Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk and Protective Factors of Well-Being among Healthcare Staff. A Thematic Analysis

The purpose of this study was to identify physical and psychosocial working conditions to improve well-being at work among healthcare staff. This is a potent area of inquiry given the relationship between healthcare staff well-being and service quality and other key organizational characteristics. However, while numerous studies in this area have used a quantitative methodology, very few have applied qualitative methodologies gathering subjective descriptions of the sources of well-being, providing in so doing significant data to explore in depth the factors that influence well-being in healthcare systems. We gathered qualitative data analyzing open-ended questions about risk and protective factors of well-being at work. The sample was made of 795 professionals answering an online questionnaire. Answers were coded and analyzed using the thematic analysis with an inductive approach (data-driven). We identified four themes strongly affecting professional well-being in health-care staff: Interactions, Working Conditions, Emotional Responses to Work, and Competence and Professional Growth. Our findings suggest possible strategies and actions that may be effective in helping to calibrate case-specific support and monitoring interventions to improve health and well-being of healthcare staff. We also discuss the implications of the study and suggest possible avenues for future empirical research.
SARS‐COV‐2 (COVID‐19) has neurotropic and neuroinvasive properties

Now, we know that the first report of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. In January, the existence of a disease caused by a virus with respiratory tropism for humans was announced, and in February it was already named SARS-Cov-2. The World Health Organization (WHO) 1 gave it the name of COVID-19, on February 11. One month later, WHO declared that the disease caused by this virus was already a pandemic (WHO, 2020) 1 . The virus started in China, then affected other Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, etc., and later spread to Europe, then America.
Association Between FokI Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene and Lumbar Spine Disc Degeneration

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objective The aim of the present meta-analysis was to explore the association between FokI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene and lumbar spine disc degeneration. Design The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to January 2020. The authors selected nine studies comprising a total of 1549 cases and 1672 controls. The association analysis included the allelic, dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous genetic models. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the association. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to measure the quality of the studies included in the analyses; a cut-off of 6 stars was applied. Results This meta-analysis indicated that FokI polymorphism is significantly associated with lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation in the homozygous (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–2.54; Z test P = 0.002, Q test P = 0.416) and recessive (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–1.90; Z test P < 0.000, Q test P = 0.224) models. Conclusions This study indicates that the vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism may be correlated with the risk of developing a lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation. However, the small sample population studied and the lack of an evaluation of environmental factors must be taken as limitations in the present meta-analysis.
The Amazonian Red Side-Necked Turtle Rhinemys rufipes (Spix, 1824) (Testudines, Chelidae) Has a GSD Sex-Determining Mechanism with an Ancient XY Sex Microchromosome System

The Amazonian red side-necked turtle Rhynemis rufipes is an endemic Amazonian Chelidae species that occurs in small streams throughout Colombia and Brazil river basins. Little is known about various biological aspects of this species, including its sex determination strategies. Among chelids, the greatest karyotype diversity is found in the Neotropical species, with several 2n configurations, including cases of triploidy. Here, we investigate the karyotype of Rhinemys rufipes by applying combined conventional and molecular cytogenetic procedures. This allowed us to discover a genetic sex-determining mechanism that shares an ancestral micro XY sex chromosome system. This ancient micro XY system recruited distinct repeat motifs before it diverged from several South America and Australasian species. We propose that such a system dates back to the earliest lineages of the chelid species before the split of South America and Australasian lineages.
Blood Gases, Hematocrit, Plasma Ion Concentrations, and Acid-Base Status of Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) during Simulated Hibernation

Musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) from Alabama were placed in simulated hibernation by submerging them at 3 C in normoxic and anoxic water. Animals were removed periodically from each condition without being allowed to breathe, and cardiac blood samples were taken for the determination of blood gases and acid-base parameters. Separate groups of turtles (n = 10 per group) were similarly maintained to determine their submergence viability. Anoxic turtles died in 21-31 days, while nine of 10 of those in normoxia were still alive after 150 days. Five of these survivors were removed and warmed at 22 C; three died, and two recovered completely. The acid-base status of turtles in anoxia deteriorated rapidly, while that of normoxic animals was essentially unaffected. Plasma [lactate] rose from 0.8 to 86 mM and [\documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage{wasysym} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document}$${\mathrm{HCO_{3}^{-}}}$$\end{document}] fell from 25.3 to 2.6 meq/L during 25 days in anoxia, resulting in a drop in pH from 7.90 to 7.14; the corresponding 25-day values for turtles in normoxic water were 6 mM, 14.9 meq/L, and 7.99. After 150 days of normoxic submergence, pH (7.87) and [\documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage{wasysym} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document}$${\mathrm{HCO_{3}^{-}}}$$\end{document}] (14.7 meq/L) remained essentially unchanged, while [lactate] rose slightly to 13.9 mM. Changes in inorganic ion concentrations, expressed as a percentage change from predive levels for 25 days of anoxic submergence and for 150 days of submergence in normoxic water, were, respectively: [Na⁺],-28% and-29%; [K⁺], +271% and +70%; [CI⁻],-50% and -38%; total [Ca], +1,084% and +97%; total [Mg], +324% and +26%. Similar values for hematocrit were-20% and +63%. Anoxic hibernation (as deep in mud) in excess of a week is considered unlikely for southern musk turtles, which do not tolerate anoxia as well as southern Chrysemys picta. A similar conclusion is avoided for northern musk turtle populations until the extent of any physiological cline in anoxia tolerance is investigated. It is argued that, for a given latitude, turtles most capable of aquatic gas exchange in normoxic waters are least capable of tolerating hypoxic/anoxic submergence.
Obstetrical care is associated with child’s dietary diversity in Indonesia: analysis from Demographic and Health Survey 2017

