Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and safety of hydrotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common clinical degenerative disease of the joints, which is prone to occur in middle-aged and elderly people. At present, the disease cannot be cured, it is mostly treated with drugs to relieve symptoms, improve joint function, protect cartilage, such as glucosamine, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, and but the efficacy is not lasting and the recurrence rate is high. Hydrotherapy has become a long-term alternative therapy in China and is receiving increasing attention. We perform a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of a hydrotherapy program in individuals living with knee OA. Methods: This protocol will be designed in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols. It is registered on the international prospective register of systematic reviews (No. CRD42022365564). We will search the following databases: The Cochrane Skin Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Chinese biomedical literature database, Chinese medical current content and China national knowledge infrastructure. The risk of bias of the included studies will be appraised using the Cochrane collaboration tool. Statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Armonk, NY). Results: This systematic review will summarize the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of hydrotherapy for knee OA. Conclusion: The findings from this review will establish the quality of currently available evidence, which will determine the need for further studies to establish the true effect size of hydrotherapy in knee OA.
Combining In Vitro and In Silico New Approach Methods to Investigate Type 3 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Chemical Inhibition Across Species

New approach methodologies (NAMs) are being developed to reduce and replace vertebrate animal testing in support of ecotoxicology and risk assessment. The US Environmental Protection Agency's Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) bioinformatic tool was used to evaluate amino acid sequence conservation of the type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO3) enzyme across species to demonstrate NAM applications for understanding effects of chemical interactions with a specific protein target. Existing literature was used to identify critical amino acids for thyroid hormone binding and interaction with a reducing cofactor. The SeqAPASS tool identifies whether known critical amino acids involved in ligand binding are exact, partial, or not matches across species compared with a template species based on molecular weight and side chain classification. This evaluation guided the design of variant proteins representing critical amino acid substitutions found in various species. Site‐directed mutagenesis of the wild‐type (WT) human DIO3 gene sequence was used to create six variant proteins expressed in cell culture, which were then tested in vitro for chemical inhibition. Significant differences in in vitro median inhibitory concentration results were observed among variants for potential competitive inhibitors. A molecular model representing the WT human DIO3 was constructed using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software and mutated in silico to create the six variants. The MOE Site Finder tool identified the proposed catalytic and cofactor sites and potential alternative binding sites. Virtual docking did not provide affinity scores with sufficient resolution to rank the potency of the chemical inhibitors. Chemical characteristics, function and location of substituted amino acids, and complexities of the protein target are important considerations in developing NAMs to evaluate chemical susceptibility across species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1032–1048. © 2023 University of Wisconsin‐Madison. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Time to reconsider the perception and management of hypertensive heart disease

1Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), and School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; 2Center for Network Biomedical Research of Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain; 3St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK; 4IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy; 5Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA; and 6Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS, USA
The current emitted by highly conducting Taylor cones

When a liquid meniscus held at the exit of a metallic capillary tube is charged to a high voltage V, the free surface often takes the form of a cone whose apex emits a steady microjet, and thus injects a certain charge I and liquid volume Q per unit time into the surrounding gas. This work deals with liquids with relatively large conductivities K, for which the jet diameter dj is much smaller than the diameter dn of the capillary tube. In the limit dj/dn → 0, the structure of the jet (dj and I, in particular) becomes independent of electrostatic parameters such as V or the electrode configuration, being governed mostly by the liquid properties and flow rate Q. Furthermore, the measured current is given approximately by I = f(ε) (γQK/ε)½ for a wide variety of liquids and conditions (ε, and γ are, respectively, the dielectric constant of the liquid and the coefficient of interfacial tension; f(ε) is shown in figure 11). The following explanation is proposed for this behaviour. Convection associated with the liquid flow Q transports the net surface charge towards the cone tip. This upsets the electrostatic surface charge distribution slightly at distances r from the apex large compared to a certain charge relaxation length λ, but substantially when r ∼ λ. When the fluid motion is modelled as a sink flow, λ is of the order of r* = (Qεε0/K)$\frac13$ (ε0 is the electrical permittivity of vacuum). If, in addition, the surface charge density is described through Taylor's theory, the corresponding surface current convected towards the apex scales as Is ∼ (γQK/ε)½, as observed for the spray current. The sink flow hypothesis is shown to be realistic for sufficiently small jet Reynolds numbers. In a few photographs of ethylene glycol cone jets, we find the rough scaling dj ∼ 0.4r* for the jet diameter, which shows that the jet forms as soon as charge relaxation effects set in. In the limit ε [Gt ] 1, an upper bound is found for the convected current at the virtual cone apex, which accounts for only one-quarter of the total measured spray current. The rest of the charge must accordingly reach the head of the jet by conduction through the bulk.
Euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 facilitates radioresistance in prostate cancer by repressing endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 transcription

