Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The integrated stress response in budding yeast lifespan extension

Aging is a complex, multi-factorial biological process shared by all living organisms. It is manifested by a gradual accumulation of molecular alterations that lead to the decline of normal physiological functions in a time-dependent fashion. The ultimate goal of aging research is to develop therapeutic means to extend human lifespan, while reducing susceptibility to many age-related diseases including cancer, as well as metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, this first requires elucidation of the causes of aging, which has been greatly facilitated by the use of model organisms. In particular, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been invaluable in the identification of conserved molecular and cellular determinants of aging and for the development of approaches to manipulate these aging determinants to extend lifespan. Strikingly, where examined, virtually all means to experimentally extend lifespan result in the induction of cellular stress responses. This review describes growing evidence in yeast that activation of the integrated stress response contributes significantly to lifespan extension. These findings demonstrate that yeast remains a powerful model system for elucidating conserved mechanisms to achieve lifespan extension that are likely to drive therapeutic approaches to extend human lifespan and healthspan.
Efficacy of a Mobile-Enabled Web App (iCanFit) in Promoting Physical Activity Among Older Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Background The benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors are well documented. However, few older cancer survivors are engaged in regular physical activity. Mobile technologies may be an effective method to deliver physical activity promotion programs for older cancer survivors. iCanFit, a mobile-enabled Web-based app, was developed based on formative research and usability testing. This app includes interactive features of physical activity, goal setting and tracking, and receiving personalized visual feedback. Objective The aim of this study is to pilot test the initial efficacy of iCanFit. Methods Older cancer survivors (N=30) were recruited online through our collaborative partnership with a cancer survivor's organization. After the participants completed an online baseline survey, they were asked to use the iCanFit website. Instructional videos on how to use the web app were available on the website. Participants were asked to complete a follow-up survey 2-3 months later. Participants’ physical activity, quality of life, and their experience with iCanFit were measured. Results A total of 30 participants completed the baseline survey, and 26 of them (87%, 26/30) also completed a follow-up survey 2-3 months later. The median age of participants was 69 years (range 60-78). Participants’ quality of life and engagement in regular physical activity improved significantly after the use of iCanFit. Participants indicated a general affinity towards the key function “Goals” in iCanFit, which motivated continued activity. They also provided suggestions to further improve the app (eg, adding a reminder functionality, easier or alternative ways of entering activities). Conclusion The interactive Web-based app iCanFit has demonstrated initial efficacy. Even though our study was limited by a small sample size, convenience sampling, and a short follow-up period, results suggest that using mobile tools to promote physical activity and healthy living among older cancer survivors holds promise. Next steps include refining iCanFit based on users’ feedback and developing versatile functionality to allow easier physical activity goal setting and tracking. We also call for more studies on developing and evaluating mobile and web apps for older cancer survivors.
Extent of allergic inflammation depends on intermittent versus continuous sensitization to house dust mite

Abstract Objective: House dust mite (HDM) exposure is used to model experimental asthma in mice. However, a direct comparison of inflammatory responses following continuous versus intermittent HDM exposure has not been reported. Therefore, we investigated whether the HDM dose at sensitization or challenge affects extent of inflammation in mice that were either continuously or intermittently sensitized with HDM. Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice received either 10 continuous exposures with 10 μg HDM per exposure or two intermittent HDM exposures over a period of two weeks and were subsequently challenged by three instillations with HDM during the third week. For the intermittent model, mice were sensitized with 1 or 10 μg HDM and challenged on three consecutive days with 1 or 10 μg HDM. Inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and epithelial cell hyperplasia and mucous cell metaplasia were quantified. Results: Significantly higher levels of inflammation and mucous cell metaplasia were observed when mice were sensitized intermittently compared with continuously. Intermittent sensitization and challenge with 10 μg HDM caused maximum inflammation, mucous cell metaplasia, and epithelial cell hyperplasia. However, sensitization with 1 μg HDM only also showed increased inflammation when challenged with 10 μg HDM. Discussion: These findings suggest major differences in adaptive immunity, depending on the sensitization protocol. Conclusions: Because of significant differences, the HDM sensitization protocol should be carefully considered when designing studies to investigate the underlying mechanisms of immunity in mouse models of asthma.
Extraction and Characterization of Biomolecules from Agricultural Wastes

