Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Secondhand Smoke at Home and Psychological Distress among College Students in China: The Role of Parental Attachment

ABSTRACT This study examined the link between home SHS exposure and psychological distress among college students in China. Between July and September of 2020, 18–25-year-old students in three Chinese universities were invited to complete an online survey. Data from 872 respondents (mean age = 20.28) were analyzed. Psychological distress was assessed by the 10-item Kessler Scale. Home SHS exposure was assessed by the presence of smoking household members, hours of exposure, and exposure to the number of cigarettes smoked. Maternal and paternal attachment were assessed by the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. Pairwise comparisons of sample characteristics were performed across never-smokers, triers (smoked one or two puffs), and smokers. Generalized linear regression models were constructed to assess the association. More smokers were exposed to home SHS or engaged in ever alcohol and other drug use than never-smokers. In never-smokers, exposure for <1 h/day or ≥3 h/day, or to 6–10 cigarettes/day was associated with increased psychological distress, but they were nullified after adjusting for parental attachment. In smokers, exposure to 6–10 cigarettes/day was associated with decreased psychological distress even after adjusting for parental attachment. Home SHS exposure is a risk factor for psychological wellbeing in never-smokers, the association with smokers warrants further study.
Regulatory effects of comprehensive psychological intervention on adverse emotions and immune status of cervical cancer patients during the perioperative period.

OBJECTIVE To compare and evaluate the regulatory effects of comprehensive psychological intervention on adverse emotions and immune status of cervical cancer patients during the perioperative period. METHODS A total of 109 cervical cancer patients admitted to our hospital were selected and divided into the conventional group (n=54) and the comprehensive group (n=55). The conventional group received conventional nursing intervention, while the comprehensive group received comprehensive psychological and conventional nursing intervention. The adverse emotions, social support degrees, level of hope, sleep quality, immune functions and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. RESULTS On Day 10 after surgery, the comprehensive group had lower scores of hospital anxiety and depression scale-anxiety (HADS-A), and hospital anxiety and depression scale-depression (HADS-D), higher scores of social support rating scale (SSRS), intimate relationship, positive attitude, and attitude for actions, a higher excellent and good rate of social support degree (92.73% vs 75.93%), a lower Cortisol (Cor) level, and a higher level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) than the conventional group (P < 0.05). On Days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 after surgery, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) in the comprehensive group were lower than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). The overall degree of nursing satisfaction in comprehensive group (94.55%) was higher than that in the conventional group (79.63%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Comprehensive psychological intervention can remarkably improve the negative emotions, social support degree, level of hope, sleep quality, immune functions, and satisfaction of cervical cancer patients receiving conventional nursing intervention during the perioperative period.
Use of in-home activity monitoring technologies in older adult veterans with mild cognitive impairment: The impact of attitudes and cognition.

Background As researchers incorporate in-home technologies to identify and track changes in older adults' cognitive and daily functioning that could lead to early interventions, the attitudes of older adults across the continuum from normal cognitive aging to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) must be assessed to ensure technology adoption and adherence in each unique group. Objective This exploratory pilot study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches to examine mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively intact older adults' attitudes (i.e., usability, acceptability, digital readiness, barriers) and adherence to in-home technologies after undergoing 7 months of in-home activity monitoring. Method Participants were 30 older adult veterans who were classified as cognitively intact (n = 15) or having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 15) and participated in a longitudinal aging and technology study that monitored their physical activity and computer use. Results While MCI older adults endorsed reduced digital readiness (p =.041) and required more in-home technology maintenance visits (p =.041) from staff as compared to cognitively intact older adults, there was no difference in adherence to the study technology (p >.05). Usability and acceptability attitudes in the entire sample predicted adherence to the physical activity monitoring technology employed in the study (p =.008). Conclusion Findings highlight the potential gap between technology developers and older adult end users, and technologies designed specifically for older adults with MCI should be developed with direct input from older adults with MCI to promote usability and long-term adoption in this clinical population. Larger studies are needed to replicate and increase the generalizability of the current findings.
Concentration‐QT modelling shows no evidence of clinically significant QT interval prolongation with capivasertib at expected therapeutic concentrations