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. This study was conducted to investigate the role of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) and endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERP29) in the progression of radioresistance in prostate cancer. The expression of EHMT2 and ERP29 in prostate cancer cells and during the progression of radioresistance was detected using quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, and the interaction between EHMT2 and ERP29 was investigated. The proliferation of transfected cells under x‐ray irradiation was determined using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis of the transfected cells under x‐ray irradiation. Nude mice were subcutaneously injected with prostate cancer (DU145) cells stably transfected with sh‐ERP29 or sh‐NC. The effect of ERP29 expression on radioresistance in nude mice was assessed by x‐ray irradiation. The expression of EHMT2 was upregulated and that of ERP29 was downregulated in prostate cancer cells during radioresistance progression. EHMT2 downregulation suppressed radioresistance in DU145 and androgen‐sensitive prostate cancer (LNCaP) cells. In irradiated DU145 cells, EHMT2 inhibition decreased the number of colonies and accelerated apoptosis. The transcription of ERP29 was suppressed by EHMT2 by upregulating H3K9me2 and downregulating H3K4me3, thereby regulating radioresistance in prostate cancer cells. In addition, the downregulation of ERP29 promoted the progression of radioresistance in prostate cancer cells in nude mice. EHMT2 promotes radioresistance in prostate cancer cells by repressing ERP29 transcription.
Vasa, a regulator of localized mRNA translation on the spindle

Localized mRNA translation is a biological process that allows mRNA to be translated on‐site, which is proposed to provide fine control in protein regulation, both spatially and temporally within a cell. We recently reported that Vasa, an RNA‐helicase, is a promising factor that appears to regulate this process on the spindle during the embryonic development of the sea urchin, yet the detailed roles and functional mechanisms of Vasa in this process are still largely unknown. In this review article, to elucidate these remaining questions, we first summarize the prior knowledge and our recent findings in the area of Vasa research and further discuss how Vasa may function in localized mRNA translation, contributing to efficient protein regulation during rapid embryogenesis and cancer cell regulation.
Outcomes of transcanal endoscopic middle ear surgery for congenital cholesteatoma

Abstract Background Transcanal endoscopic surgery offers advantages for congenital cholesteatoma (CC) which is expanding cystic mass located on an intact tympanic membrane. Objectives To determine the efficacy of transcanal endoscopic ear surgery for the treatment of CC. Material and methods Eleven patients with CC confined to the middle ear underwent transcanal endoscopic ear surgery by surgeons who were skilled in otoscopic surgery. According to the Potsic classification, four, three, and four patients had lesions in stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 24.5 months. We retrospectively analyzed the recurrence rate, complications, and average hearing thresholds of the patients with CC. Results All CCs were successfully resected via the transcanal endoscopic approach, without any immediate or serious complications. The only complication was external auditory canal stenosis due to postoperative scarring, which occurred in a patient with a stage-3 cholesteatoma that recurred and required reoperation and second-stage ossicular chain reconstruction. Two more patients underwent one-stage ossicular chain reconstruction. All three patients received a total artificial ossicular replacement prosthesis, and two of them also received cartilage grafts. Conclusions and significance Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery is an effective method to treat CC belonging to Potsic stages 3 or below.
Increasing Inclusivity and Reducing Reactance During Provider-Patient Interactions

