Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rates of Attrition and Dropout in App-Based Interventions for Chronic Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Chronic disease represents a large and growing burden to the health care system worldwide. One method of managing this burden is the use of app-based interventions; however attrition, defined as lack of patient use of the intervention, is an issue for these interventions. While many apps have been developed, there is some evidence that they have significant issues with sustained use, with up to 98% of people only using the app for a short time before dropping out and/or dropping use down to the point where the app is no longer effective at helping to manage disease. Objective Our objectives are to systematically appraise and perform a meta-analysis on dropout rates in apps for chronic disease and to qualitatively synthesize possible reasons for these dropout rates that could be addressed in future interventions. Methods MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL (Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Embase were searched from 2003 to the present to look at mobile health (mHealth) and attrition or dropout. Studies, either randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational trials, looking at chronic disease with measures of dropout were included. Meta-analysis of attrition rates was conducted in Stata, version 15.1 (StataCorp LLC). Included studies were also qualitatively synthesized to examine reasons for dropout and avenues for future research. Results Of 833 studies identified in the literature search, 17 were included in the review and meta-analysis. Out of 17 studies, 9 (53%) were RCTs and 8 (47%) were observational trials, with both types covering a range of chronic diseases. The pooled dropout rate was 43% (95% CI 29-57), with observational studies having a higher dropout rate (49%, 95% CI 27-70) than RCTs in more controlled scenarios, which only had a 40% dropout rate (95% CI 16-63). The studies were extremely varied, which is represented statistically in the high degree of heterogeneity (I2>99%). Qualitative synthesis revealed a range of reasons relating to attrition from app-based interventions, including social, demographic, and behavioral factors that could be addressed. Conclusions Dropout rates in mHealth interventions are high, but possible areas to minimize attrition exist. Reducing dropout rates will make these apps more effective for disease management in the long term. Trial Registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42019128737; https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42019128737
Efficacy of Two Antibiotic-Extender Combinations on Mycoplasma bovis in Bovine Semen Production

Mycoplasma bovis is an important bovine pathogen. Artificial insemination (AI) using contaminated semen can introduce the agent into a naïve herd. Antibiotics, most often gentamycin, tylosin, lincomycin, spectinomycin (GTLS) combination are added to semen extender to prevent transmission of pathogenic bacteria and mycoplasmas. In a commercial AI straw production system with industrial scale procedures, we analyzed the mycoplasmacidal efficacy of GTLS and ofloxacin on M. bovis ATCC and wild type strain isolated from commercial AI straws. The strains were spiked at two concentrations (106 and 103 CFU/mL) into semen. Viable M. bovis in frozen semen straws was detected by enrichment culture and real-time PCR. We also compared different protocols to extract M. bovis DNA from spiked semen. None of the antibiotic protocols had any effect on the viability of either of the M. bovis strains at high spiking concentration. At low concentration, the wild type was inhibited by all other protocols, except low GTLS, whereas the ATCC strain was inhibited only by high GTLS. The InstaGene™ matrix was the most effective method to extract M. bovis DNA from semen. When there is a low M. bovis contamination level in semen, GTLS used at high concentrations, in accordance with Certified Semen Services requirements, is more efficient than GTLS used at concentrations stated in the OIE Terrestrial Code.
Machine learning to predict transplant outcomes: helpful or hype? A national cohort study

An increasing number of studies claim machine learning (ML) predicts transplant outcomes more accurately. However, these claims were possibly confounded by other factors, namely, supplying new variables to ML models. To better understand the prospects of ML in transplantation, we compared ML to conventional regression in a “common” analytic task: predicting kidney transplant outcomes using national registry data. We studied 133 431 adult deceased‐donor kidney transplant recipients between 2005 and 2017. Transplant centers were randomly divided into 70% training set (190 centers/97 787 recipients) and 30% validation set (82 centers/35 644 recipients). Using the training set, we performed regression and ML procedures [gradient boosting (GB) and random forests (RF)] to predict delayed graft function, one‐year acute rejection, death‐censored graft failure C, all‐cause graft failure, and death. Their performances were compared on the validation set using ‐statistics. In predicting rejection, regression (C = 0.6010.6110.621) actually outperformed GB (C = 0.5810.5910.601) and RF (C = 0.5690.5790.589). For all other outcomes, the C‐statistics were nearly identical across methods (delayed graft function, 0.717–0.723; death‐censored graft failure, 0.637–0.642; all‐cause graft failure, 0.633–0.635; and death, 0.705–0.708). Given its shortcomings in model interpretability and hypothesis testing, ML is advantageous only when it clearly outperforms conventional regression; in the case of transplant outcomes prediction, ML seems more hype than helpful.
Prevalence, incidence and associated risk factors of STIs during pregnancy in South Africa

