Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Social Media Data Be Utilized to Enhance Early Warning: Retrospective Analysis of the U.S. Covid-19 Pandemic

The U.S. needs early warning systems to help it contain the spread of infectious diseases. Conventional early warning systems use lab-test results or dynamic records to signal early warning signs. New early warning systems can supplement these data with indicators of public awareness like news articles and search queries. This study aims to explore the potential of utilizing social media data to enhance early warning of the COVID-19 outbreak. To demonstrate the feasibility, this study conducts a retrospective analysis and investigates more than 14 million related Twitter postings in the date range from January 20 to March 10, 2020. With the aid of natural language processing tools and machine learning classifiers, this study classifies each of these tweets into either a signal or a non-signal. In this study, a 'signal' tweet implies that the user recognized the COVID-19 outbreak risk in the U.S. This study then proposes a parameter 'signal ratio' to signal warning signs of the COVID-19 pandemic over periods. Results reveal that social media data and the signal ratio can detect the hazards ahead of the COVID-19 outbreak. This claim has been validated with a leading time of 16 days through the comparison to other referenced methods based on Google trends or media news.
The bone bridge significantly affects the decrease in bone mineral density measured with quantitative computed tomography in ankylosing spondylitis

Introduction and objective Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has characteristics of spinal bone bridge and fusion. Although BMD reduction in AS may be presumed to be due to spinal inflammation, this study was designed to confirm whether immobilization of the spine due to syndesmophytes is related to BMD reduction, as immobilization itself is a risk factor for BMD reduction. Methods Among male patients diagnosed with AS according to the modified New York criteria, those who underwent bone density tests with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were retrospectively analyzed through a chart review. The correlation between the presence or absence of bone bridges for each vertebral body level of the L spine confirmed with radiography and BMD confirmed with QCT was analyzed. Results A total of 47 male patients with AS were enrolled. The mean patient age was 46.8 ± 8.2 years, and the mean disease duration was 7.9 ± 6.4 years. The trabecular BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) ranged from 23.1 to 158.45 mg/cm3 (mean 102.2 ± 37 mg/cm3), as measured with QCT. The lumbar BMD measurements showed that 30 patients (63.8%) had osteopenia or osteoporosis. Bone bridge formation showed a negative correlation with BMD. Low BMD was significantly correlated with bone bridge in the vertebral body (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between bone bridge score and BASMI flexion score, whereas significant negative correlations were found between BMD and BASMI flexion score (p < 0.05). Conclusion Decreased mobility of the vertebrae due to bone bridge formation affects the decrease in BMD in patients with AS.
Instrumentally assessed gait quality is more relevant than gait endurance and velocity to explain patient‐reported walking ability in early‐stage multiple sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) often report walking limitations even when the gold standard Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) indicates normal walking endurance/autonomy. The present multicenter study on early‐stage PwMS aims at analyzing which aspects are associated with patient‐reported walking limitations measured with the 12‐item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS‐12).
Association between active pulmonary tuberculosis and circulating microRNAs: a preliminary study from Turkey

Background/aim Tuberculosis is a public health problem that still remains significant. For prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis more effective novel biomarkers are needed. MicroRNAs can regulate innate and adaptive immune responses, alter host-pathogen interactions, and affect progression of diseases. The relationship between microRNA expression and active pulmonary tuberculosis (APT) has not yet been investigated in the Turkish population. We aimed to test the potential diagnostic value of some microRNAs whose levels were previously reported to be altered in APT patients. Materials and methods Using two different references (U6 and miR-93), we compared the expression levels of potentially important microRNAs in serum of APT patients with healthy individuals using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results miR-144 expression level was down-regulated in APT patients when either U6 or miR-93 was used for normalization. When data was normalized with miR-93, a statistically significant decrease in miR-125b (0.8 fold) and miR-146a (0.7 fold) expression levels were observed, while no differences were detected for U6. The receiver operating characteristic suggested that miR-144 may be a candidate biomarker for discriminating APT patients and controls (p < 0.05) both for U6 and miR-93. Conclusion These findings suggest that miR-144 can have potential as a biomarker for APT. Using a single reference may be misleading in evaluation of microRNA expression. U6 and miR-93 can be used in combination as references for normalization of serum microRNA expression data.
Scaphoid plating for recalcitrant scaphoid fractures: a systematic review

We conducted a systematic review of scaphoid plating for recalcitrant scaphoid fractures using EMBASE, Pubmed, Cochrane and MEDLINE. Thirteen studies were included. Ninety-three per cent of cases reported were male with a mean age of 27 years. Bony union was reported in eleven studies and achieved in 72% to 100% of cases. Scaphoid plates showed no significant difference in union incidence compared with headless compression screws. Mean removal incidence of plates was 21%. Postoperative flexion–extension arc was 119°. Grip strength improved by 14% postoperatively over that before surgery. There was a general improvement in patient-reported outcome measures. Eighty-six per cent of reported participants returned to their previous work. In these clinical reports, plates frequently required removal more frequently than headless compression screws.
Impaired error‐related processing in patients with first‐episode psychosis and subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis: An event‐related potential study

