Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toe Clearance Rehabilitative Slippers for Older Adults With Fall Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: To evaluate fall-prevention rehabilitative slippers for use by self-caring, independent older adults. Materials and Methods: This assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled 1-year study included 59 self-caring, independent participants (49 women) who attended day services. The mean age of participants was 84.0 ± 5.3 years. Participants were randomly selected from 8 nursing homes. We tested slippers top-weighted with a lead bead (200, 300, or 400 g). Intervention group participants walked while wearing the slippers for 10-20 min, 1-3 days/week at the day service center. Fall risk was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) before and at 3-month intervals after the intervention/control phase. Results: After 12 months, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement. Berg Balance and POMA compared to the control group (p < .05 p < .01, respectively). Mobility scores improved significantly for both measurements in the intervention group before and after (p < .01), but the control group had significantly lower scores. Discussion: Overall, falls decreased in the intervention group from 10 to 7, and control group falls increased from 9 to 16 (p = .02). No adverse events related to the intervention were reported. Conclusions: Rehabilitation training slippers may reduce falls in older adults.
Exploring the Prevalence and Patterns of Use of Sleep Aids and Stimulants Among Emergency Physicians and EMS Providers in Saudi Arabia

Purpose This study explores the prevalence and patterns of the use of pharmacologic sleep aids and stimulants among Saudi Arabia’s emergency physicians (EPs) and emergency medical services (EMS) providers. Patients and Methods We adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional design. To collect data on the types and frequencies of sleep aids and stimulants used, we distributed a semi-structured, anonymous, web-based questionnaire to registered EPs, paramedics, and emergency medicine technicians (EMTs) in the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. An internal consistency analysis showed good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.667) of the questionnaire. A subscale analysis confirmed the results—alpha values were 0.720 and 0.618 for the use of sleep aids and stimulants, respectively. Results Males and females represented 81.8% and 18.2%, respectively, of the valid sample of 669 participants. Respondents aged 25–34, 35–44, and 45–55 years represented 51.9%, 32.7%, and 10.2% of the sample, respectively. Results showed that a majority of the respondents (67.1%) used stimulants. Caffeine was the most common stimulant; caffeine and energy drinks were used by 65.9% and 17.2% of the respondents, respectively. Caffeine, energy drinks, nicotine, and ephedrine were used by 65.9%, 17.2%, 18.5%, and 17.3% of the respondents, respectively. The respondents who used at least one sleeping aid and those using only one and two sleeping aids accounted for 36.6%, 15.6%, and 9.7%, respectively. The most common sleeping aids antihistamines and marijuana were used on most days by 13.4% and 13.3% of the respondents, respectively. The average monthly number of night shifts (P = 0.025) significantly influenced sleep aid use. Respondents working in night shifts for 3–5 months or more than 7 days were more likely to use sleeping aids. Conclusion Future research should enhance health workers’ knowledge of the efficacy and safety of these medications and guide strategies to organize and reduce night shift work.
Mental Well-Being and Self-Efficacy of Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose To assess mental well-being (MW), self-efficacy (SE), and their predictors among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study recruited 1046 HCWs by cluster random sampling technique. Socio-demographic, health, and occupational characteristics were collected for all participants. The WHO five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were used to assess MW and SE of the participants, respectively. The binary logistic regression model was fit to the dependent (outcomes), namely mental well-being and self-efficacy, and independent other variables (predictors). Results Out of all participants (n=1046), 27.2% had negative MW scores, and 36.6% had low SE scores. The mean scores of both MW and SE were in the normal levels (16.7±5.90 and 31.5±6.63 out of 25 and 40, respectively). Younger and older ages, irregular exercise, nursing professions, history of anxiety and/or depression, lesser years of experience, and longer daily working hours were found to be the main predictors of negative MW and low SE, among study participants. Conclusion Mental well-being (MW) and self-efficacy (SE) of the HCWs in Saudi Arabia are satisfactory but attention should be paid towards supporting the vulnerable groups for promoting the resilience of HCWs during the battle against the current pandemic.
Therapeutic Potential of Thymoquinone and Its Nanoformulations in Pulmonary Injury: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract As a crucial organ, the lung is exposed to various harmful agents that may induce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may cause chronic or acute lung injury. Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, has been widely used to treat various diseases and is one of the most extensively researched medicinal plants. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component of black seed volatile oil and has been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic properties. The potential therapeutic properties of TQ against various pulmonary disorders have been studied in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, the application of nanotechnology may increase drug solubility, cellular absorption, drug release (sustained or control), and drug delivery to lung tissue target sites. As a result, fabricating TQ as nanoparticles (NPs) is a potential therapeutic approach against a variety of lung diseases. In this current review, we summarize recent findings on the efficacy of TQ and its nanotypes in lung disorders caused by immunocompromised conditions such as cancer, diabetes, gastric ulcers, and other neurodegenerative diseases. It is concluded that TQ nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiasthma, and antitumor activity may be safely applied to treat lung disorders. However, more research is required before TQ nanoparticles can be used as pharmaceutical preparations in human studies.
Emergency Physician Twitter Use in the COVID-19 Pandemic as a Potential Predictor of Impending Surge: Retrospective Observational Study

