Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of global atmospheric aerosol emission change on PM2.5-related health impacts

ABSTRACT Background: Previous research has highlighted the importance of major atmospheric aerosols such as sulfate, through its precursor sulfur dioxide (SO2), black carbon (BC), and organic carbon (OC), and their effect on global climate regimes, specifically on their impact on particulate matter measuring ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5). Policy regulations have attempted to address the change in these major active aerosols and their impact on PM2.5, which would presumably have a cascading effect toward the change of health risks. Objective: This study aimed to determine how the change in the global emissions of anthropogenic aerosols affects health, particularly through the change in attributable mortality (AN) and years of life lost (YLL). This study also aimed to explore the importance of using AM/YLL in conveying air pollution health impact message. Methods: The Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate was used to estimate the gridded atmospheric PM2.5 by changing the emission of SO2, BC, and OC. Next, the emissions were utilized to estimate the associated cause-specific risks via an integrated exposure–response function, and its consequent health indicators, AM and YLL, per country. Results: OC change yielded the greatest benefit for all country income groups, particularly among low-middle-income countries. Utilizing either AM or YLL did not alter the order of benefits among upper-middle and high-income countries (UMIC/HIC); however, using either health indicator to express the order of benefit varied among low- and low-middle-income countries (LIC/LMIC). Conclusions: Global and country-specific mitigation efforts focusing on OC-related activities would yield substantial health benefits. Substantial aerosol emission reduction would greatly benefit high-emitting countries (i.e. China and India). Although no difference is found in the order of health outcome benefits in UMIC/HIC, caution is warranted in using either AM or YLL for health impact assessment in LIC/LMIC.
Overcoming racial battle fatigue: The associations between racial microaggressions, coping, and mental health among Chicana/o and Latina/o college students.

OBJECTIVES The current study tested a conditional process model to determine if (a) different problem-focused coping styles mediated the association between racial microaggressions and mental health, and (b) ethnic identity exploration and commitment moderated these associations. METHOD Participants were 681 Chicana/o and Latina/o undergraduates matriculating at a public research university in the southwestern United States; 71.7% (n = 488) identified as female and the average age of participants was 20.1 years. Data collected using an online survey were analyzed using structural equation modeling with bootstrapped confidence intervals. RESULTS Experiencing more racial microaggressions was associated with students' use of more problem-focused coping styles, as well as poorer mental health. All coping styles partially mediated the association between microaggressions and mental health. However, only reflective coping was associated with more positive mental health; reactive and suppressive coping were associated with poorer mental health. These associations were not moderated by ethnic identity. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with the racial battle fatigue framework, experiencing racial microaggressions in college may contribute to diminished mental well-being for Chicana/o and Latina/o students. Using reflective rather than suppressive or reactive coping styles could facilitate psychological well-being following racial microaggressions among Chicana/o and Latina/o college students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Imaging disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis by macrophage targeting using second generation translocator protein positron emission tomography tracers

Background Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of macrophages using the translocator protein (TSPO) tracer (R)-[11C]PK11195 has shown the promise to image rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further improve TSPO PET for RA imaging, second generation TSPO tracers [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714 have recently been evaluated pre-clinically showing better imaging characteristics. Objective A clinical proof of concept study to evaluate [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714 to visualize arthritis in RA patients. Methods RA patients (n = 13) with at least two active hand joints were included. PET/CT scans of the hands were obtained after injection of [18F]DPA-714, [11C]DPA-713 and/or (R)-[11C]PK11195 (max. 2 tracers pp). Standardized uptake values (SUVs) and target-to-background (T/B) ratios were determined. Imaging data of the 3 different tracers were compared by pooled post-hoc testing, and by a head to head comparison. Results Clinically active arthritis was present in 110 hand joints (2–17 pp). Arthritic joints were visualized with both [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714. Visual tracer uptake corresponded with clinical signs of arthritis in 80% of the joints. Mean absolute uptake in PET-positive joints was significantly higher for [11C]DPA-713 than for [18F]DPA-714, the latter being not significantly different from (R)-[11C]PK11195 uptake. Background uptake was lower for both DPA tracers compared with that of (R)-[11C]PK11195. Higher absolute uptake and lower background resulted in two-fold higher T/B ratios for [11C]DPA-713. Conclusions [11C]DPA-713 and [18F]DPA-714 visualize arthritic joints in active RA patients and most optimal arthritis imaging results were obtained for [11C]DPA-713. Second generation TSPO macrophage PET provides new opportunities for both early diagnosis and therapy monitoring of RA.
The Emerging Roles of mTORC1 in Macromanaging Autophagy

