Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Working in Charcoal Factories on Selected Respiratory Parameters

Workers in charcoal factories are reported to develop respiratory problems. However, to date, no formal studies have been conducted on the effects this profession may have on respiratory health in Palestine. This study aims to determine the effects of working in charcoal factories on selected respiratory parameters. A case-control study consisted of 45 charcoal workers "cases" and 45 non-charcoal workers "controls". The working durations of cases were reported. Forced spirometry was used to measure the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). These values, alongside the FEV1/FVC ratios and prevalence of restrictive lung disease of the two groups were compared. The results show that there is a significant decrease in the FEV1 (p=0.015) and FVC (p=0.017) values in charcoal workers in comparison to non-workers. While the FEV1/FVC ratio is not significantly affected (p=0.088). The prevalence of restrictive lung pattern is 64.4% among charcoal workers, which is significantly higher than the control group (p=0.017). The severity of restricted lung disease increased with the increase in working duration. We conclude that working in charcoal factories resulted in significant negative changes in the spirometrical readings, and increasing prevalence of restrictive lung disease. ورد أن العاملون في مصانع الفحم النباتي تظهر لديهم مشاكل في الجهاز التنفسي. لكن حتى الآن، لم يتم عمل أية دراسات رسمية تثبت تأثير هذه المهنة على صحة الجهاز التنفسي. تسعى هذه الدراسة لإثبات تأثير العمل في مصانع الفحم النباتي على مقاييس تنفسية مختارة في فلسطين. تم تقسيم عينة الدراسة إلى مجموعتين, إحداهما تتكون من عمال مصانع الفحم النباتي، أخدين بعين الاعتبار سنوات العمل في تلك المصانع، والأخرى تتكون من أشخاص أصحاء غير عاملين في تلك المصانع. تم استعمال قياس التنفس القصري لحساب حجم الزفير القصري في الثانية الأولى(FEV1) والسعة الحيوية القصرية(FVC) . من ثم, تمت المقارنة بين هذه القيم المحسوبة بالإضافة إلى نسبة القيمتين(FEV1/FVC ratio) ومعدل انتشار أمراض الرئة التقييدية بين المجموعتين. أظهرت النتائج أن هناك انخفاضا بارزا في حجم الزفير القصري في الثانية الأولى(p = 0.015) وأيضاً في السعة الحيوية القصرية (p=0.017) في مجموعة العاملين مقارنة بغير العاملين، بينما لم يكن هناك اختلاف ذو قيمة في قيم النسبة بينهما (p = 0.088). كان معدل انتشار أمراض الرئة التقييدية بين العاملين 64.4%، وتعد هذه النسبة أعلى منها لدى غير العاملين بشكل بارز(p=0.017) . تبين أيضاً أن خطورة أمراض الرئة التقييدية تزداد بازدياد مدة العمل في مصانع الفحم النباتي. نستنتج أن العمل في مصانع الفحم النباتي يؤدي إلى تغييرات سلبية في قراءات المقاييس التنفسية بالإضافة إلى زيادة نسبة انتشار أمراض الرئة التقييدية.
Concordance Between Rapid On-Site Evaluation and Final Cytologic Diagnosis in Patients Undergoing Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging.

OBJECTIVES In patients with lung cancer undergoing mediastinal staging through endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), decisions are based on rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) findings. We aimed to analyze the concordance rate between ROSE diagnosis and final diagnosis. METHODS A prospective study was carried out in patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer staging. Diagnosis concordance was defined as cases where lymph nodes (LNs) presented the same diagnosis in ROSE and final diagnosis. Determinants of concordance were analyzed. RESULTS Sixty-four patients were included and 637 LNs sampled. ROSE diagnosis was concordant with final diagnosis in 612 (96.1%) LNs and nonconcordant in 25 (3.9%). Differences in the concordance rate were found between pathologists, ROSE diagnoses, presence of cell block, number of passes, and number of slides. The staging status was changed between ROSE and the final diagnosis in three (4.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS ROSE diagnosis has a high concordance with the final diagnosis.
Comparison of PNF Technique with NDS Technique for Hamstrings Tightness in Asymptomatic Subjects

