Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive values of inflammatory back pain, positive HLA B27 antigen and acute and chronic magnetic resonance changes in early diagnosis of Spondyloarthritis. A study of 133 patients

Objectives To analyse the predictive values of inflammatory back pain (IBP), positive HLA B27 antigen, increased C-reactive protein (CRP), Spondyloarthritis (SpA) features, familial history (FH), magnetic resonance sacroiliac joints (MRI-SIJ) imaging and its weight in early SpA diagnosis. Methods 133 patients with back pain, aged <50, duration of the pain <2 years were included. Data such as IBP, HLA B27, increased CRP, SpA features, FH, SIJ´s radiography and MRI were collected for each patient. STIR sequences were classified as strongly positive bone morrow oedema (SPBME ≥2), clearly present and easily recognisable as positive according to the ASAS criterion, weakly positive (WPBME ≥2), suggestive, but not easily recognisable and, clearly negative none of those features. T1-weighted sequences were assessed as positive/negative for erosion, fat metaplasia, backfill and sclerosis, if ≥1, for each lesion was present. MRI images were read by three blinded readers. Results The average age was 38.9 years. 47 (35.3%) patients received SpA diagnosis according to the clinical opinion. IBP was highly specific, 0.81 and sensitive, 0.83. HLA B27 was positive in a half of the SpA patients. SPBME ≥2 provided a great specificity, 0.94 and an acceptable sensitivity, 0.79. Erosion was significantly more frequent in SpA patients (72% vs 7%), specificity 0.93. The addition of erosion ≥1 to the WPBME ≥2 noticeably improved specificity, 0.98, although slightly decreased sensitivity, 0.64. Fat metaplasia and backfill were highly specific, but poorly sensitive. Factors forecasting positive diagnosis were IBP, followed by SpA features and increased CRP. Conclusions At the onset, IBP might be a good marker for selecting patients with suspicion of SpA. The addition of erosion to the ASAS criterion might be helpful for early diagnosis, especially in patients with doubtful STIR imaging where BME is present but it is hard to determinate whether the ASAS “highly suggestive” criterion is met.
Psychometric Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Derriford Appearance Scale-24 (DAS-24) for People Living with HIV/AIDS

The changes in appearance of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) interferes with how people around them react to their body, how social interactions take place, and how each person perceives and accepts their body. The definition of itself can be severely challenged when the body changes as a result of illness and the person does not look healthier anymore. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are an especially vulnerable group when it comes to “distress” and the psychosocial impact of appearance, yet the assessment of body image changes in these people was subjective in Brazil. The aim of this paper was to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of Derriford Appearance Scale 24 (DAS-24) for a sample of Brazilians living with HIV/AIDS. A sample of 400 patients were recruited from an HIV/AIDS ambulatory, aged between 18 and 78 years, of both sexes. The psychometric properties of DAS-24 were investigated while using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), with unweighted least square estimation and listwise deletion for missing data. The adjustment of three structural models previously established for DAS-24 (single-factor, two-factor, and three-factor) was investigated. Evidences of construct validity—convergent and discriminant—and internal consistency—Cronbach’s alpha and construct reliability—were also generated for the measure model. The results showed that the one-factor model had the best adjustment, after eliminating items 8, 17, and 20, and accepting the covariance of errors between items 4 and 10; 9 and 23; 11 and 14; and, 14 and 22. Additionally, validity and reliability evidence were satisfactory for the model. The Brazilian Portuguese version of DAS-24 seems to be a psychometrically sound scale for measuring body image distress for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA).
Bioavailability of hydrophobic organic contaminants in soils: fundamental concepts and techniques for analysis

Soils represent a major sink for organic xenobiotic contaminants in the environment. The degree to which organic chemicals are retained within the soil is controlled by soil properties, such as organic matter, and the physico‐chemical properties of the contaminant. Chemicals which display hydrophobic and lipophilic characteristics, as well as a recalcitrant chemical structure, will be retained within the soil, and depending on the ‘strength’ of the association may persist for long periods of time. This review describes the behaviour of hydrophobic organic contaminants in soils, focusing on the mechanisms controlling interactions between soil and contaminants. The bioavailability of contaminants in soil is also discussed, particularly in relation to contact time with the soil. It considers the degradation of organic contaminants in soil and the mechanisms microbes use to access contaminants. Finally, the review discusses the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of chemical and biological techniques available for assessing bioavailability of hydrophobic organic chemicals in soils, highlighting the need to quantify bioavailability by chemical techniques. It concludes by highlighting the need for understanding the interactions between the soil, contaminants and biota which is crucial to understanding the bioavailability of contaminants in soils.
Development and validation of a prognostic model based on comorbidities to predict COVID-19 severity: a population-based study

