Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Giving voice to the end-user: input on multipurpose prevention technologies from the perspectives of young women in Kenya and South Africa

ABSTRACT Unintended pregnancy and unmet need for modern contraception contribute substantially to reproductive health disparities globally. In sub-Saharan Africa they occur in contexts of disproportionately high rates of HIV infection. Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) can address HIV and pregnancy prevention needs in a single “2-in-1” product; however, few studies have solicited end-user views to inform design of new MPTs. We conducted the Tablets, Ring, Injections as Options (TRIO) study with young women aged 18−30 in Kenya and South Africa (N = 277) to examine preferences and acceptability of future MPTs. In a randomised clinical cross-over study in which women used three placebo delivery forms, we complemented quantitative acceptability assessments with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (N = 88 participants). We examined anticipated enablers and barriers to adoption and use of future MPTs and synthesised novel product design recommendations. Participants expressed high interest in MPTs. Anticipated side effects constituted a primary concern; however, many expected barriers were not dosage form-specific, but addressed contextual factors instead, such as fears regarding use of new biomedical technologies, misunderstandings and stigma regarding use, and navigating partner disclosure and engagement. Women preferred MPTs that offered discreetness and long-duration protection to minimise user-burden, did not interfere with their relationships, and conferred protection for unanticipated situations. End-user research to identify and pre-emptively address potential barriers while underscoring benefits to a new MPT product is vital. Attention to cultural contexts in implementation of new MPTs is important to communicating perceived benefits, achieving acceptability and maximising public health benefits.
Effects of Kinesio Taping and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Combined With Active Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility

Abstract Adhitya, IPGS, Yu, W-Y, Bass, P, Kinandana, GP, and Lin, M-R. Effects of Kinesio taping and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with active stretching on hamstring flexibility. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3087–3092, 2022—Active stretching (AS), Kinesio taping (KT), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are frequently used to ameliorate pain and improve the ranges of motion (ROM) of athletes; however, the effectiveness of KT and TENS combined with AS in ameliorating short hamstring syndrome is yet to be determined. In this single-blinded randomized trial, 135 male soccer players with bilateral short hamstring syndrome were assigned to 3 intervention groups—AS, KT + AS, and TENS + AS—through block randomization. Each subject received the intervention twice per week for 4 weeks. The ROM of both legs was assessed through passive knee extension and straight leg raising tests at baseline and the end of the intervention. After the 4-week intervention, significant ROM changes in both legs were detected in the AS (9.5°–18.4°), KT + AS (14.9°–22.4°), and TENS + AS (14.9°–22.3°) groups. Compared with the AS group, both the KT + AS (3.8°–5.7°) and TENS + AS (3.9°–5.7°) groups showed significantly increased ROM in both legs over the intervention period, and no significant differences were observed in ROM changes between the KT + AS and TENS + AS groups. In conclusion, both KT and TENS in combination with AS may increase ROM more than AS alone, and the improvements obtained using KT with AS and TENS with AS may be similar.
Future life expectancy in Europe taking into account the impact of smoking, obesity, and alcohol

Introduction: In Europe, women can expect to live on average 82 years and men 75 years. Forecasting how life expectancy will develop in the future is essential for society. Most forecasts rely on a mechanical extrapolation of past mortality trends, which leads to unreliable outcomes because of temporal fluctuations in the past trends due to lifestyle ‘epidemics’. Methods: We project life expectancy for 18 European countries by taking into account the impact of smoking, obesity, and alcohol on mortality, and the mortality experiences of forerunner populations. Results: We project that life expectancy in these 18 countries will increase from, on average, 83.4 years for women and 78.3 years for men in 2014 to 92.8 years for women and 90.5 years for men in 2065. Compared to others (Lee–Carter, Eurostat, United Nations), we project higher future life expectancy values and more realistic differences between countries and sexes. Conclusions: Our results imply longer individual lifespans, and more elderly in society. Funding: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (grant no. 452-13-001).
The Role of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on the Radical Pair Mechanism

