Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards people living with HIV/AIDS in Lebanon

Background Up till today, studies carried in Lebanon have focused more on the prevalence of HIV and behaviors and quality of life of infected individuals, however, none of these studies discussed the degree of stigma towards these populations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to measure the rate of stigma in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice towards patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) and examine the factors associated with this stigma. Methods A cross-sectional survey, enrolling 862 participants, was carried across the five governorates in Lebanon: Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North, South and Bekaa. The survey was a self-administered questionnaire which covered information about participants’ general demographics, their knowledge, attitudes, practices and awareness towards HIV/AIDS in Lebanon. , attitudes towards PLWHA, practices related to HIV/AIDS and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS situation in Lebanon. Results The response rate to the survey was 78.36% (862 participants). Being Muslim (Beta = -2.56) or Druze (Beta = -2.64) compared to Christians were significantly associated with lower knowledge towards HIV/AIDS, whereas having a secondary (Beta = 2.71) and a university (Beta = 3.04) levels of education compared to illiteracy and higher age (Beta = 0.05) were significantly associated with higher knowledge. Higher knowledge (Beta = 0.66) was significantly associated with better attitude, whereas higher age (Beta = -0.14) and being Muslim compared to Christian (Beta = -3.44) were significantly associated with worse attitude. Better attitude (Beta = 0.02) was significantly associated with better practice, whereas females compared to males (Beta = -0.39), having a secondary level of education compared to illiteracy (Beta = -0.88) and being Muslim compared to Christian (Beta = -0.32) were significantly associated with worse practice. Conclusion Our results stress the need for educational programs, advocacy campaigns and policies to help reduce HIV stigma. This will then help start developing interventions and strategies for a possible reduction in the stigmatization level.
Sliding window based deep ensemble system for breast cancer classification

Abstract Breast cancer is a severe problem for women around the world especially in developing countries, according to recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO). High accuracy and early detection of breast cancer reduces the mortality rate, in the other hand, recognition of breast cancer is a complicated issue. Various studies and methods have been carried out to overcome this problem and to obtain accurate screening of breast cancer. One of the most recent methods with high performance is deep learning; it has been used to classify breast cancer using mammograms or histopathological images. This paper proposes a new using the concept of sliding window, and using the ensemble of four pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNN) in order to classify breast cancer into eight classes. In this study, each image produces 4 non-overlapped sliding windows which are fed to GoogleNet, AlexNet, ResNet50, and DenseNet-201 CNNs, and an ensemble is then done to find the major class of each window, the ensemble is then applied again to find the class of the whole histopathological image. Breast Cancer Histopathological Database (BreakHis) database has been employed in this paper with eight classes (Adenosis, Ductal Carcinoma, Fibroadenoma, Lobular Carcinoma, Mucinous Carcinoma Papillary Carcinoma, Phyllodes Tumour, Tubular Adenoma). The proposed method is applied to four magnification cases: 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x images. The proposed ensemble technique achieved an accuracy of 99.3325%. The results of the proposed system are comparable to recent studies results.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in elemental imaging of biological tissues and in proteomics

Of all the inorganic mass spectrometric techniques, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) plays a key role as a powerful and sensitive microanalytical technique, enabling multi-element trace analysis and isotope ratio measurements at the trace and ultra-trace level in the life sciences. LA-ICP-MS was used to produce images of detailed regionally specific element distribution in thin sections of tissue from different parts of the human brain. The quantitative determination of copper, zinc and other elements distributed in thin slices of human brain samples was performed using matrix-matched laboratory standards. Imaging mass spectrometry provides new information on the spatially inhomogeneous element distribution in thin sections of human tissue, for example of different brain regions (e.g., insular region) or brain tumour tissue. The detection limits obtained for Cu and Zn determination in tissue sections were in the sub-µg g–1 range. Possible strategies will be discussed for applying LA-ICP-MS in brain research and the life sciences, including the imaging of thin slices of brain tissue in order to obtain element distributions or applications in proteome analysis in combination with MALDI-MS to study phospho- and metal-containing proteins.
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screen Version: initial screening for suicide risk in a psychiatric emergency department

