Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring Proximal LGBTQ+ Minority Stressors Within Physical Activity Contexts from a Self-determination Theory Perspective.

BACKGROUND LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.) individuals experience challenges such as discrimination and marginalization (referred to as minority stressors) that are detrimental to their mental and physical health. Specifically, proximal or internalized LGBTQ+ minority stressors may influence motivation for and willingness to participate in physical activity. PURPOSE To explore whether proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors relate to the basic psychological needs-motivation-physical activity pathway, as per self-determination theory. METHODS An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 778 self-identified LGBTQ+ adults. Structural equation modelling analyses were used to examine how proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors relate to the motivational sequence. RESULTS Findings support that proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors are negatively associated with psychological need satisfaction within physical activity (β = -.36), which in turn is positively associated with autonomous motivation (β = .53) and reported physical activity participation (β = .32). Overall, the final model accounted for 13% of variance in need satisfaction (small effect size), 53% of variance in autonomous motivation (moderate-large effect size), and 10% of variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (small effect size). CONCLUSIONS Future research focused on increasing LGBTQ+ participation in physical activity should investigate the effects of (a) reducing proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors and (b) better supporting LGBTQ+ adults' autonomy, competence, and relatedness within physical activity contexts.
Too much for your own good: Excessive dopamine damages neurons and contributes to Parkinson's disease

Dopamine dyshomeostasis is a driving factor of nigrostriatal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Accumulation of cytosolic dopamine at striatal projections results in the buildup of autoxidation products, which generates protein adducts and exacerbate oxidative stress. Moreover, an excessive rate of dopamine degradation results in accumulation of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), a toxic metabolite which rapidly reacts with other proteins. These events lead to protein misfolding and cross‐linking as well as mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction, the main pathological mechanisms underscoring dopaminergic neuron loss in PD. In this issue of Journal of Neurochemistry, Vecchio et al. generated and characterized a new in vivo model of chronic dopamine accumulation through the overexpression of a hyperactive form of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH‐HI), the rate‐limiting step enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. At 3–5 months of age, TH‐HI mice displayed increased striatal dopamine content, exacerbated dopamine catabolism, and augmented responses to amphetamine. This correlated with enhanced oxidative stress and DOPAL buildup, highlighting a catechol‐induced neurotoxic vicious cycle that may anticipate a parkinsonian‐like phenotype in aged mice. This novel TH‐HI animal model represents an exciting new tool to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying dopamine disequilibrium, catecholamine autotoxicity, and neurodegeneration in PD.
The conversion of CO2 to methanol on orthorhombic β-Mo2C and Cu/β-Mo2C catalysts: mechanism for admetal induced change in the selectivity and activity

The conversion of CO2 into methanol catalyzed by β-Mo2C and Cu/β-Mo2C surfaces has been investigated by means of a combined experimental and theoretical study. Experiments have shown the direct activation and dissociation of the CO2 molecule on bare β-Mo2C, whereas on Cu/β-Mo2C, CO2 must be assisted by hydrogen for its conversion. Methane and CO are the main products on the clean surface and methanol production is lower. However, the deposition of Cu clusters avoids methane formation and increases methanol production even above that corresponding to a model of the technical catalyst. DFT calculations on surface models of both possible C- and Mo-terminations corroborate the experimental observations. Calculations for the clean Mo-terminated surface reveal the existence of two possible routes for methane production (C + 4H → CH4; CH3O + 3H → CH4 + H2O) which are competitive with methanol synthesis, displaying slightly lower energy barriers. On the other hand, a model for Cu deposited clusters on the Mo-terminated surface points towards a new route for methanol and CO production avoiding methane formation. The new route is a direct consequence of the generation of a Mo2C–Cu interface. The present experimental and theoretical results entail the interesting catalytic properties of Mo2C as an active support of metallic nanoparticles, and also illustrate how the deposition of a metal can drastically change the activity and selectivity of a carbide substrate for CO2 hydrogenation.
Effects of double-dose algebra on college persistence and degree attainment

