Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physicians' Views on a Wellbeing Course Gifted to Them: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION Given concerns about staff burnout and distress, the Chief of the Department of Medicine sponsored the Physician Wellbeing program making it cost-free for doctors at a large academic medical setting. Ninety doctors registered within the 1-year pilot project time frame. Following a Mind-Body Medicine online and Mindful Medical Practice workshop a qualitative study was conducted to identify physicians' views about the initiative. Physicians who agreed to take part following the workshops were the participants in the study. METHODS Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted following 4 workshops. Participants (N = 15) were queried about helpful and unhelpful aspects of the program. Thematic framework analysis was employed for data analysis. RESULTS Four themes regarding participants' views on the well-being course were identified. These were: 1) online curriculum (from engaging to disengaging); 2) intimate sharing amongst physicians in the workshop; 3) reflecting on and practicing wellness; and 4) a valuable "gift" from the Department of Medicine. Workshops were highly valued as they provided an opportunity to practice what was learned online as well as engage in fruitful exchanges amongst colleagues. CONCLUSIONS Physicians supported the integration of wellness programs into medical settings where stress is an inherent aspect of the work environment. They were grateful for the "gift" of being valued and supported by the administration.
EULAR recommendations for the reporting of ultrasound studies in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs)

Objective To produce European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the reporting of ultrasound studies in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Methods Based on the literature reviews and expert opinion (through Delphi surveys), a taskforce of 23 members (12 experts in ultrasound in RMDs, 9 in methodology and biostatistics together with a patient research partner and a health professional in rheumatology) developed a checklist of items to be reported in every RMD study using ultrasound. This checklist was further refined by involving a panel of 79 external experts (musculoskeletal imaging experts, methodologists, journal editors), who evaluated its comprehensibility, feasibility and comprehensiveness. Agreement on each proposed item was assessed with an 11-point Likert scale, grading from 0 (total disagreement) to 10 (full agreement). Results Two face-to-face meetings, as well as two Delphi rounds of voting, resulted in a final checklist of 23 items, including a glossary of terminology. Twenty-one of these were considered ‘mandatory’ items to be reported in every study (such as blinding, development of scoring systems, definition of target pathologies) and 2 ‘optional’ to be reported only if applicable, such as possible confounding factors (ie, ambient conditions) or experience of the sonographers. Conclusion An EULAR taskforce developed a checklist to ensure transparent and comprehensive reporting of aspects concerning research and procedures that need to be presented in studies using ultrasound in RMDs. This checklist, if widely adopted by authors and editors, will greatly improve the interpretability of study development and results, including the assessment of validity, generalisability and applicability.
Smart Glass Impacts Stomatal Sensitivity of Greenhouse Capsicum Through Altered Light.

Optical films that alter light transmittance may reduce energy consumption in high-tech greenhouses, but their impact on crop physiology remains unclear. We compared the stomatal responses of Capsicum plants grown hydroponically under control glass (70% diffuse light) or smart glass (SG) film ULR-80, which blocked >50% of short-wave radiation and ~9% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). SG had no significant effects on steady-state (gs) or maximal (gmax) stomatal conductance. In contrast, SG reduced stomatal pore size and sensitivity to exogenous ABA thereby increasing rates of leaf water loss, guard cell K + and Cl - efflux, and Ca 2+ influx. SG induced faster stomatal closing and opening rates on transition between low (100 µmol m -2 s -1) and high PAR (1500 µmol m -2 s -1), which compromised water use efficiency relative to control plants. The fraction of blue light (0% or 10%) did not affect gs in either treatment. Increased expression of stomatal closure and photoreceptor genes in epidermal peels of SG plants is consistent with fast stomatal responses to light changes. In conclusion, stomatal responses of Capsicum to SG were more affected by changes in light intensity than spectral quality, and re-engineering of the SG should maximize PAR transmission, and hence CO2 assimilation.
Loss of the Transfer RNA Wobble Uridine–Modifying Enzyme Elp3 Delays T Cell Cycle Entry and Impairs T Follicular Helper Cell Responses through Deregulation of Atf4

