMEQ was found to be an effective research tool with older adults and is made freely available for future research.
Childhood maltreatment disrupts HPA-axis activity under basal and stress conditions in a dose–response relationship in children and adolescents

Abstract Background This study investigates the impact of childhood maltreatment (CM) on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis functioning and on anxiety perception. Moreover, the influence of CM severity and frequency was also explored. Methods In total, 187 participants aged 7–17 were assessed for CM history using validated questionnaires and ad hoc interviews to be classified according to the criteria of the Tool for Assessing the Severity of Situations in which Children are Vulnerable (TASSCV). Psychopathology was ascertained using the K-SADS-PL5. To assess HPA-axis functioning, salivary cortisol samples were collected throughout a normal day and during an acute psychosocial stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test for children (TSST-C). Subjective anxiety was evaluated using STAI/-C. Results Youth with a CM history had higher overall diurnal cortisol levels (p = 0.001), blunted cortisol response to acute psychosocial stress (p = 0.002) and greater perceived anxiety (p = 0.003), than those without CM. Specifically, participants exposed to moderate/severe or often/frequent CM showed the greater diurnal cortisol output (pseverity = 0.002; pfrequency = 0.003), and blunted cortisol response during the TSST-C (pseverity = 0.006; pfrequency = 0.008). Meanwhile, youth with low CM severity/frequency exhibited a similar cortisol response to those without CM. However, perceived anxiety was higher in those exposed to CM (p < 0.001), regardless of its severity/frequency. Conclusions Disturbances in HPA-axis functioning are already evident early after CM exposure, while psychological and physiological responses to an acute stressor are dissociated in youth exposed to CM. The dose–response relationship described in this paper highlights the need to comprehensively evaluate CM so that vulnerable children can be identified and assigned to proper interventions.