Specifically, the extraction yield, the content of total polyphenols by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, and the antioxidant activity by FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) were measured. In particular the following specific phenolic compounds were detected and determined by HPLC analysis: gallic, chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and ellagic acids, (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin, and rutin. The values of extraction yield and total polyphenol content decreased according to the extraction solvent in the following order: absolute methanol > 70% methanol > water. The antioxidant activity showed the opposite trend among the three types of extraction. The values obtained from the analysis were higher in chestnut rather than in hazelnut shell.The specific amount of phenolic compounds varied depending on the solvent used for the extraction. Gallic acid was found in all samples extracted, though with lower values in hazelnut shells treated in water. High values of (–)-epicatechin, chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid were found in hazelnut samples extracted with hydro-alcoholic solution and water. A fair amount of catechin was detected in all samples, whilst rutin, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid were present in small amounts, although the best results were obtained in absolute methanol. The results of this study demonstrated that with a simple extraction process considerable amount of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity were obtained from chestnut and hazelnut shells.
COMMENTARY: Failure rate of atraumatic restorative treatment using high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement compared to that of conventional amalgam restorative treatment in primary and permanent teeth: a systematic review update

A critical commentary of Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V. Failure rate of atraumatic restorative treatment using high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement compared to conventional amalgam restorative treatment in primary and permanent teeth: a systematic review update. J Minim Interv Dent 2012; 5: 63 – 124.
Physicochemical and microbial characteristics of ready to cook refrigerated and frozen emu meat sausages in comparison with broiler and spent hen meat sausages.

This paper depicts comparative evaluation of physico-chemical characteristics, viz., pH, cooking loss, tyrosine content, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS); and microbial characteristics, viz., total viable count (TVC), psychrophilic count (PCPC), and yeast & mould count (YMC) of ready to cook emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) meat sausage prepared with addition of corn flour, broiler fat, and spice mix, compared to broiler and spent hen meat sausages at different days of storage, viz., 3 days and 5 days under refrigeration (4±10C); and 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days under deep freezing (-18±10C). The study revealed superiority of emu meat sausages over broiler and spent hen meat sausages with respect to pH (P0.01) and TBARS (P0.05), while the differences were non-significant (P0.05) with respect to cooking loss and tyrosine content. The microbial quality (TVC, PCPC, YMC) of emu meat sausage was not different from other sausages. Storage of emu meat sausage under 5 days of refrigeration and  30 days of deep freezing significantly increased the pH (P0.05), tyrosine content (P0.01), and TBARS (P0.01), while the differences were non-significant with respect to cooking loss (P0.05). The TVC and YMC of emu meat sausage were significantly (P0.05) higher under 5 days of refrigeration and lower (P0.05) under 30 days of deep freezing. PCP was not detected in fresh sausages. Its presence was demonstrated in the stored samples, but the changes in PCPC in emu meat sausage during storage were non-significant (P0.05). It is inferred that emu meat sausage exhibited distinct superiority over broiler and spent hen meat sausages with respect to pH and TBARS, and could be stored up to three days under refrigeration (4±10C) without alteration in important physicochemical characteristics, viz., pH, tyrosine, TBARS, TVC, and YMC.
Acupuncture for Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Single-Blinded Randomized Crossover Trial

Objectives Many patients with painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) have insufficient effect of treatment, and the prevalence of adverse effects is high. Consequently, alternatives to conventional management are needed. We aimed to study the effect of acupuncture in painful CP. Methods This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized crossover trial. Fifteen patients with CP were assigned to a session of acupuncture followed by sham stimulation or vice versa. Patients rated clinical pain scores daily on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and completed the Patient Global Impression of Change. For mechanistic linkage, resting state electroencephalograms were recorded and quantified by spectral power analysis to explore effects on central pain processing. Results Acupuncture, compared with sham stimulation, caused more pain relief (2.0 ± 1.5 VAS vs 0.7 ± 0.8 VAS; P = 0.009). The effect, however, was short, and after 1-week follow-up, there was no difference in clinical pain scores between groups (P = 1.0) or the rating of Patient Global Impression of Change (P = 0.8). Electroencephalogram spectral power distributions between sham and acupuncture were comparable between groups (all P > 0.6). Conclusions The study presents proof-of-concept for the analgesic effect of acupuncture in pancreatic pain. Although the effect was short lasting, the framework may be used to conceptualize future trials of acupuncture in visceral pain.
Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in European soya bean and rapeseed products fed to growing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) of European soya bean and rapeseed products in pigs. Six soya bean and two rapeseed products were used as the sole dietary source of CP and AA, including raw (FFSB) and roasted full-fat soya beans (FFSBRoasted ), soya bean (SBC) and rapeseed cake (RSC), and rapeseed meal (RSM) from Bavaria (Germany), soya bean meal (SBM) from the Danube region (Austria; SBMAustria ), a commercially available standard SBM (SBMStd ) and an imported genetically modified organism-free SBM (SBMGMO-free ). Eight ileal- cannulated pigs with an initial body weight of 32 ± 2 kg were allotted to a row-column design with eight diets and six periods of seven days each. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) ranged from 1.8 in SBMStd to 24.5 mg/g DM in FFSB. The SID of CP and all AA in FFSBRoasted were greater than in FFSB, but lower when compared to SBC and SBMAustria (p < .05). The SID of CP and all AA (except glutamic acid) were not different between SBC and SBMAustria , but the SID of CP and all AA (except methionine) were greater (p < .05) in SBC than in SBMGMO-free . Furthermore, the SID of CP and most AA showed a quadratic response with decreasing TIA, and there exists a quadratic response in SID of CP and all AA with increasing lysine to CP ratio and neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (p < .05). In conclusion, variation in chemical composition and SID of CP and AA was observed in different European soya bean and rapeseed products as influenced by differences in processing conditions. European SBC and SBMAustria can be used as alternative to imported SBMGMO-free and SBMStd in diets for growing pigs.
Red and far red Sun‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence as a measure of plant photosynthesis