Key Points tRNA wobble uridine–modifying enzymes promote T cell cycle entry and TFH responses. Wobble uridine modifications regulate Atf4 signaling in activated T cells. Overactivated Atf4 delays Elp3-deficient T cell cycle entry and impairs TFH responses. Visual Abstract The activation of T cells is accompanied by intensive posttranscriptional remodeling of their proteome. We observed that protein expression of enzymes that modify wobble uridine in specific tRNAs, namely elongator subunit 3 (Elp3) and cytosolic thiouridylase (Ctu)2, increased in the course of T cell activation. To investigate the role of these tRNA epitranscriptomic modifiers in T cell biology, we generated mice deficient for Elp3 in T cells. We show that deletion of Elp3 has discrete effects on T cells. In vitro, Elp3-deficient naive CD4+ T cells polarize normally but are delayed in entering the first cell cycle following activation. In vivo, different models of immunization revealed that Elp3-deficient T cells display reduced expansion, resulting in functional impairment of T follicular helper (TFH) responses, but not of other CD4+ effector T cell responses. Transcriptomic analyses identified a progressive overactivation of the stress-responsive transcription factor Atf4 in Elp3-deficient T cells. Overexpression of Atf4 in wild-type T cells phenocopies the effect of Elp3 loss on T cell cycle entry and TFH cell responses. Reciprocally, partial silencing of Atf4 or deletion of its downstream effector transcription factor Chop rescues TFH responses of Elp3-deficient T cells. Together, our results reveal that specific epitranscriptomic tRNA modifications contribute to T cell cycle entry and promote optimal TFH responses.
Diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminths using the Kato-Katz technique: What is the influence of stirring, storage time and storage temperature on stool sample egg counts?

BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminths infect about one ninth of the world's population and have a negative impact on health. The Kato-Katz technique is the recommended method to detect soil-transmitted helminth eggs in stool samples particularly in programmatic settings however, some questions in its procedure remain. Our study aimed to study the effect of storage time, storage temperature and stirring of stool samples on fecal egg counts (FECs). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the framework of a clinical trial on Pemba Island, United Republic of Tanzania, 488 stool samples were collected from schoolchildren, which were evaluated in three experiments. In the first experiment (n = 92), two Kato-Katz slides were prepared from the same stool sample, one was stored at room temperature and the other in a refrigerator for up to 50 hours, and each slide was analyzed at nine time points (20, 50, 80, 110, 140 minutes, 18, 26, 42 and 50 hours). In the second experiment (n = 340), whole stool samples were split into two, one part was stored at room temperature and the other in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours. From each part one Kato-Katz slide was prepared and analyzed at three time points over two days (0, 24 and 48 hours). In the third experiment (n = 56), whole stool samples where stirred for 15 seconds six times and at each time point a Kato-Katz slide was prepared and analyzed. Mean hookworm FECs of Kato-Katz slides stored at room temperature steadily decreased following slide preparation. After two hours, mean hookworm FECs decreased from 22 to 16, whereas no reduction was observed if Kato-Katz slides were stored in the refrigerator (19 vs 21). The time x storage interaction effect was statistically significant (coefficient 0.26, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.35, p < 0.0001). After 24 hours mean hookworm FECs dropped close to zero, irrespective of the storage condition. Whole stool samples stored at room temperature for one day resulted in a mean hookworm FEC decrease of 23% (p < 0.0001), compared to a 13% reduction (p < 0.0001) if samples were stored in the refrigerator. Fecal egg counts of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura remained stable over time regardless of storage temperature of whole stool samples. Finally, we found a significant reduction of the variation of hookworm and T. trichiura eggs with increasing rounds of stirring the sample, but not for A. lumbricoides. However, for hookworm we observed a simultaneous decrease in mean FECs, making it difficult to draw recommendations on stirring samples. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that stool samples (i) should be analyzed on the day of collection and (ii) should be analyzed between 20-30 minutes after slide preparation; when that is not possible, Kato-Katz slides can be stored in a refrigerator up to about 110 minutes.
Growth mechanism of 6H-SiC in step-controlled epitaxy

