Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Midlife resting heart rate, but not its visit-to-visit variability, is associated with late-life frailty status in men with coronary heart disease

Abstract Background Autonomic imbalance is linked with multiple health conditions, yet its associations with frailty were rarely studied. We assessed the relationship of resting heart rate (RHR) and visit-to-visit heart rate variability (HRV) with future frailty among elderly men with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Three-hundred-six community-dwelling men with CHD who participated in the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP) trial (1990-1998; mean age 56.6 ± 6.5 years) underwent assessment of physical frailty in 2011–2013 (mean age 77.0 ± 6.4 years). Mean RHR and visit-to-visit HRV were calculated from electrocardiogram as indicators of autonomic imbalance. Nominal logistic and linear regression models were used to assess the relationships of RHR and HRV with frailty status and its components (i.e. gait speed, grip strength, weight loss, exhaustion and activity), respectively. Adjustments were made for various demographic, clinical and metabolic covariates. Results Of the 306 men, 81 (26%) were frail and 117 (38%) were prefrail. After controlling for potential confounders, RHR, but not visit-to-visit HRV, was associated with higher odds of being prefrail [OR = 1.44 (95%CI 1.15, 1.79)] and frail [OR = 1.35 (95%CI 1.03, 1.77)]. Each 5-bpm increase in RHR was associated with weaker grip (β= −1.12 ± 0.32 kg; p-value < .001) and slower gait speed (β = 0.19 ± 0.08s/m; p-value = .022). Conclusions Midlife RHR may be associated with late-life frailty in men with CHD.
Absence of hyperexcitability of spinal motoneurons in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

•Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) motoneurons become hypoexcitable with disease progression in experimental models, raising questions about the neural hyperexcitability supported by clinical observations. •A variant of the ∆F method, based on motor unit discharge frequency modulations during recruitment and derecruitment, has been developed to investigate the motoneuron capacity to self‐sustained discharge in patients. •The modulation of motor unit firing rate during ramp contraction and vibration‐induced recruitment are modified in ALS, suggesting lower motoneuron capacity to self‐sustained discharge, which is a sign of hypoexcitability. •∆F‐D decreases with functional impairment and its reduction is more pronounced in fast progressors. •In patients with ALS, motoneurons exhibit hypoexcitability, which increases with disease progression.
Validity and Reliability of the Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat 5 Repetition Maximum to Determine Unilateral Leg Strength Symmetry.

Helme, M, Bishop, C, Emmonds, S, and Low, C. Validity and reliability of the rear foot elevated split squat 5 repetition maximum to determine unilateral leg strength symmetry. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the rear foot elevated split squat (RFESS) 5 repetition maximum (5RM) test as a field method for measuring unilateral leg strength symmetry. As a validated method of testing symmetry, the RFESS 5RM may be used by strength and conditioning coaches and sports medicine staff to measure the presence of imbalances with minimal equipment and time. Twenty-six subjects (age = 23.8 ± 4.6 years, mass = 88.1 ± 10.7 kg, and height = 1.79 ± 0.1 m) with a minimum 2 years of strength and conditioning experience were recruited. After a familiarization session, subjects performed an incremental 5RM protocol on both legs, on 2 occasions where 3D motion and force data were collected. Moderate reliability of bar load symmetry was found between test and retest conditions correlation (intraclass coefficient = 0.73, 0.33-0.91) with no proportional bias between sessions. Validation of the exercise was analyzed using a correlation between asymmetries in mean set vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) of the lead foot during the concentric phase, with bar load. When all maximal trials, from both test conditions, were analyzed, a most likely large positive correlation (0.57, 0.30-0.76) was found for mean set concentric lead foot vGRF. When a threshold level of load symmetry (96.54-103.46%) was applied, a most likely large positive correlation (r = 0.59, 0.14-0.84) between symmetry in lead foot vGRF was found in subjects who exceeded this limit. Conversely, analysis of subjects within the threshold produced unclear correlations. Findings of this study suggest the RFESS is a valid and reliable measure of unilateral leg strength symmetry. Practitioners are recommended to use this exercise to investigate the strength symmetry of athletes, but are guided to note that a threshold level of symmetry (96.54-103.46%) may be required to have been exceeded to indicate a true difference in vGRF production.
Dupilumab Efficacy in Patients With Uncontrolled, Moderate-to-Severe Allergic Asthma

J Corren, M Castro, T O’Riordan. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract . 2020;8(2):516–526 IL-4 and IL-13 are drivers of type 2 inflammation, including IgE-mediated allergic inflammation in asthma. Dupilumab blocks the shared receptor component for IL-4 and IL-13, inhibiting subsequent signaling of cytokines which drive type 2 inflammation. This study evaluated the effect of dupilumab on asthma outcome measures in subgroups of patients with asthma. This study is a post hoc analysis of patients enrolled in a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety of dupilumab, which enrolled adolescents and adults ≥12 years with physician-diagnosed asthma receiving treatment with a medium-to-high …
Nonintubated Uniportal Thoracoscopic Thymectomy with Laryngeal Mask

