Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can telemedicine initiative be an effective intervention strategy for improving treatment compliance for pediatric HIV patients: Evidences on costs and improvement in treatment compliance from Maharashtra, India

Background India has recently introduced telemedicine initiatives to enhance access to specialized care at a low cost for the pediatric HIV patients, who face multiple challenges due to growing disease burden and limited preparedness of the health system to address it. There are limited evidences on the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. This study was undertaken in Maharashtra, a province, located in the western region of the country, to inform policy regarding the effectiveness of this programme. The objective was to estimate the unit cost of ART services for pediatric HIV patients and examine the efficiency in the use of resource and treatment compliance resulting from telemedicine initiatives in pediatric HIV compared to usual ART services. Methods We selected 6 ART centers (3 from linked centers linked to Pediatric HIV Centre of Excellence (PCoE) and 3 from non-linked centers) randomly from three high, middle and low ART centers, categorized on the basis of case load in each arm. A bottom up costing methodology was adopted to understand the unit cost of services. Loss to follow up and timeliness of the visits were compared between the two arms and were linked to the cost. Results The average cost per-visit was INR 1803 in the linked centers and that for the non-linked centers was INR 3412. There has been 5 percentage point improvement in lost to follow-up in the linked centers compared to non-linked centers against a back-drop of a reduction in per-pediatric patient cost of INR 557. The linkage has resulted in increase in timeliness of the visits in linked centers compared to non-linked centers. Discussion and conclusion The telemedicine linkage led to an increase in the case load leading to a decrease in cost. The evidence on efficiency in the use of resource and improvement in treatment compliance as suggested by this study could be used to scale up this initiative.
Post‐progression survival is highly linked to overall survival in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer harboring sensitive EGFR mutations treated with first‐line epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors

In patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutated advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI) treatment has shown a good response. Subsequent treatments jeopardize the ability to determine the effect of first‐line chemotherapy on overall survival (OS). Therefore, using patient‐level data, we aimed to study the associations of progression‐free survival (PFS) and post‐progression survival (PPS) with OS after first‐line EGFR‐TKI treatment in patients with EGFR‐mutated NSCLC.
E-cigarette health harm awareness and discouragement: Implications for health communication.

INTRODUCTION Evidence for the health harms of e-cigarettes is growing, yet little is known about which harms may be most impactful in health messaging. Our study sought to identify which harms tobacco product users were aware of and which most discouraged them from wanting to vape. METHODS Participants were a convenience sample of 1,872 U.S. adult e-cigarette-only users, cigarette-only smokers, and dual users recruited in August 2018. In an online survey, participants evaluated 40 e-cigarette harms from 7 categories: chemical exposures, device explosions, addiction, cardiovascular harm, respiratory harm, e-liquid toxicity, and other harms. Outcomes were awareness of the harms ("check all that apply") and the extent to which the harms discouraged vaping (5-point scale; (1) "not at all" to (5) "very much"). RESULTS Awareness of most e-cigarette harms was modest, being highest for harms in the device explosions category of harms (44%) and lowest for the e-liquid toxicity category (16%). The harms with the highest mean discouragement from wanting to vape were the respiratory harm (M=3.82) and exposure to chemicals (M=3.68) categories. Harms in the addiction category were the least discouraging (M=2.83) compared to other harms (all p<.001). Findings were similar for e-cigarette-only users, cigarette-only smokers, and dual users. CONCLUSIONS Addiction was the least motivating e-cigarette harm, a notable finding given that the current FDA e-cigarette health warning communicates only about nicotine addiction. The next generation of e-cigarette health warnings and communication campaigns should highlight other harms, especially respiratory harms and the chemical exposures that may lead to health consequences. IMPLICATIONS E-cigarette health harms related to respiratory effects, chemical exposures, and other health areas most discouraged vaping among tobacco users. In contrast, health harms about addiction least discouraged use. Several countries have begun implementing e-cigarette health warnings, including the U.S., and many others are considering adopting similar policies. To increase impact, future warnings and other health communication efforts should communicate about health harms beyond addiction, such as the effects of e-cigarette use on respiratory health. Such efforts should communicate that e-cigarette use is risky and may pose less overall risk to human health than smoking, according to current evidence.
Optimization of multimedia applications on embedded multicore processors

