Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supermarket policies on less-healthy food at checkouts: Natural experimental evaluation using interrupted time series analyses of purchases

Background In response to public concerns and campaigns, some United Kingdom supermarkets have implemented policies to reduce less-healthy food at checkouts. We explored the effects of these policies on purchases of less-healthy foods commonly displayed at checkouts. Methods and findings We used a natural experimental design and two data sources providing complementary and unique information. We analysed data on purchases of small packages of common, less-healthy, checkout foods (sugary confectionary, chocolate, and potato crisps) from 2013 to 2017 from nine UK supermarkets (Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose). Six supermarkets implemented a checkout food policy between 2013 and 2017 and were considered intervention stores; the remainder were comparators. Firstly, we studied the longitudinal association between implementation of checkout policies and purchases taken home. We used data from a large (n ≈ 30,000) household purchase panel of food brought home to conduct controlled interrupted time series analyses of purchases of less-healthy common checkout foods from 12 months before to 12 months after implementation. We conducted separate analyses for each intervention supermarket, using others as comparators. We synthesised results across supermarkets using random effects meta-analyses. Implementation of a checkout food policy was associated with an immediate reduction in four-weekly purchases of common checkout foods of 157,000 (72,700–242,800) packages per percentage market share—equivalent to a 17.3% reduction. This decrease was sustained at 1 year with 185,100 (121,700–248,500) fewer packages purchased per 4 weeks per percentage market share—equivalent to a 15.5% reduction. The immediate, but not sustained, effect was robust to sensitivity analysis. Secondly, we studied the cross-sectional association between checkout food policies and purchases eaten without being taken home. We used data from a smaller (n ≈ 7,500) individual purchase panel of food bought and eaten ‘on the go’. We conducted cross-sectional analyses comparing purchases of common checkout foods in 2016–2017 from supermarkets with and without checkout food policies. There were 76.4% (95% confidence interval 48.6%–89.1%) fewer annual purchases of less-healthy common checkout foods from supermarkets with versus without checkout food policies. The main limitations of the study are that we do not know where in the store purchases were selected and cannot determine the effect of changes in purchases on consumption. Other interventions may also have been responsible for the results seen. Conclusions There is a potential impact of checkout food polices on purchases. Voluntary supermarket-led activities may have public health benefits.
Nuts and Cardio-Metabolic Disease: A Review of Meta-Analyses

Objectives: Accumulating epidemiological and intervention evidence suggest that nut consumption is associated with reduced incidence of some cardiometabolic diseases. However, to date no review of meta-analyses of epidemiological and intervention studies has evaluated the effects of nut consumption on cardiometabolic disease. Design/Results: Electronic searches for meta-analyses of epidemiological and intervention studies were undertaken in PubMed®/MEDLINE®. Meta-analyses of prospective studies show that nut consumption appears to be associated with reduced all-cause mortality by 19–20% (n = 6), cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence (19%; n = 3) and mortality (25%; n = 3), coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence (20–34%; n = 2) and mortality (27–30%; n = 2) and stroke incidence (10–11%; n = 7) and mortality (18%; n = 2). No association between nut consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was observed in meta-analyses of prospective studies, whereas a decrease in fasting blood glucose ranging from 0.08 to 0.15 mmol/L was observed in 3 meta-analyses of intervention studies. In the interventions, nut consumption also had favorable effects on total cholesterol (0.021 to 0.28 mmol/L reduction from 8 meta-analyses of interventions) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.017 to 0.26 mmol/L reduction from 8 meta-analyses of interventions) and endothelial function (0.79 to 1.03% increase in flow-mediated dilation from 4 meta-analyses of interventions). Nut consumption did not significantly affect body weight. Nut consumption had no effect on inflammatory markers in intervention studies. The effect on blood pressure was inconsistent. A higher nut consumption was associated with a lower incidence of hypertension in prospective studies, while nut consumption did not improve blood pressure in intervention studies. Conclusions: Nut consumption appeared to be associated with lower all-cause mortality and CVD and CHD mortality. There was no association between nut consumption and the incidence of T2DM although fasting blood glucose is decreased in intervention studies. In intervention studies nuts lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
Evaluación de la estructura factorial del Cuestionario de Valores Interpersonales (SIV)

