Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding mental distress in Arcahaie, Haiti: Heterogeneous uses of idioms of distress in communicating psychological suffering

Research on mental health in specific communities requires careful attention to cultural context and language. Studies on global mental health have increasingly analyzed idioms of distress, or culturally situated ways of conceptualizing, experiencing, and expressing distress. This study examines how idioms of distress are used and understood in Arcahaie, Haiti. The goal was to enrich current understanding of mental health conceptualization and communication by exploring the heterogeneity of common idioms of distress. Interviews with community members (N = 47) explored meanings and perceived causations of 13 idioms of distress. Major themes included pervasiveness of poverty, ruminative thinking, effects of Vodou and Christian belief systems, embodied distress, and the behavior of “crazy” people (moun fou). The findings suggest some specific pathways for potential community engagement projects, including training lay-leaders in cognitive behavioral therapy using existing socioreligious infrastructure and expanding access to social engagement activities. This research contributes to a small but growing body of literature on mental illness in Haiti and to methods for studying idioms of distress.
Perinatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces hepatic lipid accumulation mediated by diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1

Introduction: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer in consumer products and medical devices. It is also suspected to exacerbate the development of fatty liver. However, the mechanisms underlying excessive lipid synthesis and its deposition in the liver are yet to be identified. This study was aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of hepatic lipid accumulation in adult male offspring after perinatal exposure to DEHP. Method: Corn oil and DEHP (0.75 mg/kg/day) were administered once per day to dam from gestation day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21 by oral gavage. After the weaning period, DEHP treated male pups were categorized into early life stage- and lifelong period group. Male rats both control and early life stage group administered corn oil, and lifelong period group administered DEHP from PND 22 to 70. Histological examination and triglyceride (TG) levels in the liver were analyzed. Expressions of transcription factors associated with lipid accumulation in the liver were analyzed. Results: Both early life stage- and lifelong period group, hepatic TG levels, and mRNA and protein expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) were significantly higher than control (TG: all p < 0.05, mRNA & protein: p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The average body weight from PND 35 to 63, and mRNA and protein expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c in lifelong period group were significantly lower than control (all p < 0.05); however, alanine transaminase were significantly higher than control (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Perinatal exposure to DEHP may induce the hepatic lipid accumulation through up-regulation of DGAT1 expression.
Flexion-extension standing radiographs underestimate instability in patients with single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis: comparing flexion-supine imaging may be more appropriate.

Background Generally, most spine surgeons agree that increased segmental motion viewed on flexion-extension radiographs is a reliable predictor of instability; however, these views can be limited in several ways and may underestimate the instability at a given lumbar segment. Methods Consecutively collected adult (≥18 years old) patients with symptomatic single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis were reviewed from a two-surgeon database from 2015 to 2019. Routine standing lumbar X-rays (neutral, flexion, extension) and supine lumbar MRI (sagittal T2-weighted imaging sequence) were performed. Patients were excluded if they had prior lumbar surgery, missing radiographic data, or if the time between X-rays and MRI was >6 months. Results All 39 patients with symptomatic, single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis were identified. The mean age was 57.3±16.7 years and 66% were female. There was good intra- and inter-rater reliability agreement between measured values on the presence of instability. The slip percentage (SP) difference was significantly highest in the flexion-supine (FS) (5.7 mm, 12.3%) and neutral standing-supine (NS) (4.3 mm, 8.7%) groups, both of which were significantly higher compared with the flexion-extension (FE) group (1.8 mm, 4.5%, P<0.001). Ventral instability based on SP >8% was observed more frequently in FS (79.5%) and NS (52.6%) groups compared with FE group (16.7%, P<0.001). No statistically significant correlation was found between SP and disc angle for all radiographic views. Conclusions Comparing standing lateral and flexion X-rays with supine MRIs provides higher sensitivity to assess instability than standard flexion-extension radiographs. The FS and NS comparisons also show greater slip percentage differences at higher slip grades, but not at different lumbar levels. These changes are not dependent on age or gender.
Role of dissolution studies in controlled release drug delivery systems

