Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minding Your Own Business? Mindfulness Decreases Prosocial Behavior for People With Independent Self-Construals

Mindfulness appears to promote individual well-being, but its interpersonal effects are less clear. Two studies in adult populations tested whether the effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior differ according to individuals’ self-construals. In Study 1 (N = 366), a brief mindfulness induction, compared with a meditation control condition, led to decreased prosocial behavior among people with relatively independent self-construals but had the opposite effect among those with relatively interdependent self-construals. In Study 2 (N = 325), a mindfulness induction led to decreased prosocial behavior among people primed with independence but had the opposite effect among those primed with interdependence. The effects of mindfulness on prosocial behavior appear to depend on individuals’ broader social goals. This may have implications for the increasing popularity of mindfulness training around the world.
COVID‐19 in lung transplant recipients: an overview of the Swedish national experience

Although it is known that solid organ transplant recipients fare worse after COVID‐19 infection, data on the impact of COVID‐19 on clinical outcomes and allograft function in lung transplant (LTx) recipients are limited and based mainly on reports with short follow‐up. In this nationwide study, all LTx recipients with COVID‐19 diagnosed from 1 February 2020 to 30 April 2021 were included. The patients were followed until 1 August 2021 or death. We analysed demographics, clinical features, therapeutic management and outcomes, including lung function. Forty‐seven patients were identified: median age was 59 (10–78) years, 53.1% were male, and median follow‐up was 194 (23–509) days. COVID‐19 was asymptomatic or mild at presentation in 48.9%. Nine patients (19.1%) were vaccinated pre‐COVID infection. Two patients (4.3%) died within 28 days of testing positive, and the overall survival rate was 85.1%. The patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms had a higher median % expected forced expiratory volume during the first second than the patients with worse symptoms (P = 0.004). LTx recipients develop the entire spectrum of COVID‐19, and in addition to previously acknowledged risk factors, lower pre‐COVID lung function was associated with more severe disease presentation.
Clinical correlation of diabetic retinopathy with nephropathy and neuropathy

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of nephropathy and neuropathy in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to correlate the severity of DR to that of diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy. Methods: This prospective noninterventional hospital-based study included 57 consecutive cases of DR of either sex, presenting to the eye OPD between January 2019 and November 2020 with minimum 5-year duration of Type 1 and 2 DM. Complete ophthalmic examination was done and DR was classified according to early treatment diabetic retinopathy study classification. Severity of diabetic nephropathy was based on urine albumin creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Severity of diabetic neuropathy was based on nerve conduction velocity. Results: The study was conducted on 57 patients of whom patients 45 were males and 12 were females. Mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy was present in 22 patients, moderate in 14 patients, severe in 18 patients, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 3 patients. In our study, group 30 patients of DR presented without clinically significant macular edema (CSME) and 27 patients presented with CSME. The distribution of severity of DR according to CSME was observed to be statistically significant (P<<0.05). The association of severity of DR with severity of diabetic nephropathy was observed to be statistically significant (P<<0.05). The association of severity of DR with that of diabetic neuropathy was inconclusive. Conclusion: The association of severity of DR with severity of diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy can be used as a marker for future chronic kidney diseases progression and also to prognosticate neurological outcomes in diabetic patients.
Leisure‐time physical activity and incidence of objectively assessed hearing loss: The Niigata Wellness Study

Previous cohort study reported that high physical activity was associated with a low risk of self‐reported hearing loss in women. However, no studies have examined the association between physical activity and the development of hearing loss as measured using an objective assessment of hearing loss in men and women. Here, we used cohort data to examine the association between leisure‐time physical activity and incidence of objectively assessed hearing loss in men and women. Participants included 27 537 Japanese adults aged 20–80 years without hearing loss, who completed a self‐administered physical activity questionnaire between April 2001 and March 2002. The participants were followed up for the development of hearing loss as measured by audiometry between April 2002 and March 2008. During follow‐up, 3691 participants developed hearing loss. Compared with the none physical activity group, multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for developing hearing loss were 0.93 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86–1.01) and 0.87 (0.81–0.95) for the medium (<525 MET‐min/week) and high (≥525 MET‐min/week) physical activity groups, respectively (p for trend = 0.001). The magnitude of risk reduction was slightly greater in vigorous‐intensity activity than in moderate‐intensity activity (p for interaction = 0.01). Analysis by sound frequency showed that the amount of physical activity was inversely associated with high frequency hearing loss development (p for trend <0.001), but not with low frequency hearing loss development (p for trend = 0.19). Higher level of leisure‐time physical activity was associated with lower incidence of hearing loss, particularly for vigorous‐intensity activities and high sound frequencies.
Phagocytic ‘teeth’ and myosin-II ‘jaw’ power target constriction during phagocytosis