El articulo evalua la estructura factorial bajo los efectos del metodo ipsativo de respuesta, estu­ diados en el nivel de las subescalas del Cuestionario de Valores Interpersonales de Gordon (SIV), y las relaciones entre ellas, en una muestra de adolescentes entre 15 y 17 anos de ambos sexos y procedentes de un colegio privado y estatal, representativos de los niveles socioeconomicos medio y bajo. Aunque el SIV ha sido una herramienta extensamente utilizada, no se reportado previamente un analisis de su estructura factorial en muestras Latinoamericanas. Mediante el analisis de componentes principales y el analisis factorial con un enfoque confir­ matorio, se han identificado relaciones bipolares entre Independencia y Benevolencia, y Soporte y Conformidad. Se obtuvo tambien la confirmacion del modelo de valores interpersonales pro­ puesto por L. V. Gordon. En el analisis se considero un aspecto que artificialmente puede haber influido en el patron de correlaciones entre los componentes, esto es el metodo ipsativo de las preguntas del SIV. Finalmente, se discute sobre las medidas ipsativas y sus consecuencias en la interpretacion de sus resultados. Palabras clave: Cuestionario de Valores Interpersonales de Gordon, analisis factorial, analisis de componentes principales, medidas ipsativas. Assessment of the factorial structure of the Survey of Interpersonal Values The present study evaluates the factorial structure, in the leve! of the subscales, of the Survey of Interpersonal Values (SIV), and the relationships among them, in a sample of adolescents between 15 and 17 years old of both sexes and from a private and public school, representative of low and middle socioeconomic Ievels. Although the SIV has been a widely used too! , there is no report of ah analysis of its factorial structure in Latin-American samples. By means of the principal components analysis and the factorial analysis with a confirmatory approach, bipolar relationships have been identified between Independence and Benevolence, and Support and Conformity. The confirmation of the pattem of interpersonal values proposed by L. V. Gordon was also accomplished. An aspect considered in the analysis may have artificially influenced the pattern of correlations among the components, and the reliability: the ipsative method of the questions of the SIV. Finally, there is a discussion about the ipsative measurement and its consequences in the interpretation of the results.
Deficits in frontoparietal activation and anterior insula functional connectivity during regulation of cognitive‐affective interference in bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorders (BD) are characterized by emotion and cognitive dysregulation. Mapping deficits in the neurocircuitry of cognitive‐affective regulation allows for potential identification of intervention targets. This study used functional MRI data in BD patients and healthy controls during performance on a task requiring cognitive and inhibitory control superimposed on affective images, assessing cognitive and affective interference.
Model-Based Fault Diagnosis of an Anti-Lock Braking System via Structural Analysis

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an essential part in ensuring safe driving in vehicles. The Security of onboard safety systems is very important. In order to monitor the functions of ABS and avoid any malfunction, a model-based methodology with respect to structural analysis is employed in this paper to achieve an efficient fault detection and identification (FDI) system design. The analysis involves five essential steps of SA applied to ABS, which includes critical faults analysis, fault modelling, fault detectability analysis and fault isolability analysis, Minimal Structural Over-determined (MSO) sets selection, and MSO-based residual design. In terms of the four faults in the ABS, they are evaluated to be detectable through performing a structural representation and making the Dulmage-Mendelsohn decomposition with respect to the fault modelling, and then they are proved to be isolable based on the fault isolability matrix via SA. After that, four corresponding residuals are generated directly by a series of suggested equation combinations resulting from four MSO sets. The results generated by numerical simulations show that the proposed FDI system can detect and isolate all the injected faults, which is consistent with the theoretical analysis by SA, and also eventually validated by experimental testing on the vehicle (EcoCAR2) ABS.
Le programme Éthique et culture religieuse et l’éthique du care

L’auteure s’interesse a l’apport de l’ethique du care au domaine de l’education et cible plus particulierement le programme Ethique et culture religieuse, implante au Quebec depuis 2008. Ainsi, une analyse des fondements de ce programme est effectuee, s’appuyant principalement sur les travaux de Nel Noddings, ethicienne et philosophe de l’education. A la suite de cette analyse, certaines objections soulevees a l’endroit de la theorie du care de Noddings sont discutees.
The pulsatile component of left atrial pressure has little effect on pulmonary artery impedance estimation in normal rats

Pulmonary artery impedance (PAZ) that measures the pulsatile properties of the vasculature provides diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with pulmonary vascular diseases. While downstream pressure [i.e., left atrial (LA) pressure] should be considered when calculating static properties of pulmonary vasculature, PAZ is commonly estimated without taking into account the pulsatile component of LA pressure. We examined whether PAZ can be estimated with reasonable accuracy without using LA pressure. Pulmonary artery (PA) flow, PA pressure, and LA pressure were measured under irregular pacing in eight normal Sprague‐Dawley rats. PAZ was estimated by analyzing a one‐input, one‐output system (I1O1 analysis) that does not include LA pressure, and a two‐input, one‐output system (I2O1 analysis) that includes LA pressure. Using a tube and 3‐element Windkessel model, PAZ was parameterized as peripheral resistance (RP), arterial compliance (CP), characteristic impedance (ZC), and transmission time to the reflection site (TD). These parameters were not significantly different between the I1O1 and I2O1 analyses (RP: 0.286 ± 0.040 vs. 0.274 ± 0.038 mmHg·min/mL, CP: 0.352 ± 0.049 vs. 0.343 ± 0.041 mL/mmHg, ZC: 0.115 ± 0.005 vs. 0.117 ± 0.005 mmHg·min/mL, TD: 13.2 ± 1.8 vs. 12.9 ± 1.7 msec). In conclusion, the I1O1 analysis that does not use LA pressure estimates PAZ with reasonable accuracy compared with the I2O1 analysis that uses LA pressure in normal rats. Our finding that the pulsatile component of LA pressure contributes little to PAZ estimation may justify the clinical use of the I1O1 analysis.
Novel BUF2-magnetite nanobioconjugates with cell-penetrating abilities

