Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating sun protection behaviors and skin self‐examination practices among the family members of melanoma patients in Turkey: A cross‐sectional survey study

To evaluate the preventive practices in family members of melanoma patients regarding melanoma in Turkey and compare our results with similar studies by a literature review. A questionnaire‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted in 52 participants over the age of 18 years. The questionnaire consisted of the items regarding melanoma risk factors, sun protection behaviors, skin self‐examination (SSE), and family communication. Sun exposure (76.9%) and sunburns (69.2%) were relatively well‐known melanoma risk factors. The knowledge of risk factors regarding phenotypical features were low (<50%). The participants who were at least high‐school graduates had a significantly higher level of knowledge of risk factors. Compliance with sun protection measures (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, long‐sleeve shirt use) was low (19.2%‐42.3%) on almost all items with the exception of shade seeking (73.1%). The most common reported reason for not applying sunscreen was not having a habit of sunscreen use. Only one third of the participants (32.7%) performed SSE. The most commonly reported reason for not performing SSE was not knowing the necessity of SSE. The number of participants who stated that they had received information from the melanoma patient about the disease was 19 (36.5%). We documented the knowledge, preventive measures, and family communication deficiency regarding melanoma among family members of melanoma patients. Results of our study may contribute to the development and implementation of educational programs and interventions targeting family members of the melanoma patients.
Irisin Mitigates Oxidative Stress, Chondrocyte Dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Development through Regulating Mitochondrial Integrity and Autophagy

Compromised autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction downregulate chondrocytic activity, accelerating the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Irisin, a cleaved form of fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5), regulates bone turnover and muscle homeostasis. Little is known about the effect of Irisin on chondrocytes and the development of osteoarthritis. This study revealed that human osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes express decreased level of FNDC5 and autophagosome marker LC3-II but upregulated levels of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and apoptosis. Intra-articular administration of Irisin further alleviated symptoms of medial meniscus destabilization, like cartilage erosion and synovitis, while improved the gait profiles of the injured legs. Irisin treatment upregulated autophagy, 8-OHdG and apoptosis in chondrocytes of the injured cartilage. In vitro, Irisin improved IL-1β-mediated growth inhibition, loss of specific cartilage markers and glycosaminoglycan production by chondrocytes. Irisin also reversed Sirt3 and UCP-1 pathways, thereby improving mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production, and catalase to attenuated IL-1β-mediated reactive oxygen radical production, mitochondrial fusion, mitophagy, and autophagosome formation. Taken together, FNDC5 loss in chondrocytes is correlated with human knee OA. Irisin repressed inflammation-mediated oxidative stress and extracellular matrix underproduction through retaining mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and autophagic program. Our analyses shed new light on the chondroprotective actions of this myokine, and highlight the remedial effects of Irisin on OA development.
Interdisciplinary Learning in Mathematics and Science: Transfer of Learning for 21st Century Problem Solving at University

Transfer of learning, the application of learning to different contexts over time, is important to all learning for development. As 21st century skills specifically aim to be “generic,” there is an assumption that they can be transferred from context to context. We investigate the process of transfer in problem solving, with specific focus on mathematical problem solving tasks. Problem solving is highly valued in 21st century workplaces, where mathematical skills are also considered to be foundational in STEM and of paramount importance. This study examines the transfer of first semester mathematics learning to problem solving in second semester physics at university. We report on: (1) university students’ (n = 10) “think-aloud” accounts of the process of transfer; and (2) students’ (n = 10) and academics’ (n = 8) perspectives on transfer processes and problem solving. Think-aloud accounts show students’ recursive use of interpretation, integration, planning and execution thinking processes and highlight the meta-cognitive strategies used in transfer. Academics’ and students’ perspectives on transfer show disparities. Understanding these perspectives is important to current initiatives to integrate and optimise 21st century learning within universities. We argue that renewed attention on the concept of transfer is needed if the generic aims of 21st century skills are to be understood and promoted.
Response of gray-tailed voles to odours of a mustelid predator : a field test

We conducted a field study to test the hypothesis that gray-tailed voles Microtus canicaudus would move from preferred tall-grass habitat into open, short-grass habitat after exposure to the odours of a mustelid predator in their preferred tall-grass habitat. We also tested the hypothesis that if voles did not avoid the odours of a mustelid predator, they would exhibit suppressed reproduction, delayed sexual maturation, and decreased activity. The experiment was conducted from May to August 1996 in 0.2-ha enclosures in which one-half of each enclosure contained tall grass and in the other one-half the grass was mowed to a height of 5-20 cm. The proportion of voles living in the preferred tall-grass habitat averaged > 0.9 and did not differ significantly before, during, or after voles were exposed to faeces and urine of mink Mustela vison (a mustelid predator), or rabbit Oryctolagus cumiculus (a nonpredator, control). We observed no significant differences between treatments in reproductive rates, time to sexual maturation, juvenile recruitment, or activity. We conclude that in a field situation, gray-tailed voles do not exhibit a behavioural or demographic response to simulated predation risk by a mustelid predator (odours of faeces and urine). The disagreement between our results and those obtained from laboratory studies is discussed.
Toddler obesity prevention: A two‐generation randomized attention‐controlled trial

