Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of common symptoms of neonatal illness in Northwest Ethiopia: A repeated measure cross-sectional study

Background The neonatal period is the most vulnerable stage of life. In Ethiopia, neonatal illness is common and the reduction in neonatal mortality is not as significant as for under-five mortality. Objectives To determine the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal illness symptoms reported by mothers delivering in health facilities in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A repeated measure cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 358 randomly selected deliveries in 11 health facilities from November 2018 to March 2019. A pretested and interviewer-administered structured questionnaire adapted from the literature was employed to record neonatal outcomes (illnesses and/or deaths) at birth, 24 hours, 7th, 14th and 28th day from birth. Cleaned data was exported to STATA version 14 software for analysis. Multilevel analysis was used to identify individual and facility-level characteristics associated with neonatal illness symptoms. Results The prevalence of neonatal illness symptoms was 27.8% (95% CI; 23.2, 32.8) of the 338 babies born alive and the neonatal mortality rate was 41/1000 live births (14/338). The most common symptoms or conditions of neonatal illness reported by mothers’ in the study area were possible serious bacterial infections (95.8%, 90/94), localized bacterial infections (43.6%, 41/94), low birth weight (23.4%, 22/94), diarrhea (18.1%, 17/94), prematurity (14.9%, 14/94), and jaundice (7.5%, 7/94). Among the babies who died, neonates who had possible serious bacterial infections, low birth weight, localized bacterial infections, and prematurity took the highest proportions with 100% (14/14), 64.3% (9/14), 50% (7/14), and 42.9% (6/14), respectively. Having a maximum of 3 children (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.1–3.6), having twins or triplets during pregnancy (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.1–6.1), and lack of antenatal counseling (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.1–3.3) were among the maternal factors associated with neonatal illness. Having low birth length (AOR = 7.93; 95% CI = 3.6–17.3), and having a poor breastfeeding quality (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.4–4.0) were found to be the neonatal factors associated with neonatal illness. Conclusions This study indicated a high prevalence of neonatal illness symptoms in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, early detection, referral and better management of symptoms or conditions with a high mortality, like sepsis and low birth weight are compulsory to save the lives of many neonates. Strengthening the health extension programme to improve antenatal care service utilization and breastfeeding quality of neonates among postpartum women is crucial.
In silico guided design of non-covalent inhibitors of DprE1: synthesis and biological evaluation

ABSTRACT DprE1 is a potential target of resistant tuberculosis (TB), especially multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. 2-benzoxazolinone is a closely related bioisostere of some scaffolds such as benzoxazoles, benzimidazole, benzothiazolinone, and benzothiazoles that have been previously explored against DprE1. Thus, a ligand-based quantitative pharmacophore model (AHRR.8) of DprE1 was developed and this pharmacophore model was utilized in activity profiling of some 2-benzoxazolinones from an in-house database using virtual screening. Obtained hits were subject to molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and MM/GBSA calculations, which resulted in benzoyl-substituted derivatives of 2-benzoxazolinone showing strong interactions with the key amino acid residues in the active site of DprE1. Based on in silico results, the top five hits were duly synthesized and evaluated against the XDR-TB strain. This study is an initial effort to explore 2-benzoxazolinones against XDR-TB, which can be submitted further to lead optimization for refining the results.
Growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum (Prymnesiophyceae), after gradual and abrupt increases in salinity