Background Significant health disparities exist for trans and gender-nonconforming patients, in part caused by a reduced likelihood of seeking health care due to experienced discrimination in health care settings. Increasing inclusivity in patient-provider interactions can decrease barriers to care seeking for these patients, but such advice to providers must be simple to implement and account for potential backlash among certain patient subgroups. Methods In 3 studies, we use online samples to experimentally test patient reactions to 2 methods of provider inclusivity signaling: verbal sharing of the provider’s pronouns and request for the patient’s pronouns (a method frequently suggested in the literature) and the provider wearing a pin indicating their pronouns without verbal sharing or requesting that the patient share their pronouns. Results Study 1 finds that political orientation significantly moderated the effect of pronoun request on patient satisfaction with the visit, P = . 003; satisfaction with the doctor, P = . 003; and willingness to return to the provider, P = . 007, with politically liberal participants being more satisfied and more likely to return when pronouns were requested and politically conservative participants less satisfied and less likely to return. Study 2 replicated these findings and demonstrated that such backlash among conservative participants did not occur when inclusivity was indicated via the provider wearing a pin indicating their pronouns. Study 3 showed that while pronoun pins may be subtle enough to not cause backlash, they are noticed by the target community and increase satisfaction and willingness to return among participants who identify as trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer. Limitations These studies were hypothetical scenario studies run online rather than field studies. Conclusions These results suggest that recommendations for increasing inclusivity should account for potential negative impacts on the practice from more politically conservative patients and that more subtle methods of indicating an inclusive health care environment are likely to be more implementable for practitioners in the field while still positively affecting the target population. Highlights Increasing inclusivity in health care settings by verbally sharing and requesting pronouns can cause backlash and aggression among politically conservative patients. More subtle methods of inclusivity signaling such as providers wearing pins sharing their own pronouns do not have this type of backlash effect and increase satisfaction and willingness to return among non-cisgender patients. Recommendations for increasing inclusivity in health care settings should consider negative reactions from other patient subgroups to ensure recommendations are those providers are likely to be willing and able to implement long term.
The double task-switching protocol: An investigation into the effects of similarity and conflict on cognitive flexibility in the context of mental fatigue

Considerable fundamental studies have focused on the mechanisms governing cognitive flexibility and the associated costs of switching between tasks. Task-switching costs refer to the phenomenon that reaction times and accuracy decrease briefly following the switch from one task to another. However, cognitive flexibility also impacts day-to-day life in many complex work environments where operators have to perform several different tasks. One major difference between typical tasks examined in fundamental studies and real-world applications is that fundamental studies often rely on much more similar tasks, which is not the case for real-world applications. In the latter, operators may switch between vastly dissimilar tasks. Therefore, this behavioural study aims to test if task-switching costs are different for switches between similar and dissimilar tasks. The proposed protocol has participants switch between 2 pairs of two tasks each. Between pairs, there is more dissimilarity, while the two tasks within each pair are more similar. In addition, this study examines the impact of mental fatigue and interference in form of confounding information on cognitive flexibility. To induce mental fatigue the participants’ breaks between blocks will be limited. We expect that dissimilarity between tasks will result in greater task-switching costs.
Quantum study of Foldy–Wouthuysen–Tani theory on lattice

We study here a quantum version of Foldy–Wouthuysen–Tani (FWT) transformation and compare the similarities and differences between the quantum and the classic FWT theories. Then the improvement of action on lattice is discussed. The result shows that it is not necessary to improve the covariant difference along the time direction on lattice. Finally we discuss briefly the structure of physical vacuum and give a model independent of field condensate.
Population-representative study reveals cardiovascular and metabolic disease biomarkers associated with misaligned sleep schedules

Abstract Study Objectives Social jetlag manifests as a difference in sleep timing on workdays and free days. Social jetlag is often associated with shorter, lower-quality sleep, so it is unclear how much the chronic circadian misalignment contributes to observed negative health outcomes. We aimed to (1) investigate associations between social jetlag, chronotype (one of its determinants), and the levels of health markers, (2) describe factors associated with social jetlag, and (3) examine whether working from home can reduce social jetlag. Methods Adult respondents participated in a nationally representative longitudinal survey of Czech households (individuals in each wave: n2018/19/20 = 5132/1957/1533), which included Munich ChronoType Questionnaire to evaluate chronotype and social jetlag. A subset provided blood samples (n2019 = 1957) for detection of nine biomarkers and was surveyed in three successive years (social jetlag calculated for n2018/19/20 = 3930/1601/1237). Data were analyzed by nonparametric univariate tests and mixed effects multivariate regression with social jetlag, chronotype, sex, age, body-mass index, and reported diseases as predictors and biomarker levels as outcomes. Results Higher social jetlag (≥0.65 h) was significantly associated with increased levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, particularly in participants older than 50 years (Mann–Whitney, men: pCHL = 0.0005, pLDL = 0.0009; women: pCHL = 0.0079, pLDL = 0.0068). Extreme chronotypes were associated with cardiovascular disease risk markers regardless of social jetlag (Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.0001). Commuting to work and time stress were identified as important contributors to social jetlag. Individual longitudinal data showed that working from home decreased social jetlag and prolonged sleep. Conclusions We report significant associations between sleep phase preference, social jetlag, and cardio-metabolic biomarkers.
Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex among Wild Rhesus Macaques and 2 Subspecies of Long-Tailed Macaques, Thailand, 2018–2022