La notion de dissolution a ete developpee par Noyes et Whitney en 1897, et les recherches dans ce domaine n'ont pas cesse de croitre. Ceci nous a donne non seulement une meilleure comprehension du procede, mais a egalement cree de nombreuses applications dans des domaines differents. Dans le cadre des systemes d'administration du principe actif; le « procede de dissolution » peut etre decrit comme le phenomene de disponibilite du principe actif a partir de la forme de dosage apres son administration. Cependant, la dissolution du principe actif a partir d'une forme a fait l'objet de l'interet scientifique seulement depuis les quatre dernieres decennies et uniquement lors de l'evolution de la technologie portant sur l'administration controlee. La liberation controlee est maintenant un grand theme de recherche mondiale, ayant pour but d'ameliorer l'efficacite des principes actifs. La liberation controlee a pour base le principe de dissolution d'un principe actif a un taux precis, lui conferant ainsi un profil de dissolution caracteristique. Ces etudes de dissolution sont critiques, et ce sont les outils les plus frequemment utilises dans le developpement, la caracterisation et l'utilisation des formulations a liberation controlee. Cet article passe en revue les developpements recents dans l'application et l'utilisation des etudes de dissolution dans le developpement de formulations per orales a liberation controlee.
Do Organizational Characteristics of Lung Procurement Operations Matter: The Association Between Transplant Center Centrality and Volume With Total Ischemic Time

Background. To understand the association of 2 organizational characteristics of transplant center (TXC), volume and closeness centrality, with total ischemic time for deceased donor lung transplants in conjunction with the removal of donation service area (DSA) lung allocation policy. The organization of donor procurements has received increased attention since DSA was removed from allocation policy. Consistent with network theories of organization, organizational characteristics of a TXC could affect procurement efficiency, as volume and closeness centrality (measuring how connected a TXC is within the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) could be associated with total ischemic time. These associations could have changed because of the removal of DSA from allocation policy. Methods. We conducted a retrospective, pooled cross-sectional study of total ischemic time for nonperfused deceased donor lung transplants (n = 9281) between 2015 and 2019, using within-between regression. Results. Higher volume TXCs exhibited lower total ischemic times after the removal of DSA from lung allocation policy (P = 0.011); however, all TXCs that had increased volumes, after the removal of DSA from lung allocation policy, exhibited higher levels of total ischemic time (P ≤ 0.001). Before the removal of DSA, TXCs that had increased volumes exhibited lower levels of ischemic time (P ≤ 0.001). Both within and between closeness centrality exhibited u-shaped associations with total ischemic time (P = 0.012; P = 0.006) and the effect of closeness centrality on total ischemic time was different after DSA removal (P < 0.001). Conclusions. Organizational characteristics were associated with the efficiency of deceased organ procurements. The effects on total ischemic time were dependent on whether DSA was used for lung allocation.
Uso de algoritmos de reconhecimento de padrões aplicados ao problema de câncer de pele do tipo melanoma

O presente trabalho visa reconhecer o câncer de pele do tipo melanoma utilizando processamento digital de imagens e algoritmos de reconhecimento de padrões. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas: extração de caracterı́sticas da imagem, com base na regra ABCD e classificação, que pode ser câncer de pele ou mancha comum. Foram utilizados 5 algoritmos diferentes de reconhecimento de padrões: K-Means, KNN, MLP, DMC, e MAdaline. Os cinco algoritmos conseguiram taxas de acerto acima de 50% sendo o K-Means o que obteve melhor resultado com cerca de 90% de acerto.
Effects of supplemental feeding on the fecal bacterial communities of Rocky Mountain elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Supplemental feeding of wildlife is a common practice often undertaken for recreational or management purposes, but it may have unintended consequences for animal health. Understanding cryptic effects of diet supplementation on the gut microbiomes of wild mammals is important to inform conservation and management strategies. Multiple laboratory studies have demonstrated the importance of the gut microbiome for extracting and synthesizing nutrients, modulating host immunity, and many other vital host functions, but these relationships can be disrupted by dietary perturbation. The well-described interplay between diet, the microbiome, and host health in laboratory and human systems highlights the need to understand the consequences of supplemental feeding on the microbiomes of free-ranging animal populations. This study describes changes to the gut microbiomes of wild elk under different supplemental feeding regimes. We demonstrated significant cross-sectional variation between elk at different feeding locations and identified several relatively low-abundance bacterial genera that differed between fed versus unfed groups. In addition, we followed four of these populations through mid-season changes in supplemental feeding regimes and demonstrated a significant shift in microbiome composition in a single population that changed from natural forage to supplementation with alfalfa pellets. Some of the taxonomic shifts in this population mirrored changes associated with ruminal acidosis in domestic livestock. We discerned no significant changes in the population that shifted from natural forage to hay supplementation, or in the populations that changed from one type of hay to another. Our results suggest that supplementation with alfalfa pellets alters the native gut microbiome of elk, with potential implications for population health.
Photooxidation von Rubren