Significance To obtain high-paying jobs, students from low-income backgrounds need to complete college at higher rates. Could remedial math coursework in high school help them do so? Some have argued that adolescence is too late to intervene, or that schools cannot overcome systemic social problems that hinder student success. Yet, evidence from Chicago suggests otherwise. We find that ninth graders assigned to “double-dose algebra”—an algebra class plus a second class designed to bolster algebra skills—were more likely to stay in, and complete, college compared to similar students who did not take double-dose algebra. However, when students were placed in double-dose classes with much-lower-skilled peers the program had no effect. In 2003, Chicago Public Schools introduced double-dose algebra, requiring two periods of math—one period of algebra and one of algebra support—for incoming ninth graders with eighth-grade math scores below the national median. Using a regression discontinuity design, earlier studies showed promising results from the program: For median-skill students, double-dose algebra improved algebra test scores, pass rates, high school graduation rates, and college enrollment. This study follows the same students 12 y later. Our findings show that, for median-skill students in the 2003 cohort, double-dose significantly increased semesters of college attended and college degree attainment. These results were not replicated for the 2004 cohort. Importantly, the impact of the policy on median-skill students depended largely on how classes were organized. In 2003, the impacts on college persistence and degree attainment were large in schools that strongly adhered to the cut-score-based course assignment, but without grouping median-skill students with lower-skill peers. Few schools implemented the policy in such a way in 2004.
Did the Pope ban blood transfusion in 1678?

This paper concerns an alleged event in the history of haematology that disrupts the otherwise positive narrative of papal encouragement for blood transfusion. It is frequently stated, in popular websites and in the scholarly literature, that when blood transfusion was first developed it was banned by the Pope. However, careful analysis of the sources cited shows this claim to be without historical foundation. There was never any papal prohibition of blood transfusion. It is a myth that needs to be dispelled if the full extent of the Catholic Church’s support for blood and organ donation is to be appreciated.
Novel Escherichia coli active site dnaE alleles with altered base and sugar selectivity

The Escherichia coli dnaE gene encodes the α‐catalytic subunit (pol IIIα) of DNA polymerase III, the cell’s main replicase. Like all high‐fidelity DNA polymerases, pol III possesses stringent base and sugar discrimination. The latter is mediated by a so‐called “steric gate” residue in the active site of the polymerase that physically clashes with the 2′‐OH of an incoming ribonucleotide. Our structural modeling data suggest that H760 is the steric gate residue in E.coli pol IIIα. To understand how H760 and the adjacent S759 residue help maintain genome stability, we generated DNA fragments in which the codons for H760 or S759 were systematically changed to the other nineteen naturally occurring amino acids and attempted to clone them into a plasmid expressing pol III core (α‐θ‐ε subunits). Of the possible 38 mutants, only nine were successfully sub‐cloned: three with substitutions at H760 and 6 with substitutions at S759. Three of the plasmid‐encoded alleles, S759C, S759N, and S759T, exhibited mild to moderate mutator activity and were moved onto the chromosome for further characterization. These studies revealed altered phenotypes regarding deoxyribonucleotide base selectivity and ribonucleotide discrimination. We believe that these are the first dnaE mutants with such phenotypes to be reported in the literature.
Comprehensive investigation of the phenotype of MEF2C‐related disorders in human patients: A systematic review

MEF2C‐related disorders (aka MEF2C‐haploinsufficiency) are caused by variations in or involving the MEF2C gene and are characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, lack of speech, limited walking, and seizures. Despite these findings, the disorder is not easily recognized clinically. We performed a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines to assemble the most comprehensive list of patients and their phenotypes. Through searching PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE, 43 articles met the inclusion criteria and were fully reviewed. One hundred and seventeen patients were identified from these publications with most having a phenotype of intellectual disability, developmental delay, seizures, hypotonia, absent speech, inability to walk, stereotypic movements, and MRI abnormalities. Nonclassical findings included one patient with a question mark ear, two patients with a jugular pit, one patient with a unique neuroendocrine finding, and nine patients that did not have MEF2C deletions or disruptions but may be affected due to a positional effect on MEF2C. This systematic review characterizes the phenotype of MEF2C‐related disorders, documents the severity of this condition, and will help providers to better diagnose and care for patients and their families. Additionally, this compiled information provides a comprehensive resource for investigators interested in pursuing specific genotype–phenotype correlations.
Innovative digital tools for new trends in teaching and assessment methods in medical and dental education