Growth of SiC on off‐oriented 6H‐SiC{0001} substrates was performed between 1100 and 1500 °C. Homoepitaxial growth of 6H‐SiC was achieved at temperatures as low as 1200 °C, utilizing step‐flow growth. Twinned crystalline 3C‐SiC was grown at 1100 °C; this result can be ascribed to suppressed surface migration of adsorbed Si species at the lower temperature, and to the occurrence of two‐dimensional nucleation on terraces. The C/Si ratio significantly effected the surface morphology and growth rate. The growth rate was limited by the supply of Si species, where the growth rate activation energy was very small (3.0 kcal/mol), and little difference in the growth rates on Si and C faces was observed. The quantitative analysis revealed that growth of 6H‐SiC in step‐controlled epitaxy is controlled by the diffusion of reactants in a stagnant layer.
The measles outbreak in Israel in 2018-19: lessons for COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT During 2018–2019 Israel saw some 4300 measles cases in a country-wide epidemic. Increased measles incidence rates and considerable disease burden have been observed in under-vaccinated communities, predominantly Jewish ultraorthodox. The measles epidemic, despite proper public health handling, revealed susceptible population subgroups as well as gaps and lacking resources in the Israeli public health systems. In the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, as of December 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases reported nationally was over 300,000 with approximately 3000 fatalities. Notably, minority groups such as the ultraorthodox Jewish community and the Arab community in Israel has been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe it is still possible to implement the key lessons from the measles outbreak in Israel that could aid in the COVID-19 response in Israel and elsewhere. These conceptions should include a social-based approach, investment in public health human resources and infrastructure, tackling root causes of inequalities, emphasis on trust and solidarity, proactive communication, need for political will, and proper use of epidemiological data as a basis for decision-making. In parallel to proper use of COVID-19 vaccines, when available, a ‘social vaccine’ is crucial as well as preparedness and response according to public health principles.
Birds of a feather moult together: Differences in moulting distribution of four species of storm-petrels

The non-breeding period of pelagic seabirds, and particularly the moulting stage, is an important, but understudied part of their annual cycle as they are hardly accessible outside of the breeding period. Knowledge about the moulting ecology of seabirds is important to understand the challenges they face outside and within the breeding season. Here, we combined stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) signatures of rectrices grown during the non-breeding period of two pairs of storm-petrel species breeding in the northern (European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, ESP; Leach’s storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous, LSP) and southern (black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica, BBSP; Wilson’s storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus, WSP) hemispheres to determine differences in moulting ranges within and between species. To understand clustering patterns in δ13C and δ18O moulting signatures, we examined various variables: species, sexes, years, morphologies (feather growth rate, body mass, tarsus length, wing length) and δ15N. We found that different factors could explain the differences within and between the four species. We additionally employed a geographical distribution prediction model based on oceanic δ13C and δ18O isoscapes, combined with chlorophyll-a concentrations and observational data to predict potential moulting areas of the sampled feather type. The northern species were predicted to moult in temperate and tropical Atlantic zones. BBSP was predicted to moult on the southern hemisphere north of the Southern Ocean, while WSP was predicted to moult further North, including in the Arctic and northern Pacific. While moulting distribution can only be estimated on large geographical scales using δ13C and δ18O, validating predictive outcomes with food availability proxies and observational data may provide valuable insights into important moulting grounds. Establishing those, in turn, is important for conservation management of elusive pelagic seabirds.
Electrochemiluminescent Reaction between Ru(bpy)32+ and Oxygen in Nafion Film