Hamstring muscle is one of the most common muscles in the human body to undergo shortening. This can affect the normal biomechanics and lead to musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this study was to compare 2 techniques of stretching: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and Neurodynamics (NDS) for hamstring tightness. 60 asymptomatic subjects having an active knee extension lag of more than 200 were randomly divided in 2 groups and treated with PNF or NDS. The results of this study show that there was significant improvement in the hamstring flexibility with PNF as well as the NDS technique, however the improvement was more with PNF technique.
Prefrontal theta modulates sensorimotor gamma networks during the reorienting of attention

The ability to execute a motor plan involves spatiotemporally precise oscillatory activity in primary motor (M1) regions, in concert with recruitment of “higher order” attentional mechanisms for orienting toward current task goals. While current evidence implicates gamma oscillatory activity in M1 as central to the execution of a movement, far less is known about top‐down attentional modulation of this response. Herein, we utilized magnetoencephalography (MEG) during a Posner attention‐reorienting task to investigate top‐down modulation of M1 gamma responses by frontal attention networks in 63 healthy adult participants. MEG data were evaluated in the time–frequency domain and significant oscillatory responses were imaged using a beamformer. Robust increases in theta activity were found in bilateral inferior frontal gyri (IFG), with significantly stronger responses evident in trials that required attentional reorienting relative to those that did not. Additionally, strong gamma oscillations (60–80 Hz) were detected in M1 during movement execution, with similar responses elicited irrespective of attentional reorienting. Whole‐brain voxel‐wise correlations between validity difference scores (i.e., attention reorienting trials—nonreorienting trials) in frontal theta activity and movement‐locked gamma oscillations revealed a robust relationship in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and right cerebellum, suggesting modulation of these sensorimotor network gamma responses by attentional reorienting. Importantly, the validity difference effect in this distributed motor network was predictive of overall motor function measured outside the scanner and further, based on a mediation analysis this relationship was fully mediated by the reallocation response in the right IFG. These data are the first to characterize the top‐down modulation of movement‐related gamma responses during attentional reorienting and movement execution.
Hepatic Metabolic Derangements Triggered by Hyperthermia: An In Vitro Metabolomic Study

Background and aims: Liver toxicity is a well-documented and potentially fatal adverse complication of hyperthermia. However, the impact of hyperthermia on the hepatic metabolome has hitherto not been investigated. Methods: In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics was applied to assess the in vitro metabolic response of primary mouse hepatocytes (PMH, n = 10) to a heat stress stimulus, i.e., after 24 h exposure to 40.5 °C. Metabolomic profiling of both intracellular metabolites and volatile metabolites in the extracellular medium of PMH was performed. Results: Multivariate analysis showed alterations in levels of 22 intra- and 59 extracellular metabolites, unveiling the capability of the metabolic pattern to discriminate cells exposed to heat stress from cells incubated at normothermic conditions (37 °C). Hyperthermia caused a considerable loss of cell viability that was accompanied by significant alterations in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acids metabolism, urea cycle, glutamate metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and in the volatile signature associated with the lipid peroxidation process. Conclusion: These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying hyperthermia-induced hepatocellular damage.
Stringent response regulators (p)ppGpp and DksA positively regulate virulence and host adaptation of Xanthomonas citri

