Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Myxovirus resistance protein in birds showing different susceptibilities to highly pathogenic influenza virus

We compared the Mx expression and anti-viral function and the 3D structure of Mx protein in four species: chicken (Gallus gallus), whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), and rock dove (Columba livia). We observed different mortalities associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection to understand the relationship between Mx function as an immune response factor and HPAIV proliferation in bird cells. Different levels of Mx were observed among the different bird species after virus infection. Strong Mx expression was confirmed in the rock dove and whooper swan 6 hr after viral infection. The lowest virus copy numbers were observed in rock dove. The virus infectivity was significantly reduced in the BALB/3T3 cells expressing rock dove and jungle crow Mx. These results suggested that high Mx expression and significant Mx-induced anti-viral effects might result in the rock dove primary cells having the lowest virus copy number. Comparison of the expected 3D structure of Mx protein in all four bird species demonstrated that the structure of loop L4 varied among the investigated species. It was reported that differences in amino acid sequence in loop L4 affect antiviral activity in human and mouse cells, and a significant anti-viral effect was observed in the rock dove Mx. Thus, the amino acid sequence of loop L4 in rock dove might represent relatively high anti-viral activity.
The Path to and Impact of Disease Recognition with AI

The Process of rare disease identification by clinical geneticists is closely associated with the ability to correlate the phenotype of a patient with the relevant genetic syndromes. In order to perform this correlation, the phenotype has to be described in a canonical form or language. One such language is the human phenotype ontology, which defines the human phenotypes in a hierarchical form and facilitates the association between specific phenotypes and diseases. With such a structure, clinicians are able to evaluate the specific phenotypic features during the clinical evaluation process and then correlate those phenotypes to relevant diseases.
Red blood cell distribution width is associated with mortality after acute ischemic stroke: a cohort study and systematic review.

Background Whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke is inconclusive according to recent studies. We performed a cohort study and meta-analysis to explore the association between RDW and functional outcome. Methods Patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology within 24 hours of stroke onset between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 were enrolled. Blood was sampled within 24 hours after admission. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science databases up to Nov 2019 to identify studies investigating the association between RDW values and prognosis following stroke. Outcomes included 3-month death and poor functional outcome [defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥3]. Results We included 1,558 patients in cohort study. RDW was independently associated with 3-month death [odds ratio (OR), 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03, 1.37], but not associated with 3-month poor outcome (OR 1.05, 95% CI, 0.95, 1.16), after adjustment for confounders. A dose-dependent relationship between RDW levels and 3-month death was revealed in the restricted cubic spline plot. Seven observational studies with 4,407 patients were identified for systematic review. When combining our study and previous studies, the association was significant for RDW predicting death (5 studies with 3,366 patients, OR 1.25, 95% CI, 1.15, 1.35), as well as for poor outcome (4 studies with 3,483 patients, OR 1.23, 95% CI, 1.05, 1.44). Conclusions RDW was an independent predictor of 3-month functional outcome, and a trend of dose-dependent relationship between RDW and 3-month death was detected.
Amygdala-Based Altered miRNome and Epigenetic Contribution of miR-128-3p in Conferring Susceptibility to Depression-Like Behavior via Wnt Signaling