Objective STIs during pregnancy increase adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and may increase HIV risk. STI syndromic management is standard of care in South Africa. Our study evaluated the prevalence and incidence of STIs in pregnant women and the associated risk factors. Methods We combined data from two prospective observational studies of pregnant women enrolled while attending their first antenatal clinic (ANC) visit in Tshwane District and Cape Town. Women ≥18 years were tested at first ANC visit and at their first postpartum visit for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis using Xpert assays (Cepheid, USA). We evaluated the prevalence and incidence of STI and the associated risk factors using multivariable regression models. Results We enrolled 669 pregnant women, 64% (n=427) from Tshwane District and 36% (n=242) from Cape Town; 80% (n=534) were women living with HIV (WLHIV) and 20% (n=135) without HIV. At enrolment, 37% (n=250) were diagnosed with at least one STI, of which 76% (n=190) were asymptomatic. STI prevalence was 40% (n=213) in WLHIV and 27% (n=37) in women without HIV (p=0.01). Baseline STI infection was associated with younger age (OR=0.95 per year, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.98), higher gestational age (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.03 per week, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05), single relationship status (aOR=1.53, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.15) and HIV status (aOR=1.86, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.95). Of 419 participants with no STI at baseline, 21 had an incident STI during follow-up, with a mean follow-up time of 140 days. The incidence rate of STI during pregnancy and early post partum was 15 infections per 100 women-years (95% CI 9 to 23). Younger age was associated with STI incidence. Conclusion Our study shows high prevalence and incidence of STIs in pregnancy, especially in WLHIV, demonstrating the need for STI screening in ANC to prevent adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Most STI cases were asymptomatic and would have gone untreated with syndromic management. Aetiological STI screening is urgently needed to reduce the burden of STIs in pregnancy.
Rhamnaceae asociadas a mieles fétidas en Argentina

Rhamnaceae allied to fetid honeys in Argentine. Melissopalynological analysis of six honey samples, commercially rejected for its fetid odour, was performed. These honeys were produced from Espinal and Pampeana Phytogeographical Provinces. The main nectar sources that characterized monofloral honeys belong to the following families: Rhamnaceae (Discaria americana, Scutia buxifolia) and Calyceraceae (Acicarpha tribuloides) along with pollen of S. buxifolia as secondary. According with the results of the present study it seems that the odour has its origin in the Rhamnaceae flowers.
Arenaria kansuensis attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in mice via the activation of Nrf2 pathway and the inhibition of NF‐kB/TGF‐beta1/Smad2/3 pathway

Pulmonary fibrosis is a key feature of COVID‐19, Chinese herbal medicine Arenaria kansuensis has been used for curing pulmonary disease and antivirus for a long time and it has the potential against COVID‐19. In this work, protective effect of A. kansuensis ethanol extract (AE) on pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated through paraquat (PQ)‐induced pulmonary fibrosis animal model. Results showed that AE could significantly improve the survival rate, increase the body weight and reduce the lung index of mice at the raw drug doses of 700 and 350 mg/kg. Histopathological observation results showed that the destruction degree of lung tissue structure in mice was significantly improved with the increase of AE dosage. Collagen deposition in lung interstitium was significantly reduced. The marker protein alpha‐SMA involved in PF were significantly inhibited through repressing TGF‐beta1/Smads pathway. The degree of inflammatory infiltration was significantly reduced and inflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited in mice through inhibiting the NF‐kB‐p65. Besides, oxidant stress level including upregulated ROS and down‐regulated SOD and GSH was efficiently improved by AE through upregulation of Nrf2 and downregulation of NOX4. In summary, this study firstly showed that the protective effect of AE on pulmonary fibrosis was partly due to activation of Nrf2 pathway and the inhibition of NF‐kB/TGF‐beta1/Smad2/3 pathway.
Frequency and molecular characteristics of PALB2‐associated cancers in Russian patients

PALB2 is а high‐penetrance gene for hereditary breast cancer (BC). Our study aimed to investigate the spectrum of PALB2 mutations in Russian cancer patients. PALB2 sequencing revealed pathogenic variants in 3/190 (1.6%) young‐onset and/or familial and/or bilateral BC cases but none in 96 ovarian cancer (OC) or 172 pancreatic cancer patients. Subsequently, seven recurrent PALB2 pathogenic alleles were selected from this and previous Slavic studies and tested in an extended patient series. PALB2 pathogenic variants were detected in 5/585 (0.9%) “high‐risk” BC, 10/1508 (0.7%) consecutive BC and 5/1802 (0.3%) OC cases. Haplotyping suggested that subjects with Slavic alleles c.509‐510delGA (n = 10) and c.172‐175delTTGT (n = 4) as well as carriers of Finnish c.1592delT mutation (n = 4) originated from a single founder each, while PALB2 p.R414X allele (n = 4) had at least two independent founders. Somatic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was revealed in 5/10 chemonaive BCs and in 0/2 BC samples obtained after neoadjuvant therapy. Multigene sequencing identified somatic PALB2 inactivating point mutation in one out of two tumors without PALB2 LOH but in none of four BCs with PALB2 LOH. Genomic instability, as determined by NGS, was observed in four out of five tumors with biallelic PALB2 inactivation but not in the BC sample with the preserved wild‐type PALB2 allele. PALB2 germ‐line mutations contribute to a small fraction of cancer cases in Russia. The majority although not all PALB2‐driven BCs have somatic inactivation of the remaining PALB2 allele and therefore potential sensitivity to platinum compounds and PARP inhibitors.
Flow enhances phenotypic and maturation of adult rat liver organoids