Summary The bacterial stringent response is a response to nutrition deprivation and other stress conditions. In Gram‐negative bacteria, this process is mediated by the small signal molecules guanosine pentaphosphate pppGpp and guanosine tetraphosphate ppGpp (collectively referred to as (p)ppGpp), and the RNA polymerase‐binding transcription factor DksA. The (p)ppGpp synthetase RelA and the bifunctional (p)ppGpp synthase/hydrolase SpoT are responsible for cellular (p)ppGpp levels. Here, we investigated the roles of DksA and (p)ppGpp in the virulence traits of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), the causal agent of citrus canker. ΔdksA and (p)ppGpp‐deficient ΔspoTΔrelA strains caused reduced virulence and compromised growth in host plants, indicating that DksA and (p)ppGpp are required for full virulence of Xcc. To characterize the effect of stringent response regulators on gene expression, RNA‐seq was conducted using ΔdksA and ΔspoTΔrelA mutant strains grown in hrp‐inducing XVM2 medium. Transcriptome analyses showed that DksA and (p)ppGpp repressed the expression of genes encoding tRNAs, ribosome proteins, iron acquisition and flagellum assembly, and enhanced the expression of genes for histidine metabolism, type 3 secretion system (T3SS), type 2 secretion system (T2SS) and TonB‐dependent transporters. Phenotypically, the ΔdksA and ΔspoTΔrelA strains displayed altered motility, enhanced siderophore production and were unable to cause the hypersensitive response on non‐host plants. In conclusion, stringent response regulators DksA and (p)ppGpp play an important role in virulence, nutrition uptake and host adaptation of Xcc.
iNOS Interacts with Autophagy Receptor p62 and is Degraded by Autophagy in Macrophages

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of inflammation response and the production of NO has been linked to a variety of diseases, including tumors, inflammation and central nervous system diseases. In macrophages, a high level of NO is generated by iNOS during inflammatory responses triggered by cytokines or pathogens. Autophagy, a cellular bulk degradation process via lysosome, has been implicated in many disease conditions including inflammation. In this study, we have reported the previously unknown role of autophagy in regulating iNOS levels in macrophages, both under basal and Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced conditions. Our data showed that iNOS levels accumulated upon autophagy inhibition and decreased upon autophagy induction. iNOS interacted and co-localized with autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1, especially under LPS-stimulated condition in macrophages. Moreover, the immunostaining data revealed that iNOS also co-localizes with the autophagosome marker LC3 and lysosome marker LAMP1, especially under lysosomal inhibition conditions, indicating iNOS is an autophagy substrate. Finally, we showed that autophagy negatively regulated the generation of NO in macrophages, which is consistent with the changes of iNOS levels. Collectively, our study revealed a previously unknown mechanism by which autophagy regulates iNOS levels to modulate NO production during inflammation.
Interspecies Comparison of the Bacterial Response to Allicin Reveals Species‐Specific Defense Strategies

Allicin, a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial agent from garlic, disrupts thiol and redox homeostasis, proteostasis, and cell membrane integrity. Since medicine demands antimicrobials with so far unexploited mechanisms, allicin is a promising lead structure. While progress is being made in unraveling its mode of action, little is known on bacterial adaptation strategies. Some isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli withstand exposure to high allicin concentrations due to as yet unknown mechanisms. To elucidate resistance and sensitivity‐conferring cellular processes, the acute proteomic responses of a resistant P. aeruginosa strain and the sensitive species Bacillus subtilis are compared to the published proteomic response of E. coli to allicin treatment. The cellular defense strategies share functional features: proteins involved in translation and maintenance of protein quality, redox homeostasis, and cell envelope modification are upregulated. In both Gram‐negative species, protein synthesis of the majority of proteins is downregulated while the Gram‐positive B. subtilis responded by upregulation of multiple regulons. A comparison of the B. subtilis proteomic response to a library of responses to antibiotic treatment reveals 30 proteins specifically upregulated by allicin. Upregulated oxidative stress proteins are shared with nitrofurantoin and diamide. Microscopy‐based assays further indicate that in B. subtilis cell wall integrity is impaired.
Measurement invariance tests of revisions to archaically worded items in the Mach IV scale