For years, dissolved oxygen (O2) has been regarded as a quenching species in Ru(bpy)32+ electrochemiluminescent (ECL) systems; however, in the present study, O2 was found to act as a coreactant for Ru(bpy)32+ ECL in Nafion film, resulting in a strong ECL light emission. ECL experiments were carried out at a Ru(bpy)32+/Nafion film-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) immersing in air-saturated phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4). Scanning in the potential range of +1.5 to −1.0 V resulted in three luminescent processes, including two potential-dependent luminescence peaks (ECL-1 and ECL-2), and one potential-independent persistent luminescence emission (CL-P). Therein, ECL-2 occurring at potential less than −0.5 V was demonstrated to be a new chemiluminescent reactions between O2 and Ru(bpy)32+. In ECL-2, Nafion film plays important roles in stabilizing Ru(bpy)33+ and O2•− radical essentially for producing the new ECL. Unlike previously reported ECL processes, ECL-2 peak potential is dependent on the reduc.
EGFR activity upregulates lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression, LDH activity and lactate secretion in cultured IB3-1 cystic fibrosis lung epithelial cells.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. It has been postulated that a reduced HCO3- transport in CF through CFTR may lead to a decreased airway surface liquid (ASL) pH. In contrast, others have reported no changes in the extracellular pH (pHe). We have recently reported that in carcinoma Caco-2/pRS26 cells (shRNA for CFTR) or CF lung epithelial IB3-1 cells, the CFTR failure decreased mitochondrial Complex I activity due to an autocrine IL1B loop, and increased lactic acid production. The secreted lactate accounted for the reduced pHe since oxamate fully restored the pHe. These effects were attributed to the IL-1β autocrine loop and the downstream signaling kinases c-Src and JNK. Here we show that the pHe of IB3-1 cells can be restored to normal pHe values (~7.4) by incubation with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1, ErbB1) inhibitors AG1478 or PD168393. The inhibitor PD168393, fully restored the pHe values of IB3-1 cells, suggesting that the reduced pHe is mainly due to the increased EGFR activity and lactate. Also, in IB3-1 CF cells, the LDHA mRNA, protein expression, and activity are down-regulated under EGFR inhibition. Thus, a constitutive EGFR activation seems to be responsible for the reduced pHe in IB3-1 CF cells.
CSF parvalbumin levels reflect interneuron loss linked with cortical pathology in multiple sclerosis

In order to verify whether parvalbumin (PVALB), a protein specifically expressed by GABAergic interneurons, could be a MS‐specific marker of grey matter neurodegeneration, we performed neuropathology/molecular analysis of PVALB expression in motor cortex of 40 post‐mortem progressive MS cases, with/without meningeal inflammation, and 10 control cases, in combination with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessment. Analysis of CSF PVALB and neurofilaments (Nf‐L) levels combined with physical/cognitive/3TMRI assessment was performed in 110 naïve MS patients and in 32 controls at time of diagnosis.
In-Vivo Assessment of a Tissue Engineered Vascular Graft Computationally Optimized for Target Vessel Compliance

Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have the ability to be tuned to match a target vessel's compliance, diameter, wall thickness, and thereby prevent compliance mismatch. In this work, TEVG compliance was manipulated by computationally tuning its layered composition or by manipulating a crosslinking agent (genipin). In particular, these three acelluluar TEVGs were compared: a compliance matched graft (CMgel - high gelatin content); a hypocompliant PCL graft (HYPOpcl - high polycaprolactone content); and a hypocompliant genipin graft (HYPOgen - equivalent composition as CMgel but hypocompliant via increased genipin crosslinking). All constructs were implanted interpositionally into the abdominal aorta of 21 Sprague Dawley rats (n=7, males=11, females=10) for 28 days, imaged in-vivo using ultrasound, explanted, and assessed for remodeling using immunofluorescence and two photon excitation fluorescence imaging. Compliance matched grafts remained compliance-matched in-vivo compared to the hypocompliant grafts through 4 weeks (p<0.05). Construct degradation and cellular infiltration was increased in the CMgel and HYPOgen TEVGs. Contractile smooth muscle cell markers in the proximal anastomosis of the graft were increased in the CMgel group compared to the HYPOpcl (p=0.007) and HYPOgen grafts (p=0.04). Both hypocompliant grafts also had an increased pro-inflammatory response (increased ratio of CD163 to CD86 in the mid-axial location) compared to the CMgel group. Our results suggest that compliance matching using a computational optimization approach leads to the improved acute (28 day) remodeling of TEVGs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first in-vivo rat study investigating TEVGs that have been computationally optimized for target vessel compliance.
Introduced species shape insular mutualistic networks