Parallel computing is currently the dominating architecture in embedded systems. Concurrency improves the performance of the system rather without increasing the clock speed which affects the power consumption of the system. However, concurrency needs to be exploited in order to improve the system performance in different applications environments. Multimedia applications (real-Time conversational services such as video conferencing, video phone, etc.) have many new features that require complex computations compared to previous video coding standards. These applications have a challenging workload for future multiprocessors. Exploiting parallelism in multimedia applications can be done at data and functional levels or using different instruction sets and architectures. In this research, we design new parallel algorithms and mapping methodologies in order to exploit the natural existence of parallelism in multimedia applications, specifically the H.264/AVC video decoder. We mainly target symmetric shared-Memory multiprocessors (SMPs) for embedded devices such as ARM Cortex-A9 multicore chips. We evaluate our novel parallel algorithms of the H.264/AVC video decoder on different levels: memory load, energy consumption, and execution time.
Virus analog decreases estradiol secretion in FSH-treated human ovarian granulosa cells

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of virus infection on estradiol (E2) production in human ovarian granulosa cells. Polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid [Poly (I: C)], a synthetic analog of viral double stranded RNA that can be recognized by Toll like receptor 3 (TLR3), was used to imitate virus infection. Granulosa cells (GCs) obtained from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were cultured in vitro and treated with Poly (I: C), FSH, or both. Concentration of E2 was assayed by electrochemiluminescence. The mRNA and protein expression of TLR3 and aromatase were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that expression of TLR3 mRNA was significantly increased after Poly (I: C) stimulation. Poly (I: C) decreased E2 synthesis in FSH-treated GCs. Poly (I: C) inhibited the expression of aromatase in FSH-treated GCs. This study demonstrated that Poly (I: C) inhibits the synthesis of estradiol by granulosa cells under the stimulation of FSH, which might contribute to disturbance of follicular development and ovulation.
Risk of being born preterm in offspring of survivors with childhood or adolescent central nervous system tumor in Sweden

An increasing number of patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumor could survive to reproductive age. However, it is largely unknown whether the history of CNS tumor might affect pregnancy outcome. We aimed to explore the risk of being born preterm among children of CNS tumor survivors. By linking several nationwide registers in Sweden, we identified 1,369 children whose parents were childhood or adolescent CNS tumor survivors. Children whose parents did not have CNS tumor were matched randomly with a 5:1 ratio to generate the reference group. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of preterm birth (PTB) was 6.9% among children of survivors with CNS tumor and 5.2% among the matched controls. Children of survivors had an increased risk of PTB (adjusted OR = 1.29, 95%CI 1.01–1.65) compared to the matched controls. This risk was increased specifically among offspring of those diagnosed in childhood (adjusted OR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.14–2.06) but not adolescence (adjusted OR = 0.89, 95%CI 0.56–1.41). For families with more than one child, the risk was slightly lower among the second child as compared to the first child. The risk was negatively associated with time interval between parental diagnosis and childbirth. Parental medulloblastoma and ependymoma were most strongly associated with a higher risk of PTB. Children of survivors with CNS tumor experienced an elevated risk of PTB. However, the risk diminishes gradually after parental diagnosis of CNS tumor. Offspring of childhood CNS tumor survivors and medulloblastoma or ependymoma survivors may have the highest risk of PTB.
Data mining for traffic information

Modern cell biology is now rich with data acquired at the whole genome and proteome level. We can add value to this data through integration and application of specialist knowledge. To illustrate, we will focus on the SNARE and RAB proteins; key regulators of intracellular fusion specificity and organelle identity. We examine published mass spectrometry data to gain an estimate of protein copy number and organelle distribution in HeLa cells for each family member. We also survey recent global CRISPR/Cas9 screens for essential genes from these families. We highlight instances of co‐essentiality with other genes across a large panel of cell lines that allows for the identification of functionally coherent clusters. Examples of such correlations include RAB10 with the SNARE protein Syntaxin4 (STX4) and RAB7/RAB21 with the WASH and the CCC (COMMD/CCDC22/CCDC93) complexes, both of which are linked to endosomal recycling pathways.
Mirror feedback assisted recovery from hemiparesis following stroke In Reply to Morkisch et al.: How to perform mirror therapy after stroke? Evidence from a meta-analysis.