Abstract Background The prognosis of patients with COVID-19 infection is uncertain. We derived and validated a new risk model for predicting progression to disease severity, hospitalization, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection (Gal-COVID-19 scores). Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 infection confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in Galicia, Spain. Data were extracted from electronic health records of patients, including age, sex and comorbidities according to International Classification of Primary Care codes (ICPC-2). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the probability of disease severity. Calibration and discrimination were evaluated to assess model performance. Results The incidence of infection was 0.39% (10 454 patients). A total of 2492 patients (23.8%) required hospitalization, 284 (2.7%) were admitted to the ICU and 544 (5.2%) died. The variables included in the models to predict severity included age, gender and chronic comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, liver disease, chronic kidney disease and haematological cancer. The models demonstrated a fair–good fit for predicting hospitalization {AUC [area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve] 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76, 0.78]}, admission to ICU [AUC 0.83 (95%CI 0.81, 0.85)] and death [AUC 0.89 (95%CI 0.88, 0.90)]. Conclusions The Gal-COVID-19 scores provide risk estimates for predicting severity in COVID-19 patients. The ability to predict disease severity may help clinicians prioritize high-risk patients and facilitate the decision making of health authorities.
An investig-ation into the epidemiology of chikungunya virus across neglected regions of Indonesia

Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an important emerging and re-emerging public health problem worldwide. In Indonesia, where the virus is endemic, epidemiological information from outside of the main islands of Java and Bali is limited. Methodology/Principal Findings Four hundred and seventy nine acutely febrile patients presenting between September 2017–2019 were recruited from three city hospitals situated in Ambon, Maluku; Banjarmasin, Kalimantan; and Batam, Batam Island as part of a multi-site observational study. CHIKV RNA was detected in a single serum sample while a separate sample was IgM positive. IgG seroprevalence was also low across all three sites, ranging from 1.4–3.2%. The single RT-PCR positive sample from this study and 24 archived samples collected during other recent outbreaks throughout Indonesia were subjected to complete coding region sequencing to assess the genetic diversity of Indonesian strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed all to be of a single clade, which was distinct from CHIKV strains recently reported from neighbouring regions including the Philippines and the Pacific Islands. Conclusions/Significance Chikungunya virus strains from recent outbreaks across Indonesia all belong to a single clade. However, low-level seroprevalence and molecular detection of CHIKV across the three study sites appears to contrast with the generally high seroprevalences that have been reported for non-outbreak settings in Java and Bali, and may account for the relative lack of CHIKV epidemiological data from other regions of Indonesia.
Clock component OsPRR73 positively regulates rice salt tolerance by modulating OsHKT2;1‐mediated sodium homeostasis

The roles of clock components in salt stress tolerance remain incompletely characterized in rice. Here, we show that, among OsPRR (Oryza sativa Pseudo‐Response Regulator) family members, OsPRR73 specifically confers salt tolerance in rice. Notably, the grain size and yield of osprr73 null mutants were significantly decreased in the presence of salt stress, with accumulated higher level of reactive oxygen species and sodium ions. RNA sequencing and biochemical assays identified OsHKT2;1, encoding a plasma membrane‐localized Na+ transporter, as a transcriptional target of OsPRR73 in mediating salt tolerance. Correspondingly, null mutants of OsHKT2;1 displayed an increased tolerance to salt stress. Immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry (IP‐MS) assays further identified HDAC10 as nuclear interactor of OsPRR73 and co‐repressor of OsHKT2;1. Consistently, H3K9ac histone marks at OsHKT2;1 promoter regions were significantly reduced in osprr73 mutant. Together, our findings reveal that salt‐induced OsPRR73 expression confers salt tolerance by recruiting HDAC10 to transcriptionally repress OsHKT2;1, thus reducing cellular Na+ accumulation. This exemplifies a new molecular link between clock components and salt stress tolerance in rice.
A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis on psychosocial factors related to rehabilitation motivation of stroke patients

Abstract Background: Rehabilitation motivation is more important than any other factor in terms of treatment effects among stroke patients. The goal of this study is to explore the variables related to rehabilitation motivation that affect treatment effects and analyze their effect sizes, in order to manage the psychosocial interventions required by stroke patients. Methods: Thirteen electronic databases will be searched from November to December 2020. The search terms will be composed of the disease term part (eg, “stroke”) and the intervention term part (eg, “rehabilitation motivation or rehabilitation factors related to motivation or self-efficacy or family support or rehabilitation adherence or achievement or psychosocial factors, including self-motivation, social support, psychological distress, rehabilitation adherence”). Selected studies the for systematic review and meta-analysis will include randomized, quasi-randomized, and nonrandomized controlled trials, and research programs on rehabilitation motivation; qualitative research and case studies will be excluded. The participants will be stroke patients. Two authors will independently assess each study for eligibility and risk of bias, and to extract data. Results: This study will comprehensively explore the psychosocial and physical behavioral variables related to the rehabilitation motivation of stroke patients and provide their priorities and effect sizes. In addition, we will report the magnitude of the correlation effect on the rehabilitation motivation of stroke patients according to each demographic variable. Conclusions: The conclusions of our study will provide effective evidence of psychosocial variables that influence the treatment outcomes of stroke patients. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020207467
Decreased COVID-19 Mortality-A Cause for Optimism.