Rubren ist ein organisches Molekul, welches vielversprechende Eigenschaften zur Herstellung von elektronischen Bauelementen, basierend auf organischen Materialen, aufweist. Allerdings unterliegt dieser Stoff einem (Photo-)Oxidationsprozess, der die Lebensdauer dieser Bauelemente negativ beeinflusst. Um diesen Prozess untersuchen zu konnen, wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit zunachst untersucht wie sich reproduzierbare Schichten von Rubren-Molekulen auf einem Rubren-Einkristall mittels organischer Molekularstrahlepitaxie herstellen lassen. Anschliesend wurden Oxidationsexperimente unter variierten Bedingungen durchgefuhrt und die resultierenden Schichten mittels Rasterkraftmikroskopie untersucht. Es zeigt sich, dass eine Oxidation nur mittels Luft und nicht mit reinem Sauerstoff gelingt. Auserdem findet der Prozess nur statt, wenn Licht auf die Probe einfallt. Schlieslich zeigt sich, dass die oxidierten Schichten eine begrenzte Lebensdauer aufweisen und in den nicht-oxidierten Zustand zuruckkehren.
Antiretroviral hair levels, self-reported adherence, and virologic failure in second-line regimen patients in resource-limited settings

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: To evaluate associations between hair antiretroviral hair concentrations as an objective, cumulative adherence metric, with self-reported adherence and virologic outcomes. Design: Analysis of cohort A of the ACTG-A5288 study. These patients in resource-limited settings were failing second-line protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) but were susceptible to at least one nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and their protease inhibitor, and continued taking their protease inhibitor-based regimen. Methods: Antiretroviral hair concentrations in participants taking two NRTIs with boosted atazanavir (n = 69) or lopinavir (n = 112) were analyzed at weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48 using liquid-chromatography--tandem-mass-spectrometry assays. Participants’ self-reported percentage of doses taken in the previous month; virologic failure was confirmed HIV-1 RNA at least 1000 copies/ml at week 24 or 48. Results: From 181 participants with hair samples (61% women, median age: 39 years; CD4+ cell count: 167 cells/μl; HIV-1 RNA: 18 648 copies/ml), 91 (50%) experienced virologic failure at either visit. At 24 weeks, median hair concentrations were 2.95 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.49–4.60] ng/mg for atazanavir, 2.64 (IQR 0.73--7.16) for lopinavir, and 0.44 (IQR 0.11--0.76) for ritonavir. Plasma HIV-1 RNA demonstrated inverse correlations with hair levels (rs −0.46 to −0.74) at weeks 24 and 48. Weaker associations were seen with self-reported adherence (rs −0.03 to −0.24). Decreasing hair concentrations were significantly associated with virologic failure, the hazard ratio (95% CI) for ATV, LPV, and RTV were 0.69 (0.56-0.86), 0.77 (0.68–0.87), and 0.12 (0.06–0.27), respectively. Conclusion: Protease inhibitor hair concentrations showed stronger associations with subsequent virologic outcomes than self-reported adherence in this cohort. Hair adherence measures could identify individuals at risk of second-line treatment failure in need of interventions.
A Swept source optical coherence tomography angiography study: Imaging artifacts and comparison of non-perfusion areas with fluorescein angiography in diabetic macular edema