1 out of 6 people worldwide will have suffered a stroke in their lifetime, 1/3rd of whom will die. Of the 2/3rd who survive, half will be permanently disabled (World Stroke Organization). Given these alarming statistics, it's not surprising that tremendous of amounts of time, resources and funding have been devoted towards research into stroke rehab. In view of this, simple, easy-to-implement procedures are highly sought after. One such procedure is the use of visual feedback conveyed by a mirror, which seems to reactivate some dormant pathways in patients who have suffered a recent stroke (Altschuler et al., 1999; Ramachandran & Altschuler, 2009). This procedure has been validated in several dozen clinical trials, of which a substantial number were conducted rigorously. Morkisch et al. (2019) now present a systematic review and meta-analysis of this dense literature pertaining to this topic. They conclude that "there is a high level evidence for mirror therapy's effectiveness in treating post-stroke hemiparesis". A novel conclusion that emerged from this meta-analysis was that the larger the mirror the more effective the treatment is. Additionally, if an object is manipulated by the normal hand and its reflection viewed in the mirror, the procedure is not as effective, possibly because the discrepancy of signals between the visual feedback (reflection of the object) and the lack of confirmatory somatosensory input from the affected limb leads to inhibition rather than synergy. Lastly, for reasons yet unclear, sending movement commands to the unaffected hand alone (unilateral) is more effective than sending bilateral commands, contrary to the original protocol.Taken collectively, research in this field has two implications - First, the immediate practical utility in the clinic by optimizing mirror therapy's efficacy for hemiparesis after stroke. Second, it leads to a rejection of the model of the brain as made up of isolated, autonomous modules, towards a more dynamic picture, in which the brain is composed of a fluctuating mosaic of neural activity as it adapts to changing sensory inputs. Therefore, dysfunction results not from 'punch out a module - lose a function', but by shifts in equilibria, which can be corrected, perhaps, by hitting a reset button. Even if this turns out to be true for a minority of syndromes, it will be well worth the effort. "Mirrors are inherently paradoxical - their properties have intrigued artists, puzzled philosophers, and been exploited by magicians for centuries. Only recently have they been found to even have therapeutic benefits - and have been imported from the beauty parlor to clinic. " - Ramachandran and Rogers-Ramachandran (1998).
A retrospective nationwide study of the dental caries experience of New Zealand children with orofacial cleft.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the dental caries experience of New Zealand children born with orofacial cleft (OFC), to compare this to age-specific national population-based data and to investigate any differences by demographic characteristics, cleft type and exposure to community water fluoridation. METHODS Nationwide retrospective study of 554 dental records from 478 children born after 1 January 2000 with OFC were assessed at aged 5 (n = 333) and 12 years (n = 221), with 76 children (15.9%) having records at both ages. Community Oral Health Service records were analysed to determine dental caries experience (dmft/DMFT). Logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of having experienced dental caries (d3 mft/D3 MFT ≥ 1) and multivariable models for variables including demographic characteristics, cleft type and exposure to community water fluoridation. RESULTS A higher (49.6%) caries prevalence (dmft ≥ 1) and mean dmft at 5 years old (2.3; SD 3.6) were found in children with OFC than 5-year-olds in the general population (prevalence 40.4% and mean dmft 1.8). The 12-year-old (37.6%) caries prevalence (DMFT ≥ 1) and mean DMFT 0.8 (SD 1.4) were similar to population-based data (caries prevalence 37.3% and mean DMFT 0.9). Children with caries (dmf/DMF ≥ 1) had means of 4.8 (SD 3.8) at age 5 and 2.1 (SD 1.4) at age 12 years. Greater caries experience was associated Pacific and Māori ethnicity, and not receiving community water fluoridation. No differences were detected by sex or cleft type. CONCLUSION The dental caries experience for 5-year-old children with OFC was poor in relation to population-based data and similar for 12-year-olds. Preventive guidelines for children with OFC from an early age should be a priority, along with the extension of community water fluoridation coverage.
Evaluating phase separation in live cells: diagnosis, caveats, and functional consequences

In this Perspective, McSwiggen et al. analyze the evidence for liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) condensates across multiple cellular processes. They find that the evidence for in vivo LLPS is often inadequate to discriminate between phase separation and other possible mechanisms, and urge the application of more stringent criteria and more appropriate experimental approaches to understand the functional role of LLPS condensates in cellular organization.
The mechanism of electroacupuncture for treating spinal cord injury rats by mediating Rho/Rho-associated kinase signaling pathway

Objective: To determine the changes of gene and protein expression through Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in EA treated spinal cord injury (SCI) rats and to unveil the possible underlying mechanism. Design: Animal study. Setting: Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants: Eighty Male Sprague Dawley rats. Interventions: Electroacupuncture at Yaoyangguan (GV3), Dazhui (GV14), Zusanli (ST36) and Ciliao (BL32) and/or blocking agent Y27632 treatment. Outcome Measures: Protein expression was detected by ELISA and Western blotting, mRNA expression was detected by quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization. Morphological changes in spinal cord were evaluated by HE-staining and Nissl staining. Hindlimb motor function in the rats was evaluated by Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) assessment methods. Results: Compared with injured rats in SCI group, EA, blocking agent Y27632 and EA + blocking agent Y27632 treatment had significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression levels of RhoA and ROCKII, decreased p-MLC protein expression and p-MLC/MLC ratio, suppressed cPLA2 activity and PGE2 level, improved spinal cord tissue morphology and BBB score of lower limb movement function at 7 days and at 14 days (P < 0.01 or <0.05). Conclusion: Similar to the blocking agent Y27632, EA may have a notable inhibitory effect on the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway after SCI, therefore reducing the inhibition of axonal growth and inflammatory reaction may be a key mechanism of EA treatment for SCI.
Light-Activated, Bioadhesive Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Brush Coatings.