Impaired event‐related potential (ERP) indices reflecting performance‐monitoring systems have been consistently reported in patients with schizophrenia. However, whether these impairments exist from the beginning of the early phase of psychosis, such as in first‐episode psychosis (FEP) patients and individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, has not yet been clearly ascertained.
Psychometric evaluation of the brief RCOPE and relationships with psychological functioning among caregivers of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Spiritual and religious (S/R) coping is a relevant yet understudied domain of coping among caregivers of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). The aims of this manuscript are to: (1) conduct the first psychometric evaluation of the Brief RCOPE in this population; (2) examine levels of and changes in S/R coping over time; and (3) explore the relationship between S/R coping trajectories and psychological functioning post‐HCT.
Effects of supplementation with narasin, salinomycin, or flavomycin on performance and ruminal fermentation characteristics of Bos indicus Nellore cattle fed with forage-based diets

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the inclusion of narasin, salinomycin, or flavomycin for 140 d on ruminal fermentation parameters, apparent nutrient digestibility, and performance of Nellore cattle offered a forage-based diet. In experiment 1, 32 rumen-cannulated Bos indicus Nellore steers [initial body weight (BW) = 220 ± 12.6 kg] were assigned to individual pens in a randomized complete block design according to their initial shrunk BW. Within block, animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) forage-based diet without feed additives (CON; n = 8), (2) CON diet plus 13 ppm of narasin (NAR; n = 8), (3) CON diet plus 20 ppm of salinomycin (SAL; n = 8), or (4) CON diet plus 3 ppm of flavomycin (FLA; n = 8). The experimental period lasted 140 d and was divided into 5 periods of 28 d each. The inclusion of feed additives did not impact (P ≥ 0.17) dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient intake, and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Nonetheless, steers fed NAR had lower (P < 0.01) molar proportion of acetate compared with CON, SAL, and FLA steers, whereas ruminal acetate tended to be greater (P < 0.09) for SAL vs. CON and FLA, but did not differ (P = 0.68) between CON vs. FLA steers. Ruminal propionate was the highest (P < 0.01) for steers fed NAR and did not differ (P > 0.20) between CON, SAL, and FLA. Consequently, NAR steers had the lowest (P < 0.01) Ac:Pr ratio, whereas Ac:Pr did not differ (P > 0.18) among CON, SAL, and FLA. Total volatile fatty acids were greater (P < 0.04) for NAR and CON vs. SAL and FLA, but did not differ (P > 0.67) among NAR vs. CON and SAL vs. FLA. In experiment 2, 164 Nellore bulls (initial shrunk BW = 299 ± 2.5 kg) were assigned to feedlot pens for 140 d in a randomized complete block design. Within block (n = 10), animals were randomly assigned to the same treatments used in experiment 1. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.01) in NAR vs. CON, SAL, and FLA bulls, and did not differ (P > 0.12) between CON, SAL, and FLA bulls. Bulls fed NAR had greater (P < 0.02) DMI (as kg/d or % BW) and final shrunk BW compared with CON, SAL, and FLA bulls, whereas DMI and final shrunk BW did not differ (P > 0.26) between CON, SAL, and FLA bulls. Feed efficiency, however, was not impacted (P = 0.51) by any feed additives used herein. Collectively, narasin was the only feed additive that benefited performance and ruminal fermentation of Nellore animals fed a forage-based diet.
Dissipation and decontamination of imidacloprid and lambda cyhalothrin residues in brinjal

Residues ofimidacloprid at 20 g a.i. ha -1 and lambda - cyhalothrin at 15 g a.i. ha -1 were estimated quantitatively by HPLC/GLC in/on brinjal fruits. Initial deposits of insecticides were higher in imidacloprid than lambda - cyhalothrin. Initial deposits of 0.652 mg kg -1 of imidacloprid dissipated to 93.17 per cent on 10 th day. In lambda - cyhalothrin the initial deposits were 0.138 mg kg -1 which dissipated to 92.75 per cent on 10 th day. The degradation of imidacloprid was relatively higher as compared to lambda - cyhalothrin. Both imidacloprid and lambda - cyhalothrin had half - life values of 1.92 and 2.65 days, respectively on brinjal fruits. The safe waiting period for imidacloprid was found 4.70 days. In lambda - cyhalothrin, no waiting period is required after its application as the initial deposits were less than its MRL (0.3 mg kg -1 ).
Unusual Conversion-type Lithiation in LiVO3 Electrode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