In recent decades, the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) in therapeutics has been one of the main fields of activity in the bioelectromagnetics arena. Nevertheless, progress in this area has been hindered by the lack of consensus on a biophysical mechanism of interaction that can satisfactorily explain how low‐level, non‐thermal electromagnetic fields would be able to sufficiently affect chemistry as to elicit biological effects in living organisms. This specifically applies in cases where the induced electric fields are too small to generate a biological response of any consequence. A growing body of experimental observations that would explain the nature of these effects speaks strongly about the involvement of a theory known as the radical pair mechanism (RPM). This mechanism explains how a pair of reactive oxygen species with distinct chemical fate can be influenced by a low‐level external magnetic field through Zeeman and hyperfine interactions. So far, a study of the effects of complex spatiotemporal signals within the context of the RPM has not been performed. Here, we present a computational investigation of such effects by utilizing a generic PEMF test signal and RPM models of different complexity. Surprisingly, our results show how substantially different chemical results can be obtained within ranges that depend on the specific orientation of the PEMF test signal with respect to the background static magnetic field, its waveform, and both of their amplitudes. These results provide a basis for explaining the distinctive biological relevance of PEMF signals on radical pair chemical reactions. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Impact of Left Ventricular Systolic Function After Moderate-to-Severe Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in left ventricular dysfunction, which can lead to hypotension and secondary brain injuries. However, the association between left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and in-hospital mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe isolated TBI is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the prevalence of LVSD and evaluate whether LVSD following moderate-to-severe isolated TBI increases the in-hospital mortality. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database from January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2020. Meta-analysis was performed to determine the incidence of LVSD and related mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe isolated TBI. A systematic review identified 5 articles appropriate for meta-analysis. The total number of patients pooled was 256. LVSD was reported in 4 studies, of which the estimated incidence of patients with LVSD was 18.7% (95% confidence interval, 11.9–26.6). Five studies reported on in-hospital mortality, and the estimated in-hospital mortality was 14.1% (95% confidence interval, 5.3–25.6). Finally, 3 studies were eligible for analyzing the association of LVSD and in-hospital mortality. On meta-analysis, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with LVSD (risk ratio, 6.57; 95% confidence interval, 3.71–11.65; P < 0.001). In conclusion, LVSD after moderate-to-severe TBI is common and may be associated with worse in-hospital outcomes.
Molecular docking, quorum quenching effect, antibiofilm activity and safety profile of silver-complexed sulfonamide on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Microbial infections caused by sessile microorganisms are known to be a more challenging issue than infections caused by the same microorganisms in the planktonic state. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and biofilm-forming agent. This species presents intense cellular communication mediated by signaling molecules. This process is known as quorum sensing (QS) and induces the transcription of specific genes that favors cell density growth and three-dimensional bacterial grouping. In this context, the discovery of compounds capable of inhibiting the action of the QS signaling molecules seems to be a promising strategy against biofilms. This work aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm action and the in vitro safety profile of a sulfamethoxazole-Ag complex. The results obtained indicate potential anti-biofilm activity through QS inhibition. In silico tests showed that the compound acts on the las and pqs systems, which are the main regulators of biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Additionally, the molecule proved to be safe for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Components of Hostile Masculinity and Their Associations With Male-Perpetrated Sexual Aggression Toward Women: A Systematic Review

Hostile masculinity and its components (i.e., sexual dominance, hostility toward women, adversarial sexual beliefs, rape myth acceptance, and acceptance of interpersonal violence) have received considerable research attention as predictors of male-perpetrated sexual aggression toward women. The current systematic review sought to synthesize and organize the extant literature. Studies were included in the systematic review if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal between the years 1990 and 2020, contained a male sample within the United States, analyzed quantitative data, and examined at least one component of hostile masculinity and its association with sexual aggression. Literature searches were conducted in three academic databases, and additional records were identified through references sections from known hostile masculinity research. A total of 95 articles met inclusion criteria and were integrated into the overview of results. The reviewed literature provided broad support for the association between hostile masculinity and sexual aggression, including evidence for the theoretical framework posited by the confluence model of sexual aggression. Prevention efforts are likely to find success by modifying hostile masculine characteristics among men, particularly within problematic environmental contexts. However, the review also highlighted the need for a uniform conceptualization and operational definition of hostile masculinity. Additionally, empirical work with diverse samples is necessary to determine the scope of generalizability and potential subcultural distinctions. Future research that addresses these limitations will contribute to the understanding and prevention of sexual aggression beyond what is provided by the extant literature.
A local-orbital density functional formalism for a many-body atomic Hamiltonian: Hubbard–Hund’s coupling and DFT + U functional

In the conventional DFT + U approach, the mean field solution of the Hubbard Hamiltonian associated with the d or f (iσ) electrons of a transition metal atom is used to define the DFT + U potential acting on the iσ-electrons. In this work, we go beyond that mean field solution by analyzing the correlation energy and potential for a multi-level atom described by a Kanamori Hamiltonian connected to different channels representing the environment. As a first step, we analyze the many-body solution of our model, using a local-orbital density functional formalism that takes as independent variables the orbital occupancies, n iσ , of the atomic orbitals; accordingly, we present the corresponding density functional solution describing the correlation energy and potential as a function of n iσ . Then, we use this analysis to introduce a DFT + U potential extending previous proposals to materials with arbitrarily high correlation. In particular, we find that this potential mainly screens the conventional mean field potential contribution, and also yields new terms associated with the number of atomic electrons. Our results show that the atomic correlation effects enhance the role played by the intra-atomic exchange interaction and favor the formation of magnetic solutions.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Bornaviridae