Background The early conversations on social media by emergency physicians offer a window into the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective This retrospective observational study of emergency physician Twitter use details how the health care crisis has influenced emergency physician discourse online and how this discourse may have use as a harbinger of ensuing surge. Methods Followers of the three main emergency physician professional organizations were identified using Twitter’s application programming interface. They and their followers were included in the study if they identified explicitly as US-based emergency physicians. Statuses, or tweets, were obtained between January 4, 2020, when the new disease was first reported, and December 14, 2020, when vaccination first began. Original tweets underwent sentiment analysis using the previously validated Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER) tool as well as topic modeling using latent Dirichlet allocation unsupervised machine learning. Sentiment and topic trends were then correlated with daily change in new COVID-19 cases and inpatient bed utilization. Results A total of 3463 emergency physicians produced 334,747 unique English-language tweets during the study period. Out of 3463 participants, 910 (26.3%) stated that they were in training, and 466 of 902 (51.7%) participants who provided their gender identified as men. Overall tweet volume went from a pre-March 2020 mean of 481.9 (SD 72.7) daily tweets to a mean of 1065.5 (SD 257.3) daily tweets thereafter. Parameter and topic number tuning led to 20 tweet topics, with a topic coherence of 0.49. Except for a week in June and 4 days in November, discourse was dominated by the health care system (45,570/334,747, 13.6%). Discussion of pandemic response, epidemiology, and clinical care were jointly found to moderately correlate with COVID-19 hospital bed utilization (Pearson r=0.41), as was the occurrence of “covid,” “coronavirus,” or “pandemic” in tweet texts (r=0.47). Momentum in COVID-19 tweets, as demonstrated by a sustained crossing of 7- and 28-day moving averages, was found to have occurred on an average of 45.0 (SD 12.7) days before peak COVID-19 hospital bed utilization across the country and in the four most contributory states. Conclusions COVID-19 Twitter discussion among emergency physicians correlates with and may precede the rising of hospital burden. This study, therefore, begins to depict the extent to which the ongoing pandemic has affected the field of emergency medicine discourse online and suggests a potential avenue for understanding predictors of surge.
Relationship Between a Plant‐Based Dietary Portfolio and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Findings From the Women's Health Initiative Prospective Cohort Study

Background The plant‐based Dietary Portfolio combines established cholesterol‐lowering foods (plant protein, nuts, viscous fiber, and phytosterols), plus monounsaturated fat, and has been shown to improve low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. No studies have evaluated the relation of the Dietary Portfolio with incident CVD events. Methods and Results We followed 123 330 postmenopausal women initially free of CVD in the Women's Health Initiative from 1993 through 2017. We used Cox proportional‐hazard models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI of the association of adherence to a Portfolio Diet score with CVD outcomes. Primary outcomes were total CVD, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Secondary outcomes were heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Over a mean follow‐up of 15.3 years, 13 365 total CVD, 5640 coronary heart disease, 4440 strokes, 1907 heart failure, and 929 atrial fibrillation events occurred. After multiple adjustments, adherence to the Portfolio Diet score was associated with lower risk of total CVD (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83–0.94), coronary heart disease (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.95), and heart failure (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71–0.99), comparing the highest to lowest quartile of adherence. There was no association with stroke (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.87–1.08) or atrial fibrillation (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.87–1.38). These results remained statistically significant after several sensitivity analyses. Conclusions In this prospective cohort of postmenopausal women in the United States, higher adherence to the Portfolio Diet was associated with a reduction in incident cardiovascular and coronary events, as well as heart failure. These findings warrant further investigation in other populations.
Incomplete antiviral treatment may induce longer durations of viral shedding during SARS-CoV-2 infection

Treatments initiated early, such as 0.5 d after virus inoculation, with intermediate to relatively high efficacy (30–70% inhibition of virus replication) yield a prolonged duration of viral shedding (by about 6.0 d) compared with no treatment. The duration of viral shedding is determined by a balance between de novo infection and removal of infected cells. That is, if infection is completely blocked with antiviral drugs (100% inhibition), the duration of viral shedding is minimal and is determined by the length of virus production. However, some mathematical models predict that if infected individuals are treated with antiviral drugs with efficacy below 100%, viral shedding may last longer than without treatment because further de novo infections are driven by entry of the virus into partially protected, uninfected cells at a slower rate. Using a simple mathematical model, we quantified SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in non-human primates and characterized the kinetics of viral shedding. We counterintuitively found that treatments initiated early, such as 0.5 d after virus inoculation, with intermediate to relatively high efficacy (30–70% inhibition of virus replication) yield a prolonged duration of viral shedding (by about 6.0 d) compared with no treatment.
Effect of increasing doses of chitosan to grazing beef steers on the relative population and transcript abundance of Archaea and cellulolytic and amylolytic bacterias