Phagocytosis requires rapid actin reorganization and spatially controlled force generation to ingest targets ranging from pathogens to apoptotic cells. How actomyosin activity directs membrane extensions to engulf such diverse targets remains unclear. Here, we combine lattice light-sheet microscopy (LLSM) with microparticle traction force microscopy (MP-TFM) to quantify actin dynamics and subcellular forces during macrophage phagocytosis. We show that spatially localized forces leading to target constriction are prominent during phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized targets. This constriction is largely driven by Arp2/3-mediated assembly of discrete actin protrusions containing myosin 1e and 1f (‘teeth’) that appear to be interconnected in a ring-like organization. Contractile myosin-II activity contributes to late-stage phagocytic force generation and progression, supporting a specific role in phagocytic cup closure. Observations of partial target eating attempts and sudden target release via a popping mechanism suggest that constriction may be critical for resolving complex in vivo target encounters. Overall, our findings present a phagocytic cup shaping mechanism that is distinct from cytoskeletal remodeling in 2D cell motility and may contribute to mechanosensing and phagocytic plasticity.
NSUN6, an RNA methyltransferase of 5-mC controls glioblastoma response to temozolomide (TMZ) via NELFB and RPS6KB2 interaction

ABSTRACT Nop2/Sun RNA methyltransferase (NSUN6) is an RNA 5-methyl cytosine (5mC) transferase with little information known of its function in cancer and response to cancer therapy. Here, we show that NSUN6 methylates both large and small RNA in glioblastoma and controls glioblastoma response to temozolomide with or without influence of the MGMT promoter status, with high NSUN6 expression conferring survival benefit to glioblastoma patients and in other cancers. Mechanistically, our results show that NSUN6 controls response to TMZ therapy via 5mC-mediated regulation of NELFB and RPS6BK2. Taken together, we present evidence that show that NSUN6-mediated 5mC deposition regulates transcriptional pause by accumulation of NELFB and the general transcription factor complexes (POLR2A, TBP, TFIIA, and TFIIE) on the preinitiation complex at the TATA binding site to control translation machinery in glioblastoma response to alkylating agents. Our findings open a new frontier into controlling of transcriptional regulation by RNA methyltransferase and 5mC.
Simulation-Based Assessment of Graduate Neurology Trainees' Performance Managing Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Objectives Multidisciplinary acute stroke teams improve acute ischemic stroke management but may hinder trainees' education, which in turn may contribute to poorer outcomes in community hospitals on graduation. Our goal was to assess graduate neurology trainee performance independently of a multidisciplinary stroke team in the management of acute ischemic stroke, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)–related hemorrhage, and cerebral herniation syndrome. Methods In this prospective, observational, single-center simulation-based study, participants (subinterns to attending physicians) managed a patient with acute ischemic stroke followed by tPA-related hemorrhagic conversion leading to cerebral herniation. Critical actions were developed by a modified Delphi approach based on relevant American Heart Association guidelines and the Neurocritical Care Society's Emergency Neurologic Life Support protocols. The primary outcome measure was graduate neurology trainees' critical action item sum score. We sought validity evidence to support our findings by comparing performance across 4 levels of training. Results Fifty-three trainees (including 31 graduate neurology trainees) and 5 attending physicians completed the simulation. The mean sum of critical actions completed by graduate neurology trainees was 15 of 22 (68%). Ninety percent of graduate neurology trainees properly administered tPA; 84% immediately stopped tPA infusion after patient deterioration; but only 55% reversed tPA according to guidelines. There was a moderately strong effect of level of training on critical action sum score (level 1 mean [SD] score 7.2 [2.8] vs level 2 mean [SD] score 12.3 [2.6] vs level 3 mean [SD] score 13.3 [2.2] vs level 4 mean [SD] score 16.3 [2.4], p < 0.001, R2 = 0.54). Discussion Graduate neurology trainees reassuringly perform well in initial management of acute ischemic stroke but frequently make errors in the treatment of hemorrhagic transformation after thrombolysis, suggesting the need for more education surrounding this low-frequency, high-acuity event. High-fidelity simulation holds promise as an assessment tool for acute stroke management performance.
Profile of bacterial pathogens causing infections in children with sickle cell anaemia in Maiduguri