Autophagy is a process of self-degradation that enables the cell to survive when faced with starvation or stressful conditions. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), also known as the mammalian target of rapamycin, plays a critical role in maintaining a balance between cellular anabolism and catabolism. mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) was unveiled as a master regulator of autophagy since inhibition of mTORC1 was required to initiate the autophagy process. Evidence has emerged in recent years to indicate that mTORC1 also directly regulates the subsequent steps of the autophagy process, including the nucleation, autophagosome elongation, autophagosome maturation and termination. By phosphorylating select protein targets of the autophagy core machinery and/or their regulators, mTORC1 can alter their functions, increase their proteasomal degradation or modulate their acetylation status, which is a key switch of the autophagy process. Moreover, it phosphorylates and alters the subcellular localization of transcription factors to suppress the expression of genes needed for autophagosome formation and lysosome biogenesis. The purpose of this review article is to critically analyze current literatures to provide an integrated view of how mTORC1 regulates various steps of the autophagy process.
Cortical hyperarousal in NREM sleep normalizes from pre- to post- REM periods in individuals with frequent nightmares.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Frequent nightmares have a high prevalence and constitute a risk factor for psychiatric conditions, but their pathophysiology is poorly understood. Our aim was to examine sleep architecture and electroencephalographic markers - with a specific focus on state transitions - related to sleep regulation and hyperarousal in participants with frequent nightmares (NM participants) versus healthy controls. METHODS Healthy controls and NM participants spent two consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. Second night spectral power during NREM to REM (pre-REM) and REM to NREM (post-REM) transitions as well as during NREM and REM periods were evaluated for 22 NM participants compared to 22 healthy controls with a similar distribution of age, gender and dream recall frequency. RESULTS We found significant differences between the groups in the pre-REM to post-REM changes in low and high frequency domains. NM participants experienced a lower amount of slow-wave sleep and showed increased beta and gamma power during NREM and pre-REM periods. No difference was present during REM and post-REM phases. Furthermore, while increased pre-REM high frequency power seems to be mainly driven by PTSD symptom intensity, decreased low frequency activity occurred regardless of PTSD symptom severity. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that NM participants had increased high frequency spectral power during NREM and pre-REM periods, as well as relatively reduced slow frequency and increased fast frequency spectral power across pre-and post- REM periods. This combination of reduced sleep-protective activity and increased hyperarousal suggests an imbalance between sleep regulatory and wake promoting systems in NM participants.
Implication of Polyhistidine, a Novel Apoptosis Inhibitor, in Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Apoptosis in Boar Sperm

Simple Summary Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogenic microorganisms found in human and animal semen. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, has been linked to inducing apoptosis in human and rat sperm; however, little is known regarding LPS-induced apoptosis in boar sperm. This detrimental effect of LPS is potentially mediated via competitive bidding with toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 on the cytoplasmic membrane. Therefore, it is reasonable to elucidate the potential mechanisms by which the binding of LPS and TLR4 could be prevented. Polyhistidine is widely used for the delivery of nucleic acids and antibodies into the cell cytoplasm, and it is a novel TLR4 agonist. In the current study, we envisaged that pHis might also serve as an effective tool for inhibiting LPS-induced apoptosis in boar sperm. The new finding of our present study is that pHis could inhibit, to some extent, LPS-induced boar sperm apoptosis, and it could ameliorate the overall sperm quality parameters under liquid storage or at 37 °C incubation conditions. However, further investigation should be continued to fully elucidate the mechanistic basis of these ameliorative effects of pHis. Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) released from Gram-negative bacteria binds to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and induces boar sperm apoptosis. Similarly, polyhistidine (pHis), a TLR4 agonist, can also bind to TLR4. We hypothesized that pHis could inhibit LPS-induced sperm apoptosis by competitively binding to TLR4 to then improve sperm quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether pHis can inhibit LPS-induced sperm apoptosis and affect sperm quality. The results showed that the concentrations of bacterial colonies were significantly increased from 36 to 120 h under liquid storage conditions (p < 0.05); however, concentrations of LPS in boar semen showed a relatively constant trend (4.98 ± 1.55 EU/mL) following 120 h storage. The addition of 100 μg/mL pHis in the BTS extender significantly improved boar sperm motility and viability at 37 °C, and it significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited boar sperm apoptosis under liquid storage (17 °C) and at 37 °C incubation conditions. The co-treatment of LPS and pHis further confirmed that pHis played its role in inhibiting LPS-induced sperm apoptosis. In conclusion, our preliminary findings provide reasonable evidence that pHis could act as an inhibitor of LPS-induced apoptosis in boar sperm stored for longer periods of time. pHis might inhibit LPS-induced sperm apoptosis by competitively binding to TLR4. Nevertheless, further mechanistic studies are awaited to fully elucidate its potential implication in inhibiting LSP-induced apoptosis.
Association of Abnormal Pap Smear with Occult Cervical Stromal Invasion in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between abnormal preoperative Pap smear results and occult cervical stromal invasion in endometrial cancer patients. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of patients with endometrial cancer who had undergone surgical staging at Srinagarind Hospital. Patients with gross cervical involvement, with an unsatisfactory Pap smear, without available Pap smear results, with no cervical intraepithelial lesion/invasive cervical cancer, or who had previously undergone pelvic radiation therapy were excluded. The patients were assigned to one of two groups according their Pap smear results (negative and epithelial cell abnormalities). Logistic regression was used to determine the independent association between an abnormal Pap smear and the risk of cervical stromal invasion. Results: All cervical smears in this study were performed as conventional Pap smears. Smears were abnormal in 50 (21.0%) of the 238 patients enrolled and normal in the remaining 188 (79.0%). The types of Pap smear abnormalities included adenocarcinoma (n=22); atypical endometrial cells (n=2); atypical glandular cells (n=17); high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n=4); atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n=2); and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (n=3). After controlling for type of endometrial cancer, abnormal Pap smear results were found to be a significant independent factor that indicated cervical stromal invasion (adjusted OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.35 to 5.21). Conclusion: Endometrial cancer patients with abnormal Pap smears were strongly and independently associated with histopathologically diagnosed cervical stromal invasion.
The effects of a pre-exercise meal on post-exercise metabolism following a session of sprint interval training.

