Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Burden of and risk factors for sexual violence among women with and without disabilities in two sub-Saharan African countries

ABSTRACT Background Available data suggest that women with disabilities have an increased risk of sexual violence, but little is known about the situation of those women living in resource-limited settings. Objectives To assess the burden and examine the drivers of sexual violence among women with disabilities. Methods This is a pooled analysis of two population-based surveys conducted in Cameroon and Burundi. Adults with and without disabilities were randomly recruited from the general population. Structured interviews were conducted at both sites to collect data on participants’ functional limitations, life-course history of sexual violence, education, employment, and resources. Only women with disabilities whose impairments started before the age of 10 years (n = 359) and women without disabilities (n = 720) are included in this analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence of violence was computed, and risk factors were assessed using a discrete survival regression and mediation analysis. Results At both sites, the participants with disabilities had a lower education level and had an increased risk of food insecurity. The pooled age-adjusted prevalence of lifetime sexual violence was 19.8% (95%CI:15.3–24.3) among women with disabilities and 11.7% (95%CI:9.3–14.1) among those without disabilities (ORap: 2.0, 95%CI:1.4–2.8). Women with cognitive limitations and those with visual impairments had the highest risk of sexual violence (ORap: 3.5 (95%CI:2.0–6.3) and 2.7 (95%CI:1.4–5.0), respectively). Over the life course, the risk of sexual violence was especially high among women with disabilities who had lived with an intimate partner before the age of 25 years (p < 0.001). Education level mediated approximately one-third of the total association between disability and sexual violence (p = 0.001). There was no evidence of an indirect effect through food insecurity. Conclusion This study provides evidence of the high burden of sexual violence among women with disabilities who live in urban African contexts. The social environment and access to education may be key contributors to this vulnerability.
Defining competencies for nurse anaesthetists: A Delphi study

Abstract Aim To define the competencies of nurse anaesthetists in the hospitals of Catalonia on the basis of their clinical practice through a consensus‐building process. Design We used the Delphi method to determine consensus among a group of 16 nurse anaesthetists. Methods Between February and June 2020, we administered a questionnaire of 142 questions distributed among seven domains: expert, communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar and professional. Two rounds were conducted. Results In round 1, 18 competencies were discarded and nine had inconclusive results. Eighteen competencies were proposed by participants. The nine competencies with inconclusive results and the 18 newly proposed competencies were considered in round 2. In round 2, three of these 27 competencies tested were discarded, and consensus was reached on the other 24. Conclusion Health education and the empowerment of the patient and family are fundamental pillars in the practice of nurse anaesthetists in Spain, especially in pre‐anaesthetic assessment and pain care. These areas of practice can help define competencies in other countries where the profession of nurse anaesthetist is less developed. Impact The lack of regulation of the competencies of nurse anaesthetists leads to great variability in training and practice. The results can help in their standardization in Spain and in other countries lacking regulation. Our approach can also help policymakers and hospital administrators in health systems that are undergoing the process of regulation. The regulation of the competencies of nurse anaesthetists will allow them to contribute their expertise to the health‐illness continuum, increasing safety and improving the quality of care.
Risk Assessment and QbD-Based Optimization of Sorafenib Tosylate Colon Targeted Bilayer Tablet: In Vitro Characterization, In Vivo Pharmacokinetic, and In Vivo Roentgenography Studies