We identified tuberculosis in 1,836 macaques from 6 wild rhesus (Macaca mulatta), 23 common long-tailed (M. fascicularis fascicularis), and 6 Burmese long-tailed (M. fascicularis aurea) macaque populations in Thailand. We captured, anesthetized, and collected throat, buccal, and rectal swab specimens from the macaques. We screened swabs for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) using insertion sequence 6110–specific nested PCR. We found higher MTBC prevalence at both population and individual levels among M. mulatta than M. fascicularis fascicularis macaques; all 3 M. fascicularis aurea macaque populations were positive for tuberculosis. We found that throat swab specimens provided the best sample medium for detecting MTBC. Our results showed no difference in MTBC prevalence between male and female animals, but a higher percentage of adults were infected than subadults and juveniles. Although we detected no association between frequency of human–macaque interaction and MTBC prevalence, bidirectional zoonotic transmission should be considered a possible public health concern.
Clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with DOACs in a specialized anticoagulation center: Critical appraisal of real-world data

Aims Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are progressively replacing vitamin K antagonists in the prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, their real-world clinical outcomes appear to be contradictory, with some studies reporting fewer and others reporting higher complications than the pivotal randomized controlled trials. We present the results of a clinical model for the management of DOACs in real clinical practice and provide a review of the literature. Methods The MACACOD project is an ongoing, observational, prospective, single-center study with unselected patients that focuses on rigorous DOAC selection, an educational visit, laboratory measurements, and strict follow-up. Results A total of 1,259 patients were included. The composite incidence of major complications was 4.93% py in the whole cohort vs 4.49% py in the edoxaban cohort. The rate of all-cause mortality was 6.11% py for all DOACs vs 5.12% py for edoxaban. There weren’t differences across sex or between Edoxaban reduced or standard doses. However, there were differences across ages, with a higher incidence of major bleeding complications in patients >85 years (5.13% py vs 1.69% py in <75 years). Conclusions We observed an incidence of serious complications of 4.93% py, in which severe bleeding predominated (3.65% py). Considering our results, more specialized attention seems necessary to reduce the incidence of severe complications and also a more critical view of the literature. Considering our results, and our indirect comparison with many real-world studies, more specialized attention seems necessary to reduce the incidence of severe complications in AF patients receiving DOACs.
Mechanical anisotropy of nanostructured parylene films during sliding contact

Microscale sliding friction experiments were performed on nanostructured poly-chloro-p-xylylene (PPX-Cl, a.k.a, parylene) films. Oblique-angle vapour-phase deposition resulted in nanostructured columnar films tilted 57°–63° relative to the surface. The mechanical response to sliding was studied relative to the film structural anisotropy by examining contact friction and deformation in three sliding orientations: ‘with’, ‘against’ and ‘perpendicular’ to the tilt axis of the columns. Friction coefficients were uniformly high (0.5–1.5) for all orientations. Neither frictional anisotropy nor depth hysteresis was observed for sliding perpendicular to the column tilt axis. However, sliding ‘with’ and ‘against’ the column tilt axis resulted in measurable friction anisotropy as well as depth hysteresis, with larger contact depths and higher friction coefficients for sliding ‘with’ the column tilt. In comparison, planar films did not exhibit either frictional anisotropy or depth hysteresis. The depth hysteresis during sliding parallel to the tilt axis is attributed to the lateral force contribution to the total contact loading. Contacts formed when the sliding orientation was perpendicular to the column tilt axis were nominally Hertzian, allowing estimation of elastic moduli of the films from the load–displacement data during sliding. These films may have applications in the area of tissue engineering for directional cell sheet growth, MEMS developments for directional microfluidic pumps and sensors for deformation induced detection.