Introduction One of the major challenges of modern pharmacology is the development of systems for the delivery of therapeutic molecules in a controlled and localized manner. One strategy is to use nanostructured supports, which are well suited to carry a large number of molecules on a per mass basis. A major challenge for these supports is, however, their limited ability to bypass the cell membrane. Recent studies propose that to overcome this issue, potent translocating cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can be conjugated to their surfaces. Methods Here, we conjugated the antimicrobial CPP buforin II (BUF2) to the surface of magnetite nanoparticles to enhance their cell penetration. Conjugates were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis, and their biocompatibility was corroborated. The conjugates were delivered in both bacterial and mammalian cells demonstrating the intracellular inclusion in THP-1 cells for the first time. Results Despite the promising outcome, our studies showed that the obtained conjugates failed to maintain the native antimicrobial activity of BUF2. We hypothesize that to overcome this issue, a flexible linker can be inserted prior to conjugation. Conclusion Our study highlights the potential of BUF2-magnetite conjugates as cell-penetrating vehicles for the targeted delivery of pharmacological agents. This provides support for the idea of a promising combined drug delivery and antimicrobial peptide therapy.
Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Klatskin Tumor

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare clinical entity representing approximately 2% of all cancers diagnosed. More than 65% of these tumors can present at the bifurcation of the hepatic duct and are known as Klatskin tumors. Pancreatic cancer is among the top 5 leading causes of cancer death, and it usually presents at an advanced stage with metastasis commonly seen in the liver. We report a patient with established pancreatic adenocarcinoma who presented with an obstructing mass at the hepatic duct bifurcation without any prior history of biliary tract disease. This represents a new diagnosis of either intracholedochal metastatic tumor or a new diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma found at the hepatic duct bifurcation without liver involvement in the setting of pancreatic cancer, suggesting metachronous cholangiocarcinoma with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Importance of biotic predictors in estimation of potential invasive areas: the example of the tortoise beetle Eurypedus nigrosignatus, in Hispaniola

Climatic variables have been the main predictors employed in ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, although biotic interactions are known to affect species’ spatial distributions via mechanisms such as predation, competition, and mutualism. Biotic interactions can affect species’ responses to abiotic environmental changes differently along environmental gradients, and abiotic environmental changes can likewise influence the nature of biotic interactions. Understanding whether and how to integrate variables at different scales in ecological niche models is essential to better estimate spatial distributions of species on macroecological scales and their responses to change. We report the leaf beetle Eurypedus nigrosignatus as an alien species in the Dominican Republic and investigate whether biotic factors played a meaningful role in the distributional expansion of the species into the Caribbean. We evaluate ecological niche models built with an additive gradient of unlinked biotic predictors—host plants, using likelihood-based model evaluation criteria (Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion) within a range of regularization multiplier parameter values. Our results support the argument that ecological niche models should be more inclusive, as selected biotic predictors can improve the performance of models, despite the increased model complexity, and show that biotic interactions matter at macroecological scales. Moreover, we provide an alternative approach to select optimal combination of relevant variables, to improve estimation of potential invasive areas using global minimum model likelihood scores.
Risk Factors for Septicemia Deaths and Disparities in a Longitudinal US Cohort

Abstract Background There are few longitudinal data on the risk factors and mediators of racial disparities in sepsis among community- dwelling US adults. Methods This is a longitudinal study of adult participants in the 1999–2005 National Health Interview Survey with data linked to the 1999–2011 National Death Index. We utilized National Vital Statistics System’s ICD-10 schema to define septicemia deaths (A40-A41), utilizing influenza and pneumonia deaths (J09-J11) and other causes of death as descriptive comparators. All statistics utilized survey design variables to approximate the US adult population. Results Of 206 691 adult survey participants, 1523 experienced a septicemia death. Factors associated with a >2-fold larger hazard of septicemia death included need for help with activities of daily living; self-reported “poor” and “fair” general health; lower education; lower poverty index ratio; self-reported emphysema, liver condition, stroke, and weak or failing kidneys; numerous measures of disability; general health worse than the year prior; >1 pack per day cigarette use; and higher utilization of health care. Blacks had age- and sex-adjusted hazards that were higher for septicemia deaths (hazard ratio [HR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–2.23) than for other causes of death (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.25–1.38). The strongest mediators of the septicemia disparity included self-reported general health condition, family income-poverty ratio, and highest education level achieved. Conclusions In this cohort, the major risk factors for septicemia death were similar to those for other causes of death, there was approximately a 2-fold black-white disparity in septicemia deaths, and the strongest mediators of this disparity were across domains of socioeconomic status.
Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Fatality in Vulnerable Road Users at a High Volume Trauma Center