The employment of site-specific administration in colon is a promising technique to improve efficacy and reduce systemic side effects of anticancer medications used in colorectal cancer. However, the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and colonic environment limit the efficient delivery of orally administered anticancer drugs to the colon. These prerequisites can be fulfilled by a release modulated colon targeted drug delivery system (CTDDS) based on pH-dependent chronotherapeutic bilayer tablet of sorafenib tosylate (ST). Quality by design (QbD) was used to examine the risk assessment. The Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the core uncoated bilayer tablet, whereas the 22 factorial design was used to optimize the coating process. The amount of croscarmellose sodium, Eudragit® RLPO, and tablet hardness all had a significant impact on disintegration time and drug release, according to the results of the core uncoated bilayer optimization. The amount of Eudragit® S 100 and PEG 400 in the final coated tablet had a considerable impact on drug release. The optimized formulation demonstrated 5-h lag time, a peculiar feature of CTDDS. The pharmacokinetic studies of coated tablet in rabbits showed lower Cmax (4.45 ± 0.40 µg/mL) and AUC (148.52 ± 3.96 h µg/mL), whereas Tmax was substantially delayed (8.0 ± 0.57 h) compared to core uncoated tablet. The tablet remained intact until it reached the colon (> 4 h), according to the in vivo roentgenography studies. The present study revealed that a QbD approach can be useful to develop a rugged and scalable CTDDS.
COVID-19 and cardiovascular manifestations.

OBJECTIVE The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19, a viral outbreak that started in December 2019, eventually lead to a worldwide pandemic. COVID-19 usually presents with flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, dry cough, fever, fatigue, myalgia, shortness of breath, diarrhea and loss of smell or taste. However, it can also have major effects on the cardiovascular system. Based on the available relevant literature, we aimed to elaborate the possible mechanisms influencing cardiovascular damage, myocardial injury and thromboembolic disease process in particular. MATERIALS AND METHODS After considering our inclusion and exclusion criteria, the systematic review included 8 studies in total. RESULTS In general, underlying cardiovascular diseases were associated with poorer clinical outcomes. This may be due to immunological dysregulation. The disease outcomes were also positively correlated with the severity of the disease, especially with myocardial injury. Thus, cardiac biomarkers, such as Troponin T, CK-MB and myoglobin could be utilized in prediction algorithms for deciphering the clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS Venous thromboembolisms were commonly encountered complications despite the administration of thromboprophylaxis, and they mostly presented as pulmonary embolisms, warranting the need for relevant investigations in hemodynamically unstable patients. However, more studies need to be conducted to better understand the mechanisms at play and the ensuing complications, to better treat COVID-19 patients.
Prevalence and Signi cance of Serum 14-3-3η in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Iris Reyhan (  irisreyhan@gmail.com ) University of Southern California: Children's Hospital of Los Angeles https://orcid.org/0000-0002-79170402 Olga S. Zhukov Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Robert J. Lagier Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Robert F. Bridgeforth Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Gary J. Williams Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Joanna M. Popov Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Stanley J. Naides Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Andreas Reiff Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
An autopsy case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with striatonigral and pallidoluysian degeneration and cat's‐eye‐shaped neuronal nuclear inclusions

We report the case of a Japanese woman with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) of 28 months’ duration who died at the age of 66 years. Postmortem examination revealed moderate loss of neurons and phosphorylated TDP‐43 (p‐TDP‐43)‐immunoreactive neuronal and glial cytoplasmic inclusions in the upper and lower motor neurons. Additionally, marked neuronal loss was observed in the neostriatum, globus pallidum, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra. p‐TDP‐43‐immunoreactive inclusions were frequently found in these areas. Neuronal loss and TDP‐43 pathology in the motor, striatonigral, and pallidoluysian systems were predominant on the right side. Moreover, p‐TDP‐43‐immunoreactive cat's‐eye‐shaped neuronal nuclear inclusions (NNIs) were observed in the affected lesions. NNIs in the striatonigral system were also positive for valosin‐containing protein (VCP). We diagnosed the patient as having ALS with striatonigral and pallidoluysian degeneration. Patients with ALS rarely experience pallido‐nigro‐luysian degeneration. To our best knowledge, only one case of ALS combined with striatonigral and pallidoluysian degeneration has been reported. Neuronal loss in the striatonigral and/or pallidoluysian systems has also been reported in patients with ALS with multisystem degeneration accompanied by long‐term use of an artificial respirator. Based on these findings, a possibility of an extremely rare subtype of ALS demonstrating selective loss of neurons in the striatonigral and pallidoluysian systems exists; another possibility is that this type could be an early stage or forme fruste of ALS with multisystem degeneration. Although VCP‐positive cat's‐eye‐shaped NNIs have been reported in spinocerebellar ataxia type‐2 cases, our case report presents VCP‐positive NNIs in a patient with ALS for the first time.
Low-Dose CT Imaging of the Pelvis in Follow-up Examinations—Significant Dose Reduction and Impact of Tin Filtration