Remote estimation of Sun‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence emitted by terrestrial vegetation can provide an unparalleled opportunity to track spatiotemporal variations of photosynthetic efficiency. Here we provide the first direct experimental evidence that the two peaks of the chlorophyll fluorescence spectrum can be accurately mapped from high‐resolution radiance spectra and that the signal is linked to variations in actual photosynthetic efficiency. Red and far red fluorescence measured using a novel airborne imaging spectrometer over a grass carpet treated with an herbicide known to inhibit photosynthesis was significantly higher than the corresponding signal from an equivalent untreated grass carpet. The reflectance signal of the two grass carpets was indistinguishable, confirming that the fast dynamic changes in fluorescence emission were related to variations in the functional status of actual photosynthesis induced by herbicide application. Our results from a controlled experiment at the local scale illustrate the potential for the global mapping of terrestrial photosynthesis through space‐borne measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence.
Unsupervised Learning in Synaptic Sampling Machines

Recent studies have shown that synaptic unreliability is a robust and sufficient mechanism for inducing the stochasticity observed in cortex. Here, we introduce the Synaptic Sampling Machine (SSM), a stochastic neural network model that uses synaptic unreliability as a means to stochasticity for sampling. Synaptic unreliability plays the dual role of an efficient mechanism for sampling in neuromorphic hardware, and a regularizer during learning akin to DropConnect. Similar to the original formulation of Boltzmann machines, the SSM can be viewed as a stochastic counterpart of Hopfield networks, but where stochasticity is induced by a random mask over the connections. The SSM is trained to learn generative models with a synaptic plasticity rule implementing an event-driven form of contrastive divergence. We demonstrate this by learning a model of MNIST hand-written digit dataset, and by testing it in recognition and inference tasks. We find that SSMs outperform restricted Boltzmann machines (4.4% error rate vs. 5%), they are more robust to overfitting, and tend to learn sparser representations. SSMs are remarkably robust to weight pruning: removal of more than 80% of the weakest connections followed by cursory re-learning causes only a negligible performance loss on the MNIST task (4.8% error rate). These results show that SSMs offer substantial improvements in terms of performance, power and complexity over existing methods for unsupervised learning in spiking neural networks, and are thus promising models for machine learning in neuromorphic execution platforms.
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells form nonclassical and potent immune synapses driving rapid cytotoxicity

Significance Davenport et al. discovered that the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immune synapse structure is different from the T cell receptor (TCR) synapse. The CAR immune synapse formed a disorganized pattern of Lck and more rapidly recruited lytic granules compared with the TCR. The differing immune synapse correlated with faster killing of tumor target cells and detachment from dying tumor cells by CAR-T cells. These findings provide a mechanism whereby CAR-T cells can effectively reduce large tumor burden in patients. This study will form a basis upon which to compare future receptor design to modulate signaling and programming of cytotoxic CAR-T cells to improve treatment of solid cancers. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells are effective serial killers with a faster off-rate from dying tumor cells than CAR-T cells binding target cells through their T cell receptor (TCR). Here we explored the functional consequences of CAR-mediated signaling using a dual-specific CAR-T cell, where the same cell was triggered via TCR (tcrCTL) or CAR (carCTL). The carCTL immune synapse lacked distinct LFA-1 adhesion rings and was less reliant on LFA to form stable conjugates with target cells. carCTL receptors associated with the synapse were found to be disrupted and formed a convoluted multifocal pattern of Lck microclusters. Both proximal and distal receptor signaling pathways were induced more rapidly and subsequently decreased more rapidly in carCTL than in tcrCTL. The functional consequence of this rapid signaling in carCTL cells included faster lytic granule recruitment to the immune synapse, correlating with faster detachment of the CTL from the target cell. This study provides a mechanism for how CAR-T cells can debulk large tumor burden quickly and may contribute to further refinement of CAR design for enhancing the quality of signaling and programming of the T cell.
Cannabis increased the risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in tobacco smokers: a case‐control study