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the influence of increasing chitosan doses on the relative proportion and abundance of cellulotytic, amylolytic bacteria, and Archaea transcripts for grazing cattle. Five rumen cannulated crossbread steers [3.6 months and 300 ± 25 kg body LW (live weight), mean ± standard deviation] were used in a 5 × 5 latin square design, randomly assigned to treatment sequence containing chitosan added to 0, 400, 800, 1200, or 1600 mg/kg concentrate. There was the effect of chitosan on the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, and Archaea. The lowest population of these bacteria of 576.60 mg/kg DM (dry matter), 1010.40 mg/kg DM, and 634.80 mg/kg DM were noted when chitosan was added at levels of 3.87, 4.16, and 3.52. Except for Ruminococcus albus, which was not affected by increasing chitosan doses, supplementation of this additive in the concentrate quadratically increased the relative abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Archaea Supplemental 740 mg CHI/kg concentrate for grazing steers receiving concentrate at 150 grams/100 kg LW is recommended to promote minimal effect on the relative population and abundance of cellulolytics and amylomatics and to restrict Archaea growth.
Men and women who want epistemic certainty are at-risk for hostility towards women leaders

ABSTRACT Researchers have spent the past five decades asking why women leaders face disproportionally more disapproval than their men colleagues. We extend recent research by investigating the need for cognitive closure (NCC), or the desire for stable and certain knowledge, to help answer this question. Consistent with Role Congruity Theory, we propose that individuals with this need are more likely to disapprove of women who break traditional gender roles as well as women leaders, a subcategory of nontraditional woman. We studied the NCC effect relative to the effects of gender and political orientation (i.e., women and political liberals are less likely to disapprove of women leaders). In four studies, including state and dispositional treatments of NCC and a brief meta-analyses, we argue that NCC has an indirect effect on negative attitudes toward women leaders through hostile sexism, among both men and women and from both sides of the political spectrum.
Analysis of Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Carriage in Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Equids Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

This is one of the first studies to perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a large collection of Staphylococcus aureus isolates, both methicillin resistant and susceptible, collected from horses. A large proportion of the isolates carry leucocidin PQ (LukPQ), making this one of the first reports of such carriage in the United States. ABSTRACT While Staphylococcus aureus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in equids (horses, donkeys, and mules), few studies have performed whole-genome sequencing to fully categorize large collections of equine isolates. Such sequencing allows for a comprehensive analysis of the genetic lineage and relationships of isolates, as well as the virulence genes present in each, which can be important for understanding the epidemiology of strains and their range of infections. Seventy-two clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates from equids were collected at the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 2007 and 2017. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to characterize the isolates according to sequence typing, biofilm association, antimicrobial resistance, and toxin gene carriage. Of the 72 isolates, 19% were methicillin resistant, of which the majority belonged to clonal complex 8. Eighteen distinct sequence types (STs) were represented, with the most common being ST1, ST133, ST8, and ST97. Most isolates had weak or negative overall biofilm production. Toxin and antimicrobial resistance gene carriage was varied; of note, this study revealed that a large proportion of North American equine isolates carry the leucocidin PQ toxin (66% of isolates). One isolate (17-021) carried genes imparting lincosamide and high-level mupirocin resistance, a combination not previously reported in equine-derived S. aureus isolates. IMPORTANCE This is one of the first studies to perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a large collection of Staphylococcus aureus isolates, both methicillin resistant and susceptible, collected from horses. A large proportion of the isolates carry leucocidin PQ (LukPQ), making this one of the first reports of such carriage in the United States. The presence of lincosamide and high-level mupirocin resistance in a methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolate highlights the importance of MSSA as a reservoir of important antimicrobial resistance genes. As microbial resistance genes on mobile genetic elements can pass between S. aureus strains and livestock-associated strains can be transferred to humans, these findings have important public health implications.
Supporting Children Who Experience Domestic Violence: Evaluating the Child Witness to Domestic Violence Program