Objectives Low-dose (LD) computed tomography (CT) is still rarely used in musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology. This study evaluates the potentials of LD CT for follow-up pelvic imaging with special focus on tin filtration (Sn) technology for normal and obese patients with and without metal implants. Materials and Methods In a phantom study, 5 different LD and normal-dose (ND) CT protocols with and without tin filtration were tested using a normal and an obese phantom. Iterative reconstruction (IR) and filtered back projection (FBP) were used for CT image reconstruction. In a subsequent retrospective patient study, ND CT images of 45 patients were compared with follow-up tin-filtered LD CT images with a 90% dose reduction. Sixty-four percent of patients contained metal implants at the follow-up examination. Computed tomography images were objectively (image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR], dose-normalized contrast-to-noise ratio [CNRD]) and subjectively, using a 6-point Likert score, evaluated. In addition, the figure of merit was calculated. For group comparisons, paired t tests, Wilcoxon signed rank test, analysis of variance, or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used, where applicable. Results The LD Sn protocol with 67% dose reduction resulted in equal values in qualitative (Likert score) and quantitative image analysis (image noise) compared with the ND protocol in the phantom study. For follow-up examinations, dose could be reduced up to 90% by using Sn LD CT scans without impairment in the clinical study. However, metal implants resulted in a mild impairment of Sn LD as well as ND CT images. Cancellous bone (P < 0.001) was assessed worse and cortical bone (P = 0.063) equally in Sn LD CT images compared with ND CT images. Figure of merit values were significant (P ≤ 0.02) lower and hence better in Sn LD as in ND protocols. Obese patients benefited in particular from tin filtration in LD MSK imaging in terms of image noise and CNR (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Low-dose CT scans with tin filtration allow maximum dose reduction while maintaining high image quality for certain clinical purposes, for example, follow-up examinations, especially metal implant position, material loosening, and consolidation controls. Overweight patients benefit particularly from tin filter technology. Although metal implants decrease image quality in ND as well as in Sn LD CT images, this is not a relevant limitation for assessability.
Exonic deletions in IMMP2L in schizophrenia with enhanced glycation stress subtype

We previously identified a subtype of schizophrenia (SCZ) characterized by increased plasma pentosidine, a marker of glycation and oxidative stress (PEN-SCZ). However, the genetic factors associated with PEN-SCZ have not been fully clarified. We performed a genome-wide copy number variation (CNV) analysis to identify CNVs associated with PEN-SCZ to provide an insight into the novel therapeutic targets for PEN-SCZ. Plasma pentosidine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in 185 patients with SCZ harboring rare CNVs detected by array comparative genomic hybridization. In three patients with PEN-SCZ showing additional autistic features, we detected a novel deletion at 7q31.1 within exons 2 and 3 of IMMP2L, which encodes the inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2. The deletion was neither observed in non-PEN-SCZ nor in public database of control subjects. IMMP2L is one of the SCZ risk loci genes identified in a previous SCZ genome-wide association study, and its trans-populational association was recently described. Interestingly, deletions in IMMP2L have been previously linked with autism spectrum disorder. Disrupted IMMP2L function has been shown to cause glycation/oxidative stress in neuronal cells in an age-dependent manner. To our knowledge, this is the first genome-wide CNV study to suggest the involvement of IMMP2L exons 2 and 3 in the etiology of PEN-SCZ. The combination of genomic information with plasma pentosidine levels may contribute to the classification of biological SCZ subtypes that show additional autistic features. Modifying IMMP2L functions may be useful for treating PEN-SCZ if the underlying biological mechanism can be clarified in further studies.
Using an Extended Technology Acceptance Model to Evaluate Digital Health Services