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in African children. Infection has been found to be a major cause of hospitalisation, a major precipitant of crises and one of the greatest causes of death among SCD patients at all ages. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial infection, pattern of the isolates and the antibiotic sensitivity of isolated bacteria among children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. A total of 242 hospitalised children with SCA with symptoms and signs of infection were recruited for the study using consecutive sampling technique. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained. Blood, urine, aspirates, swabs and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected based on their clinical presentation and subjected to microbiological analysis. Results: A total of 242 patients were studied. The age range was 9 months–15 years, with a mean age of 6.36 years ± 3.75 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.14, with 41.7% of them belonging to low social class. Seventy seven of the 242 had confirmed bacterial infection giving an incidence of bacterial infection in SCA patients of 31.8%. Gram-negative organisms accounted for 64.5% of the isolates and they include Salmonella, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli and Coliforms. However, Staphylococcus aureus (32.9%) was the most frequent microorganism isolated, followed by Salmonella, (20.3%), Klebsiella (12.6%) and Coliforms (12.6%). Amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefixime and gentamicin showed more than 50% activity against the isolated bacterial pathogens while chloramphenicol was found to have low activity against Salmonella. Conclusion: High index of suspicion of bacterial infection should be borne in mind of the attending physician when children with SCA present with features of infection. Detailed clinical evaluation and appropriate sample collection for microbiological analysis are recommended. Empirical treatment should be started on SCA patients who have clinical evidence of infection and should be broad enough to cover for common bacterial pathogens.
Multiparameter Continuous Physiological Monitoring Technologies in Neonates Among Health Care Providers and Caregivers at a Private Tertiary Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya: Feasibility, Usability, and Acceptability Study

Background Continuous physiological monitoring technologies are important for strengthening hospital care for neonates, particularly in resource-constrained settings, and understanding user perspectives is critical for informing medical technology design, development, and optimization. Objective This study aims to assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of 2 noninvasive, multiparameter, continuous physiological monitoring technologies for use in neonates in an African health care setting. Methods We assessed 2 investigational technologies from EarlySense and Sibel, compared with the reference Masimo Rad-97 technology through in-depth interviews and direct observations. A purposive sample of health care administrators, health care providers, and caregivers at Aga Khan University Hospital, a tertiary, private hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, were included. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach in NVivo 12 software. Results Between July and August 2020, we interviewed 12 health care providers, 5 health care administrators, and 10 caregivers and observed the monitoring of 12 neonates. Staffing and maintenance of training in neonatal units are important feasibility considerations, and simple training requirements support the feasibility of the investigational technologies. Key usability characteristics included ease of use, wireless features, and reduced number of attachments connecting the neonate to the monitoring technology, which health care providers considered to increase the efficiency of care. The main factors supporting acceptability included caregiver-highlighted perceptions of neonate comfort and health care respondent technology familiarity. Concerns about the side effects of wireless connections, electromagnetic fields, and mistrust of unfamiliar technologies have emerged as possible acceptability barriers to investigational technologies. Conclusions Overall, respondents considered the investigational technologies feasible, usable, and acceptable for the care of neonates at this health care facility. Our findings highlight the potential of different multiparameter continuous physiological monitoring technologies for use in different neonatal care settings. Simple and user-friendly technologies may help to bridge gaps in current care where there are many neonates; however, challenges in maintaining training and ensuring feasibility within resource-constrained health care settings warrant further research. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035184
Commentary: Oral management of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) ranks fifth among leading global causes of moderate to severe vision impairment and blindness in adults aged 50 years and older. [1] The disease has been observed to show 1-step and 2-step progressions over four years from baseline in 30.2% and 12.6% of patients, respectively. [2] Chronic inflammation is known to play a role in the pathophysiology of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). [3]There also seems to be role of inflammatory processes in the development and progression of DR.[4] Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), corticosteroids, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF); alpha inhibitors are known to reduce vascular permeability and suppress inflammation and thereby regress diabetic macular edema (DME). [5-7] Recently, intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment has also been shown to delay the progression of non-proliferative DR to proliferative DR.[8] In diabetic animals, control of inflammation by systemic therapy was found to be associated with amelioration of DR.[9] However, this has not been evaluated in humans. This could be attributed to the requirement of long‐term administration of immune‐based anti‐inflammatory drugs which are associated with unwarranted side effects.
A unique sarcopenic progression in the mouse rotator cuff

In response to chronic injury, the muscles of the rotator cuff (RC) experience a unique degeneration characterized by extensive fatty infiltration and loss of contractile function. Human studies suggest this degeneration is also a feature of RC sarcopenia and may precede RC injury. In this study, we investigated whether RC muscles exhibit a similar unique sarcopenia in the mouse.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels in relation to work‐related respiratory burden and sensitization to wheat flour and multigrain in bakers