Abstract Background Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) can participate in depression pathogenesis by altering a host of genes that are critical in corticolimbic functioning. The present study focuses on examining whether alterations in the miRNA network in the amygdala are associated with susceptibility or resiliency to develop depression-like behavior in rats. Methods Amygdala-specific altered miRNA transcriptomics were determined in a rat depression model following next-generation sequencing method. Target prediction analyses (cis- and trans) and qPCR-based assays were performed to decipher the functional role of altered miRNAs. miRNA-specific target interaction was determined using in vitro transfection assay in neuroblastoma cell line. miRNA-specific findings from the rat in vivo model were further replicated in postmortem amygdala of major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects. Results Changes in miRNome identified 17 significantly upregulated and 8 significantly downregulated miRNAs in amygdala of learned helpless (LH) compared with nonlearned helpless rats. Prediction analysis showed that the majority of the upregulated miRNAs had target genes enriched for the Wnt signaling pathway. Among altered miRNAs, upregulated miR-128-3p was identified as a top hit based on statistical significance and magnitude of change in LH rats. Target validation showed significant downregulation of Wnt signaling genes in amygdala of LH rats. A discernable increase in expression of amygdalar miR-128-3p along with significant downregulation of key target genes from Wnt signaling (WNT5B, DVL, and LEF1) was noted in MDD subjects. Overexpression of miR-128-3p in a cellular model lead to a marked decrease in the expression of Dvl1 and Lef1 genes, confirming them as validated targets of miR-128-3p. Additional evidence suggested that the amygdala-specific diminished expression of transcriptional repressor Snai1 could be potentially linked to induced miR-128-2 expression in LH rats. Furthermore, an amygdala-specific posttranscriptional switching mechanism could be active between miR-128-3p and RNA binding protein Arpp21 to gain control over their target genes such as Lef1. Conclusion Our study suggests that in amygdala a specific set of miRNAs may play an important role in depression susceptibility, which could potentially be mediated through Wnt signaling.
Informed Consent in Two Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers: Insights From Research Coordinators

Abstract Background: Informed consent (IC) is critical to performing ethical research. Unfortunately, the IC process and supporting IC forms are frequently burdensome and do not necessarily meet the informational needs of participants. The intersecting legal and ethical challenges of obtaining IC from individuals with memory or cognitive deficits further exacerbate existing IC shortcomings. For this reason, study coordinators play a critical role in facilitating the IC process in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. To identify opportunities to improve how IC is obtained in AD research, we examined the IC process from the perspectives of study coordinators at two Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC). Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews with 15 study coordinators from two ADRC sites detailing their experience obtaining IC. Interviews were conducted in private, recorded, transcribed, and independently coded using the constant comparative method of grounded theory. Key themes were explored as they emerged. Results: Coordinators reported overall satisfaction with the IC process. However, many reported difficulties maintaining participant attention, explaining complex procedures, and addressing medical misinformation. Although the centers use site-specific consent forms, coordinators at both centers stressed that their IC is too long and the supporting IC forms are too complicated. Coordinators indicated modifying the IC process to the perceived needs of individual participants. Adaptations reported include altering the cadence and vocabulary they employ, using supplemental materials, varying the order of IC topics, and limiting the depth of information presented. Conclusion: A qualitative analysis of interviews with study coordinators reveals opportunities to improve how we obtain IC in AD research. These insights will be used to create an electronic informed consent (eConsent) designed to boost engagement, enhance trust, and improve understanding by supporting participants’ direct agency in the IC process.
Honeycomb-like MoS2 Nanotube Array-based Wearable Sensor for Non-Invasive Detection of Human Skin Moisture.

Technological advances in wearable electronics have driven the necessity of a highly sensitive humidity sensor that can precisely detect physiological signals from the human body in real time. Herein, we introduce the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) assisted MoS2 honeycomb structure (AMHS) as a resistive humidity sensor with superior sensing performance. The unique honeycomb-like structure consists of MoS2 nanotubes, which can amplify the sensing performance due to their open pores and wider surface absorption sites. The formation of uniform MoS2 nanotubes inside the AAO membrane was manipulated by the number of vacuum filtration cycles of the (NH4)2MoS4 solution. The proposed humidity sensor exhibits an elevated sensitivity that is two orders of magnitudes higher than the MoS2 film-based humidity sensor at the relative humidity (RH) range of 20 to 85%. Moreover, the sensor showed significantly faster response and recovery times of 0.47 and 0.81 s, respectively. In addition, we demonstrate the multi-functional applications such as non-contact sensation of human fingertips, human breath, speech recognition, and regional sweat rate, which show its promising potential for the next generation wearable sensors.
Vertical distribution of megafauna on the Bering Sea slope based on ROV survey