Abstract Objective: To explore the influence of obstetrical care factors on dietary diversity and individual food group consumption in Indonesia. Design: Cross-sectional study to assess the association between pregnancy care factors and dietary diversity score, minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and consumption of seven food groups. Setting: Data from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey 2017. Participants: A total of 5113 children aged 6–23 months. Results: Dietary diversity score was significantly higher for children whose mothers received four or more prenatal care visits, were delivered at a health facility, had a professionally trained delivery assistant and were delivered by C-section. Children born at a health facility and delivered by a health professional had higher odds of meeting MDD (adjusted OR (AOR) 1·45, 95 % CI 1·18, 1·79 and OR 2·10, 95 % CI 1·54, 2·87, respectively). Four or more antenatal visits, delivering at a health facility and having a professional delivery attendant were associated with higher odds of consumption of lentils (AOR 1·66, 95 % CI 1·23, 2·25, AOR 1·30, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·65 and AOR 1·79, 95 % CI 1·19, 2·69). Four or more antenatal visits, delivering at a health facility and having a professional delivery attendant had higher odds of consumption of other fruits and vegetables (AOR 1·70, 95 % CI 1·23, 2·35, OR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·03, 1·61 and OR 1·90, 95 % CI 1·29, 2·79). Conclusions: Efforts focusing on providing nutritional education during antenatal care and delivery should be encouraged, especially for mothers seeking care outside of a health facility.
Artificial intelligence in endoscopy: Present and future perspectives

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been attracting considerable attention as an important scientific topic in the field of medicine. Deep‐leaning (DL) technologies have been applied more dominantly than other traditional machine‐learning methods. They have demonstrated excellent capability to retract visual features of objectives, even unnoticeable ones for humans, and analyze huge amounts of information within short periods. The amount of research applying DL‐based models to real‐time computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD) systems has been increasing steadily in the GI endoscopy field. An array of published data has already demonstrated the advantages of DL‐based CAD models in the detection and characterization of various neoplastic lesions, regardless of the level of the GI tract. Although the diagnostic performances and study designs vary widely, owing to a lack of academic standards to assess the capability of AI for GI endoscopic diagnosis fairly, the superiority of CAD models has been demonstrated for almost all applications studied so far. Most of the challenges associated with AI in the endoscopy field are general problems for AI models used in the real world outside of medical fields. Solutions have been explored seriously and some solutions have been tested in the endoscopy field. Given that AI has become the basic technology to make machines react to the environment, AI would be a major technological paradigm shift, for not only diagnosis but also treatment. In the near future, autonomous endoscopic diagnosis might no longer be just a dream, as we are witnessing with the advent of autonomously driven electric vehicles.
Low-Vacuum Filtration as an Alternative Extracellular Vesicle Concentration Method: A Comparison with Ultracentrifugation and Differential Centrifugation

Recent years have brought great focus on the development of drug delivery systems based on extracellular vesicles (EVs). Considering the possible applications of EVs as drug carriers, the isolation process is a crucial step. To solve the problems involved in EV isolation, we developed and validated a new EV isolation method—low-vacuum filtration (LVF)—and compared it with two commonly applied procedures—differential centrifugation (DC) and ultracentrifugation (UC). EVs isolated from endothelial cell culture media were characterized by (a) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), (b) Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), (c) Western blot and (d) Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Additionally, the membrane surface was imaged with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). We found that LVF was a reproducible and efficient method for EV isolation from conditioned media. Additionally, we observed a correlation between ATR-FTIR spectra quality and EV and protein concentration. ESEM imaging confirmed that the actual pore diameter was close to the values calculated theoretically. LVF is an easy, fast and inexpensive EV isolation method that allows for the isolation of both ectosomes and exosomes from high-volume sources with good repeatability. We believe that it could be an efficient alternative to commonly applied methods.
Thrombopoietin Enhances the αIIbβ3-Dependent Adhesion of Megakaryocytic Cells to Fibrinogen or Fibronectin Through PI 3 Kinase