Impacting 1 in 4 children in the United States, childhood exposure to domestic violence predicts myriad negative sequelae. Intervening post exposure is critical to help children and their protective parent heal and avoid long-term negative consequences. Children aged 2-17 and their mothers who were victims of domestic violence participated in a 12-week group program delivered by domestic violence agency staff that provides psychoeducation on the impact of trauma and domestic violence and aims to improve parent and child well-being. The impact of the Child Witness to Domestic Violence (CWDV) program was tested in an intervention group (n = 69 children, 33 mothers) who participated in CWDV and control group (n = 80 children, 39 mothers) consisting of children whose mothers received adult-focused domestic violence services but were not enrolled in CWDV or other child-focused services. Multiple regression analyses controlling for child gender, child age, mother’s age, and the outcome of interest at time 1 found that participation in CWDV program significantly predicted better child functioning as indicated by less hyperactivity (B = –.85, p = .06), fewer negative emotional symptoms (B = –1.14, p = .01), and fewer total behavioral difficulties (B = –2.48, p = .02) as well as higher maternal hope (B = .57, p = .03). These data provide promising evidence of the impact of a brief, replicable group intervention that promotes healing and well-being among children and parents exposed to domestic violence. Limitations include a quasi-experimental design and reliance on maternal report.
Women who prefer “lesbian” to “queer”: generational continuity and discontinuity

ABSTRACT The legitimacy of the term and identity “lesbian” has long been contested, but has come under renewed scrutiny, with some suggesting it is exclusionary and dated. Along with these suggestions is the implication of a generational divide. Supposedly, older women—unaware of contemporary queer discourses—are more likely use the term “lesbian,” whereas younger women are more likely to choose queer affiliated identities. In this paper we draw on survey data investigating why some women might seek to retain the identity “lesbian. ” These narratives complicate simplistic accounts of a generational divide. We discuss themes of cross-generational continuity in participants’ sense of historical connection; connection to politics; lesbian visibility; and specificity and boundaries. The theme of lesbian community demonstrated discontinuity: participants of all ages agreed on the importance of lesbian community, but there was generational discontinuity in the access that participants had to it. Our respondents were aware of, and reflective about, current debates situating the category “lesbian” as problematic or obsolete, and nonetheless found utility and meaning in the term. Through their analysis we hope to destabilize discussions about a generational divide defining the use of the term “lesbian” with corresponding questions around ongoing relevance.
Deletion of SDF-1 or CXCR4 regulates platelet activation linked to glucose metabolism and mitochondrial respiratory reserve

Abstract Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12) and its receptor CXCR4 have shown to play a role in the homing and engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. SDF-1 is highly expressed in platelets and involved in thrombosis formation. However, the exact roles of platelet-derived SDF-1 and CXCR4 in platelet activation and mitochondrial function have not been revealed yet. Deletion of Sdf-1 and Cxcr4 specifically in platelets decreased agonist-induced platelet aggregation and dramatically impaired thrombin-induced glucose uptake. In SDF-1-deficient and CXCR4-deficient platelets, intracellular ATP secretions were reduced when activated by the addition of thrombin. SDF-1 deficiency in platelets can impair the routine respiration during resting state and maximal capacity of the electron transfer system (ETS) during activated state. Mitochondrial respiration measurements in permeabilized platelets indicated an impaired function of the oxidative phosphorylation system in -SDF-1 or CXCR4-deficient platelets. These results suggested a novel role of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in modulating platelet energy metabolism and activation by regulating mitochondrial respiration, glucose uptake, and ATP production.
SNARE proteins VAMP721 and VAMP722 mediate the post-Golgi trafficking required for auxin-mediated development in Arabidopsis.

The plant hormone auxin controls many aspects of plant development. Membrane trafficking processes such as secretion, endocytosis, and recycling regulate the polar localization of auxin transporters to establish an auxin concentration gradient. Here, we investigate the function of the Arabidopsis thaliana R-SNAREs VESICLE-ASSOCIATED MEMBRANE PROTEIN 721 (VAMP721) and VAMP722 in the post-Golgi trafficking required for proper auxin distribution and seedling growth. We show that multiple growth phenotypes, such as cotyledon development, vein patterning, and lateral root growth, were defective in the double homozygous vamp721vamp722 mutant. Abnormal auxin distribution and root patterning were also observed in the mutant seedlings. Fluorescence imaging revealed that three auxin transporters, PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), PIN2, and AUXIN RESISTANT 1 (AUX1), aberrantly accumulate within the cytoplasm of the double mutant, impairing the polar localization at the plasma membrane (PM). The analysis of intracellular trafficking demonstrated the involvement of VAMP721 and VAMP722 in endocytosis of FM4-64 and the secretion and recycling of the PIN2 transporter protein to the PM, but not its trafficking to the vacuole. Furthermore, vamp721vamp722 mutant roots display enlarged trans-Golgi network (TGN) structures, as indicated by the subcellular localization of a variety of marker proteins and the ultrastructure observed using transmission electron microscopy. Thus, our results suggest that the R-SNAREs VAMP721 and VAMP722 mediate the post-Golgi trafficking of auxin transporters to the plasma membrane from the TGN subdomains, substantially contributing to plant growth.