Pharmacokinetics‐matched digital electrocardiogram data (n = 503 measurements from 180 patients) collected in a first‐in‐human, multi‐part, dose‐escalation (from 80 to 800 mg) and dose expansion (at 480 mg) phase 1 study in patients with advanced solid malignancies, were used to assess potential risk of QT prolongation associated with the AKT inhibitor capivasertib. The relationship between plasma drug concentrations and baseline‐adjusted Fridericia‐corrected QT (ΔQTcF) values was estimated using a prespecified linear mixed‐effects model. The model provided an unbiased reproduction of the experimental data set, estimating a small but positive correlation between capivasertib concentration and ΔQTcF. At the expected therapeutic dose (400 mg twice daily) the predicted mean ΔQTcF at the steady state maximum concentration was 3.97 ms with an upper limit of the 90% CI of 5.07 ms; below the 10 ms limit proposed by ICH E14 guidance. This analysis suggests that capivasertib is not expected to present a clinically significant risk for QT prolongation that is associated with pro‐arrhythmic effects.
MRI brain volume loss, lesion burden, and clinical outcome in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain volume measures are widely used outcomes in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), but it is unclear whether they are associated with physical and cognitive disability. Objective: To investigate the association between MRI outcomes and physical and cognitive disability worsening in people with SPMS. Methods: We used data from ASCEND, a large randomized controlled trial (n = 889). We investigated the association of change in whole brain and gray matter volume, contrast enhancing lesions, and T2 lesions with significant worsening on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) with logistic regression models. Results: We found no association between MRI measures and EDSS or SDMT worsening. T25FW worsening at 48 and 96 weeks, and NHPT worsening at 96 weeks were associated with cumulative new or newly enlarging T2 lesions at 96 weeks. NHPT worsening at 48 and 96 weeks was associated with normalized brain volume loss at 48 weeks, but not with other MRI outcomes. Conclusion: The association of standard MRI outcomes and disability was noticeably weak and inconsistent over 2 years of follow-up. These MRI outcomes may not be useful surrogates of disability measures in SPMS.
Developmental maturation of presynaptic ribbon numbers in chicken basilar‐papilla hair cells and its perturbation by long‐term overexpression of Wnt9a

The avian basilar papilla is a valuable model system for exploring the developmental determination and differentiation of sensory hair cells and their innervation. In the mature basilar papilla, hair cells form a well‐known continuum between two extreme types—tall and short hair cells—that differ strikingly in their innervation. Previous work identified Wnt9a as a crucial factor in this differentiation. Here, we quantified the number and volume of immunolabelled presynaptic ribbons in tall and short hair cells of chickens, from developmental stages shortly after ribbons first appear to the mature posthatching condition. Two longitudinal locations were sampled, responding to best frequencies of approximately 1 kHz and approximately 5.5 kHz when mature. We found significant reductions of ribbon number during normal development in the tall‐hair‐cell domains, but stable, low numbers in the short‐hair‐cell domains. Exposing developing hair cells to continuous, excessive Wnt9a levels (through virus‐mediated overexpression) led to transiently abnormal high numbers of ribbons and a delayed reduction of ribbon numbers at all sampled locations. Thus, (normally) short‐hair‐cell domains also showed tall‐hair‐cell like behaviour, confirming previous findings (Munnamalai et al., 2017). However, at 3 weeks posthatching, ribbon numbers had decreased to the location‐specific typical values of control hair cells at all sampled locations. Furthermore, as shown previously, mature hair cells at the basal, high‐frequency location harboured larger ribbons than more apically located hair cells. This was true for both normal and Wnt9a‐overexposed basilar papillae.
The Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Down Syndrome Scale (BPSD-DS II): Optimization and Further Validation.

Background: People with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease dementia (AD). Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and may also serve as early signals for dementia. However, comprehensive evaluation scales for BPSD, adapted to DS, are lacking. Therefore, we previously developed the BPSD-DS scale to identify behavioral changes between the last six months and pre-existing life-long characteristic behavior. Objective: To optimize and further study the scale (discriminative ability and reliability) in a large representative DS study
Visual function assessment, ocular examination, and intervention in children with developmental delay: A systematic approach - Part 2

In India, there is increasing number of children with development delay and vision impairment with or without additional disabilities due to prematurity, brain damage, cerebral palsy, or genetic syndromes. Despite initiatives from Government of India, early intervention for these children remains a challenge across the country due to lack of trained professionals and appropriate resources. This paper describes the developmental screening tools, intervention aspects including Individualized Education Plan, procedures for handling children with cerebral visual impairment, team approach, and guidelines derived from the inputs of experts in vision rehabilitation centers of premier eye institutes in India
Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of human lens epithelial cells by enhancing the expression of Zinc Finger and BTB Domain Containing 7A (ZBTB7A) and activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway

ABSTRACT The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells enhanced their proliferation and migration and therefore induced the occurrence of posterior capsule opacity (PCO). Some studies revealed that Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) promoted the proliferation and invasion of multiple types of cancer cells. Besides, the expression of KLF1 was elevated in the crystalline lens of cataract patients. However, the effect of KLF1 on the development of PCO remains unclear. In this study, TGF-β2 was used for the stimulation of human lens epithelial cell line to establish EMT (SRA01/04). The KLF1 was overexpressed and knocked down in SRA01/04 cells, the proliferation, migration and invasion of which were detected by clone formation assay, wound healing and transwell assay. In addition, ZBTB7A was overexpressed in KLF1-knocked down SRA01/04 cells, the proliferation and invasion of which were also measured by clone formation assay and transwell assay. KLF1 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of SRA01/04 cells. Moreover, KLF1 also promoted the expression of Vimentin, snail and α-SMA in SRA01/04 cells. KLF1 enhanced the expression of ZBTB7A and β-catenin, resulting in activation of ZBTB7A and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, while overexpression of ZBTB7A abolished the inhibitory effect of knocking down KLF1 on proliferation and invasion of SRA01/04 cells. These results indicated that KLF1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of human lens epithelial cells by activating ZBTB7A and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
CD4+ T-Cell Count at Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in the “Treat-All” Era in Rural South Africa: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Abstract Background South Africa implemented universal test and treat (UTT) in September 2016 in an effort to encourage earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods We therefore conducted an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to assess the impact of UTT on mean CD4 count at ART initiation among adults aged ≥16 years attending 17 public sector primary care clinics in rural South Africa, between July 2014 and March 2019. Results Among 20 599 individuals (69% women), CD4 counts were available for 74%. Mean CD4 at ART initiation increased from 317.1 cells/μL (95% confidence interval [CI], 308.6 to 325.6) 1 to 8 months prior to UTT to 421.0 cells/μL (95% CI, 413.0 to 429.0) 1 to 12 months after UTT, including an immediate increase of 124.2 cells/μL (95% CI, 102.2 to 146.1). However, mean CD4 count subsequently fell to 389.5 cells/μL (95% CI, 381.8 to 397.1) 13 to 30 months after UTT but remained above pre-UTT levels. Men initiated ART at lower CD4 counts than women (–118.2 cells/μL, 95% CI, –125.5 to –111.0) throughout the study. Conclusions Although UTT led to an immediate increase in CD4 count at ART initiation in this rural community, the long-term effects were modest. More efforts are needed to increase initiation of ART early in those living with human immunodeficiency virus, particularly men.
Comparative Effects of Physical Exercise and Other Behavioral Interventions on Functional Status Outcomes in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract Objectives: Lifestyle modifications for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may promote functional stability, lesson disease severity, and improve well-being outcomes such as quality of life. The current analysis of our larger comparative effectiveness study evaluated which specific combinations of lifestyle modifications offered as part of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Action to Benefit Independence in Thinking (HABIT) program contributed to the least functional decline in people with MCI (pwMCI) over 18 months. Methods: We undertook to compare evidence-based interventions with one another rather than to a no-treatment control group. The interventions were five behavioral treatments: computerized cognitive training (CCT), yoga, Memory Support System (MSS) training, peer support group (SG), and wellness education (WE), each delivered to both pwMCI and care partners, in a group-based program. To compare interventions, we randomly withheld one of the five HABIT® interventions in each of the group sessions. We conducted 24 group sessions with between 8 and 20 pwMCI–partner dyads in a session. Results: Withholding yoga led to the greatest declines in functional ability as measured by the Functional Activities Questionnaire and Clinical Dementia Rating. In addition, memory compensation (calendar) training and cognitive exercise appeared to have associations (moderate effect sizes) with better functional outcomes. Withholding SG or WE appeared to have little effect on functioning at 18 months. Conclusions: Overall, these results add to the growing literature that physical exercise can play a significant and lasting role in modifying outcomes in a host of medical conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases.
Computed tomography (CT) scan findings in calves with hydranencephaly.