Abstract Background Suicide screening is routine practice in psychiatric emergency (PE) departments, but evidence for screening instruments is sparse. Improved identification of nascent suicide risk is important for suicide prevention. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association between the novel Colombia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screen Version (C-SSRS Screen) and subsequent clinical management and suicide within 1 week, 1 month and 1 year from screening. Methods Consecutive patients (N = 18 684) attending a PE department in Stockholm, Sweden between 1 May 2016 and 31 December 2017 were assessed with the C-SSRS Screen. All patients (52.1% women; mean age = 39.7, s.d. = 16.9) were followed-up in the National Cause of Death Register. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves analyses were conducted. Optimal cut-offs and accuracy statistics were calculated. Results Both suicidal ideation and behaviour were prevalent at screening. In total, 107 patients died by suicide during follow-up. Both C-SSRS Screen Ideation Severity and Behaviour Scales were associated with death by suicide within 1-week, 1-month and 1-year follow-up. The optimal cut-off for the ideation severity scale was associated with at least four times the odds of dying by suicide within 1 week (adjusted OR 4.7, 95% confidence interval 1.5–14.8). Both scales were also associated with short-term clinical management. Conclusions The C-SSRS Screen may be feasible to use in the actual management setting as an initial step before the clinical assessment of suicide risk. Future research may investigate the utility of combining the C-SSRS Screen with a more thorough assessment.
Imaging criteria to predict Shamblin group in carotid body tumors - revisited.

PURPOSE This study aims to compare the imaging findings of carotid body tumors on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with the intraoperative Shamblin grade and to evolve an imaging-based scoring system that can accurately predict the Shamblin grade. METHODS Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans of 40 patients who underwent surgical excision of carotid body tumors in our institution between 2004 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The angle of contact with the internal carotid artery (ICA), tumor volume, presence of peritumoral tuft of veins, loss of tumor adventitia interface and distance from the skull base were assessed and compared with the intraoperative Shamblin grades of the tumor. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine which parameters could be predictors of the Shamblin grades. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to score the tumor volumes. RESULTS Among the 42 tumors evaluated, 6 (14.3%) were surgically classified as Shamblin I, 15 (35.7%) as Shamblin II, and 21 (50%) as Shamblin III tumors. Pairwise comparison between the three Shamblin groups showed a statistically significant difference for angle of contact with ICA, maximum tumor dimension, presence of peritumoral tuft of veins and loss of tumor adventitia interface (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.038 and p = 0.003, respectively). However, tumor volumes and distance from skull base were not significantly different between the Shamblin groups (p = 0.136 and p = 0.682). A scoring system, including four of the above mentioned parameters (angle of contact with ICA, tumor volume, presence of peritumoral tuft of veins, and loss of tumor adventitia interface) was developed with a maximum score of 8 and a minimum of 2. A statistically significant difference was found between the final scores among the three Shamblin groups (p < 0.001). Using ROC curves, a final score of ≥6 was found to separate Shamblin grade III tumors from grade I and II tumors (sensitivity, 95.24%; specificity, 71.43%). All patients with documented intraoperative estimated blood loss of >1000 mL had Shamblin grade III tumors. Postoperative complications like stroke, ICA thrombosis and lower cranial nerve palsies were seen only with Shamblin grade II and III tumors. CONCLUSION The simple scoring system we have proposed correlates well with the Shamblin grade and helps in identifying patients who have a higher risk of developing complications.
Need of entomological criteria to assess zero transmission of gambiense HAT

Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease due to trypanosomes (Kinetoplastidae) transmitted to humans by a vector, the tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae), that only occurs in Africa. There are 2 forms of the disease: Rhodesiense HAT (r-HAT) is due to Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and occurs East and South of Africa. Gambiense HAT (g-HAT) is due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, occurs in West and Centre of Africa, and is considered as the chronic form of the disease. Only g-HAT will be considered in this paper, since it is the only one that is targeted for “elimination as interruption of transmission” by WHO in the 2030 WHO roadmap for NTDs. The disease is lethal without treatment with some exceptions, and there is no vaccine. Control efforts have been usually implemented through diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis involves a complex chain composed of clinical examination, a serological test, followed by a parasitological confirmation, and treatment is usually given only to people in whom trypanosomes have been detected. A diagnosis of the neurological stage still relies on lumbar puncture. Treatment has for long been based on arsenical derivatives showing severe side effects, then has improved through the NECT (Nifurtimox-Eflornithine combination therapy; [1]), and even better recently with the arrival of an oral treatment that can treat the 2 stages, the fexinidazole [2,3]. Combining medical activities with tsetse control in g-HAT foci can accelerate HAT control, as observed in Guinea [4], Chad [5], and D. R. Congo [6]. In 2018, less than 1,000 cases of HAT were reported [7], thanks to this combination of medical and vector control tools. It can be estimated that, currently, this has allowed decreasing and preventing HAT transmission in an area of more than 7,000 km, protecting more than 1 million people living in these foci of 5 countries, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, DRC, and Uganda [8]. With this spectacular decrease in number of cases observed, some countries are in the process of submitting their dossier to WHO for the validation of elimination as public health problem, and some even are in the process of interrupting transmission. Within the context of “elimination as interruption of transmission,” a key question now becomes: what criteria should be used to assess this interruption of transmission? Here we will review how elimination efforts are nowadays being followed up in g-HAT, how this compares to other vectorborne NTDs (VB-NTDs), and we will review the entomological tools available that may be used for interruption of transmission.
Nanostructured Composite Films for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Electrostatic Layer-by-Layer Deposition