With the goal of providing optimal care to patients, student-centered active learning and the development of clinical competency have become vital components of the education of future physicians capable of sustainably coping with future challenges. However, the shape of future medicine is dramatically changing based on advances in information and communication technology, and the current classroom model seems to have difficulties in fully preparing students for the future of medicine. New trends in teaching and assessment methods include computer-aided instruction, virtual patients, augmented reality, human patient simulations, and virtual reality for the assessment of students’ competency. The digital technologies introduced in medical and dental education include Google Forms to collect students’ answers, YouTube livestreaming, google art & culture (an online art museum), and choose-your-own-adventure as a story-telling technique. Innovations in digital technology will lead the way toward a revolution in medical and dental education, allowing learning to be individualized, interactive, and efficient.
Prevalence and risk factors for repeat induced abortion among Chinese women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives Repeat induced abortion is a significant public health problem in China. International knowledge about repeat induced abortion and its associated risk factors in Chinese women is scarce, and existing studies are hard to access for international scholars because most are published in Chinese. A systematic review was conducted to analyse the prevalence of repeat induced abortion among Chinese women and determine correlated risk factors. Methods Seven electronic databases were systematically searched. Data on the prevalence of repeat induced abortion and related factors were extracted and pooled using a meta-analysis and narrative approach. Results Of 2458 articles retrieved from seven databases, 21 were included in the study. The overall pooled prevalence of repeat induced abortion was 43.1% (95% confidence interval 36.7%, 49.5%). Of 25 exposures extracted, 15 factors were significantly correlated with repeat induced abortion, comprising seven individual demographic factors (i.e., age, education, employment, migrant status, parity, unhealthy lifestyle habits and region of residence), four reproductive health- and contraception-related factors (i.e., age at sexual debut, history of sexual activity, contraceptive knowledge and having a regular sexual life) and four sexual partner-related factors (i.e., multiple sexual partners, age of sexual partner, educational level of sexual partner and cohabitation with sexual partner). Conclusion The study findings highlight the problem of repeat induced abortion in China and suggest the need for government and civil society to increase efforts to reduce the alarming risks of repeat induced abortion in Chinese women and make them and their sexual partners more aware and protective of their sexual and reproductive health.
Virtual teaching of undergraduate primary care small groups during Covid-19

ABSTRACT The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic required Higher Educational Institutions to redesign and implement new ways of delivering core-learning outcomes for medical students. Much of this change resulted in a transition to virtual teaching across medical schools. Medical education in primary care is often delivered as part of GP-facilitated small group teaching and with this came unique challenges for the transition to online education. Transition to virtual small group teaching utilised blended learning and flipped classroom methodologies alongside the use of virtual teaching platforms. This quality improvement project describes the educational approaches used when transitioning medical education, and compares student experience from receiving small group teaching using face-to-face and virtual teaching methods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Analysis of student feedback found an ongoing delivery of high-quality primary care education using virtual small group teaching, and that there was no attrition in student experience when compared to face-to-face teaching delivered before COVID-19 for the same learning outcomes. These findings are reassuring and suggest that the transition to virtual small group teaching, using methods such as flipped classrooms and blended learning, enables continued and sustained delivery of high-quality education and student experiences in primary care.
The association between diabetes and gastric cancer: results from the Stomach Cancer Pooling Project Consortium

Background Prior epidemiologic studies on the association between diabetes and gastric cancer risk provided inconclusive findings, while traditional, aggregate data meta-analyses were characterized by high between-study heterogeneity. Objective To investigate the association between type 2 diabetes and gastric cancer using data from the ‘Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Project’, an international consortium of more than 30 case–control and nested case–control studies, which is large and provides harmonized definition of participants’ characteristics across individual studies. The data have the potential to minimize between-study heterogeneity and provide greater statistical power for subgroup analysis. Methods We included 5592 gastric cancer cases and 12 477 controls from 14 studies from Europe, Asia, North America, and South America in a two-stage individual-participant data meta-analysis. Random-effect models were used to estimate summary odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by pooling study-specific ORs. Results We did not find an overall association between diabetes and gastric cancer (pooled OR = 1.01, 95% CI, 0.94–1.07). However, the risk of cardia gastric cancer was significantly higher among individuals with type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.02–1.33). There was no association between diabetes and gastric cancer risk in strata of Helicobacter pylori infection serostatus, age, sex, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, fruit/vegetable intake, gastric cancer histologic type, and source of controls. Conclusion This study provides additional evidence that diabetes is unrelated to gastric cancer overall but may be associated with excess cardia gastric cancer risk.
KDM5A and KDM5B histone-demethylases contribute to HU-induced replication stress response and tolerance

ABSTRACT KDM5A and KDM5B histone-demethylases are overexpressed in many cancers and have been involved in drug tolerance. Here, we describe that KDM5A, together with KDM5B, contribute to replication stress (RS) response and tolerance. First, they positively regulate RRM2, the regulatory subunit of ribonucleotide reductase. Second, they are required for optimal levels of activated Chk1, a major player of the intra-S phase checkpoint that protects cells from RS. We also found that KDM5A is enriched at ongoing replication forks and associates with both PCNA and Chk1. Because RRM2 is a major determinant of replication stress tolerance, we developed cells resistant to HU, and show that KDM5A/B proteins are required for both RRM2 overexpression and tolerance to HU. Altogether, our results indicate that KDM5A/B are major players of RS management. They also show that drugs targeting the enzymatic activity of KDM5 proteins may not affect all cancer-related consequences of KDM5A/B overexpression.
Ongoing evolution of Chlamydia trachomatis lymphogranuloma venereum: exploring the genomic diversity of circulating strains