Rapid adhesion between tissue and synthetic materials is relevant to accelerate wound healing and to facilitate the integration of implantable medical devices. Most frequently, tissue adhesives are applied as a gel or a liquid formulation. This manuscript presents an alternative approach to mediate adhesion between synthetic surfaces and tissue. The strategy presented here is based on the modification of the surface of interest with a thin polymer film that can be transformed on-demand, using UV-light as a trigger, from a non-adhesive into a reactive and tissue adhesive state. As a first proof-of-concept, the feasibility of two photoreactive, thin polymer film platforms has been explored. Both of these films, colloquially referred to as polymer brushes, have been prepared using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). In the first part of this study, it is shown that direct UV-light irradiation of PHEMA brushes generates tissue-reactive aldehyde groups and facilitates adhesion to meniscus tissue. While this strategy is very straightforward from an experimental point of view, a main drawback is that the generation of the tissue reactive aldehyde groups uses the 250 nm wavelength region of the UV spectrum, which simultaneously leads to extensive photodegradation of the polymer brush. The second part of this report outlines the synthesis of PHEMA brushes that are modified with 4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl]benzoic acid (TFMDA) moieties. UV-irradiation of the TFMDA containing brushes transforms the diazirine moieties into reactive carbenes that can insert into C-H, N-H and O-H bonds and mediate the formation of covalent bonds between the brush surface and meniscus tissue. The advantage of the TFMDA modified polymer brushes is that these can be activated with 365 nm wavelength UV light, which does not cause photodegradation of the polymer films. While the work presented in this manuscript has used silicon wafers and fused silica substrates as a first proof-of-concept, the versatility of SI-ATRP should enable the application of this strategy to a broad range of biomedically relevant surfaces.
Parallel iterative hill climbing algorithm to solve TSP on GPU

Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is an NP‐hard combinatorial optimization problem. Heuristic algorithms provide satisfactory solutions to large instance TSP in a reasonable amount of time. However, heuristic methods result in suboptimal solutions as they do not cover the search space adequately. Sequential heuristic approaches spend significant CPU time in neighborhood generation for large input instances. Neighborhood generation time can be reduced by generating in parallel. GPUs have been shown to be effective in exploiting data and memory level parallelism in large complex problems. This work presents a GPU‐based Parallel Iterative Hill Climbing (PIHC) algorithm using the nearest neighborhood heuristic to arrive at near‐optimal solutions of large TSPLIB instances in a reasonable amount of time. Multiple construction heuristics approaches, thread mapping strategies, and data structures for TSPLIB instances have been evaluated. We demonstrate improved cost quality on symmetric TSPLIB instances up to 85,900 cities. The PIHC GPU implementation gives up to 193× speedup over its sequential counterpart and up to 979.96× speedup over a state‐of‐the‐art GPU‐based TSP solver. The PIHC implementation gives a cost quality with error rate 0.72% in the best case and 8.06% in the worst case.
Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Reaction Time Measures

In this study, reaction time (RT), intraindividual variability (IIV), and errors, and the effects of practice and processing load upon such function, were compared in patients with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI) [n = 27] and cognitively healthy older adults (CH) [n = 26]. Compared to CH aging, SIVCI was characterized by a profile of significantly slowed RT, raised IIV, and higher error levels, particularly in the presence of distracting stimuli, indicating that the integrity and/or accessibility of the additional functions required to support high processing load, serial search strategies, are reduced in SIVCI. Furthermore, although practice speeded RT in SIVCI, unlike CH, practice did not lead to an improvement in IIV. This indicates that improvement in RT in SIVCI can in fact mask an abnormally high degree of IIV. Because IIV appears more related to disease, function, and health than RT, its status and potential for change may represent a particularly meaningful, and relevant, disease characteristic of SIVCI. Finally, a high level of within-group variation in the above measures was another characteristic of SIVCI, with such processing heterogeneity in patients with ostensibly the same diagnosis, possibly related to individual variation in pathological load. Detailed measurement of RT, IIV, errors, and practice effects therefore reveal a degree of functional impairment in brain processing not apparent by measuring RT in isolation.