Background Hydranencephaly is the unilateral or bilateral loss of cerebral hemispheres and their replacement by a cerebrospinal fluid-filled sac that is caused by some teratogenic viruses. This disorder can be recognized before death occurs, using computed tomography (CT) scan. Pathological findings are also useful for the confirmation of the diagnosis. Aims The aim of this study was to determine features of hydranencephaly in calves by CT. Methods In this study, CT images were obtained from the skulls of 7 same-age calves with neurological signs, affected by Akabane virus, after slaughter. To compare the Hounsfield unit (HU) obtained from each brain region with the normal one, a normal calf's (with the same age) CT images were considered. Then, HU was measured in different parts of the affected calves' brain and compared with the normal calf's brain. Results Computed tomography images of affected calves indicated a hypoattenuated density of cerebral hemispheres, and the mean value of HU significantly decreased in these parts of the brain compared to normal calves (P=0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean value of the brain stem HU of the affected calves and the normal ones (P=0.066). In the gross pathology, asymmetric fluid-filled sacs that replaced cerebral hemispheres were observed, but the brain stems were intact in all cases. Conclusion The results showed a strong correlation between CT scan and pathology findings in calves with hydranencephaly. This is the first CT scan-mediated study of calves with hydranencephaly.
MiR-221 Expression Level Correlates with Insulin-Induced Doxorubicin Resistance in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Objective Insulin induces anti-cancer drugs resistance in tumor cells. However, the mechanism by which insulin induces its drug resistance effects is not clear. In the present study, the expression of miR-221 in insulin-treated MCF-7 cells in response to the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, was investigated. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, cell viability was evaluated using MTT (3-[4,5 dimethylthiazol-2- yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The expression level of miR-221 was determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, the expression of insulin receptor (IR) and cleaved caspase-3 protein was assessed by Western blotting. Results The results showed that treatment of the MCF-7 cells with insulin reduced the anti-cancer effects of doxorubicin. Viability of naive and insulin-treated cells following doxorubicin (DOX) treatment was 62.9 ± 5.7% and 79 ± 7.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of miR-221 in insulin-treated cells was significantly increased (2.6 ± 0.37-fold change) as compared with the control group. A significant decrease (26%) in the expression of caspase-3 protein and a significant increase (24%) in IR were observed in insulin-induced drug resistant MCF-7 cells as compared to the naive cells. Conclusion Together, the data showed a positive correlation between the expression of miR-221 and IR expression, but a negative correlation with caspase3 expression, in insulin-induced drug resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This could suggest a new mechanism for the role of miR-221 in cancer drugs resistance induced by insulin.
Noise thermometry applied to thermoelectric measurements in InAs nanowires

We apply noise thermometry to characterize charge and thermoelectric transport in single InAs nanowires (NWs) at a bath temperature of 4.2 K. Shot noise measurements identify elastic diffusive transport in our NWs with negligible electron–phonon interaction. This enables us to set up a measurement of the diffusion thermopower. Unlike previous approaches, we make use of a primary electronic noise thermometry to calibrate a thermal bias across the NW. In particular, this enables us to apply a contact heating scheme, which is much more efficient in creating the thermal bias as compared to conventional substrate heating. The measured thermoelectric Seebeck coefficient exhibits strong mesoscopic fluctuations in dependence on the back-gate voltage that is used to tune the NW carrier density. We analyze the transport and thermoelectric data in terms of an approximate Mott's thermopower relation and evaluate a gate-voltage to the Fermi energy conversion factor.
Genetic diversity in a restricted‐dispersal kissing bug: The centre–periphery hypothesis halfway

The centre–periphery hypothesis (CPH) postulates that populations close to the centre of a species distribution will exhibit higher genetic diversity and lower genetic differentiation than populations located at the edge of the distribution. The centre of a species’ distribution might represent an optimum for the environmental factors influencing the species absolute fitness and, therefore, genetic diversity. In species with wide distribution, the geographical variation of biotic and abiotic variables is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms of the CPH. We evaluated the CPH and specifically tested which environmental variables better explained the patterns of genetic diversity in the kissing bug Mepraia spinolai, one of the main wild vectors of Chagas disease in southern South America, distributed across three Mediterranean climatic ecoregions in Chile. We analysed 2380 neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms to estimate genetic diversity. Mean winter temperature, mean summer temperature, vegetation cover, population abundance, proportion of winged individuals and female abdomen area were measured for each kissing bug population to construct a model. Lower genetic diversity was detected in populations at the edge of the distribution compared to those in the centre. However, genetic differentiation was not higher in the periphery. Genetic diversity was related to climatic and biological variables; there was a positive relationship with mean winter temperature and a negative association with mean summer temperature and body size. These results partially support the CPH and identify biotic (abdomen area) and abiotic (winter/summer temperatures) factors that would affect genetic diversity in this restricted‐dispersal species of epidemiological relevance.
Innovative technique of mini-simple limbal epithelial transplantation in pediatric patients

In this article, we introduce a modified technique of minor ipsilateral simple limbal epithelial transplantation (mini-SLET) in pediatric patients of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Two children with unilateral partial LSCD underwent the innovative technique of mini-SLET, where harvested limbal tissues were placed over the raw cornea and were covered with amniotic membrane. Both patients were followed till 9 months. Both cases showed favorable outcome and uneventful recovery. Results were comparable with the classical technique. This innovative modification of mini-SLET is safe, feasible, and an effective alternative with favorable visual outcome especially in pediatric population. It can be a breakthrough for LSCD management in developing countries with limited resources.