Abstract Rapid weight gain increases risks of obesity and associated co‐morbidities. The objective was to reduce the rate of body mass index (BMI) growth (BMI z score), relative to control. Secondary outcomes were toddler–mother physical activity, mealtime interactions and fruit/vegetable intake. The randomized three‐arm, eight‐session, 4‐month trial, conducted 2009–2013, included two intervention arms (responsive parenting and maternal lifestyle) and an attention control (home safety). Baseline and 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up evaluations included weight and length/height, ankle accelerometry, video‐recorded mealtime interactions (Emotional Availability Scales) and 24‐h diet recalls (Healthy Eating Index‐2015 [HEI‐2015]). Analyses used linear mixed‐effects models with repeated measures comparing intervention versus control changes in BMI z score. We recruited 277 racially mixed (70% African American) toddler–mother dyads (mean ages 20.1 months and 27.3 years) from US WIC and primary care clinics and randomized them into intervention versus control; 31% toddlers and 73% mothers were overweight/obese. At follow‐up, changes in the rate of toddler BMI z score and maternal BMI were non‐significant. Maternal lifestyle group toddlers and mothers spent 24.43 and 11.01 more minutes in physical activity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.55, 46.32, and 95% CI: 1.48, 20.54, respectively). Fruit intake increased in both intervention groups. Hostile mealtime interactions increased in the maternal lifestyle group, and in supplementary analyses, mealtime interactions were significantly higher in the responsive parenting group than in the maternal lifestyles group, suggesting that toddler dietary interventions include responsive parenting. Intervention effects were stronger among older versus younger toddlers. Despite no impact on weight gain, additional research should examine integrated two‐generation responsive parenting and maternal lifestyle interventions among toddler–mother dyads.
Prevalence of pterygium and its associated factors among adults aged 18 years and above in Gambella town, Southwest Ethiopia, May 2019

Introduction A pterygium is a wing-shaped fibro-vascular growth of conjunctiva on the superficial cornea/conjunctiva. It is an elastotic degeneration of conjunctival stroma mainly due to Ultraviolet light exposure. The prevalence of pterygium varies in different environmental conditions. Its magnitude varies widely from 1.1% to 53% globally and in Ethiopia, it reaches from 8.8% to 38.7%. Objective To determine the prevalence of pterygium and its associated factors among adults aged 18 years and above in Gambella town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019. Methods and materials A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 15 to May 3, 2019, in Gambella town. A total of 402 study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, torch, and magnifying loops were used to collect data. The data was entered into epidemiological information 7.1 and exported to statistical package for social science version 20 for analysis. The binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis model was fitted to identify factors associated with pterygium. Odds ratio with respected 95% CI was used to identify the direction and strength of association. Results A total of 400 participants were examined with a response rate of 99.50%. The mean age of the study participants was 39.9±9.8years. The prevalence of pterygium among adults aged 18 years and above in Gambella town was 127(31.80%), (95% CI: 27.3, 36.3). male sex (AOR = 2.10 (95% CI: 1.26, 3.45), sunlight exposure (AOR = 6.86 (95% CI: 4.00, 11.79) and outdoor works (AOR = 2.10 (95% CI: 1.21, 3.60) were positively associated with pterygium whereas wearing sunglass/hat was a protective factor. Conclusion The prevalence of pterygium was high among adults living in Gambella town. Wearing sunglass/hat and reducing exposure time to the sun was important to reduce the development of pterygium in adults.
Mcl‐1 targeting strategies unlock the proapoptotic potential of TRAIL in melanoma cells

TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis selectively in cancer cells. For melanoma, the targeting of TRAIL signaling appears highly attractive, due to pronounced TRAIL receptor expression in tumor tissue. However, mechanisms of TRAIL resistance observed in melanoma cells may limit its clinical use. The Bcl‐2 family members are critical regulators of cell‐intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Thus, the antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl‐1) is overexpressed in many tumor types and was linked to chemotherapy resistance in melanoma. In this study, we evaluated the involvement of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins (Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, Bcl‐w, Mcl‐1, Bcl‐A1, and Bcl‐B) in TRAIL resistance. They were targeted by small interfering RNA‐mediated silencing in TRAIL‐sensitive (A‐375, Mel‐HO) and in TRAIL‐resistant melanoma cell lines (Mel‐2a, MeWo). This highlighted Mcl‐1 as the most efficient target to overcome TRAIL resistance. In this context, we investigated the effects of Mcl‐1‐targeting microRNAs as well as the Mcl‐1‐selective inhibitor S63845. Both miR‐193b and S63845 resulted in significant enhancement of TRAIL‐induced apoptosis, associated with decreased cell viability. Apoptosis induction was mediated by caspase‐3 processing as well as by Bax and Bak activation, indicating the critical involvement of intrinsic apoptosis pathways. These data may indicate a high relevance of Mcl‐1 targeting also in melanoma therapy. Furthermore, the data may suggest to consider the use of the tumor suppressor miR‐193b as a strategy for countering TRAIL resistance in melanoma.
Examining the day-to-day bidirectional associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior, screen time, and sleep health during school days in adolescents