The Machiavellian IV [1] instrument, developed almost 50 years ago to measure trait Machiavellianism and still in wide use in personality research, uses item wording that is not gender-neutral, makes use of idiomatic expressions, and includes archaic references. In this two-sample study, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on one sample to examine the structure of responses to the Mach IV. In an independent second sample the resulting EFA structure was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis-based measurement equivalence/invariance (ME/I) tests in a control group with the original archaic items and a treatment group with eight items rewritten in a more modern vernacular. Specific model testing steps [2] and statistical tests [3] were applied in a bottom-up approach [4] to ME/I tests on these two versions of the Mach IV. The two versions were found to have equal form, equal factor loadings, but unequal indicator error variances. Subsequent item-by-item tests of error invariance resulted in substantial decrements to fit for three revised items suggesting that the error associated with these items was not equal across the two versions.
Marginal Fit Evaluation of Cad/Cam All Ceramic Crowns Obtained by Two Digital Workflows: An In-Vitro Study Using Micro-Ct Technology.

PURPOSE To evaluate the marginal fit of CAD/CAM all ceramic crowns made from lithium disilicate and zirconia using two different fabrication protocols (model and model-less). MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty anterior all ceramic restorations (20 lithium disilicate, 20 zirconia) were fabricated from digital impression using a CEREC Bluecam scanner. Two different digital workflows were used: a fully digital model-less approach and a printed model digital approach. The crowns were cemented on the respective prepared typodont teeth and marginal gap was evaluated using Micro-CT. Each specimen was analyzed in sagittal and trans-axial orientations, allowing evaluation of the marginal fit (vertical and horizontal) on each surface. Logarithmic transformation was used with a significance of 0.05. After that a reliability analysis was performed by re-measuring four randomized selected images for each specimen and performing intra-class correlations to determine any systematic bias in the measurements. RESULTS Vertical measurements in the lingual, distal and mesial views had an estimated marginal gap ranging from 101.9 to 133.9 microns for lithium disilicate crowns and 126.4 to 165.4 microns for zirconia. No significant differences were found between model and model-less techniques. CONCLUSIONS Both workflows are valid protocols for the fabrication of monolithic ceramic restorations. The use of a printed model did not improve the marginal fit of lithium disilicate or zirconia crowns. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved Both materials are also clinically acceptable, no matter which workflow was used to obtain the restoration.
TEP versus Lichtenstein, which one to choose? A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES Inguinal hernioplasty techniques have been improved since the first hernioplasty. Tension-free techniques that apply synthetic mesh materials, as in the Lichtenstein approach, are the gold standard. Laparoscopic hernioplasty is the strongest alternative to Lichtenstein. The superiority of laparoscopic hernioplasty over Lichtenstein is a major topic of debate. In this study, we aimed to find a conclusion to this debate by comparing our totally extraperitoneal (TEP) experiences with Lichtenstein experiences. METHODS Patients who underwent inguinal hernioplasty at the Gulhane Training and Research Hospital from 2013 to 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The sample included 96 TEP and 90 Lichtenstein patients for a total of 186 patients. The variables assessed were hospitalization duration, postoperative early visual analog scale score, chronic pain, paresthesia, recurrence, and early postoperative complications. Data were collected from patient records and via telephone questionnaire if needed. Data analysis was done by SPSS v20, using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS Male/female ratios were similar between the TEP and Lichtenstein groups. There was no difference in mean age between groups (p=0.1). The hospital stay was shorter (p=0.0001), and early postoperative visual analog scale score was lower in the TEP group (p=0.003). Chronic pain, paresthesia, recurrence, and early postoperative complications (hematoma, seroma, wound infection) were similar. CONCLUSIONS TEP is superior to Lichtenstein with shorter hospitalization duration and lower rates of early postoperative pain. No difference between the two techniques was found for chronic pain. We believe that laparoscopic hernioplasty approach may be the best alternative technique for inguinal hernia repair.
Brain Mechanisms of Concept Learning