OBJECTIVES Previous smaller case series suggested that cannabis smoking may cause spontaneous pneumothorax, but this finding remains controversial. We investigated the possible association between smoking tobacco and cannabis and the risk of having a primary spontaneous pneumothorax in a large, homogeneous cohort of young, healthy individuals. METHODS In a case‐control study, we prospectively investigated young (≤40 years) patients admitted in Western Denmark from 2009 to 2016 with their first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Baseline characteristics and smoking habits including both tobacco and cannabis were obtained from questionnaires presented on admittance. We compared our findings with those of a population‐based control group matched by age, sex and geographical area. Calculated odds ratios were compared using the Fisher's exact test for small frequencies and the χ2 test or the Mann‐Whitney test for larger frequencies. RESULTS A total of 416 patients participated (male/female ratio = 3.9). We observed a significantly increased risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in daily smokers compared with female never smokers (odds ratio = 8.10, 95% confidence interval: 4.61‐14.14, P < 0.001) and male never smokers (odds ratio = 4.85, 95% confidence interval: 3.23‐7.19, P < 0.001). The combination of smoking both cannabis and tobacco in men increased the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax significantly (odds ratio = 8.74, 95% confidence interval: 4.30‐19.51, P < 0.001). In contrast, the cannabis habits of female patients did not differ from those of the Danish population in general. CONCLUSIONS Combined smoking of tobacco and cannabis significantly aggravates the risk of having a primary spontaneous pneumothorax in young men compared to both never smokers and daily smokers.
Continuous description of a grain boundary in forsterite from atomic scale simulations: the role of disclinations

Abstract We present continuous modelling at inter-atomic scale of a high-angle symmetric tilt boundary in forsterite. The model is grounded in periodic arrays of dislocation and disclination dipoles built on information gathered from discrete atomistic configurations generated by molecular dynamics simulations. The displacement, distortion (strain and rotation), curvature, dislocation and disclination density fields are determined in the boundary area using finite difference and interpolation techniques between atomic sites. The distortion fields of the O, Si and Mg sub-lattices are detailed to compare their roles in the accommodation of lattice incompatibility along the boundary. It is shown that the strain and curvature fields associated with the dislocation and disclination fields in the ‘skeleton’ O and Si sub-lattices accommodate the tilt incompatibility, whereas the elastic strain and rotation fields of the Mg sub-lattice are essentially compatible and induce stresses balancing the incompatibility stresses in the overall equilibrium.
Compositional variation and 226Ra‐230Th model ages of axial lavas from the southern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, 8°48′S

We present geological observations and geochemical data for the youngest volcanic features on the slow spreading Mid‐Atlantic Ridge at 8°48′S that shows seismic evidence for a thickened crust and excess magma formation. Young lava flows with high sonar reflectivity cover about 14 km2 in the axial rift and were probably erupted from two axial volcanic ridges each of about 3 km in length. Three different lava units occur along an about 11 km long portion of the ridge, and lavas from the northern axial volcanic ridge differ from those of the southern axial volcanic ridge and surrounding lava flows. Basalts from the axial rift flanks and from a pillow mound within the young flows are more incompatible element depleted than those from the young volcanic field. Lavas from this volcanic area have 226Ra‐230Th disequilibria model ages of 1000 and 4000 years whereas the older lavas from the rift flank and the pillow mound, but also some of the lava field, are older than 8000 years. Glasses from the northern and southern ends of the southern lava unit indicate up to 100°C cooler magma temperatures than in the center and increased assimilation of hydrothermally altered material. The compositional heterogeneity on a scale of 3 km suggests small magma batches rising vertically from the mantle to the surface without significant lateral flow and mixing. The observations on the 8°48′S lava field support the model of low‐frequency eruptions from single ascending magma batches that has been developed for slow spreading ridges.
Signatures of hot hydrogen in the atmosphere of the extrasolar planet HD209458b

Of the extrasolar planets detected so far, about 10% consist of giant planets which orbit very close to their parent stars. The atmospheres of these “hot-Jupiters” are largely heated by the immense stellar irradiation. In the case of the planet HD209458b, this energy deposition results in a hydrodynamic state in the upper atmosphere, allowing for sizable expansion and escape of neutral hydrogen gas. HD209458b was the first extrasolar planet discovered that transits in front of its parent star. Transiting planets offer a unique opportunity to determine the planetary size by measuring the total optical obscuration of the stellar disk produced while the planet is transiting. We may also study the structure and composition of extrasolar planetary atmospheres by additional signatures in the stellar spectrum due to atmospheric absorption during transit. Here we report the first detection of absorption by hot hydrogen in the optical and near-ultraviolet Balmer jump and continuum in any planet. So far, the lower atmosphere and the full extended upper atmosphere of HD209458b have been observed. Here we probe a layer where the escaping gas forms in HD209458b’s upper atmosphere, providing a new way to study the atmospheric structure and complex