Background Adolescence is a vulnerable period for experiencing poor sleep health. Growing studies have demonstrated lifestyle behaviors including physical activity (PA), screen time (SCT), and sedentary behaviors (SED) as the potential factors associated with sleep health in adolescents; yet, the evidence is inconclusive and the directionality of temporal associations across school days are not well understood. This study examined the day-to-day bidirectional associations of lifestyle behaviors with sleep health parameters in adolescents. Methods A total of 263 adolescents (58% boys) in 6th - 8th grades wore an accelerometer for 24-hour across the three consecutive school days and completed recording SCT in time-diary and answering sleep quality (SQ) questions for each day. Sleep-wake patterns as well as time spent in moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and SED were objectively quantified from the wrist-worn accelerometry data across the two segments of the day (during and after school hours). Mixed model analyses were conducted to test bidirectional associations between lifestyle factors and sleep health parameters in each temporal direction across the days. Additionally, indirect associations across the days were tested using an autoregressive cross-lagged model analysis in the framework of path analysis. Results MVPA minutes in a day did not predict sleep health parameters that night. The bidirectional associations were partially observed between SED and sleep health, but the significance and direction of the associations largely varied by the time segment of a day as well as types of sleep health parameters. Additionally, greater SCT during the day was associated with lower SQ that night (b = -0.010; P = .018), and greater SQ was associated with greater MVPA during school hours (b = 6.45; P = .028) and lower SED after school hours (b = -39.85; P = .029) the next day. Lastly, there were significant indirect associations of SCT with sleep health parameters across the days indicating multi-day lagged effects of SCT on sleep health the later nights. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of lowering SCT for better sleep health in adolescents during school days. Additionally, perceived SQ is shown to be a potential significant predictor promoting healthy behaviors the next day independent of sleep-wake patterns. Further studies are warranted to confirm the observed temporal associations between SCT, SQ, and behavioral outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Lipopeptide families at the interface between pathogenic and beneficial Pseudomonas-plant interactions

Abstract Lipopeptides (LPs) are a prominent class of molecules among the steadily growing spectrum of specialized metabolites retrieved from Pseudomonas, in particular soil-dwelling and plant-associated isolates. Among the multiple LP families, pioneering research focussed on phytotoxic and antimicrobial cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) of the ubiquitous plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae (syringomycin and syringopeptin). Their non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are embedded in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that are tightly co-clustered on a pathogenicity island. Other members of the P. syringae group (Pseudomonas cichorii) and some species of the Pseudomonas asplenii group and Pseudomonas fluorescens complex have adopted these biosynthetic strategies to co-produce their own mycin and peptin variants, in some strains supplemented with an analogue of the P. syringae linear LP (LLP), syringafactin. This capacity is not confined to phytopathogens but also occurs in some biocontrol strains, which indicates that these LP families not solely function as general virulence factors. We address this issue by scrutinizing the structural diversity and bioactivities of LPs from the mycin, peptin, and factin families in a phylogenetic and evolutionary perspective. BGC functional organization (including associated regulatory and transport genes) and NRPS modular architectures in known and candidate LP producers were assessed by genome mining.
Estimating prevalence and incidence of sexually transmitted infections among South African women: Implications of combined impacts of risk factors

In addition to being the epicentre of the HIV epidemic, South Africa also has the highest burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world. Therefore, understanding the most influential risk factors of STIs is a research priority. Using the data from 9948 women who resided in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, we estimated the population attributable risk to quantify the combined impacts of the most influential factors on STI diagnosis. Overall STI prevalence was 20%, and STI incidence was 15 per 100 person-years. Four factors: age at sexual debut, single/not cohabiting, two or more sex partners and parity <3 were identified as the most influential risk factors for STI prevalence and incidence rates. However, these factors collectively associated with only 51% and 53% of the excess STI prevalence and incidence rates, respectively. These relatively modest impacts provide empirical evidence for the significant impacts of unmeasured factors on STIs. Culturally and socially appropriate prevention programs may be more effective to target those at highest risk of STIs.
Autonomic control of inflammation