A biologically relevant in vitro model of hepatic microtissue would be a valuable tool for the preclinical study of pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Although considerable advances have been made in recent years in the establishment of alternative in vitro culture systems that mimic liver tissue, generating an effective liver model remains challenging. Specifically, existing model systems still exhibit limited functions for hepatocellular differentiation potential and cellular complexity. It is essential to improve the in vitro differentiation of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) for disease modeling and preclinical pharmatoxicological research. Here, we describe a rat liver organoid culture system under in vivo-like steady-state flow conditions; this system is capable of controlling the expansion and differentiation of rat liver organoids over 10–15 d. LPCs cultured in medium flow conditions become self-assembled liver organoids that exhibit phenotypic and functional hepato-biliary modeling. In addition, hepatocytes that are differentiated using liver organoids produced albumin and maintained polygonal morphology, which is characteristic of mature hepatocytes.
The Relationship of Fresh-water Macroinvertebrate Communities Collected by Floating Artificial Substrates to the MacArthur-Wilson Equilibrium Model

The invasion by macroinvertebrates of floating-type sub- strate samplers utilizing 3M Corporation's #200 conservation web appears to fit the simple exponential models for colonization and extinc- tion rate which are part of the equilibrium model for island fauna, pro- posed by MacArthur and Wilson. Stability in the number of taxa, number of specimens and community structure ((d = -YNI/N) log2 (Ni/N)) through time did not occur, indicating that the artificial sub- strate material did not offer sufficiently diverse habitats for community interactions to produce a relatively stable community structure. High variability existed in the number of taxa, number of specimens and com- munity structure analyses (d) between replicate samplers at each sam- pling period, indicating that artificial substrates utilizing the 3M Cor- poration's #200 conservation web are not very reliable in collecting quantitative data. However, these samplers do selectively sample im- portant fish food organisms such as mayflies, stoneflies, hellgrammites and caddisflies.
Management of Neuropathic Pain in Polyneuropathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Many polyneuropathies cause significant neuropathic pain, resulting in substantial morbidity and reduced quality of life. Appropriate management is crucial for maintaining quality of life for patients with painful polyneuropathies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved one new drug for painful diabetic neuropathy in the past decade, a topical capsaicin patch that was initially approved for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in 2009. Gabapentinoids and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) continue to have an advantage in safety profiles and efficacy. Other antiepileptic medications remain second-line agents because of fewer studies documenting efficacy. RECENT FINDINGS This article reviews recent literature on complementary and pharmacologic therapies for the management of painful polyneuropathies. Exercise has emerged as an important therapeutic tool and may also improve the underlying polyneuropathy in the setting of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. SUMMARY The approach to management of painful polyneuropathies is multifactorial, using both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic measures to improve pain severity and patient quality of life.
Parasitismo gastrintestinal em burras de raça Mirandesa - Couço