Members of the family Bornaviridae produce enveloped virions containing a linear negative-sense non-segmented RNA genome of about 9 kb. Bornaviruses are found in mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. The most-studied viruses with public health and veterinary impact are Borna disease virus 1 and variegated squirrel bornavirus 1, both of which cause fatal encephalitis in humans. Several orthobornaviruses cause neurological and intestinal disorders in birds, mostly parrots. Endogenous bornavirus-like sequences occur in the genomes of various animals. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the family Bornaviridae, which is available at ictv.global/report/bornaviridae.
Depression and its correlation with social support and health-promoting lifestyles among Chinese university students: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of depression in college students and determine how social support and healthy lifestyle factors are associated with depression in this population. Design A cross-sectional design. Setting A comprehensive university in Changsha, Hunan, South China. The study was conducted from May to June 2019. Participants A total of 541 students at the comprehensive university. Primary and secondary outcome measures The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Social Support Rating Scale and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II) were used to evaluate depression, social support and lifestyles, respectively, and analyse the mutual relationships among them. Results Among the 541 participants, 161 (29.8%) experienced depressive symptoms, and there were significant gender-related and academic discipline-related differences in self-rated depression. The average social support score was 38.06 (38.06±7.52). The average HPLP-II score was 71.09 (71.09±11.47). A monofactor analysis showed that depression was correlated with social support and a healthy lifestyle. As demonstrated by logistic regression analysis, being a woman (OR=2.613, 95% CI: 1.541 to 4.43), inadequate social support (OR=0.912, 95% CI: 0.877 to 0.948), poor nutrition (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.775 to 0.977) and lack of self-actualisation (OR=0.644, 95% CI: 0.572 to 0.724) were significantly correlated with depression. Conclusions Owing to the high prevalence of depression among Chinese university students, educational institutions must take measures such as providing compulsory mental health education courses and improving the psychological counselling services available to students.
Comparative morphology of the spinal cord and associated vasculature in shallow versus deep diving cetaceans

The cetacean vertebral canal houses the spinal cord and arterial supply to and venous drainage from the entire central nervous system (CNS). Thus, unlike terrestrial mammals, the cetacean spinal cord lies within a highly vascularized space. We compared spinal cord size and vascular volumes within the vertebral canal across a sample of shallow and deep diving odontocetes. We predicted that the (a) spinal cord, a metabolically expensive tissue, would be relatively small, while (b) volumes of vascular structures would be relatively large, in deep versus shallow divers. Our sample included the shallow diving Tursiops truncatus (n = 2) and Delphinus delphis (n = 3), and deep diving Kogia breviceps (n = 2), Mesoplodon europaeus (n = 2), and Ziphius cavirostris (n = 1). Whole, frozen vertebral columns were cross‐sectioned at each intervertebral disc, scaled photographs of vertebral canal contents acquired, and cross‐sectional areas of structures digitally measured. Areas were multiplied by vertebral body lengths and summed to calculated volumes of neural and vascular structures. Allometric analyses revealed that the spinal cord scaled with negative allometry (b = 0.51 ± 0.13) with total body mass (TBM), and at a rate significantly lower than that of terrestrial mammals. As predicted, the spinal cord represented a smaller percentage of the total vertebral canal volume in the deep divers relative to shallow divers studied, as low as 2.8% in Z. cavirostris. Vascular volume scaled with positive allometry (b = 1.2 ± 0.22) with TBM and represented up to 96.1% (Z. cavirostris) of the total vertebral canal volume. The extreme deep diving beaked whales possessed 22–35 times more vascular volume than spinal cord volume within the vertebral canal, compared with the 6–10 ratio in the shallow diving delphinids. These data offer new insights into morphological specializations of neural and vascular structures that may contribute to differential diving capabilities across odontocete cetaceans.
SEPARATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM FOODS BY REVERSED-PHASE HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

As a part of a study on the content of antioxidants and phenolic compounds in Bolivian foods, a rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method using a reversed-phase column and a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was established. It was used for the determination of phenolic compounds in foods and a good resolution of different standard compounds was achieved. RESUMEN
Colorectal cancer screening offering colonoscopy and FIT vs. colonoscopy alone improved participation