Prymnesium parvum is a euryhaline, toxin‐producing microalga. Although its abundance in inland waters and growth potential in the laboratory is reduced at high salinity (>20), the ability of inland strains to adjust their growth after long‐term residence in high salinity is uncertain. An inland strain of P. parvum maintained at salinity of 5 in modified artificial seawater medium (ASM‐5) was subjected to the following treatments over five sequential batch culture rounds: ASM‐5 (control); modified ASM at salinity of 30, raised with NaCl; modified ASM at salinity incrementally increased to 30 with NaCl; and Instant Ocean® at salinity of 30 (IO‐30). Exponential growth rate (r) was reduced when salinity was increased from 5 to 30 in ASM but returned to control values during the second round. When salinity was incrementally increased, a reduction in r still occurred when salinity reached 25‐30. Maximum density was reduced at salinity of 30 in ASM upon abrupt transfer or incremental increase, and compensation did not occur. Growth performance in IO‐30 was comparable to control values. In conclusion, (i) long‐term compensation for acute inhibitory effects of high salinity occurred for r but not maximum density, (ii) incremental increases in salinity did not prevent growth inhibition, suggesting the existence of a salinity threshold of 25–30 for onset of salinity stress, and (iii) the presence of a seawater‐like salt mixture prevented growth inhibition by high salinity. These findings provide new insights on P. parvum's long‐term ability to adjust its growth in environments of different salinity and ionic composition.
Resistance training to reduce resting blood pressure and increase muscle strength in users and non-users of anti-hypertensive medication: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to analyze the effect of resistance training variables prescription on resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and muscle strength changes. Methods: The search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases until August 2020 for randomized controlled trials with non-exercising control group. Results: In total, 36 studies qualified for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Eleven studies included users of antihypertensive medication, while the remaining 25 studies were conducted with non-users of antihypertensive medication. Resistance training only reduced SBP (−0.56 [−0.77 to −0.35]; P < .001) and DBP (−0.46 [−0.68 to −0.24]; P < .001) in anti-hypertensive medication users, with changes ranging from −6.1 to −2.8 mmHg for SBP and −4.6 to −1.6 mmHg for DBP. Muscle strength increased significantly in both users (0.76 [0.49 to 1.02]; P < .001) and non-users of antihypertensive medication (0.94 [0.71 to 1.16]; P < .001). Resistance training should be performed by users and non-users of antihypertensive medication for 8 to 16 weeks (2 to 3 days a week) and 8 to 12 non-failure repetitions. However, users should train with less load (60–80 vs 70–85% 1RM) and exercise sets (1–3 vs 2–4) than non-users of antihypertensive medication. Conclusion: Resistance training increases muscle strength and reduces resting SBP and DBP in individuals under BP pharmacological therapy, while in individuals who do not use antihypertensive drugs, resistance training only increases strength.
Archerfish coordinate fin-maneuvers with their shots.

Archerfish down a variety of aerial prey from a range of distances using water jets that they adjust to size and distance of their prey. We describe here that characteristic rapid fin maneuvers, most notably of the pectoral and pelvic fins, are precisely coordinated with the release of the jet. We discovered these maneuvers in two fish that had been trained to shoot from fixed positions at targets in different height, whose jets had been characterized in detail and who remained stable during their shots. Based on the findings in these individuals we examined shooting-associated fin-movement in 28 further archerfish of two species that could shoot from freely chosen positions at targets of different height. Slightly before onset of the water jet, at a time when the shooter remains stable, the pectoral fins of all shooters switched from asynchronous low-amplitude beating to a synchronized rapid forward flap. Onset and duration of the forward and subsequent backward flap were robust across all individuals and shooting angles but depended on target height. The pelvic fins are slowly adducted at the start of the jet and stop after its release. All other fins also showed a characteristic sequence of activation, some starting about 0.5 s before the shot. Our findings suggest that shooting-related fin-maneuvers are needed to stabilize the shooter and that they are an important component in the precise and powerful far-distance shooting in archerfish.
Essential Oil Composition of Wedelia glauca (Ort.) Hoffman ex Hicken from Argentina

Abstract The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Wedelia glauca (Asteraceae) growing in San Luis, Argentina, was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-two compounds were identified. The oil was found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (near 94.9%), such as limonene (38.0%), sabinene (23.9%) and α-pinene (22.0%), which were the main components.
Different Effects of Alcohol Exposure on Action and Outcome-Related Orbitofrontal Cortex Activity

Abstract Alcohol dependence can result in long-lasting deficits to decision-making and action control. Neurobiological investigations have identified orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as important for outcome-related contributions to goal-directed actions during decision-making. Prior work has shown that alcohol dependence induces long-lasting changes to OFC function that persist into protracted withdrawal and disrupts goal-directed control over actions. However, it is unclear whether these changes in function alter representation of action and outcome-related neural activity in OFC. Here, we used the well-validated chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure and withdrawal procedure to model alcohol dependence in mice and performed in vivo extracellular recordings during an instrumental task in which lever-press actions made for a food outcome. We found alcohol dependence disrupted goal-directed action control and increased OFC activity associated with lever-pressing but decreased OFC activity during outcome-related epochs. The ability to decode outcome-related information, but not action information, from OFC activity following CIE exposure was reduced. Hence, chronic alcohol exposure induced a long-lasting disruption to OFC function such that activity associated with actions was enhanced, but OFC activity contributions to outcome-related information was diminished. This has important implications for hypotheses regarding compulsive and habitual phenotypes observed in addiction.
An Asynchronous Curriculum to Address Substance Use Disorder Training Needs for Medical and Surgical Residents