Abstract Background Work‐related lower airway symptoms (WR‐LAS), rhinitis (WRR), and asthma (WRA) are very common among bakers, due to airborne exposure to wheat flour and multigrain. Limited data is available regarding fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in bakers in relation to respiratory burden and occupational sensitization in a real‐life situation. Objective To analyze FeNO levels in relation to WRR, WR‐LAS, and WRA with regard to allergic sensitization to occupational allergen in bakers. Methods Cross‐sectional, observational study of 174 bakers employed in traditional small bakeries in the Verona District. Subjects did FeNO measurements, spirometry, methacholine challenge, and skin prick test to common inhalant aeroallergens and bakeries occupational allergens. Results FeNO levels were higher in subjects sensitized to occupational allergens compared with bakers not sensitized to occupational allergens (22.8 ppb (18.9, 27.6) vs. 12.0 ppb (9.9, 14.5), p < 0.05). FeNO levels were higher in bakers with WRR and occupational sensitization (25.4 (20.6, 31.3)) than in bakers with WRR without occupational sensitization compared and bakers without respiratory burden (13.4 (9.6, 18.6) and 11.9 (9.8, 14.5), both p < 0.001). Similar findings were found for WR‐LAS with regard to the same categories (31.2 (24.1, 40.4) vs 13.3 (11.4, 15.6) and 15.3 (8.5, 27.5), p < 0.001 and p = 0.005). Bakers with WRA, with or without occupational allergic sensitization, had higher levels of FeNO than bakers without respiratory burden (both p ≤ 0.001). These findings were consistent after adjustments for gender, age, height, weight, smoking, and sensitization to common inhalant aeroallergens and lung function. Conclusions WRR and lower airway symptoms in bakers sensitized to occupational allergens relate to increased FeNO. Our study suggests that FeNO is associated with work‐related allergic inflammation in occupational sensitized bakers, but future studies are needed to assess how FeNO should be integrated in the diagnostic work‐up of occupational disease in bakers.
Anti-diabetic and antimicrobial activities of fractions and compounds isolated from Berberis brevissima Jafri and Berberis parkeriana Schneid BJP

Methanol extracts of the roots of Berberis brevissima and Berberis parkeriana were examined for anti-diabetic and antimicrobial activities. Six compounds i.e berberine, 8-oxo-berberine, dehydrocheilanthifoline, columbamine, jatrorrhizine and glutamic acid were isolated from the active fractions of these species for the first time. The anti-diabetic activity was determined against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP 1B), a negative insulin regulator while the antimicrobial activity was performed against four bacterial strains: Mycobacterium marinum ATCC BAA535, sporadic methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (SMRSA), endemic methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (EMRSA) and Escherichia coli ATCC.8739 at different concentrations. Amongst the isolated compounds 8-oxo-berberine was found to be the most active antidiabetic (29% of the positive control) while jatrorrhizine was the most active and selective antimicrobial against SMRSA and EMRSA (-1.2% of the DMSO (D) control). Article Info Received: 21 February 2013 Accepted: 16 July 2013 Available Online: 1 August 2013 DOI: 10.3329/bjp.v8i3. 13888 Cite this article: Ali S, Igoli J, Clements C, Semaan D, Alamzeb M, Mamoon-Ur-Rashid, Shah SQ, Ferro VA, Gray AI, Khan MR. Anti-diabetic and antimicrobial activities of fractions and compounds isolated from Berberis brevissima Jafri and Berberis parkeriana Schneid. Bangladesh J Pharmacol. 2013; 8: 336-42. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. You are free to copy, distribute and perform the work. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor. Anti-diabetic and antimicrobial activities of fractions and compounds isolated from Berberis brevissima Jafri and Berberis parkeriana Schneid Saqib Ali1, John Igoli2, Carol Clements2, Dima Semaan2, Muhammad Alamzeb1, Mamoon-Ur-Rashid1, Syed Qaisar Shah3, Valerie A. Ferro2, Alexander I. Gray2 and M. Rafiullah Khan1 Phytopharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Research Laboratories (PNRL), Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK; Nuclear and Molecular Research Laboratories, Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan. been reported to show good antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus and A. terreus (WHO, 2009). Keeping in view the activities of the genus Berberis, we have selected B. brevissima Jafri and Berberis parkeriana Schneid to investigate their anti-diabetic and antimicrobial activities. In the current study, we have isolated six compounds and are reporting the activities of their fractions and the isolated compounds. Materials and Methods
Predicting the burden of family caregivers from their individual characteristics

ABSTRACT This study examined the association between caregivers’ burdens and their individual characteristics and identified characteristics that are useful for predicting the level of caregiver burden. We successfully surveyed 387 family caregivers, having them complete the caregiver burden inventory scale (CBI) and an individual characteristic questionnaire. When we compared the average CBI scores between groups with a particular individual characteristic (including caring for older adult(s), educational level, employment status, place of birth, marital status, financial status, need for family support, need for friend support, and need for nonprofit organizational support), we found a significant difference in the average scores. From a logistic regression model, with burden level as the outcome, we found that caring for older adult(s), educational level, employment status, place of birth, financial situation, and need for nonprofit organizational support were significant predictors of the burden level of caregivers. The research findings suggest that certain individual characteristics can be adopted for identifying and quantifying caregivers who may have a higher level of burden. The findings are useful to uncover caregivers who may need prompt support and social care.