RESUMO A producao de leite de burra e uma vertente de utilizacao, quer na industria cosmetica, quer na alimentacao, como leite de substituicao em criancas com reacao a lactose. Neste estudo pretendeu-se determinar o parasitismo gastrintestinal, bem como a sua influencia na producao de leite, em femeas de raca Mirandesa, pertencentes a Naturasin Criacao de gado asinino, Lda, em exploracao no Couco. De janeiro a julho de 2012, efetuaram-se, quinzenalmente, recolhas indiretas de fezes, a 50% das femeas em lactacao. As amostras foram sujeitas a analises coprologicas qualitativas (tecnica de Willis) e quantitativas (tecnica de McMaster) e a coproculturas. Identificaram-se ovos de estrongilideos gastrintestinais e do tipo ascarideo, oocistos de Eimeria sp. e larvas de terceiro estadio dos generos Strongyloides, Triodontophorus e Cyathostomum. As medias de eliminacao de ovos de estrongilideos por grama de fezes variaram entre 70 e 3786. Algumas femeas em peri-parto apresentaram eliminacoes graves, sendo o valor maximo atingido 9600 ovos de estrongilideos gastrintestinais por grama de fezes. O parasitismo registado foi identico ao referido por outros autores para os asininos e as medidas profilaticas utilizadas controlaram-no de tal modo, que a producao diaria de leite ao longo do estudo esteve quase sempre acima do valor referencia (1,5 L/animal).
The Diagnostic Accuracy of Noninvasive Methods to Measure the Intracranial Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Although invasive monitoring is the standard method for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement, it is not without potential for serious complications. Noninvasive methods have been proposed as alternatives to invasive ICP monitoring. The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the currently available noninvasive methods for intracranial hypertension (ICH) monitoring. METHODS We searched 5 databases for articles evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive methods in diagnosing ICH in PubMed, Institute of Science Index, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase. The quantitative analysis was conducted if there were at least 2 studies evaluating a specific method. The accuracy measures included the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio. RESULTS We included 134 articles. Ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter (US ONSD) had high diagnostic accuracy (estimated sensitivity of 90%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 87-92, estimated specificity of 88%; 95% CI, 84-91) while the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ONSD had estimated sensitivity of 77%; 95% CI, 64-87 and estimated specificity of 89%; 95% CI, 84-93, and computed tomography (CT) ONSD had estimated sensitivity of 93%; 95% CI, 90-96 and estimated specificity of 79%; 95% CI, 56-92. All MRI signs had a very high estimated specificity ranging from 90% to 99% but a low estimated sensitivity except for sinus stenosis which had high estimated sensitivity as well as specificity (90%; 95% CI, 75-96 and 96%; 95% CI, 91-99, respectively). Among the physical examination signs, pupillary dilation had a high estimated specificity (86%; 95% CI, 76-93). Other diagnostic tests to be considered included pulsatility index, papilledema, transcranial Doppler, compression or absence of basal cisterns, and ≥10 mm midline shift. Setting the cutoff value of ICH to ≥20 mm Hg instead of values <20 mm Hg was associated with higher sensitivity. Moreover, if the delay between invasive and noninvasive methods was within 1 hour, the MRI ONSD and papilledema had a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy compared to the >1 hour subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed several promising tools for diagnosing ICH. Moreover, we demonstrated that using multiple, readily available, noninvasive methods is better than depending on a single sign such as physical examination or CT alone.
Perinatal adversity profiles and suicide attempt in adolescence and young adulthood: longitudinal analyses from two 20-year birth cohort studies

Abstract Background We aimed to identify groups of children presenting distinct perinatal adversity profiles and test the association between profiles and later risk of suicide attempt. Methods Data were from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD, N = 1623), and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, N = 5734). Exposures to 32 perinatal adversities (e.g. fetal, obstetric, psychosocial, and parental psychopathology) were modeled using latent class analysis, and associations with a self-reported suicide attempt by age 20 were investigated with logistic regression. We investigated to what extent childhood emotional and behavioral problems, victimization, and cognition explained the associations. Results In both cohorts, we identified five profiles: No perinatal risk, Poor fetal growth, Socioeconomic adversity, Delivery complications, Parental mental health problems (ALSPAC only). Compared to children with No perinatal risk, children in the Poor fetal growth (pooled estimate QLSCD-ALSPAC, OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.04–3.44), Socioeconomic adversity (pooled-OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.08–1.85), and Parental mental health problems (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.27–2.40), but not Delivery complications, profiles were more likely to attempt suicide. The proportion of this effect mediated by the putative mediators was larger for the Socioeconomic adversity profile compared to the others. Conclusions Perinatal adversities associated with suicide attempt cluster in distinct profiles. Suicide prevention may begin early in life and requires a multidisciplinary approach targeting a constellation of factors from different domains (psychiatric, obstetric, socioeconomic), rather than a single factor, to effectively reduce suicide vulnerability. The way these factors cluster together also determined the pathways leading to a suicide attempt, which can guide decision-making on personalized suicide prevention strategies.
Nurses’ Communication With the Families of Patients at the End-of-Life

Background Effective communication is important in providing quality care to families at the end-of-life. In the end-of-life situations, the nurses’ views on how to communicate with the family are not well understood. Aim This study was conducted to explore the nurses' experiences of their communication with families of patients at the end-of-life situations. Methods The authors used standards for reporting qualitative research. The data were analyzed by conventional content analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Iranian nurses who had the experiences of dealing with patients’ families at the end-of-life. Results Nurses’ perceptions of communication with families emerged base on the main theme: “Disrupted communication” consisting of two categories: “restricted communication” and “abortive communication. ” Conclusion The results of this study highlight the need to increase the professional and ethical sensitivity of nurses in dealing with patients' families at the end-of-life.