The effect of thrombopoietin (TPO) on the functional activity of surface αIIbβ3 (GPIIbIIIa) was investigated in both primary human megakaryocytic cells, derived from peripheral blood CD34+ cells, and HEL hematopoietic cell line. TPO (100 ng/mL) induced a sixfold to ninefold enhancement of adhesion of both primary megakaryocytic and HEL cells to plates coated with either fibrinogen or fibronectin and a parallel increase of immunoreactivity to the PAC1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-fibrinogen, both of which recognize an activated state of αIIbβ3 . The enhanced adhesion to fibrinogen or fibronectin was mediated by the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) recognition sequence of αIIbβ3 , as it was abolished by pretreatment of cells with saturating concentrations of RGDS peptide. A MoAb specific for the αIIb subunit of αIIbβ3 also inhibited cell attachment to fibrinogen or fibronectin, while MoAb to anti-αvβ3 or anti-α5 integrins were completely ineffective, clearly indicating that αIIbβ3 participates in this association. A role for PI 3 kinase (PI 3-K) in the TPO-mediated increase in αIIbβ3 function in megakaryocytic cells was suggested by the ability of the PI 3-K inhibitor wortmannin (100 nmol/L) and antisense oligonucleotides directed against the p85 regulatory subunit of PI 3-K to completely block the TPO-induced increase in αIIbβ3 integrin activity upon TPO stimulation. The modulation of adhesiveness to extracellular matrix proteins containing the RGD motif mediated by TPO likely plays a physiologic role in megakaryocytopoiesis, as pretreatment of CD34+ cells with RGDS or anti-αIIb MoAb significantly reduced the number of megakaryocytic colonies obtained in a fibrinclot semisolid assay.
Associations Between Substance Use and Instagram Participation to Inform Social Network–Based Screening Models: Multimodal Cross-Sectional Study

Background Technology-based computational strategies that leverage social network site (SNS) data to detect substance use are promising screening tools but rely on the presence of sufficient data to detect risk if it is present. A better understanding of the association between substance use and SNS participation may inform the utility of these technology-based screening tools. Objective This paper aims to examine associations between substance use and Instagram posts and to test whether such associations differ as a function of age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Methods Participants with an Instagram account were recruited primarily via Clickworker (N=3117). With participant permission and Instagram’s approval, participants’ Instagram photo posts were downloaded with an application program interface. Participants’ past-year substance use was measured with an adapted version of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Quick Screen. At-risk drinking was defined as at least one past-year instance having “had more than a few alcoholic drinks a day,” drug use was defined as any use of nonprescription drugs, and prescription drug use was defined as any nonmedical use of prescription medications. We used logistic regression to examine the associations between substance use and any Instagram posts and negative binomial regression to examine the associations between substance use and number of Instagram posts. We examined whether age (18-25, 26-38, 39+ years), gender, and race/ethnicity moderated associations in both logistic and negative binomial models. All differences noted were significant at the . 05 level. Results Compared with no at-risk drinking, any at-risk drinking was associated with both a higher likelihood of any Instagram posts and a higher number of posts, except among Hispanic/Latino individuals, in whom at-risk drinking was associated with a similar number of posts. Compared with no drug use, any drug use was associated with a higher likelihood of any posts but was associated with a similar number of posts. Compared with no prescription drug use, any prescription drug use was associated with a similar likelihood of any posts and was associated with a lower number of posts only among those aged 39 years and older. Of note, main effects showed that being female compared with being male and being Hispanic/Latino compared with being White were significantly associated with both a greater likelihood of any posts and a greater number of posts. Conclusions Researchers developing computational substance use risk detection models using Instagram or other SNS data may wish to consider our findings showing that at-risk drinking and drug use were positively associated with Instagram participation, while prescription drug use was negatively associated with Instagram participation for middle- and older-aged adults. As more is learned about SNS behaviors among those who use substances, researchers may be better positioned to successfully design and interpret innovative risk detection approaches.
Airway Microbiology in Tracheostomized Children