Novel nanostructured TiO2 films for use in dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated using the electrostatic layer-by-layer (ELBL) deposition method. Solar energy conversion efficiency over 5% was achieved with a 1.5 μm nanoparticulate film plus a scattering layer. Layered architectures incorporating scattering particles or nanorods into nanoparticulate films were also produced.
Prognostic significance of heat shock protein 90AA1 (HSP90α) in invasive breast cancer

Aims The mechanisms that drive breast cancer (BC) progression and poor outcome are not fully understood. The human heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90α) encoded by the HSP90ΑA1 gene has a vital role in cellular responses to stress and is implicated in the development and progression of many cancers. The current study aims to explore the clinical and prognostic importance of HSP90α in BC. Methods The Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (n=1980); The Cancer Genome Atlas (n=1097) and the Breast Cancer Gene-Expression Miner (Bc-GenExMiner) BC datasets (n=5056) were used to evaluate HSP90ΑA1 mRNA expression. HSP90α protein expression was further assessed using immunohistochemistry in a large (n=911) well-characterised BC series. The association between mRNA and protein expressions with other clinicopathological parameters and outcome was analysed. Results High expression of HSP90ΑA1 both at the mRNA and protein levels was significantly associated with characteristics of BC poor prognosis, including high grade, lymphovascular invasion, poor Nottingham Prognostic Index and positive expression of p53 and PIK3CA. Outcome analysis revealed that high HSP90α protein expression is an independent predictor of shorter BC-specific survival. Conclusion HSP90α can be used as a potential prognostic marker in BC. Further mechanistic studies are warranted to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms mediated by HSP90α in BC.
Ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone in routine clinical practice: effectiveness in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in routine clinical practice. Patients & methods: Patient-level data from the global, observational INSIGHT MM and the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies were integrated and analyzed. Results: At data cut-off, 263 patients from 13 countries were included. Median time from diagnosis to start of IRd was 35.8 months; median duration of follow-up was 14.8 months. Overall response rate was 73%, median progression-free survival, 21.2 months and time-to-next therapy, 33.0 months. Ixazomib/lenalidomide dose reductions were required in 17%/36% of patients; 32%/30% of patients discontinued ixazomib/lenalidomide due to adverse events. Conclusion: The effectiveness and safety of IRd in routine clinical practice are comparable to those reported in TOURMALINE-MM1. Clinical trial registration: NCT02761187 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
A Surgical Window Trial Evaluating Medroxyprogesterone Acetate with or without Entinostat in Patients with Endometrial Cancer and Validation of Biomarkers of Cellular Response

Purpose: This surgical window of opportunity (window) study assessed the short-term effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) alone versus MPA plus the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor entinostat on regulation of progesterone receptor (PR) in women with newly diagnosed endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: This multisite, randomized, open-label surgical window study treated women intramuscularly on day 1 with 400 mg MPA. Entinostat given 5 mg by mouth on days 1, 8, and 15 was randomly assigned with equal probability. Surgery followed on days 21–24. Pretreatment and posttreatment tissue was assessed for PR H-scores, Ki-67 levels, and histologic response. Results: Fifty patients were accrued in 4 months; 22 and 20 participants had PR evaluable pretreatment and posttreatment slides in the MPA and MPA/entinostat arms, respectively. Median posttreatment PR H-scores were significantly lower than pretreatment H-scores in both arms but did not differ significantly (MPA: 247 vs. 27, MPA/entinostat 260 vs. 23, respectively, P = 0.87). Decreased Ki-67 was shown in 90% treated with MPA/entinostat compared with 68% treated with MPA alone (P = 0.13). Median PR H-score decreases were larger when Ki-67 was decreased (208) versus not decreased (45). The decrease in PR pretreatment versus posttreatment was associated with loss of Ki-67 nuclear staining, consistent with reduced cellular proliferation (P < 0.008). Conclusions: This surgical window trial rapidly accrued in a multisite setting and evaluated PR as its primary endpoint and Ki-67 as secondary endpoint. Despite no immediate effect of entinostat on PR in this short-term study, lessons learned can inform future window and treatment trials.
Sexual Orientation Among Unmarried Final Year University Students in Osun State: Distribution, Determinants and Level of Satisfaction