SOURCE CITATION Pilonis ND, Bugajski M, Wieszczy P, et al. Participation in competing strategies for colorectal cancer screening: a randomized health services study (PICCOLINO study). Gastroenterology. 2021;160:1097-105. 33307024.
Biomarkers in premature calves with and without respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract Background Approaches to the evaluation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in premature calves by using lung‐specific epithelial and endothelial biomarkers are needed. Objective To investigate the evaluation of PAH in premature calves with and without respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) by using lung‐specific epithelial and endothelial biomarkers and determine the prognostic value of these markers in premature calves. Animals Fifty premature calves with RDS, 20 non‐RDS premature calves, and 10 healthy term calves. Methods Hypoxia, hypercapnia, and tachypnea were considered criteria for RDS. Arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2, oxygen saturation [SO2], base excess [BE], and serum lactate concentration) were measured to assess hypoxia. Serum concentrations of lung‐specific growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and surfactant protein D (SP‐D) were measured to assess PAH. Results Arterial blood pH, PaO2, SO2, and BE of premature calves with RDS were significantly lower and PaCO2 and lactate concentrations higher compared to non‐RDS premature and healthy calves. The ADMA and SP‐D concentrations of premature calves with RDS were lower and serum ET‐1 concentrations higher than those of non‐RDS premature and healthy calves. No statistical differences for GDF‐15 and VEGF were found among groups. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Significant increases in serum ET‐1 concentrations and decreases in ADMA and SP‐D concentrations highlight the utility of these markers in the diagnosis of PAH in premature calves with RDS. Also, we found that ET‐1 was a reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for PAH and predicting mortality in premature calves.
Association of Health Literacy and Socioeconomic Status with Oral Health Among Older Adults in Ghana: A Moderation Analysis of Social Capital

We examined the moderating role of social capital (SC) in the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and health literacy (HL) with oral health (OH) status and the intentions to use OH services (IUOHS) among older Ghanaians. Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey (n = 522) and analyzed using ordinal and binary logistic regressions. Bridging SC moderated the relationship between HL and oral health status (B = 0. 0.117, p < .05) and the association of SES with IUOHS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.144; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.027, 3.599]). Trust modified the association between HL and IUOHS (AOR = 1.051; 95% CI = [1.014, 3.789]). Bonding SC moderated the association between SES and oral health status (B = 0.180, p < .05). However, bonding SC negatively modified the association between SES and IUOHS (AOR = 0.961; 95% CI = [0.727, 0.997]). Cognitive and structural SC modify the associations of SES and HL with OH and IUOHS.
Ileal Bile Acid Transporter Inhibitor Improves Hepatic Steatosis by Ameliorating Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in NAFLD Model Mice

NAFLD is an increasingly recognized condition that may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and community surveys have assessed that the prevalence is 14 to 32% worldwide. The first line of treatment for NAFLD is lifestyle modification to achieve weight reduction, particularly through diet and exercise. ABSTRACT Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by excessive fat deposition in the liver unrelated to alcohol consumption, is highly prevalent worldwide. However, effective therapeutic agents approved for NAFLD treatment are lacking. An ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor (IBATi), which represents a new mode of treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation, leads to increased delivery of bile acids to the colon. We investigated the effect of IBATi against NAFLD through modification of the gut microbiota in mice. IBATi treatment significantly suppressed body weight gain, liver dysfunction, and serum low-density lipoprotein levels and significantly decreased NAFLD activity scores in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. Treatment with IBATi ameliorated the decreased hepatic cholesterol 7-a-monooxygenase (Cyp7a1) and increased ileal fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15) mRNA expression in HFD mice. Further, IBATi treatment changed the α-diversity in the gut microbiota reduced by HFD, which was analyzed in feces using 16S rRNA sequencing. To establish the mechanism underlying improvement in NAFLD induced by IBATi, we recolonized antibiotic solution-treated mice by fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) using stool from HFD or HFD plus IBATi mice. This is the first report that fecally transplanted gut microbiota from HFD plus IBATi mice prevented hepatic steatosis caused by HFD. In conclusion, IBATi improved hepatic steatosis by ameliorating gut microbiota dysbiosis in NAFLD model mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic agent for NAFLD treatment. IMPORTANCE NAFLD is an increasingly recognized condition that may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and community surveys have assessed that the prevalence is 14 to 32% worldwide. The first line of treatment for NAFLD is lifestyle modification to achieve weight reduction, particularly through diet and exercise. However, weight reduction is difficult to achieve and maintain, and pharmacological agents approved for the treatment of NAFLD are lacking. This study investigated the influence of the gut microbiota and the effect of an IBATi on NAFLD using a murine model. Treatment with IBATi significantly improved NAFLD in HFD mice. Further, fecal microbiome transplantation using stool from HFD plus IBATi mice prevented hepatic steatosis caused by HFD. Our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because the study findings suggest a potential treatment strategy for NAFLD patients by ameliorating gut microbiota dysbiosis.