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), the invasive infection of the sexually transmissible infection (STI) Chlamydia trachomatis, is caused by strains from the LGV biovar, most commonly represented by ompA-genotypes L2b and L2. We investigated the diversity in LGV samples across an international collection over seven years using typing and genome sequencing. LGV-positive samples (n=321) from eight countries collected between 2011 and 2017 (Spain n=97, Netherlands n=67, Switzerland n=64, Australia n=53, Sweden n=37, Hungary n=31, Czechia n=30, Slovenia n=10) were genotyped for pmpH and ompA variants. All were found to contain the 9 bp insertion in the pmpH gene, previously associated with ompA-genotype L2b. However, analysis of the ompA gene shows ompA-genotype L2b (n=83), ompA-genotype L2 (n=180) and several variants of these (n=52; 12 variant types), as well as other/mixed ompA-genotypes (n=6). To elucidate the genomic diversity, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed from selected samples using SureSelect target enrichment, resulting in 42 genomes, covering a diversity of ompA-genotypes and representing most of the countries sampled. A phylogeny of these data clearly shows that these ompA-genotypes derive from an ompA-genotype L2b ancestor, carrying up to eight SNPs per isolate. SNPs within ompA are overrepresented among genomic changes in these samples, each of which results in an amino acid change in the variable domains of OmpA (major outer membrane protein, MOMP). A reversion to ompA-genotype L2 with the L2b genomic backbone is commonly seen. The wide diversity of ompA-genotypes found in these recent LGV samples indicates that this gene is under immunological selection. Our results suggest that the ompA-genotype L2b genomic backbone is the dominant strain circulating and evolving particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM) populations.
Effects of Mobile App–Based Intervention for Depression in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Background Digital mental health interventions may help middle-aged and older adults with depression overcome barriers to accessing traditional care, but few studies have investigated their use in this population. Objective This pilot study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the Meru Health Program, an 8-week mobile app–delivered intervention. Methods A total of 20 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (age: mean 61.7 years, SD 11.3) with elevated depressive symptoms participated in a single-arm pilot study investigating the Meru Health Program, an app-delivered intervention supported by remote therapists. The program primarily uses mindfulness and cognitive behavioral skills to target depressive symptoms. A semistructured interview was completed at the baseline to establish current psychiatric diagnoses. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression measures. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and the PROMIS Anxiety measure. User experience and acceptability were examined through surveys and qualitative interviews. Results In total, 90% (18/20) of the participants completed the program, with 75% (15/20) completing at least 7 of the 8 introductory weekly lessons. On average, participants completed 60 minutes of practice and exchanged 5 messages with their therapists every week. The app was rated as helpful by 89% (17/19) participants. Significant decreases in depressive (P=.03) and anxiety symptom measures (P=.01) were found; 45% (9/20) of participants showed clinically significant improvement in either depressive symptoms or anxiety symptoms. Conclusions The findings suggest that the commercially available Meru Health Program may be feasible, acceptable, and potentially beneficial to middle-aged and older adults. Although larger controlled trials are needed to demonstrate efficacy, these findings suggest that digital health interventions may benefit adults of all ages.
An overview of the effect of telehealth on mortality: A systematic review of meta-analyses

Introduction Telehealth is recognised as a viable way of providing health care over distance, and an effective way to increase access for individuals with transport difficulties or those living in rural and remote areas. While telehealth has many positives for patients, clinicians and the health system, it is important that changes in the delivery of health care (e.g. in-person to telehealth) do not result in inferior or unsafe care. In this review, we collate existing meta-analyses of mortality rates to provide a holistic view of the current evidence regarding telehealth safety. Methods In November 2020, a search of Pretty Darn Quick Evidence portal was conducted in order to locate systematic reviews published between 2010 and 2019, examining and meta-analysing the effect of telehealth interventions on mortality compared to usual care. Results This review summarises evidence from 24 meta-analyses. Five overarching medical disciplines were represented (cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonary, obstetrics and intensive care). Overall, telehealth did not increase mortality rates. Discussion The evidence from this review can be used by decision makers, in conjunction with other disease-specific and health economic evidences, to support and guide telehealth implementation plans.