Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized field trial comparing the efficacy of florfenicol and oxytetracycline in a natural outbreak of calf pneumonia using lung reaeration as a cure criterion

Abstract Background Respiratory infections are the main indication for antimicrobial use in calves. Optimal treatment duration currently is unknown, but shorter duration would likely decrease selection for antimicrobial resistance. Hypothesis/Objectives Determine differences in cure rate and healing time between animals treated with florfenicol and oxytetracycline in a natural outbreak of respiratory disease using reaeration observed on thoracic ultrasound examination as healing criterion. Animals Commercial farm housing 130, 3 to 9 month old Belgian blue beef calves. Methods Randomized clinical trial during an outbreak of respiratory disease. Metaphylactic treatment was initiated, randomly treating animals with either florfenicol or oxytetracycline. Ultrasonographic follow‐up was done the first day and every other day for a 14‐day period. At the individual animal level, treatment was discontinued when reaeration of the lungs occurred. Differences in cure rate and healing time were determined. Results Of the 130 animals studied, 67.7% developed a lung consolidation ≥0.5 cm. The mean ultrasonographic healing time was 2.5 days in the florfenicol group compared to 3.1 days in the oxytetracycline group (P = .04). After single treatment, 80.6% and 60.3% had no consolidations in the florfenicol and oxytetracycline groups, respectively (P = .01). A Mycoplasma bovis strain was genetically and phenotypically determined to be susceptible to both antimicrobials. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Ultrasonographic lung reaeration shows potential as a cure criterion to rationalize antimicrobial use for outbreaks of pneumonia. In our study, florfenicol resulted in a faster cure and higher reduction in antimicrobial usage than did oxytetracycline.
Incident infection during the first year of treatment – A comparison of clozapine and paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection

Background: To examine the risk of infection in patients prescribed clozapine compared with patients prescribed paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection (PPLAI). Method: A retrospective, 1-year, cohort study conducted on events occurring in eligible patients beginning treatment for the first time with clozapine or PPLAI between June 2017 and June 2019 in a UK mental health trust providing in-patient and out-patient services. Results: The study included 64 patients starting clozapine and 120 patients starting PPLAI. Incidence of infection was greater in clozapine starters than in PPLAI starters (28% vs 6%; p = 0.001; adjusted odds ratio 5.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15–15.76, p = 0.001). Infectious episodes in clozapine patients were not related to changes in neutrophil counts. Incident infection in the clozapine group was highest in the first 3 months of treatment. The most commonly reported infection in the clozapine group was chest infection; however, the majority of infections were non-chest-related. Conclusion: Patients starting clozapine showed a substantially increased likelihood of infection compared with patients starting PPLAI.
Loss of p19Arf promotes fibroblast survival during leucine deprivation

ABSTRACT Fibroblasts are quiescent and tumor suppressive in nature but become activated in wound healing and cancer. The response of fibroblasts to cellular stress has not been extensively investigated, however the p53 tumor suppressor has been shown to be activated in fibroblasts during nutrient deprivation. Since the p19 Alternative reading frame (p19Arf) tumor suppressor is a key regulator of p53 activation during oncogenic stress, we investigated the role of p19Arf in fibroblasts during nutrient deprivation. Here, we show that prolonged leucine deprivation results in increased expression and nuclear localization of p19Arf, triggering apoptosis in primary murine adult lung fibroblasts (ALFs). In contrast, the absence of p19Arf during long-term leucine deprivation resulted in increased ALF proliferation, migration and survival through upregulation of the Integrated Stress Response pathway and increased autophagic flux. Our data implicates a new role for p19Arf in response to nutrient deprivation. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Cognitive dysfunction and white matter hyperintensities in Fabry disease