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Developing substance use (SU) skills in medical training remains a challenge. Residents in teaching hospitals bear a large burden in managing SU sequelae and often lack support. Preventive and addiction medicine faculty defined broadly applicable core knowledge and skills for residents across specialties in a tertiary care center. Three 1-hour online modules were developed and delivered asynchronously to interns, followed by a live skills session at orientation. Topics were (1) Unhealthy SU Screening, Detection, and Intervention; (2) Bias and Communication; and (3) Safer Prescribing in Acute Pain. All 68 interns completed the curriculum. Pre/posttesting showed increased knowledge (52%-83% correct, P < .001) and perceived confidence (10-12.9, maximum 16, P < .001). Attitudes were unchanged (18.4-18.7, maximum 20, P = .07). This process identified and improved core knowledge and skills for SU prevention and treatment in medical and surgical trainees.
AMELIORATION OF ZINC DEFICIENCY OF CORN IN CALCAREOUS SOILS OF THAILAND: ZINC SOURCES AND APPLICATION METHODS

A variety of zinc (Zn) fertilizer sources are applied with varied responses on calcareous soils in Thailand. Seed treatment is an alternative method to deliver Zn to corn and alleviate Zn deficiency. To address this Zn delivery methods we conducted greenhouse studies on corn grown in three calcareous soils of Thailand to three Zn fertilizer sources [zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), Zn-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Zn citrate]. We also evaluated effectiveness of soaking corn seed in three concentrations of ZnSO4 (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6%) prior to planting compared to soil applied methods. Applications of zinc increased the growth, dry matter yield and zinc uptake of corn with few differences observed among the types of fertilizers. Seed soaking with ZnSO4 solution also increased Zn uptake, growth rate and yield comparable to soil-applied Zn. Seed soaking prior to planting is an effective and efficient method to supply Zn to corn grown in Zn deficient calcareous soils of Thailand.
Enhancing smart healthcare in dentistry: an approach to managing patients’ stress

ABSTRACT This paper presents a model of a smart healthcare service for stress management in dental patients during the interventions. The main goal is to provide dental clinics with a model that enables introducing a stress management service into everyday practice and provides patients with a better experience in a typically stressful situation. The approach is based on employing wearable sensors for monitoring physiological parameters, and a mobile application for progressive muscle relaxation therapy. Dental patients were divided into experimental and control groups. Participants from the experimental group were treated with progressive muscle relaxation through mobile health application with audio content, and patients from the control group were not exposed to any relaxation method. Heart rate was measured in both groups through three test phases: pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention. Evaluation of the anxiety level was performed using the STAI test. Results show that the measured heart rate in the post-intervention phase is lower than in the intervention phase in both testing groups, as well as in the pre-intervention phase. STAI scores were significantly higher in the control group through all test phases. The research found that the proposed system applied to dentist patients may relieve their anxiety symptoms and decrease stress level, which improves the patients’ experience and leads to higher patients’ satisfaction.
Impact of Baseline and On-Treatment Glycemia on Everolimus-Exemestane Efficacy in Patients with Hormone Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer (EVERMET)