Purpose Swept Source Optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) is a novel technique to visualize perfusion and vascular changes like ischemia in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this study was to compare non-perfusion areas on conventional fluorescein angiography (FA) with those on SS-OCTA using detailed manual annotation in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and to evaluate possible artifacts caused by DME on SS-OCTA. Methods 27 eyes of 21 patients with DME were analyzed in this prospective, cross-sectional study; on all, standard ophthalmological examination, SS-OCTA and FA imaging were performed. Early-phase FA and SS-OCTA images were analyzed for capillary dropout and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was measured on both modalities. Artifacts in SS-OCTA imaging caused by DME were marked and analyzed. Results The mean age of the patients was 62.6 ± 11.5 years. On FA the mean size of the annotated non-perfusion areas was 0.14 ± 0.31 mm2 whereas the mean size in SS-OCTA was 0.04 ± 0.13 mm2; areas marked on FA were statistically significantly larger than on SS-OCTA (p<0.01). Mean size of FAZs was similar between FA and OCTA images. (p = 0.91). Seven eyes (25.9 percent) showed imaging artifacts due to DME in SS-OCTA. Conclusion SS-OCTA is a valid tool to analyze capillary perfusion status of patients with DME, although areas of non-perfusion were measured smaller than in conventional FA. More non-perfusion areas were found on SS-OCTA images. FAZ measurements were similar using the two modalities. However, SS-OCTA is prone to artifacts and therefore requires reviewing of imaging results: up to 25 percent of the analyzed eyes showed artifacts on OCTA, which occurred in the areas of diabetic macular edema and did not correspond to capillary drop out.
Flow-mediated dilation analysis coupled with nitric oxide transport to enhance the assessment of endothelial function.

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), mainly mediated by nitric oxide (NO), aims to assess the shear-induced endothelial function, which is widely quantified by the relative change in arterial diameter after dilation (FMD%). However, FMD% is affected by individual differences in blood pressure, blood flow and arterial diameter. To reduce these differences and enhance the assessment of FMD to endothelial function, we continuously measured not only the brachial artery diameter and blood flow with ultrasound but also blood pressure with non-invasive monitor during standard FMD test. We further constructed an analytical model of FMD coupled with NO transport, blood flow, and arterial deformation. Combining the time-averaged and peak values of arterial diameter, blood flow and pressure, and the modeling, we assumed the artery was completely healthy and calculated an ideally expected FMD% (eFMD%). Then, we expressed the fractional flow-mediated dilation (FFMD%) for the ratio of measured FMD% (mFMD%) to eFMD%. Furthermore, using the continuous waveforms of arterial diameter, blood flow and pressure, the endothelial characteristic parameter (ϵ) was calculated, which describes the function of the endothelium to produce NO and ranges from 1 to 0 representing the endothelial function from healthiness to complete loss. We found that the mFMD% and eFMD% between the young age (n=5, 21.2±1.8yr) and middle age group (n=5, 34.0±2.1yr) have no significant difference (P=0.222, P=0.385). In contrast, the FFMD% (P=0.008) and ϵ (P=0.007) both show significant differences. Therefore, the fractional flow-mediated dilation (FFMD%) and the endothelial characteristic parameter (ϵ) may have the potential for specifically diagnosing the endothelial function.
[The National Survey on Addiction Problems in Hungary 2019 (NSAPH): Methodology and sample description].