Fabry disease (FD) is an X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder with multi‐system involvement including cerebrovascular disease. Patients with FD also have a high risk of ischaemic stroke and TIA. White matter hyperintensities are common, but their clinical impact on cognition remains uncertain. Previous studies have examined the neuropsychological profile of FD, but have been inconclusive in part due to methodological limitations including small sample sizes. We sought to address these limitations in a case‐control study of 26 patients with Fabry disease with mild to moderate disease symptoms matched with 18 healthy controls for age and premorbid intellectual level. We obtained detailed neuropsychological data and MRI neuroimaging data on the severity of white matter changes. Mood was accounted for as a possible confounder. Our results showed significant compromise of executive functions and information processing speed for the FD group. Error analyses suggested that the compromise of executive functions could not be entirely accounted for by slowed information processing speed. We demonstrated significant correlations between cognitive decline and the overall volume of white matter hyperintensities in the FD group. Our results point to significant compromise of cognition in FD even without stroke or mood difficulties. This suggests that neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation should be routinely offered to patients with FD.
Dendritic Polyglycerol‐Conjugated Gold Nanostars for Metabolism Inhibition and Targeted Photothermal Therapy in Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be responsible for tumor initiation, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence, which lead to treatment failure. Thus, developing effective CSC‐targeted therapeutic strategies is crucial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy. In this work, GNSs‐dPG‐3BP, TPP, and HA nanocomposite particles are developed by simultaneously conjugating hexokinase 2 (HK2) inhibitor 3‐bromopyruvate (3BP), mitochondrial targeting molecule triphenyl phosphonium (TPP), and CSCs targeting agent hyaluronic acid (HA) onto gold nanostars‐dendritic polyglycerol (GNSs‐dPG) nanoplatforms for efficient eradication of CSCs. The nanocomposite particles possess good biocompatibility and exhibit superior mitochondrial‐bound HK2 binding ability via 3BP to inhibit metabolism, and further induce cellular apoptosis by releasing the cytochrome c. Therefore, it enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of CSCs‐specific targeted photothermal therapy (PTT), and achieved a synergistic effect for the eradication of breast CSCs. After administration of the synergistic treatment, the self‐renewal of breast CSCs and the stemness gene expression are suppressed, CSC‐driven mammosphere formation is diminished, the in vivo tumor growth is effectively inhibited, and CSCs are eradicated. Altogether, GNSs‐dPG‐3BP, TPP, and HA nanocomposite particles have been developed, which will provide a novel strategy for precise and highly efficient targeted eradication of CSCs.
Combined lymph node transfer and suction‐assisted lipectomy in lymphedema treatment: A prospective study

Recent studies have analyzed the combination of suction‐assisted lipectomy (SAL) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) in lymphedema treatment, reporting positive outcomes. However, it is difficult to draw conclusions due to the heterogeneity of the studies. Aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of VLNT and SAL in lymphedema treatment.
Unraveling Crystallization Mechanisms and Electronic Structure of Phase‐Change Materials by Large‐Scale Ab Initio Simulations

Ge–Sb–Te (“GST”) alloys are leading phase‐change materials for digital memories and neuro‐inspired computing. Upon fast crystallization, these materials form rocksalt‐like phases with large structural and vacancy disorder, leading to an insulating phase at low temperature. Here, a comprehensive description of crystallization, structural disorder, and electronic properties of GeSb2Te4 based on realistic, quantum‐mechanically based (“ab initio”) computer simulations with system sizes of more than 1000 atoms is provided. It is shown how an analysis of the crystallization mechanism based on the smooth overlap of atomic positions kernel reveals the evolution of both geometrical and chemical order. The connection between structural and electronic properties of the disordered, as‐crystallized models, which are relevant to the transport properties of GST, is then studied. Furthermore, it is shown how antisite defects and extended Sb‐rich motifs can lead to Anderson localization in the conduction band. Beyond memory applications, these findings are therefore more generally relevant to disordered rocksalt‐like chalcogenides that exhibit self‐doping, since they can explain the origin of Anderson insulating behavior in both p‐ and n‐doped chalcogenide materials.
Modelling the association between biomarkers and clinical outcome: An introduction to nonlinear joint models

Nonlinear joint models are a powerful tool to precisely analyse the association between a nonlinear biomarker and a time‐to‐event process, such as death. Here, we review the main methodological techniques required to build these models and to make inferences and predictions. We describe the main clinical applications and discuss the future developments of such models.
Doing without the residential component of a blended postgraduate rural medical programme during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand: student perspectives

ABSTRACT Aim Rural-targeted postgraduate medical training is a key factor associated with entering rural practice. Rural health professionals often experience geographical and professional isolation, which can impact their training and education. In New Zealand, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, an established distance postgraduate rural medical programme replaced its in-person residentials with virtual workshops. This study aimed to gain insights into the student experience of the virtual workshops, with emphasis on exploring the effects of the absence of an in-person component. Method Qualitative exploratory design. All students who had completed a semester one 2020 University of Otago rural postgraduate module were invited by email to participate. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted by video-conference. A thematic analysis was conducted using a general inductive approach. Results Three themes captured the main issues. 1. Making sure everyone is in the same boat: the key roles of an in-person component were identified as consolidation of learning, benchmarking and connectedness. 2. Learning but not connecting: virtual workshops were well facilitated, allowed continuation of study and the convenience of staying home, however connectedness faded. 3. We’ve got to keep a human touch in a digital age: looking beyond the pandemic, opportunities for streamlining virtual content were identified, however there was concern around diminished communication and cultural aspects of learning and the absent connection with rural health services and communities. Conclusion A virtual workshop is valuable in the COVID-19 environment but does not replace an in-person component of a distance postgraduate training programme for rural medicine.
Same same, but different? The neurological presentation of wildtype transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis

Abstract Background Both hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis and wildtype transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis can be associated with neurological diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome and polyneuropathy. While ATTRv amyloidosis has been extensively studied, to date little is known about neurological complications of ATTRwt amyloidosis. In particular, the prevalence, pattern and extent of polyneuropathy and autonomic dysfunction has not been adequately investigated in the context of ATTRwt amyloidosis. To tackle this issue, we aimed to characterise the neurological presentation of ATTRwt amyloidosis and to compare between the presentations of ATTRv and ATTRwt amyloidoses. Patients and methods Between November 2019 and September 2020, we included 50 patients with ATTRwt amyloidosis in this cohort study. All patients presented to the amyloidosis centre in Berlin, Germany and underwent neurological, cardiological and radiological work-up including neurological examination, laboratory testing, nerve conduction studies (NCS), echocardiography and scintigraphy. Patients were screened for symptoms of autonomic dysregulation and a subgroup of patients underwent tilt-table testing for orthostatic dysregulation. Results The cohort included 46 men and 4 women; the mean age of the study participants was 80.6 (standard deviation [SD] ± 5.0) years. All patients showed signs of cardiomyopathy on echocardiography. Neurological examination revealed peripheral, symmetric and length-depended predominately sensory polyneuropathy in 74% (n = 37) of patients. Neuropathy impairment scores (NIS) ranged from 0 to 50 with an average score of 8.4 (SD ± 10.1) indicating mild to moderate impairment. 90% and 92% of patients were classified as FAP stage I and PND stage I, respectively. Unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was present in 70% (n = 35) and spinal stenosis was seen in 11% (n = 5) of patients. We detected a low rate of autonomic symptoms with a median COMPASS-31 total score of 18.4 points (IQR 32.4 points). Additional tilt-table testing of a subgroup of 8 patients yielded negative results for orthostatic intolerance. Conclusion Distal-symmetric, predominantly sensory polyneuropathy is a common neurological complication in ATTRwt amyloidosis besides carpal tunnel syndrome and spinal stenosis, further substantiating the systemic character of the disease. Compared to ATTRv amyloidosis, the severity of polyneuropathy in ATTRwt amyloidosis is milder and without relevant motor involvement. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction were not common in this cohort. Nevertheless, ATTRwt amyloidosis is a treatable disease and should be included in the differential diagnosis of sensory polyneuropathy in the elderly.
BNT162b2 post-exposure-prophylaxis against COVID-19

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, post-exposure-prophylaxis is not a practice. Following exposure, only patient isolation is imposed. Moreover, no therapeutic prevention approach is applied. We asked whether evidence exists for reduced mortality rate following post-exposure-prophylaxis. Methods: To estimate the effectiveness of post-exposure-prophylaxis, we obtained data from the Israeli Ministry of Health (MoH) registry. The study population consisted of Israeli residents aged 12 years and older, identified for the first time as PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2, between December 20th, 2020 (the beginning of the vaccination campaign) and October 7th, 2021. We compared 'recently injected' patients - that proved PCR-positive on the same day or on one of the five consecutive days after first vaccination (representing an unintended post-exposure-prophylaxis), to unvaccinated control group. Results: Among Israeli residents identified PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2, 11,690 were found positive on the day they received their first vaccine injection (BNT162b2) or on one of the 5 days thereafter. In patients over 65 years, 143 deaths occurred among 1413 recently injected (10.12%) compared to 280 deaths among the 1413 unvaccinated (19.82%), odd ratio (OR) 0.46 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.36 to 0.57; P<0.001). The most significant reduction in the death toll was observed among the 55 to 64 age group, with 8 deaths occurring among the 1322 recently injected (0.61%) compared to 43 deaths among the 1322 unvaccinated control (3.25%), OR 0.18 (95% CI, 0.07 to 0.39; P<0.001). Conclusion: Post-exposure-prophylaxis is effective against death in COVID-19 infection. Israeli MoH Registry Number: HMO-0372-20
Sleep and circadian indices for planning post-pandemic university timetables