Video surveys were carried out during the 75th cruise of the RV Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev (June 2016) along the northern slope of the Volcanologists Massif, in the south-western Bering Sea. The seafloor was explored using the ROV Comanche 18. Seven dives were performed in the depth range from 4,278 m to 349 m. Overall, about 180 species of megafauna were recognised. Fifteen types of megafauna communities corresponding to certain depth ranges were distinguished based on the most abundant taxa. Dominance changed with depth in the following order: the holothurian Kolga kamchatica at the maximum depth (4,277–4,278 m); the holothurian Scotoplanes kurilensis at 3,610–2,790 m; the ophiuroid Ophiura bathybia at 3,030–2,910 m; benthic shrimps of the family Crangonidae at 2,910–2,290 m; the holothurian Paelopatides solea at 2,650–2,290 m; benthic jellyfish from the family Rhopalonematidae at 2,470–2,130 m; the enteropneust Torquaratoridae at 2,290–1,830 m; the holothurian Synallactes chuni and the ophiuroid of the genera Ophiura and Ophiocantha at 1,830–1,750 m. At depths 1,750–720 m most of the megafauna was associated with live or dead colonies of the sponge Farrea spp. Depths 720–390 m were dominated by the coral Heteropolypus ritteri and/or Corallimorphus pilatus. At 390–350 m depth, the shallowest depth range, the dominant taxon was the zoantharian Epizoanthus sp. Soft sediment megafauna communities dominated by torquaratorid enteropneusts to our knowledge have not been observed before in the deep-sea, the same as communities with a dominance of benthopelagic rhopalonematid jellyfish. The depths of the largest community changes, or the largest turnover of dominant species, were revealed at ∼2,790 m between the bathyal and abyssal zones and ∼1,750 m and ∼720 m within the bathyal zone.
Adults with cystic fibrosis: spiritual coping with lifelong disease

Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic life-shortening disease requiring significant coping. Spiritual belief relates to treatment behaviors. Little is known about spirituality’s role in adults diagnosed as children, nor how it compares with adults diagnosed as adults. Adults over 18 years, diagnosed as children completed a questionnaire; some were randomized to also participate in an interview or daily phone diary to measure adherence. Qualitative analyses of 25 adults are presented. Participants reframed their disease as part of a Divine Plan, in which Divine assistance was conditional upon adherence. Linear regression models of spiritual constructs on airway clearance, nebulized medication, and exercise are presented. Adults diagnosed as children related spirituality to CF in ways both consistent and different from adults diagnosed as adults. Spiritual beliefs were related to adherence determinants and intentions. Increased understanding of the relationship between spirituality and health behaviors is important to providing person-centered care.
Statistical methods and models in the analysis of time to event data.

Time to event data are common in medical research, where outcomes are the time until the occurrence of an event of interest that are subject to censoring. The main goal for the analysis of time to event data is to investigate the effects of covariates on the hazard for an event of interest and estimate the survival probability.
Associations Between Long‐Term Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Mortality in Heart Failure Patients

Background Environmental health risks for individuals with heart failure (HF) have been inadequately studied, as these individuals are not well represented in traditional cohort studies. To address this we studied associations between long‐term air pollution exposure and mortality in HF patients. Methods and Results The study population was a hospital‐based cohort of individuals diagnosed with HF between July 1, 2004 and December 31, 2016 compiled using electronic health records. Individuals were followed from 1 year after initial diagnosis until death or the end of the observation period (December 31, 2016). We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of annual average fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) exposure at the time of initial HF diagnosis with all‐cause mortality, adjusted for age, race, sex, distance to the nearest air pollution monitor, and socioeconomic status indicators. Among 23 302 HF patients, a 1 μg/m3 increase in annual average PM 2.5 was associated with an elevated risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.13; 95% CI, 1.10–1.15). As compared with people with exposures below the current national PM 2.5 exposure standard (12 μg/m3), those with elevated exposures experienced 0.84 (95% CI, 0.73–0.95) years of life lost over a 5‐year period, an observation that persisted even for those residing in areas with PM 2.5 concentrations below current standards. Conclusions Residential exposure to elevated concentrations of PM 2.5 is a significant mortality risk factor for HF patients. Elevated PM 2.5 exposures result in substantial years of life lost even at concentrations below current national standards.
Influence of Women’s Empowerment on Place of Delivery in North Eastern and Western Kenya: A Cross-sectional Analysis of the Kenya Demographic Health Survey