Background: Motorized two-wheelers, pedestrians, and cyclists are termed vulnerable road users (VRUs). Globally up to 50% of road deaths involve VRU and up to 80% in developing and rapidly motorizing economies. Objective: The objective of this study is to study the prehospital and clinical profile of fatally injured VRU. This would help in informed decision-making regarding prevention and trauma care infrastructure. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based study was performed at a Trauma Centre in Puducherry from January 2013 to June 2014 (18 months). Puducherry is a union territory of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. A total of 193 deaths due to Road traffic accident were included in this study. The demographics, prehospital findings, and the clinical progress of fatally injured VRU are described. Results: More than 80% of road traffic collision/crash deaths involved VRU of which the elderly comprised a significant proportion. Alcohol was a serious issue even in the elderly pedestrian. This study revealed specific injury patterns and severity. Head injury was the most common cause of death. Early deaths, that is within 24 h of injury was common at 50%. Conclusion: The majority of deaths were in the early phase of trauma hence mandating a strong call for prevention, along with strengthening of trauma care.
Study of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients Suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

ABSTRACT: Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) represents a frequent complication in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the impact of accelerated inflammatory status on the pulmonary vascular bed is still insufficiently studied. Objectives: The study of the PAH's prevalence in patients suffering from COPD, its severity compared with lung function and the correlation with certain clinical, biological and functional parameters. Material and method: The study was performed on a group of 64 patients, average age 53 years, 42 of whom were men (65,62%), suffering from COPD who were admitted to the Emergency County Hospital Craiova, on the II-nd Medical Clinic, within a period of 18 months. When assessing the patients their clinical state was stable, without acute exacerbations items. The control group included 61 patients suffering from other diseases without inflammatory background, who were hospitalized in clinic in the same period. All the patients included in the study were evaluated by: physical examination, thoracic radiological examination, spirometry, inflammatory syndrome, echocardiography Doppler and oximetry. Results: The results of the study show a prevalence of 54.6 % PAH and a statistically significant impact of age, duration of the disease, Sa O2, inflammatory status, which was quantified in the study by ESR, serum levels of CRP and serum level of TNF alpha over the risk of developing COPD in patients suffering from PAH. Conclusions: The occurrence and the severity of PAH in patients suffering from COPD seems to be correlated with their age, duration of the disease, Sa O2 and serum levels of inflammatory markers.
Silica–gentamicin nanohybrids: combating antibiotic resistance, bacterial biofilms, and in vivo toxicity

Introduction Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in health care. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), forming biofilms, is a common cause of resistant orthopedic implant infections. Gentamicin is a crucial antibiotic preventing orthopedic infections. Silica–gentamicin (SiO2-G) delivery systems have attracted significant interest in preventing the formation of biofilms. However, compelling scientific evidence addressing their efficacy against planktonic MRSA and MRSA biofilms is still lacking, and their safety has not extensively been studied. Materials and methods In this work, we have investigated the effects of SiO2-G nanohybrids against planktonic MRSA as well as MRSA and Escherichia coli biofilms and then evaluated their toxicity in zebrafish embryos, which are an excellent model for assessing the toxicity of nanotherapeutics. Results SiO2-G nanohybrids inhibited the growth and killed planktonic MRSA at a minimum concentration of 500 µg/mL. SiO2-G nanohybrids entirely eradicated E. coli cells in biofilms at a minimum concentration of 250 µg/mL and utterly deformed their ultrastructure through the deterioration of bacterial shapes and wrinkling of their cell walls. Zebrafish embryos exposed to SiO2-G nanohybrids (500 and 1,000 µg/mL) showed a nonsignificant increase in mortality rates, 13.4±9.4 and 15%±7.1%, respectively, mainly detected 24 hours post fertilization (hpf). Frequencies of malformations were significantly different from the control group only 24 hpf at the higher exposure concentration. Conclusion Collectively, this work provides the first comprehensive in vivo assessment of SiO2-G nanohybrids as a biocompatible drug delivery system and describes the efficacy of SiO2-G nanohybrids in combating planktonic MRSA cells and eradicating E. coli biofilms.