The evaluation of digital health services is concerned with assessing user satisfaction, improving the quality of health services and drawing useful conclusions regarding the factors that affect citizens' acceptance and intention to use digital health services. This paper proposes a model for evaluating a health digital service, that of, the Personal Health Insurance Record (PHIR), delivered by the Greek Organization for the Health Care Provision. The proposed model is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), enhanced with two additional factors: a) user satisfaction and b) safety-privacy. The analysis of the results highlighted that the intention to use is significantly affected by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, user satisfaction and safety-privacy. Parameters such as age and familiarity with the use of e-services also seem to determine the intention to use.
Percutaneously placed lumbar interspinous stabilization devices - a review of current clinical research.

OBJECTIVE There are generally two categories of interspinous stabilization devices widely used in clinics: (1) Static spacing systems, such as X-STOP, Wallis. (2) Dynamic stabilization systems, such as Coflex, DIAM, stenofix. However, with the advancement of minimally invasive techniques, interspinous stabilization devices paced through percutaneous minimally invasive approach have been invented and applied in daily clinic. Its advantages, such as simple operation, small trauma and short hospitalization time are gradually recognized by doctors and patients. Percutaneous minimally invasive approach will become the future direction in the field of interspinous stabilization devices. This paper therefore reviewed the current clinical research progress of interspinous stabilization devices performed under percutaneous minimally invasive approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched studies related to percutaneously placed lumbar interspinous stabilization devices from PubMed, since January 1, 2007. RESULTS The main types and characteristics of currently used and percutaneously placed interspinous stabilization devices were summarized. Meanwhile, clinical studies relevant to currently used and percutaneously placed interspinous stabilization devices were also summarized. CONCLUSIONS The future of interspinous stabilization devices is bright, we would like to see more advanced and newly invented percutaneously placed interspinous stabilization devices, meanwhile, it is fundamentally crucial to enroll more clinical studies with long-term follow-up to determine the best indications for each device therefore to achieve more satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Benefits and Challenges of Assistance Dogs for Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum: Mothers’ Perspectives

Assistance dogs are a potential intervention for families of children on the autism spectrum to support participation. However, the lived experience of families with new assistance dogs has not previously been explored. This study described the expectations, benefits, and challenges of assistance dog ownership for families of children on the autism spectrum. Data were collected from four mothers through semi-structured interviews and photovoice prior to assistance dog placement and following 6 months of ownership. Findings indicated assistance dog ownership enhanced the child’s self-regulation and socialization, and increased participation in daily routines. Having an assistance dog also enhanced participation in family outings and activities. Challenges included the adjustment period and the lack of public awareness of autism assistance dogs.
Hemodynamic changes during conventional and daylight photodynamic therapy of actinic keratoses – a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for actinic keratosis (AK). However, pain and hypertension are important side effects of conventional PDT (c-PDT). Several studies have demonstrated that daylight PDT (dl-PDT) is less painful while being as effective as c-PDT. Objective To observe the effect of c-PDT and dl-PDT on different hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation). Methods Fifty patients with AK on the head were enrolled into this prospective, randomized, controlled study and treated with c-PDT or dl-PDT in a 1:1 ratio. Hemodynamic parameters were measured at four different time points during treatment. Pain was quantified using a visual analog scale. AK was counted before treatment and after one month. Results C-PDT is associated with significantly more pain, a significant increase in blood pressure and a higher rate of patients with grade 3 hypertension. Whereas dl-PDT is almost painless and does not lead to any changes in hemodynamic parameters. For both treatments, a similar lesion response rate was found after one month. Conclusions dl-PDT has a better tolerability while being as effective as c-PDT and therefore may be the more favorable treatment option in certain patient groups.
Reversal of viral and epigenetic HLA class I repression in Merkel cell carcinoma