Sprint interval training (SIT) has demonstrated reductions in fat mass through potential alterations in post-exercise metabolism. This study examined whether exercising in the fasted or fed state affects post-exercise metabolism following acute SIT. Ten active males performed a bout of modified SIT (8 x 15 s sprints; 120 s recovery) in both a fasted (FAST) and fed (FED) state. Gas exchange was collected through 3 h post-exercise, appetite perceptions were measured using a visual analog scale, and energy intake was recorded using dietary food logs. There was no difference in energy expenditure between conditions at any time point (p>0.329) or in total session energy expenditure (FED: 514.8±54.9 kcal, FAST: 504.0±74.3 kcal; p=0.982). Fat oxidation 3 h post-exercise was higher in FED (0.110±0.04 g·min-1) versus FAST (0.069±0.02 g·min-1; p=0.013) though not different between conditions across time (p>0.340), or in total post-exercise fat oxidation (FED: 0.125±0.04 g·min-1>, FAST: 0.105±0.02 g·min-1; p=0.154). Appetite perceptions were lower in FED (-4815.0±4098.7 mm) versus FAST (-707.5±2010.4 mm, p=0.022), however energy intake did not differ between conditions (p=0.429). These results demonstrate the fasted or fed state does not augment post-exercise metabolism following acute SIT in a way that would favour fat loss following training. • Energy expenditure was similar between conditions, while fat oxidation was significantly greater in FED at 3 h post-exercise • Appetite perceptions were significantly lower in FED, however energy intake was not different between conditions • Current findings suggest that performing SIT in the fed or fasted state would not affect fat loss following training.
Drivers of deforestation in the basin of the Usumacinta River: Inference on process from pattern analysis using generalised additive models

Quantifying patterns of deforestation and linking these patterns to potentially influencing variables is a key component of modelling and projecting land use change. Statistical methods based on null hypothesis testing are only partially successful for interpreting deforestation in the context of the processes that have led to their formation. Simplifications of cause-consequence relationships that are difficult to support empirically may influence environment and development policies because they suggest simple solutions to complex problems. Deforestation is a complex process driven by multiple proximate and underlying factors and a range of scales. In this study we use a multivariate statistical analysis to provide contextual explanation for deforestation in the Usumacinta River Basin based on partial pattern matching. Our approach avoided testing trivial null hypotheses of lack of association and investigated the strength and form of the response to drivers. As not all factors involved in deforestation are easily mapped as GIS layers, analytical challenges arise due to lack of a one to one correspondence between mappable attributes and drivers. We avoided testing simple statistical hypotheses such as the detectability of a significant linear relationship between deforestation and proximity to roads or water. We developed a series of informative generalised additive models based on combinations of layers that corresponded to hypotheses regarding processes. The importance of the variables representing accessibility was emphasised by the analysis. We provide evidence that land tenure is a critical factor in shaping the decision to deforest and that direct beam insolation has an effect associated with fire frequency and intensity. The effect of winter insolation was found to have many applied implications for land management. The methodology was useful for interpreting the relative importance of sets of variables representing drivers of deforestation. It was an informative approach, thus allowing the construction of a comprehensive understanding of its causes.
Perioperative anaesthesia and coagulation management of haemophilia patients receiving total hip and knee replacement arthroplasty: Experience from a case series