This work finds that LiVO3 is lithiated by a conversion reaction at 25 °C, which is unusual for the family of vanadium oxides. The spectroscopic studies and first-principle calculations performed on the lithiation mechanism of LiVO3 consistently propose that a two-phase insertion-type lithiation proceeds in the early stage of lithiation; LiVO3 transforms into a rock-salt structured Li2VO3. The continuing single-phase Li+ insertion into the tetrahedral sites in the rock-salt Li2VO3 produces a more Li-rich phase (Li2.5VO3), which is highly distorted because of the unfavorable Li+ insertion into the tetrahedral sites such as to be vulnerable to lattice breakdown. Hence, a two-phase (nucleation/growth type) conversion reaction is followed along with a structural disintegration; the Li2.5VO3 phase decomposes into metallic vanadium and Li2O. To determine the factors facilitating the conversion reaction of LiVO3, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EI.
Prevalence and psychosocial impact of atopic dermatitis in Bangladeshi children and families

Background Skin conditions are the fourth leading cause of nonfatal disease globally, with atopic dermatitis (AD) a major and rising contributor. Though atopic dermatitis (AD) is rising in prevalence, little is known about its psychosocial effects on children and families in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional survey of 2242 under-5 children in rural Bangladesh using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire to measure AD prevalence and severity, the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) to measure severity, and the Infants’ Dermatitis Quality of Life index (IDQoL) and Dermatitis Family Index (DFI) to measure quality of life. Findings Overall AD prevalence in under-five children was 11.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.6–13.3%]. Prevalence was highest in children age 30–35 months [16.2% (95% CI 11.4–21.0)]. IDQoL was significantly higher in males (2.67) vs. females (1.95, p = 0.015), the lowest (3.06) vs. highest (1.63) wealth quintile (p<0.001), and among mothers with < primary (2.41) vs. > secondary (1.43) education (p = 0.039). POEM severity was correlated with IDQoL (r = 0.77, p<0.001) and DFI (r = 0.56, p<0.001). Severe disease as rated by caretakers was correlated with POEM (r = 0.73, p<0.001), IDQoL (r = 0.82, p<0.001) and DFI (r = 0.57, p<0.001). Conclusions Severe AD significantly affects quality of life for children and families in Bangladesh. As access to healthcare expands in LMICs, identification and treatment of both the medical and psychosocial morbidities associated with the disease are needed.
No association of genetic variants in TLR4, TNF-α, IL10, IFN-γ, and IL37 in cytomegalovirus-positive renal allograft recipients with active CMV infection—Subanalysis of the prospective randomised VIPP study

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is amongst the most important factors complicating solid organ transplantation. In a large prospective randomized clinical trial, valganciclovir prophylaxis reduced the occurrence of CMV infection and disease compared with preemptive therapy in CMV-positive renal allograft recipients (VIPP study; NCT00372229). Here, we present a subanalysis of the VIPP study, investigating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-response-related genes and their association with active CMV infection, CMV disease, graft loss or death, rejection, infections, and leukopenia. Methods Based on literature research ten SNPs were analyzed for TLR4, three for IFN-γ, six for IL10, nine for IL37, and two for TNF-α. An asymptotic independence test (Cochran-Armitage trend test) was used to examine associations between SNPs and the occurrence of CMV infection or other negative outcomes. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05 and Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was performed. Results SNPs were analyzed on 116 blood samples. No associations were found between the analyzed SNPs and the occurrence of CMV infection, rejection and leukopenia in all patients. For IL37 rs2723186, an association with CMV disease (p = 0.0499), for IL10 rs1800872, with graft loss or death (p = 0.0207) and for IL10 rs3024496, with infections (p = 0.0258) was observed in all patients, however did not hold true after correction for multiple testing. Conclusion The study did not reveal significant associations between the analyzed SNPs and the occurrence of negative outcomes in CMV-positive renal transplant recipients after correction for multiple testing. The results of this association analysis may be of use in guiding future research efforts.
Reduction in TLCO and survival in a clinical population