Cancers avoid immune surveillance through an array of mechanisms, including perturbation of HLA class I antigen presentation. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive, HLA-I–low, neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin often caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Through the characterization of 11 newly generated MCC patient-derived cell lines, we identified transcriptional suppression of several class I antigen presentation genes. To systematically identify regulators of HLA-I loss in MCC, we performed parallel, genome-scale, gain- and loss-of-function screens in a patient-derived MCPyV-positive cell line and identified MYCL and the non-canonical Polycomb repressive complex 1.1 (PRC1.1) as HLA-I repressors. We observed physical interaction of MYCL with the MCPyV small T viral antigen, supporting a mechanism of virally mediated HLA-I suppression. We further identify the PRC1.1 component USP7 as a pharmacologic target to restore HLA-I expression in MCC.
Consequences of incorrect genetic parameter estimates for single-trait and multi-trait genetic evaluations in honeybees.

Genetic and residual variances of traits are important input parameters for best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) breeding value estimation. In honeybees, estimates of these variances are often associated with large standard errors, entailing a risk to perform genetic evaluations under wrong premises. The consequences hereof have not been sufficiently studied. In particular, there are no adequate investigations on this topic accounting for multi-trait selection or genetic peculiarities of the honeybee. We performed simulation studies and explored the consequences of selection for honeybee populations with a broad range of true and assumed genetic parameters. We found that in single-trait evaluations, the response to selection was barely compromised by assuming erroneous parameters, so that reductions in genetic progress after 20 years never exceeded 21%. Phenotypic selection appeared inferior to BLUP selection, particularly under low heritabilities. Parameter choices for genetic evaluation had great effects on inbreeding development. By wrongly assuming high heritabilities, inbreeding rates were reduced by up to 74%. When parallel selection was performed for two traits, the right choice of genetic parameters appeared considerably more crucial as several incorrect premises yielded inadvertent negative selection for one of the traits. This phenomenon occurred in multiple constellations in which the selection traits expressed a negative genetic correlation. It was not reflected in the estimated breeding values. Our results indicate that breeding efforts heavily rely on detailed knowledge on genetic parameters, particularly when multi-trait selection is performed. Thus, considerable effort should be invested into precise parameter estimations.
Polydatin alleviates osteoporosis by enhancing the osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a severe degenerative chronic metabolic bone disease associated with high fracture risk. Polydatin (PD), a major bioactive component of Polygonum cuspidatum, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the anti-osteoporotic activity of PD in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanisms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An osteoporosis mouse model was established using OVX mice. OVX mice were then administered 10 or 40 mg/kg of PD for 60 days. Micro-CT and three-point bending tests were used to determine the therapeutic activities of PD in OVX mice. H&E staining was used to determine whether PD induced hepatorenal toxicity. In addition, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the functionality of PD were elucidated. RESULTS: Micro-CT results showed that compared to control mice, the bone mass of OVX mice was significantly reduced due to estrogen deficiency; however, PD administration significantly elevated bone mass. Furthermore, PD substantially improved the trabecular microstructure parameters of the femur and enhanced bone strength compared with OVX mice. Hepatorenal toxicity was not observed in liver and kidney samples stained with H&E. PD significantly increased the proliferation of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells and upregulated the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers compared to those in controls, as determined by qRT-PCR and western blotting. CONCLUSIONS: PD exerted a significant anti-osteoporotic effect in OVX mice by promoting osteogenesis. PD has great potential as a therapeutic option for osteoporosis. Graphical Abstract https://www.europeanreview. org/wp/wp-content/uploads/GraphicalAbstract.tif.