Background: Labor and delivery under the supervision of a skilled birth attendant have been shown to promote positive maternal and neonatal outcomes; yet, more than a third of births in Kenya occur outside a health facility. We investigated the association between measures of women’s empowerment and health facility-based delivery in Northeastern and Western Kenya. Methods: Analysis of 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data was conducted. Logistic regression adjusting for demographic factors, contraceptive use, and comprehensive HIV knowledge was used to assess the influence of the validated African Women’s Empowerment Index-East (AWEI-E) on the likelihood of women’s most recent birth having occurred in a health facility versus at home. Additionally, we explored the mediating effect of contraceptive use on women’s empowerment and health facility-based delivery. Results: Compared to respondents with low or moderate empowerment scores, those with high empowerment scores were more likely to have given birth at a health facility [odds ratio (OR) = 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30, 2.51], although this effect was null in the adjusted model (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.58, 1.45). Respondents with a recent facility birth (n = 372/836) were more likely to have high household-level wealth (40.9% vs 8.6%, p < 0.001) and use a contraceptive method (44.9% vs 27.4%, p < 0.001) than those without facility-based delivery. Current contraceptive use mediated 26.8% of the effect of empowerment on the odds of facility-based delivery. Conclusion: Women’s empowerment, and its comprising three domains as measured by the AWEI-E, may be insufficient to overcome barriers to facility-based delivery for women in North Eastern or Western Kenya. High women’s empowerment is strongly associated with current contraceptive use, which may inform pregnancy planning and location of delivery. Alternatively, higher empowered women who delivered at a facility may have been offered contraceptives at the time of delivery. Future research targeting these regions should explore culturally acceptable approaches to broadening access to skilled supervision of labor.
Longitudinal Care Cascade Outcomes Among People Eligible for Antiretroviral Therapy Who Are Newly Linking to Care in Zambia: A Multistate Analysis

Abstract Background Retention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care is dynamic, with patients frequently transitioning in and out of care. Analytical approaches (eg, survival analyses) commonly used to assess HIV care cascade outcomes fail to capture such transitions and therefore incompletely represent care outcomes over time. Methods We analyzed antiretroviral therapy (ART)-eligible adults newly linking to care at 64 clinics in Zambia between 1 April 2014 and 31 July 2015. We used electronic medical record data and supplemented these with updated care outcomes ascertained by tracing a multistage random sample of patients lost to follow-up (LTFU, >90 days late for last appointment). We performed multistate analyses, incorporating weights from sampling, to estimate the prevalence of 9 care states over time since linkage with respect to ART initiation, retention in care, transfers, and mortality. Results In sum, 23 227 patients (58% female; median age 34 years [interquartile range 28–41]) were ART-eligible at enrollment. At 1 year, 75.2% had initiated ART and were in care: 61.8% were continuously retained, 6.1% had reengaged after LTFU, and 7.3% had transferred. Also, 10.1% were LTFU within 7 days of enrollment, and 15.2% were LTFU at 1 year (6.7% prior to ART). One year after LTFU, 51.6% of those LTFU prior to ART remained out of care compared to 30.2% of those LTFU after initiating ART. Overall, 6.9% of patients had died by 1 year with 3.0% dying prior to ART. Conclusion Multistate analyses provide more complete assessments of longitudinal HIV cascade outcomes and reveal treatment gaps at distinct timepoints in care that will still need to be addressed even with universal treatment.
Safety and efficacy of custom foldable silicone artificial iris implantation: A prospective compassionate-use case series.