The aims of the present study were to obtain sleep quality and sleep timing information in a group of university students, and to evaluate the effects of a circadian hygiene education initiative. All students of the University of Padova (approximately 64,000) were contacted by e-mail (major campaigns in October 2019 and October 2020) and directed to an ad hoc website for collection of demographics and sleep quality/timing information. Participants (n=5740) received one of two sets of circadian hygiene advice ('A regular life' or 'Bright days and dark nights'). Every month, they were then asked how easy it had been to comply, and provided with the advice again. At any even month from joining, they completed the sleep quality/timing questionnaires again. Information on academic performance was obtained post hoc, together with representative samples of lecture (n=5972) and exam (n=1800) timings, plus lecture attendances (n=25,302). 52% of students had poor sleep quality and 82% showed signs of sleep deprivation. Those who joined in October 2020, after several months of lockdown and distance learning, had better sleep quality, less sleep deprivation and later sleep habits. The 'Bright days and dark nights' advice resulted in earlier get-up time/midsleep compared to the 'A regular life' advice. Significant changes in most sleep quality and sleep timing variables were observed in both advice groups over time, also in relation to pandemic-related events characterising 2020. Early-chronotype students had better academic performances compared to their later chronotype counterparts. In a multivariate model, sleep quality, chronotype and study subject were independent predictors of academic performance. Taken together, these results underlie the importance of designing circadian-friendly university timetables.
The Stata Journal Editors’ Prize 2021: Mark E. Schaffer

Mark Edwin Schaffer was born in 1959 and grew up in New Jersey and Arizona. He received an AB degree in social studies magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1982 and master’s and PhD degrees in economics from the London School of Economics (LSE), Stanford, and LSE again. After teaching and research posts at Sussex and LSE, Schaffer joined Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh in 1995. He has since occupied many senior management, research, and consultancy roles at Heriot-Watt, across consortia of Scottish universities, and internationally. Honors include election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2009 and as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2017.
Effect of a diffractive grid applied to laryngeal images with squamous cell carcinoma tumor

This work reports to the development of a metric system which is able to detect the glottic squamous cell carcinoma tumor and establish its position. It was observed that the images of the glottis, seen through an endoscope, are shaped according to their geometric characteristics and by shades of color and brightness. Thus, by superimposing the metric of a diffractive grid with light spots on images containing the glottic region, the position and attributes of the tumor can be quantified. Thus, by implement computer-aided diagnostic techniques, it is possible to extract features of the pathology, as well as minimize operational costs, compared to empirical experiments. To this end, this study was carried out by analyzing narrow-band endoscope sample images from 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma-like tumor confirmed on medical diagnosis. The light spot array was generated by a diffractive optical element, designed by an iterative Fourier-transform method. Images segmentation was based on methods of image filtering as well as on active contour region. By employing a 3 x 3 spot array it was possible to obtain ' 97 % tumor detection. The proposed metric system can be considered a powerful tool in order to assist in the prognosis of laryngeal pathologies by detecting attributes and position of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tumor.
Impacts of Improved Seed Maize Technology Adoption on Productivity and Technical Efficiency in Northern Ghana

Abstract Improved seed is one of the crucial ingredients for promoting agricultural productivity, farmers’ livelihood, and global food security. The present study uses an endogenous treatment regression model (ETRM) to evaluate the impacts of improved seed maize technology (ISMT) adoption on technical efficiency and productivity using data from maize farmers in northern Ghana. The findings show that ISMT adoption impacts positively on technical efficiency. Adoption of ISMT enhanced technical efficiency by 16.1% and increased maize productivity by 33.8%. The study recommends dissemination of improved maize seeds to farmers and other interventions such as provision of fertilizer to enhance farmers’ technical efficiency and productivity.
Innovative Paradigms for Supporting Privacy-Preserving Multidimensional Big Healthcare Data Management and Analytics: The Case of the EU H2020 QUALITOP Research Project

QUALITOP is an authoritative EU H2020 research project whose main goal consists in supporting big data management, analytics and predictive analytics over cancer patients treated by the innovative immunotherapy therapeutic approach, in order to study and support decision making processes about their Quality of Life (QoL). Within the QUALITOP big data lake, a critical requirement consists in supporting privacy-preserving multidimensional big healthcare data management and analytics , which is addressed via innovative paradigms. This paper presents some relevant innovations developed in the context of the latter research area, as contextualized to the QUALITOP project, with also an overview of possible research challenges for future efforts in the investigated field.
FRecs - Fairness, Diversity and Transparency in Health Recommenders: Challenges & Objectives

With the growing complexity of the available online information, users ﬁnd themselves overwhelmed by the mass of choices available. To facilitate users, recommender systems provide suggestions on interesting data items to them. Big data technology promises to improve people’s lives in this direction, by enhancing the discovery of interesting information. However, this technology, if not used responsibly, may lead to discrimination and amplify biases in the original data; so, recommendations may play an important role in guiding users’ decisions and forming opinions. In this paper, we focus on providing useful resources to patients that is essential in achieving the vision of participatory medicine. Speciﬁcally, the objective of FRecs is to create new algorithms for generating responsible recommendations, i.e., recommendations that ensure fairness, diversity and transparency. Producing responsible recommendations is timely due to the huge growth of big data technologies and the current debate on fairness and transparency in algorithmic decision making, yet is not well enough supported by existing models and algorithms.