OBJECTIVES This paper presents the methods and main methodological fi ndings of the third wave of data collection of the National Survey on Addiction Problems in Hungary (NSAPH). In addition to mapping the addiction problems of the Hungarian population and monitoring the general population addiction trends in Hungary, the research formulates objectives for the development of the methodology used in addiction research. The study presents the measurement tools used in the research, the sampling and data collection strategy, as well as the methodological results related to sample access and the reliability and validity of the applied measurement tools used. METHODS The research was carried out on a nationally representative sample of the Hungarian adult population aged 16-64 yrs (gross sample 1800, net sample 1385 persons). The extent of the theoretical margin of error in the sample is ±2,6%, at a reliability level of 95%. Sample attrition was corrected by matrix weighting by layer categories. The research aimed at studying the different type substance use behaviours (smoking, alcohol use and other psychoactive substances) as well as several behavioural addictions (problematic internet use, problematic online gaming, problematic social media use, problematic gambling, exercise addictions, eating disorders, work addiction, compulsive buying, problematic mobile phone use). RESULTS Based on the analysis of reliability and the extent of non-sampling errors within the context of the database we concluded that valid and reliable statements can be formulated on the basis of the research data regarding the current characteristics and patterns of the examined addiction behaviours. At the same time, in case of psychoactive substance use the observed trends of non-sampling errors indicate that the analysis of the changes requires outstanding attention whilst interpreting them; in some cases correction procedures might become necessary during estimating and interpreting the tendencies. This wave of the research was the first which examined the reliability and validity of prevalence data related to behavioural addictions. Based on this analysis it can be said that these data are less exposed to non-sampling errors than the ones related to substance use.
Association between Fecal Calprotectin and Mucosal Healing in Pediatric Patients with Crohn’s Disease Who Have Achieved Sustained Clinical Remission with Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Agents

Background/Aims Although mucosal healing (MH) is acknowledged as the treatment target in the treat-to-target era, there are limitations on repeated endoscopic examinations, especially in pediatric patients. We aimed to investigate whether fecal calprotectin (FC) could serve as a surrogate marker for the assessment of MH in pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) who have achieved sustained clinical remission (CR) while treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents. Methods This multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study included pediatric CD patients who had sustained a CR for at least 6 months with anti-TNF agents and who simultaneously underwent ileocolonoscopy and FC tests during follow-up. MH was defined as the absence of any ulcer on ileocolonoscopy. Results A total of 131 patients were included in this study. MH was observed in 87 patients (66.7%). The FC level was significantly lower in patients with MH than in those without MH (median 49.0 mg/kg vs 599.0 mg/kg; p<0.001). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, FC was the only factor associated with MH (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52 to 0.73; p<0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value for FC for the association with MH was <140 mg/kg (area under the curve 0.890, 95% CI 0.829 to 0.951, sensitivity 78.2%, specificity 88.6%, p<0.001). Conclusions FC was associated with MH in pediatric patients with CD who had achieved a sustained CR for at least 6 months with anti-TNF agents. In these patients, FC can be used to stratify patients and guide decisions regarding ileocolonoscopy in the treat-to-target era.
Extraction and identification of ginseng root exudates

【Objective】This study aimed to investigate the components in ginseng root exudates to provide scientific basis for investigation of allelopathy and soil sickness of ginseng. 【Method】Root exudates were collected in situ from ginseng cultivated with complex sterile matrix substrate.The exudates were extracted with water and ethanol before being extracted by organic solvent to obtain water extract,petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate extract.HPLC and GC-MS were used to identify the water extract and organic extracts,respectively. 【Result】The petroleum ether extract was consisted of 20compounds,including1,3-dioxolan-4-methyl-,4-ethyl-2-pentadecanoic,citric acid ethyl,ethyl palmitate and pentacosane.Hydrocarbons organic acids and esters,phenolic acids,alkane derivatives and pyran accounted for 46.56%,22.75%,13.78%,3.59%,and 5.39%,respectively.Nine compounds were identified in the ethyl acetate extract,including butyl citric acid,1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(2-methylpropyl),and mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate.Hydrocarbons,organic acids and esters,and phenolic acids accounted for 22.77%,63.71%,and 13.52%,respectively.Trace amounts of ginsenosides were detected in ginseng root exudates as well. 【Conclusion】In ginseng cultivation,ginseng root exudates could be collected using soilless media without the interference of soil microorganisms.Cinseng root exudates are composed of ginsenosides,hydrocarbons,organic acids and esters,and phenolic acids.