BACKGROUND: Potentially pathogenic microorganisms are frequently isolated from tracheostomized children, although evidence for empirical therapy of respiratory exacerbation is limited. We aimed to describe upper airway microbiology as found on endotracheal aspirate (ETA) in tracheostomized children and to correlate it with lower airway microbiology through bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records and airway microbiology of all tracheostomized children under the follow-up care of Queensland Children’s Hospital. Subanalysis was based on ventilatory and multidrug-resistant organism status. Sensitivity and specificity of ETA for predicting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus lower airway isolation were calculated using concomitant bronchoalveolar lavage fluid culture as the accepted standard. RESULTS: From 43 children (18 female, median [interquartile range (IQR)] age 68 (41–115) months, 14 ventilated), 15 different potentially pathogenic microorganisms were isolated (mean ± SD: 3.30 ± 2.23), with S. aureus (n = 33, 77%) and P. aeruginosa (n = 29, 67%) predominating. Significantly more types of potentially pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from ventilated children (median 4.00 [IQR 3.25–5.75]) than from nonventilated children (median 2.00 [IQR 1.00–4.00] (P = .007), with 93% of ventilated children isolating S. aureus and 86% P. aeruginosa. Multidrug-resistant organisms were present in 12 (28%) children, of whom 8 were ventilated. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was isolated in 9 (21%) children, of whom 6 were ventilated. For P. aeruginosa and S. aureus isolation, ETA had high sensitivity (95% and 100%, respectively) but low specificity (64.7% and 33.3%, respectively) when compared with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CONCLUSIONS: In children with tracheostomy, the predominant respiratory bacterial pathogens were S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, with MRSA being isolated less frequently than previously described. Multidrug-resistant organisms are isolated more frequently from ventilated children. ETA microbiology is a good screening modality, with negative ETA potentially ruling out lower airway S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Adequately powered prospective studies with quantitative cultures could enhance understanding and guide therapy.
A Phosphorylation-Induced Switch in the Nuclear Localization Sequence of the Intrinsically Disordered NUPR1 Hampers Binding to Importin

Several carrier proteins are involved in protein transport from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. One of those is importin α, of which there are several human isoforms; among them, importin α3 (Impα3) has a high flexibility. The protein NUPR1, a nuclear protein involved in the cell-stress response and cell cycle regulation, is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) that has a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) to allow for nuclear translocation. NUPR1 does localize through the whole cell. In this work, we studied the affinity of the isolated wild-type NLS region (residues 54–74) of NUPR1 towards Impα3 and several mutants of the NLS region by using several biophysical techniques and molecular docking approaches. The NLS region of NUPR1 interacted with Impα3, opening the way to model the nuclear translocation of disordered proteins. All the isolated NLS peptides were disordered. They bound to Impα3 with low micromolar affinity (1.7–27 μM). Binding was hampered by removal of either Lys65 or Lys69 residues, indicating that positive charges were important; furthermore, binding decreased when Thr68 was phosphorylated. The peptide phosphorylated at Thr68, as well as four phospho-mimetic peptides (all containing the Thr68Glu mutation), showed the presence of a sequential NN(i,i + 1) nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) in the 2D-1H-NMR (two-dimensional–proton NMR) spectra, indicating the presence of turn-like conformations. Thus, the phosphorylation of Thr68 modulates the binding of NUPR1 to Impα3 by a conformational, entropy-driven switch from a random-coil conformation to a turn-like structure.
Semen Quality of Rasa Aragonesa Rams Carrying the FecXR Allele of the BMP15 Gene

Simple Summary It has been demonstrated that the ovine gene BMP15 presents a mutation in the Rasa Aragonesa Spanish sheep breed, which has been called FecXR. In heterozygosis, ewes exhibit a variable increase in the ovulation rate, producing 0.35 additional lambs per birth and, in homozygosis, sterility. Since the importance of carrying this polymorphism in rams has not been studied, sperm quality and fertility of rams carrying the FecXR mutation of the ovine gene BMP15 has been determined, comparing semen quality, testicle characteristics, and fertility rate of rams presenting or not the allele. FecXR rams exhibited a higher masal motility and a higher proportion of rapid sperm than did non-carrier rams; however, no differences in scrotal circumference or testicular length and diameter were found, although FecXR rams produced a higher proportion of pregnant ewes after artificial insemination. Thus, it seems that the FecXR allele creates high-quality semen and improves some sperm parameters in this breed, making these males especially valuable for artificial insemination to produce prolific ewes, when wild-type, non-carrier ewes, are inseminated. Abstract The FecXR mutation is a variant of the ovine gene BMP15 in the Rasa Aragonesa breed. Information on the physiological importance of carrying the FecX polymorphism in rams is limited. The aim of this study was to compare semen quality, testicle characteristics, and fertility rate of rams that carry the FecXR allele. Rams (n = 15) were either FecXR allele carriers (n = 10) or non-carriers, wild type (++) (n = 5). FecXR rams exhibited higher mass motility (p < 0.05), proportion of rapid sperm (p < 0.05), and a lower proportion of slow sperm (p < 0.0001) than did ++ rams. The presence of the FecXR allele was not associated with mean scrotal circumference or testicular length and diameter, although season had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on these traits. Genotype (p < 0.05) and season (p < 0.01) had a significant effect on mean fertility rate, FecXR rams had a higher proportion of pregnant ewes than did ++ rams (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FecXR allele produced high-quality semen throughout the year, and corresponded with an improvement in some sperm parameters, particularly, mass motility and the proportion of rapid sperm.