Author Contributions: Dr Islam and Mr Buresh had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Concept and design: All authors. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors. Drafting of the manuscript: All authors. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors. Statistical analysis: Sheils, Islam, Werner, Buresh, Chen. Supervision: Sheils, Werner, Doshi.
Efficient Biofilms Eradication by Enzymatic-Cocktail of Pancreatic Protease Type-I and Bacterial α-Amylase

Removal of biofilms is extremely pivotal in environmental and medicinal fields. Therefore, reporting the new-enzymes and their combinations for dispersal of infectious biofilms can be extremely critical. Herein, for the first time, we accessed the enzyme “protease from bovine pancreas type-I (PtI)” for anti-biofilm properties. We further investigated the anti-biofilm potential of PtI in combination with α-amylase from Bacillus sp. (αA). PtI showed a very significant biofilm inhibition effect (86.5%, 88.4%, and 67%) and biofilm prevention effect (66%, 64%, and 70%), against the E. coli, S. aureus, and MRSA, respectively. However, the new enzyme combination (Ec-PtI+αA) exhibited biofilm inhibition effect (78%, 90%, and 93%) and a biofilm prevention effect (44%, 51%, and 77%) against E. coli, S. aureus, and MRSA, respectively. The studied enzymes were found not to be anti-bacterial against the E. coli, S. aureus, and MRSA. In summary, the PtI exhibited significant anti-biofilm effects against S. aureus, MRSA, and E. coli. Ec-PtI+αA exhibited enhancement of the anti-biofilm effects against S. aureus and MRSA biofilms. Therefore, this study revealed that this Ec-PtI+αA enzymatic system can be extremely vital for the treatment of biofilm complications resulting from E. coli, S. aureus, and MRSA.
The Effect of Physiotherapy Group Intervention in Reducing Pain Disorders and Mental Health Symptoms among Syrian Refugees: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic pain is common among refugees, and often related to mental health problems. Its management, however, is often challenging. A randomized waitlist-controlled trial was designed to study the effect of group physiotherapy activity and awareness intervention (PAAI) on reducing pain disorders, and secondarily improving mental health, among Syrian refugees. A total of 101 adult Syrian refugees suffering from chronic pain were randomized to either the intervention group or the control group, which thereafter also received PAAI after a waiting period. Pain intensity measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was the primary outcome. Scores from the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R 22) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were secondary outcomes. Intention-to-treat analyses (ITT) showed no effect of the intervention on either pain levels (regression coefficient [B {95% CI} of 0.03 {−0.91, 0.96}], IESR scores [4.8 {−3.7, 13.4}] or GHQ-12 scores [−0.4 {−3.1, 2.3}]). Yet, participants highly appreciated the intervention. Despite the negative findings, our study contributes to the evidence base necessary to plan targeted and effective health care services for refugees suffering from chronic pain and highlights the challenge of evaluating complex interventions adapted to a specific group.
Attenuation of Anxiety-Like Behavior by Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench Methanolic Extract through Up-Regulation of ERK Signaling Pathways in Noradrenergic Neurons

The long-term use of anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs can cause a plethora of side effects and the use of complementary and alternative medicine, which is generally considered safer than conventional medicine, is consistently increasing. Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench methanolic extract (HSE) has shown MAO-A inhibitory properties in previous studies. With the aim of obtaining innovative and safer therapies for mood disorders, this study investigated the potential activity of HSE in the management of anxiety- and depression-related symptoms. HSE showed dose-dependent (30–100 mg/kg p.o.) anxiolytic-like activity in the light dark box and marble burying tests, without any antidepressant-like activity, as shown by the results of the tail suspension test. Additionally, HSE did not have any effect on the modulation of pain, which highlights its selectivity in the control of anxiety-related behavior. At active doses, HSE did not produce any sedative effect or result in impaired motor coordination and memory functions. Western blotting experiments showed the ability of HSE to counteract the reduction in the phosphorylation of ERK44/42, to restore brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and to return cyclic AMP response element binding (CREB) levels to basal levels in noradrenergic hippocampal neurons of mice exposed to an anxiety-related environment, which indicates a protective role against anxiety behavior. These results suggest that oral administration of HSE might represent an interesting opportunity for the management of anxiety disorders.
The Application of the Theory Coding Scheme to Interventions in Occupational Health Psychology.