Substantial evidence has long suggested that various aspects of the immune system are affected by the activity of the nervous system. However, how the inputs from the nervous system are converted into the outputs from the immune system had been largely unclear. Studies in the past decade revealed the cellular and molecular basis by which inputs from the autonomic and somatosensory nervous systems control the development and functions of immune cells. The principal autonomic neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and noradrenaline, are involved in immune regulation in the context of inflammation through various molecular pathways. Circadian oscillations in the activity of the autonomic nervous system allow concerted actions of immune cells. In the present review, we integrate the current knowledge about the autonomic regulation of inflammatory responses, and provide pathophysiological and therapeutic implications.
Evolution of the United States Military Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Transport Team.

INTRODUCTION The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the care of critically ill adult patients has increased over the past decade. It has been utilized in more austere locations, to include combat wounded. The U.S. military established the Acute Lung Rescue Team in 2005 to transport and care for patients unable to be managed by standard medical evacuation resources. In 2012, the U.S. military expanded upon this capacity, establishing an ECMO program at Brooke Army Medical Center. To maintain currency, the program treats both military and civilian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all patients transported by the sole U.S. military ECMO program from September 2012 to December 2019. We analyzed basic demographic data, ECMO indication, transport distance range, survival to decannulation and discharge, and programmatic growth. RESULTS The U.S. military ECMO team conducted 110 ECMO transports. Of these, 88 patients (80%) were transported to our facility and 81 (73.6%) were cannulated for ECMO by our team prior to transport. The primary indication for ECMO was respiratory failure (76%). The range of transport distance was 6.5 to 8,451 miles (median air transport distance = 1,328 miles, median ground transport distance = 16 miles). In patients who were cannulated remotely, survival to decannulation was 76% and survival to discharge was 73.3%. CONCLUSIONS Utilization of the U.S. military ECMO team has increased exponentially since January 2017. With an increased tempo of transport operations and distance of critical care transport, survival to decannulation and discharge rates exceed national benchmarks as described in ELSO published data. The ability to cannulate patients in remote locations and provide critical care transport to a military medical treatment facility has allowed the U.S. military to maintain readiness of a critical medical asset.
Gender differences in attitudes towards a school-based smoking prevention intervention

Aims: There are well-known gender differences in smoking, including the pattern of use and the effectiveness of smoking prevention programs. However, little is known about the differences between boys and girls in their attitudes towards smoking prevention interventions. This study explores gender differences in attitudes towards a school-based intervention to prevent smoking. Methods: We used data from the X:IT II intervention study conducted in 46 Danish elementary schools. Results: Compared to boys, girls were more positive towards smoke-free school time, both concerning rules for teachers smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35–2.12) and for students smoking (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.13–1.76). No difference was observed in students signing the smoke-free agreement. However, a larger proportion of girls reported that the agreement was a good occasion to talk about smoking with their parents (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.13–1.76). Girls were also more positive towards the smoke-free curriculum (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.19–1.94). Conclusions: This study showed that girls were, overall, more positive towards the components of the smoking preventive intervention. Our findings highlight the importance of considering differences in intervention preferences for boys and girls in future health prevention initiatives.
Renal hyperfiltration as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease: A health checkup cohort study

Introduction Renal hyperfiltration (RHF) has been found to be an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcome. However, it remains uncertain whether it is precursor of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a healthy population. Materials and methods To determine relative risks and identify the predictor of incident proteinuria and decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in subjects with RHF. A total of 55,992 subjects aged ≥20 years who underwent health check-up during 2004–2017 were included. Among them, 16,946 subjects who completed at least two health checkups were analyzed. Results A total of 949 (5.6%) subjects developed proteinuria and 98 (0.6%) subjects showed ≥ 30% of eGFR decline. The risk of incident proteinuria was significantly higher in those with RHF (RR: 1.644; 95% CI: 1.064–2.541). Those with RHF showed 8.720 fold (95% CI: 4.205–18.081) increased risk for ≥30% decline. ESR, CRP, and monocyte count showed reversed J shaped curve according to the increase of eGFR. The adjusted mean of monocyte count was significantly higher in participants with eGFR ≥90ml/min/1.73m2 or < 60ml/min/1.73m2 compared to that in patients with eGFR 75-89ml/min/1.73m2. Compared to subjects with the lowest tertile of monocyte and no RHF, those with the highest tertile of monocyte count in the RHF group had 3.314-fold (95% CI: 1.893–5.802) higher risk of incident proteinuria and 3.822-fold (95% CI, 1.327–11.006) risk of 30% eGFR decline. Conclusions RHF had significantly increased risk of developing proteinuria and CKD in healthy subjects. Higher monocyte count might be used as a predictor of CKD in subjects with RHF.