Our planet ’ s biosphere, comprising all living beings and their interactions, is experiencing unprecedented changes. Within a few decades, we could face entirely new climates, and radically altered species composi-tions and distributions, forming novel networks of biotic interactions. To date, however, most studies have focused on ecosystems under low levels of invasion and turnover. As novel networks are expected to function differently with the level of invasion and turnover, we have to see whether the loss of an entire functional from
Candida albicans biofilms and polymicrobial interactions

Abstract Candida albicans is a common fungus of the human microbiota. While generally a harmless commensal in healthy individuals, several factors can lead to its overgrowth and cause a range of complications within the host, from localized superficial infections to systemic life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. A major virulence factor of C. albicans is its ability to form biofilms, a closely packed community of cells that can grow on both abiotic and biotic substrates, including implanted medical devices and mucosal surfaces. These biofilms are extremely hard to eradicate, are resistant to conventional antifungal treatment and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, making biofilm-associated infections a major clinical challenge. Here, we review the current knowledge of the processes involved in C. albicans biofilm formation and development, including the central processes of adhesion, extracellular matrix production and the transcriptional network that regulates biofilm development. We also consider the advantages of the biofilm lifestyle and explore polymicrobial interactions within multispecies biofilms that are formed by C. albicans and selected microbial species.
A randomized, open-label, parallel, multi-center Phase IV study to compare the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin 10 and 20 mg in high-risk Asian patients with hypercholesterolemia

Background Although accumulating evidence suggests a more extensive reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), it is unclear whether a higher statin dose is more effective and cost-effective in the Asian population. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of atorvastatin 20 and 10 mg in high-risk Asian patients with hypercholesterolemia. Methods A 12-week, open-label, parallel, multicenter, Phase IV randomized controlled trial was conducted at ten hospitals in the Republic of Korea between October 2017 and May 2019. High-risk patients with hypercholesterolemia, defined according to 2015 Korean guidelines for dyslipidemia management, were eligible to participate. We randomly assigned 250 patients at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to receive 20 mg (n = 124) or 10 mg (n = 126) of atorvastatin. The primary endpoint was the difference in the mean percentage change in LDL-C levels from baseline after 12 weeks. Cost-effectiveness was measured as an exploratory endpoint. Results LDL-C levels were reduced more significantly by atorvastatin 20 mg than by 10 mg after 12 weeks (42.4% vs. 33.5%, p < 0.0001). Significantly more patients achieved target LDL-C levels (<100 mg/dL for high-risk patients, <70 mg/dL for very high-risk patients) with atorvastatin 20 mg than with 10 mg (40.3% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.05). Apolipoprotein B decreased significantly with atorvastatin 20mg versus 10 mg (−36.2% vs. −29.9%, p < 0.05). Lipid ratios also showed greater improvement with atorvastatin 20 mg than with 10 mg (total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, −33.3% vs. −29.4%, p < 0.05; apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio, −36.7% vs. −31.4%, p < 0.05). Atorvastatin 20 mg was more cost-effective than atorvastatin 10 mg in terms of both the average and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Safety and tolerability of atorvastatin 20 mg were comparable to those of atorvastatin 10 mg. Conclusion In high-risk Asian patients with hypercholesterolemia, atorvastatin 20 mg was both efficacious in reducing LDL-C and cost-effective compared with atorvastatin 10 mg.