OBJECTIVE There is a need to understand how and to what extent theory is used to inform OHP interventions. This study examines the utility of Michie and Prestwich's1 Theory Coding Scheme (TCS) to examine the theoretical base of OHP interventions. METHODS We applied the TCS to a systematically derived sample of 27 papers that reported evaluation data for work-related interventions seeking to improve employee sleep quantity or quality. RESULTS Results indicated that the original TCS was largely applicable to OHP sleep interventions. After several minor modifications to its evaluative criteria, the TCS successfully accommodates a range of OHP intervention designs. CONCLUSIONS The revised TCS for OHP interventions allows for a more detailed understanding of the role and use of theory in OHP interventions and may prove to be a valuable tool for OHP researchers and practitioners.
Deficiency of Cathelicidin-related Antimicrobial Peptide Promotes Skin Papillomatosis in Mus musculus Papillomavirus 1-infected Mice

Cathelicidins have been reported to inhibit human papillomavirus infection in vitro; however, nothing is known about their activity in vivo. In this study, experimental skin infection with Mus musculus papillomavirus 1 resulted in robust development of cutaneous papillomas in cyclosporine A-treated C57BL/6J mice deficient for the murine cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), in contrast to wild-type controls. Analysis of the underlying mechanisms revealed moderate disruption of virion integrity and lack of interference with viral entry and intracellular trafficking by a synthetic CRAMP peptide. Differences in the immune response to Mus musculus papillomavirus 1 infection were observed between CRAMP-deficient and wild-type mice. These included a stronger reduction in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell numbers in infected skin, and lack of Mus musculus papillomavirus 1-specific neutralizing antibodies in response to cyclosporine A in the absence of endogenous CRAMP. CRAMP has modest direct anti-papillomaviral effects in vitro, but exerts protective functions against Mus musculus papillomavirus 1 skin infection and disease development in vivo, primarily by modulation of cellular and humoral immunity.
Effect of Multi-Phosphonate Coating of Titanium Surfaces on Osteogenic Potential

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a novel multi-phosphonate (MP) coating strategy of dental implant surfaces on the expression of osteogenesis-related factors in vitro. MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), and human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) were cultured separately on titanium disks with and without MP coating. Cell attachment was visualized by focal adhesion and actin cytoskeleton staining. The proliferation and gene expression of the markers related to osteogenesis and bone turnover were measured after 48 and 120 h of cell culture. Actin cytoskeleton assembly and focal adhesion were similar between test surfaces within each cell type but differed from those on tissue culture plastic (TCP). The proliferation of MG-63 cells and PDLSCs was comparable on all surfaces, while BM-MSCs showed an increase on tissue culture plastic (TCP) versus titanium. The gene expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand was higher in MG-63 cells grown on MP-coated surfaces. At the same time, osteocalcin was decreased compared to the other surfaces. Collagen type I gene expression after 120 h was significantly lower in hPDLSCs cultivated on MP-coated surfaces. Within the limitations of this study, MP coating on titanium surfaces might have a slight beneficial effect on bone turnover in vitro.
Adsorption of Lysozyme over Mesoporous Molecular Sieves MCM-41 and SBA-15: Influence of pH and Aluminum Incorporation

The adsorption of lysozyme on the mesoporous molecular sieves MCM-41 and SBA-15 from buffered solutions with different pH values has been studied as a model protein adsorption system. The amount adsorbed depends on the solution pH as well as on the pore volume and the composition of the adsorbent. The adsorption isotherms at pH 6.5 to 10.5 fitted the Langmuir model (type L isotherm), while the isotherms recorded at pH 12 are of the S type. The maximum amount adsorbed was observed for AlSBA-15 at pH 9.6 and amounted to 47.2 μmol/g (580 mg/g). The stability of SBA-15 toward to the buffer solution is higher for SBA-15 as compared to MCM-41, which is probably a consequence of the higher wall thickness of the former material. Diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra of the adsorbed lysozyme confirm that the adsorption of the enzyme did not result in denaturation of Lz.
Portfolio Tail Risk: A Multivariate Extreme Value Theory Approach

This paper develops a method for assessing portfolio tail risk based on extreme value theory. The technique applies separate estimations of univariate series and allows for closed-form expressions for Value at Risk and Expected Shortfall. Its forecasting ability is tested on a portfolio of U.S. stocks. The in-sample goodness-of-fit tests indicate that the proposed approach is better suited for portfolio risk modeling under extreme market movements than comparable multivariate parametric methods. Backtesting across multiple quantiles demonstrates that the model cannot be rejected at any reasonable level of significance, even when periods of stress are included. Numerical simulations corroborate the empirical results.