Purpose: To report 13 consecutive cases of successful triad of anaesthesia, blood and coagulation management (ABC protocol) in haemophilic total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and its feasibility and safety on haemophilic TJA. Methods: All the clinical data of 13 consecutive cases were descend from electronic medical record. Patients who suffered from haemophilia A, undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with ABC protocol at the academic hospital from December 2014 to November 2018 were included, and demographic, perioperative characteristics according to the classified method were further analysed. Results: All 13 haemophilic patients had undergone successful surgery with ABC protocol. No massive blood loss was observed in perioperative period. The mean external blood loss was 876.92 ± 592.86 mL. The mean change in haemoglobin was 5.42 ± 2.43 g dL−1 at 5 days post-operatively. The mean allogeneic transfusion volume was 1.23 ± 1.35 units, and the mean volume of autotransfusion was 237.5 ± 76.93 mL. The average clotting factor consumption for per operated joint was 458.26 ± 226.45 IU kg−1 in all cases. No severe perioperative complications were occurred. Conclusion: ABC-related series of measures were appropriate management mode for patients received THA and/or TKA with mild or moderate haemophilia. However, more robust evidence came from larger samples is needed.
Sex influences in the preventive effects of N-acetylcysteine in a two-hit animal model of schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a neurodevelopmental disorder influenced by patient sex. Mechanisms underlying sex differences in SCZ remain unknown. A two-hit model of SCZ combines the exposure to perinatal infection (first-hit) with peripubertal unpredictable stress (PUS, second-hit). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been tested in SCZ because of the involvement of glutathione mechanisms in its neurobiology. Aims: We aim to investigate whether NAC administration to peripubertal rats of both sexes could prevent behavioral and neurochemical changes induced by the two-hit model. Methods: Wistar rats were exposed to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (a viral mimetic) or saline on postnatal days (PND) 5–7. On PND30–59 they received saline or NAC 220 mg/kg and between PND40–48 were subjected to PUS or left undisturbed. On PND60 behavioral and oxidative alterations were evaluated in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum. Mechanisms of hippocampal memory regulation such as immune expression of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER), α7-nAChR and parvalbumin were also evaluated. Results: NAC prevented sensorimotor gating deficits only in females, while it prevented alterations in social interaction, working memory and locomotor activity in both sexes. Again, in rats of both sexes, NAC prevented the following neurochemical alterations: glutathione (GSH) and nitrite levels in the PFC and lipid peroxidation in the PFC and striatum. Striatal oxidative alterations in GSH and nitrite were observed in females and prevented by NAC. Two-hit induced hippocampal alterations in females, namely expression of GPER-1, α7-nAChR and parvalbumin, were prevented by NAC. Conclusion: Our results highlights the influences of sex in NAC preventive effects in rats exposed to a two-hit schizophrenia model.
Reliability and Repeatability of the Instrument for the Assessment of Stress in Nursing Students (ASNS)

Background and objectives: Stress in nursing students is a very common experience, especially when they face clinical practice. The aims of this study were to perform a transcultural adaptation and to examine the reliability and repeatability of the Instrument for the Assessment of Stress in Nursing Students for a Spanish population. Methods: A test–retest analysis was carried out in two face-to-face sessions with the students with a lapse of 10 days between the two sessions. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between the months of May and June 2018. Sixty-four nursing students were recruited with a consecutive sampling method that targeted individuals in the freshman class. Results: A good internal consistency was shown for the total score (α = 0.8861) and for each of the six domains. The test–retest reliability, using the Wilcoxon paired test, was not significant, indicating no differences between the total scores or the domain scores (p ≥ 0.05). Finally, Bland and Altman plots of visual distributions did not show differences between the total scores and the domain scores. Conclusion: The Instrument for the Assessment of Stress in Nursing Students was shown to be a reliable tool for measuring stress factors among Spanish nursing students.
The differential association of workplace conflicts on employee well-being

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the differential association of three different workplace conflicts on employee-related outcomes, such as loneliness and well-being. Further, the study pursues to explore the perceived social support at the workplace as a conditional factor in the relation between different conflict types and employee loneliness. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected using a self-administered survey from 554 IT employees. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the study postulations. Findings The findings indicated that all three types of conflicts differently associate on both loneliness and well-being. Besides, it found that loneliness works as a mediator between conflict types and employee well-being. Further, perceived social support at the workplace moderates the relationship between different types of conflict, such as relationship, process, task conflicts and employee loneliness at work. Practical implications The study provides helpful directions to HR managers by providing a clear empirical understanding of the types of conflicts and its association on employee-related outcomes. Further, the study highlights the need for developing social support in an organisation during conflict episodes, to manage the adverse association of these conflicts on employee well-being and to restore employee well-being. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, a study has been conducted highlighting the differential association of workplace conflict and employee outcome and indicating its intervening mechanisms and conflict management conditions.