Concept learning, the ability to extract commonalities and highlight distinctions across a set of related experiences to build organized knowledge, is a critical aspect of cognition. Previous reviews have focused on concept learning research as a means for dissociating multiple brain systems. The current review surveys recent work that uses novel analytical approaches, including the combination of computational modeling with neural measures, focused on testing theories of specific computations and representations that contribute to concept learning. We discuss in detail the roles of the hippocampus, ventromedial prefrontal, lateral prefrontal, and lateral parietal cortices, and how their engagement is modulated by the coherence of experiences and the current learning goals. We conclude that the interaction of multiple brain systems relating to learning, memory, attention, perception, and reward support a flexible concept-learning mechanism that adapts to a range of category structures and incorporates motivational states, making concept learning a fruitful research domain for understanding the neural dynamics underlying complex behaviors.
Examining emotional intelligence in older adults with chronic pain: a factor analysis approach

Abstract Objective The current study explored whether the three-factor structure of an emotional intelligence measure (attention to emotions, clarity in understanding emotions, and emotion regulation) developed in a sample of college students would replicate in a sample of older adults with chronic pain. Method Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted to examine the factor structure of the 30-item Trait Meta-Mood Scale among 340 older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Results Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the original three-factor model of emotional intelligence did not fit well with the data for older adults. Exploratory factor analyses revealed a four-factor model of emotional intelligence: (1) confusion, (2) acceptance, (3) rejection, and (4) insight. Correlations between the original and new subscales were explored. Conclusion While the newly derived emotional intelligence scales resembled the original conceptualization of emotional intelligence proposed by Salovey, Mayer, Goldman, Turvey, and Palfai (1995), the current study highlights the differences in emotional intelligence likely representative of older adults with chronic pain.
An outcome-based educational intervention to improve nursing students’ knowledge and competencies in oncology nursing: a randomized controlled Trial

Background: Caring for cancer patients is a complex process that requires considerable knowledge and a wide range of skills. Aim: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that outcome-based course design would bring about significant differences in the nursing students' knowledge, confidence, and skills. Method: This was a randomized controlled trial with two-group pretest and post-test experimental study in 2014 involving a total of 213 students. The descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean cancer nursing knowledge test score of the experimental group was higher than the control group at the post-test. The mean cognitive load score of the experimental group was lower than the control group at the post-test. The mean learning satisfaction and self-confidence score of the experimental group was higher than the control group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing an outcome-based educational intervention in baccalaureate nursing education.
The (PATAN)-CheY-like Response Regulator PixE interacts with the Motor ATPase PilB1 to control Negative Phototaxis in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 can move directionally on a moist surface towards or away from a light source to reach optimal light conditions for its photosynthetic lifestyle. This behavior, called phototaxis, is mediated by type IV pili (T4P), which can pull a single cell into a certain direction. Several photoreceptors and their downstream signal transduction elements are involved in the control of phototaxis. However, the critical steps of local pilus assembly in positive and negative phototaxis remain elusive. One of the photoreceptors controlling negative phototaxis in Synechocystis is the BLUF domain protein PixD. PixD forms a complex with the CheY-like response regulator PixE that dissociates upon illumination with blue light. Here, we study the phototactic behavior of pixE deletion and overexpression mutants in response to unidirectional red light with or without additional blue-light irradiation. Further, we show that PixD and PixE partly localize in spots close to the cytoplasmic membrane. Interaction studies of PixE with the motor ATPase PilB1, demonstrated by in vivo co-localization, yeast-two hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation analysis, suggest that the PixD-PixE signal transduction system targets the T4P directly, thereby controlling blue-light dependent negative phototaxis. An intriguing feature of PixE is its distinctive structure with an N-terminal PATAN domain. This domain is found in several other regulators, which are known to control directional phototaxis. As our PilB1 co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed an enrichment of PATAN domain RR in the eluate, we suggest that multiple environmental signals can be integrated via these regulators to control pilus function.