Background How best to express the level of transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (TLCO) has not been properly explored. Methods We used the most recent clinical data from 13 829 patients (54% male; 10% non-European ancestry; median age 60.5 years, range 20–97 years; median survival 3.5 years, range 0–20 years) to determine how best to express TLCO function in terms of its relationship to survival. Results The proportion of subjects of non-European ancestry with Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) TLCO z-scores above predicted was reduced, but was significantly increased between −1.5 and −3.5, suggesting the need for ethnicity-appropriate equations. Applying GLI forced vital capacity (FVC) ethnicity methodology to GLI TLCO z-scores removed this ethnic bias and was used for all subsequent analysis. TLCO z-scores using the GLI equations were compared with Miller's USA equations with median TLCO z-scores being −1.43 and −1.50 for GLI and Miller equations, respectively (interquartile range −2.8 to −0.3 and −2.4 to −0.7, respectively). GLI TLCO z-scores gave the best Cox regression model for predicting survival. A previously proposed six-tier grading system for level of lung function did not show much separation in survival risk in the less-severe grades. A new four-tier grading based on z-scores of −1.645, −3 and −5 showed better separation of risk with hazard ratio for all-cause mortality of 2.0, 3.4 and 6.6 with increasing severity. Conclusion Applying GLI FVC ethnicity methodology to GLI TLCO predictions to remove ethnic bias together with a new four-tier z-score grading best relates TLCO function to survival. A four-tier grading of lung function defined by z-scores of −1.645, −3 and −5 is simpler and better relates to subsequent survival than previous grading systems. Using ethnicity-specific GLI TLCO prediction equations is appropriate. https://bit.ly/2PRxc0u
CT-based determination of excessive visceral adipose tissue is associated with an impaired survival in critically ill patients

Objective Obesity is a negative prognostic factor for various clinical conditions. In this observational cohort study, we evaluated a CT-based assessment of the adipose tissue distribution as a potential non-invasive prognostic parameter in critical illness. Methods Routine CT-scans upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) were used to analyze the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas at the 3rd lumbar vertebra in 155 patients. Results were correlated with various prognostic markers and both short-term- and overall survival. Multiple statistical tools were used for data analysis. Results We observed a significantly larger visceral adipose tissue area in septic patients compared to non-sepsis patients. Interestingly, patients requiring mechanical ventilation had a significantly higher amount of visceral adipose tissue correlating with the duration of mechanical ventilation. Moreover, both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue area significantly correlated with several laboratory markers. While neither the visceral nor the subcutaneous adipose tissue area was predictive for short-term ICU survival, patients with a visceral adipose tissue area above the optimal cut-off (241.4 cm2) had a significantly impaired overall survival compared to patients with a lower visceral adipose tissue area. Conclusions Our study supports a prognostic role of the individual adipose tissue distribution in critically ill patients. However, additional investigations need to confirm our suggestion that routine CT-based assessment of adipose tissue distribution can be used to yield further information on the patients’ clinical course. Moreover, future studies should address functional and metabolic analysis of different adipose tissue compartments in critical illness.
A new model for simultaneous dimensionality reduction and time-varying functional connectivity estimation

An important question in neuroscience is whether or not we can interpret spontaneous variations in the pattern of correlation between brain areas, which we refer to as functional connectivity or FC, as an index of dynamic neuronal communication in fMRI. That is, can we measure time-varying FC reliably? And, if so, can FC reflect information transfer between brain regions at relatively fast-time scales? Answering these questions in practice requires dealing with the statistical challenge of having high-dimensional data and a comparatively lower number of time points or volumes. A common strategy is to use PCA to reduce the dimensionality of the data, and then apply some model, such as the hidden Markov model (HMM) or a mixture model of Gaussian distributions, to find a set of distinct FC patterns or states. The distinct spatial properties of these FC states together with the time-resolved switching between them offer a flexible description of time-varying FC. In this work, I show that in this context PCA can suffer from systematic biases and loss of sensitivity for the purposes of finding time-varying FC. To get around these issues, I propose a novel variety of the HMM, named HMM-PCA, where the states are themselves PCA decompositions. Since PCA is based on the data covariance, the state-specific PCA decompositions reflect distinct patterns of FC. I show, theoretically and empirically, that fusing dimensionality reduction and time-varying FC estimation in one single step can avoid these problems and outperform alternative approaches, facilitating the quantification of transient communication in the brain.
High prevalence and resistance rates of Mycoplasma genitalium among patients visiting two sexually transmitted infection clinics in the Netherlands

Mycoplasma genitalium is a well-known cause of urethritis in men and has been associated with cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and adverse obstetric outcomes in women. In this cross-sectional study, we determined the current prevalence of M. genitalium infection and the rate of macrolide resistance in M. genitalium isolates, in patients visiting two large Dutch sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, to evaluate whether the recommendations in Dutch guidelines should be revised. In addition, risk factors for M. genitalium were identified. In total, 3225 patients were included. M. genitalium prevalence rates were 13.8% for all patients; 20.1% for men who have sex with men, 8.2% for men who have sex with women, and 12.6% for women. Macrolide resistance-associated mutations were detected in 66% of the patients infected with M. genitalium. Age, educational level, country of origin, number of sexual partners, HIV-positivity, infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and urethral symptoms in men were independently associated with M. genitalium infection. In conclusion, we found very high prevalence rates and macrolide resistance rates of M. genitalium in patients visiting STI clinics.