PURPOSE To assess the preliminary safety and efficacy of custom silicone artificial iris implantation. SETTING Stein Eye Institute. DESIGN Prospective consecutive case series. METHODS Review of medical records of patients implanted with the artificial iris and followed for 1 year. Safety measures included corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell count (ECC), surgical complications, secondary interventions, and adverse events (AEs). Efficacy measures included CDVA with glare, subjective daytime and nighttime glare graded from 0 to 10 (very significant), and subjective cosmetic appearance graded from 0 to 10 (very satisfied). RESULTS Twenty eyes (19 patients) were implanted. Safety data were mixed. CDVA improved in 13 eyes and worsened in 6. ECC decreased from 1918 ± 870 to 1405 ± 705 cells/mm (P = 0.02). Eight eyes experienced postoperative complications. There were 4 IOP elevations, 2 corneal decompensations, 1 case of cystoid macular edema, and 1 device dislocation. Four eyes underwent secondary surgical interventions including 2 AEs (1 glaucoma surgery, 1 device dislocation). Efficacy outcomes were excellent. CDVA with glare improved from 1.5 ± 0.6 to 0.7 ± 0.8 logMAR (P < 0.01). Mean subjective daytime glare decreased from 8.9 ± 1.8 to 2.7 ± 2.6 (P < 0.01) and nighttime glare decreased from 7.9 ± 1.8 to 2.5 ± 2.7 (P < 0.01). Mean cosmesis improved from 2.2 ± 1.6 to 8.8 ± 2.1 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Custom artificial iris implantation was moderately risky but very effective at reducing light and glare sensitivity and improving ocular cosmesis.
Risk of cognitive declines with retirement: Who declines and why?

Retiring is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline (e.g., Bonsang, Adam, & Perelman, 2012; Wickrama, O'Neal, Kwag, & Lee, 2013). However, little is known about the moderating role of motivational and demographic factors that are implicated in adaptive development and the retirement transition process. We used data from the Midlife in the United States Study (n = 732, Mage = 57, SD = 5.76, 50% female) to examine whether the association between retirement and cognitive decline depended on a key motivation factor (goal disengagement) in propensity score matched samples of older retirees and employees. We explored whether these effects were further moderated by gender. Results showed that those who retired (vs. remained employed) experienced steeper 9-year declines in episodic memory (b = -.41, p = .001) only if they were high in goal disengagement and female. Findings are consistent with theories of lifespan development and cognitive aging and provide initial evidence that retirement may be associated with increased cognitive declines for only certain individuals prone to disengage from highly challenging activities and goal pursuits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Single pedicle advancement flap for treatment of feline stenotic nares: technique and results in five cases

Objectives Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a common cause of upper airway obstruction in dogs, but is appreciated less commonly in cats. Of the components of BOAS, stenotic nares appear to play a major role in cats. However, the axial deviation of the alar wing, a common cause of nasal obstruction in dogs, is typically not present. We report a series of brachycephalic cats with a ventral nasal obstruction resulting from redundant skin along the floor of the nares. In these cats, surgical techniques developed for dogs were felt to be suboptimal. Our aim is to describe a novel surgical procedure designed specifically to surgically correct stenotic nares in cats with an obstructive fold of skin ventral to the nostril. Methods Five brachycephalic cats presenting for clinical signs of stenotic nares underwent surgical repair. In each case, a resection of the skin fold followed by a bilateral single pedicle advancement flap technique was performed. Postoperative outcomes were obtained by contacting owners by telephone. Results All cats had positive outcomes, resulting in immediate reduction of the nasal fold and opening of the nares. Owners noted resolution of stertor and no episodes of respiratory distress. No surgical complications were reported. Conclusions and relevance In brachycephalic cats, the ventral skin fold may be a significant contributor to stenotic nares, unlike dogs. Resection of the skin fold, followed by bilateral single pedicle advancement flaps is a novel technique and appeared to be successful for treating stenotic nares in this series of brachycephalic cats.