Purpose: The mTOR complex C1 (mTORC1) inhibitor everolimus in combination with the aromatase inhibitor exemestane is an effective treatment for patients with hormone receptor—positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2−), advanced breast cancer (HR+/HER2− aBC). However, everolimus can cause hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, which could reactivate the PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT)/mTORC1 pathway and induce tumor resistance to everolimus. Experimental Design: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, Italian study to investigate the impact of baseline and on-treatment (i.e., during first 3 months of therapy) blood glucose levels on progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with HR+/HER2− aBC treated with everolimus-exemestane. Results: We evaluated 809 patients with HR+/HER2− aBC treated with everolimus-exemestane as any line of therapy for advanced disease. When evaluated as dichotomous variables, baseline and on-treatment glycemia were not significantly associated with PFS. However, when blood glucose concentration was evaluated as a continuous variable, a multivariable model accounting for clinically relevant patient- and tumor-related variables revealed that both baseline and on-treatment glycemia are associated with PFS, and this association is largely attributable to their interaction. In particular, patients who are normoglycemic at baseline and experience on-treatment diabetes have lower PFS compared with patients who are already hyperglycemic at baseline and experience diabetes during everolimus-exemestane therapy (median PFS, 6.34 vs. 10.32 months; HR, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–2.69; P = 0.008). Conclusions: The impact of on-treatment glycemia on the efficacy of everolimus-exemestane therapy in patients with HR+/HER2− aBC depends on baseline glycemia. This study lays the foundations for investigating novel therapeutic approaches to target the glucose/insulin axis in combination with PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 inhibitors in patients with HR+/HER2− aBC.
Effectiveness of resistance exercises in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background: We aimed to assess the efficacy of resistance exercise in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Method: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched according to the index words to identify eligible RCTs, and relevant literature sources were also searched. The latest search was done in August 2019. Odds ratios (OR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze the main outcomes. Result: Seventeen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis with 512 patients in the resistance exercise group and 498 patients in the control group. The results showed that compared with the control group, resistance exercise significantly decreased disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28) scores (standard mean difference [SMD]: –0.69, 95% CI: –1.26 to –0.11), reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (SMD: –0.86, 95% CI: –1.65 to –0.07), and shortened the time of 50 ft. walking (SMD: –0.64, 95% CI: –0.99 to –0.28). No significant difference was observed in visual analog scale (VAS) scores (SMD: –0.61, 95% CI: –1.49–0.27) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scores (weighted mean difference: –0.10, 95% CI: –0.26–0.06). Conclusion: Resistance exercise showed reducing DAS-28 score, ESR score, and the time of 50 ft. walking in RA patients compared with the control group. However, high quality multicenter RCTs with larger sample sizes to confirm the conclusion.
RNA-Binding Protein Polymorphisms as Novel Biomarkers to Predict Outcomes of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis from TRIBE, FIRE-3, and MAVERICC

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate many posttranscriptional cellular activities. Accumulating evidence suggests associations between RBPs with colonic tumorigenesis and chemosensitivity. We investigated the prognostic and predictive values of SNPs of genes encoding RBPs in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), using clinical and genomic data from three randomized clinical trials of standard first-line chemotherapy for mCRC (TRIBE, FIRE-3, and MAVERICC). Genomic DNA extracted from blood samples was genotyped using an OncoArray. We tested 30 candidate SNPs of 10 major RBP-related genes with additive models. Prognostic values were estimated by meta-analysis approach. Treatment-by-SNP interactions were tested to estimate predictive values for targeted drugs and cytotoxic backbone chemotherapies. This study included 884 patients. The meta-analysis revealed prognostic values of LIN28B rs314277 [HR, 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06–1.49, P = 0.005, FDR-adjusted P = 0.072 for overall survival (OS)] and LIN28B rs314276 (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.08–1.44, P = 0.002, FDR-adjusted P = 0.062 for OS). Although some SNPs showed potentially predictive values, these associations were not confirmed after FDR adjustment. In conclusion, the results of this study are warranting additional studies to provide the evidence that RBP-related SNPs may be associated with the prognosis of patients with mCRC treated with standard first-line chemotherapies. In addition, further studies are warranted to study the predictive value.
Transcriptome screening followed by integrated physicochemical and structural analyses for investigating RNA-mediated berberine activity

Abstract Non-coding RNAs are regarded as promising targets for the discovery of innovative drugs due to their abundance in the genome and their involvement in many biological processes. Phytochemicals (PCs) are the primary source of ligand-based drugs due to their broad spectrum of biological activities. Since many PCs are heterocyclic and have chemical groups potentially involved in the interaction with nucleic acids, detailed interaction analysis between PCs and RNA is crucial to explore the effect of PCs on RNA functions. In this study, an integrated approach for investigating interactions between PCs and RNAs were demonstrated to verify the RNA-mediated PCs functions by using berberine (BRB) as a model PC. RNA screening of a transcriptome library followed by sequence refinement found minimal RNA motif consisting of a cytosine bulge with U-A and G-U neighbouring base pairs for interaction with BRB. NMR-based structure determination and physicochemical analyses using chemical analogues of BRB demonstrated the importance of electrostatic and stacking interactions for sequence selective interaction and RNA stabilization. The selective interaction with a relatively small RNA motif based on a chemical structure of a planer heterocyclic highlights the biological activities of various PCs mediated by the interactions with particular functional RNAs. In addition, the systematic and quantitative investigations demonstrated in this study could be useful for the development of therapeutic chemicals targeting functional RNAs, based on the PCs, in the future.