Background Sexual Orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction, with the attractions broadly incorporated under heterosexuality and non-heterosexuality. Societal and other factors seem to affect individuals’ perception of their self-identified orientation. Thus, this study sets out to document the distribution of sexual orientation, level of self-reported satisfaction, and factors associated with sexual orientation among unmarried university students. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 550 respondents sampled using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data collected via a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed via IBM SPSS version 20.0. Results Most respondents (93.6%) were heterosexuals, 4.7% bisexuals, 1.3% lesbian women and 0.40% gay men. More heterosexuals (80.4%) were fully satisfied with their self-identified sexual orientation compared to 57.2% of non-heterosexuals. Respondents who had religious upbringing and those whose parents were currently married were less likely to have sexual orientation outside of heterosexuality. Conclusion The most prevalent sexual orientation was heterosexuality, with more heterosexuals also expressing satisfaction than others. With the level of dissatisfaction expressed by those who are not heterosexuals as well as the factors associated with heterosexuality, it is plausible to conclude that societal values and/or prejudices constitute major factors in individuals self-identifying with some particular sexual orientation and the satisfaction derived therein.
Understanding oocyte ageing: can we influence the process as clinicians?

Purpose of review Oocyte quality is rate-limiting for pregnancy success and declines with age. Here, I review animal-study evidence showing dramatic reversal of oocyte ageing with mitochondrial nutrients and explore clinical evidence related to their usage. Recent findings Oocyte ageing is strongly tied to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Quality-defining events occur over a protracted period (2—3 months in humans) when oocyte volume increases over 100-fold. Treating mice during the growth phase with mitochondrial modifiers such as CoQ10 combats oocyte ageing. Exciting new work shows that raising oocyte NAD+ levels also dramatically rejuvenate aged oocytes. However, evidence that any of these agents can reproducibly improve quality in humans is lacking. This is largely because there has been a focus on patients with poor ovarian response during IVF and/or low ovarian follicular pool size, rather than patients with poor oocyte quality. In addition, studies have used short-term treatment during ovarian stimulation after oocyte growth is already complete. Summary Mitochondrial therapeutics such as NAD+-boosting used during the oocyte's growth phase markedly improve oocyte quality in mice. Evaluating them in humans should focus on patients with poor oocyte quality and utilise per-oocyte (rather than per-cycle) endpoints after adequate treatment that captures the growth phase when quality is defined.
Integrative Analyses Followed by Functional Characterization Reveal TMEM180 as a Schizophrenia Risk Gene

Abstract Recent large-scale integrative analyses (including Transcriptome-Wide Association Study [TWAS] and Summary-data-based Mendelian Randomization [SMR]) have identified multiple genes whose cis-regulated expression changes may confer risk of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data and genome-wide associations used for integrative analyses were mainly from populations of European ancestry, resulting in potential missing of pivotal biological insights in other continental populations due to population heterogeneity. Here we conducted TWAS and SMR integrative analyses using blood eQTL (from 162 subjects) and GWAS data (22 778 cases and 35 362 controls) of schizophrenia in East Asian (EAS) populations. Both TWAS (P = 2.89 × 10–14) and SMR (P = 6.04 × 10–5) analyses showed that decreased TMEM180 mRNA expression was significantly associated with risk of schizophrenia. We further found that TMEM180 was significantly down-regulated in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia cases compared with controls (P = 8.63 × 10–4 in EAS sample), and its expression was also significantly lower in the brain tissues of schizophrenia cases compared with controls (P = 1.87 × 10–5 in European sample from PsychENCODE). Functional explorations suggested that Tmem180 knockdown affected neurodevelopment, ie, proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. RNA sequencing showed that pathways regulated by Tmem180 were significantly enriched in brain development and synaptic transmission. In conclusion, our study provides convergent lines of evidence for the involvement of TMEM180 in schizophrenia, and highlights the potential and importance of resource integration and sharing at this big data era in bio-medical research.