Abstract Objective To investigate whether laryngeal mask anesthesia had more favorable postoperative outcomes than double-lumen tube intubation anesthesia in uniportal thoracoscopic thymectomy. Methods Data were collected retrospectively from December 2013 to December 2017. A total of 96 patients with anterior mediastinum mass underwent nonintubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy with laryngeal mask, and 129 patients underwent intubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. A single incision of ∼3 cm was made in an intercostal space along the anterior axillary line. Perioperative outcomes between nonintubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NU-VATS) and intubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (IU-VATS) were compared. Results In both groups, incision size was kept to a minimum, with a median of 3 cm, and complete thymectomy was performed in all patients. Mean operative time was 61 minutes. The mean lowest SpO2 during operation was not significantly different. However, the mean peak end-tidal carbon dioxide in the NU-VATS group was higher than in the IU-VATS group. Mean chest tube duration in NU-VATS group was 1.9 days. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.5 days, with a range of 1 to 4 days. Time to oral fluid intake in the NU-VATS group was significantly less than in the IU-VATS group (p < 0.01). Several complications were significantly less in the NU-VATS group than in the IU-VATS group, including sore throat, nausea, irritable cough, and urinary retention. Conclusion Compared with intubated approach, nonintubated uniportal thoracoscopic thymectomy with laryngeal mask is feasible for anterior mediastinum lesion, and patients recovered faster with less complications.
Onset of Appearance and Potential Significance of Telocytes in the Developing Fetal Lung

Abstract CD34, vimentin, and vascular endothelial growth factor immunohistochemical analysis and electron microscopic tools were employed to record the initial appearance of telocytes (TCs) and stage-by-stage variations in TC localizations in the developing rabbit lung. TCs could not be identified in the primitive embryonic lung until day 18 of gestation. In the pseudoglandular lung, CD34+ TCs had been recorded under the cartilage of the main bronchus, in the wall of large-sized pulmonary vessels and large epithelial tubes. In the canalicular phase, TCs could be demonstrated in the smooth muscle layer of the bronchioles including the terminal ones. The strength of CD34 immunoreactive signals had been amplified by age until the day of parturition. Ultrastructurally, TCs consisted of a tiny body and exceptionally long telopodes (Tps). The Tp consisted of alternating thin segments (podomers) and dilated ones (podoms). The Tp sometimes branched with a dichotomous pattern. TCs interconnected in a network either by homocellular junctions with neighboring TCs or by heterocellular junctions with smooth muscle cells and alveolar cells. Collectively, early detection of TCs in pulmonary vessels suggests a potential role for TCs in their angiogenesis. For the lung tissue, TCs seem to be involved in the regulation of lung histogenesis.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND GROUP PROCESSES Acquiring Group Bias: Observing Other People’s Nonverbal Signals Can Create Social Group Biases

Evidence of group bias based on race, ethnicity, nationality, and language emerges early in the life span. Although understanding the initial acquisition of group bias has critical theoretical and practical implications, precisely how group biases are acquired has been understudied. In two preregistered experiments, we tested the hypothesis that generalized social group biases can be acquired through exposure to positive nonverbal signals directed toward a novel adult from one group and more negative nonverbal signals directed toward a novel adult from another group. We sought to determine whether children would acquire global nonverbal signal-consistent social group biases that extended beyond their explicit social preferences, by measuring children’s preferences, imitation, and behavioral intentions. Supporting our preregistered hypotheses, preschool-age participants favored small and large groups whose member received positive nonverbal signals, relative to groups whose member received more negative nonverbal signals. We also replicated prior work indicating that children will acquire individual target biases from the observation of biased nonverbal signals. Here we make the case that generalized social group biases can be rapidly and unintentionally transmitted on the basis of observational learning from nonverbal signals.
Effects of Taichi exercise on knee and ankle proprioception among individuals with knee osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT The study aimed to investigate the effects of 24 weeks Taichi intervention on knee and ankle proprioception amongst individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Ninety-two patients with KOA were included in the current study, involving 52 participants in the intervention group and 40 participants in the control group. The intervention group performed Taichi exercise for 24 weeks, the control group accepted the health education lectures. The main outcome of this study was the proprioception of the knee and ankle which was measured by an electric-driven movable frame. Between- and within-group differences were evaluated through the repeated-measurement ANOVA. For the Taichi group, the differences in the changes in ankle proprioception were significant on ankle plantarflexion (p = 0.03), ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.043), ankle varus (p = 0.019) and knee flexion (p = 0.01) between the baseline and post-test measures. Twenty-four weeks Taichi exercise may improve the ankle and knee proprioception of patients with KOA.
Assessing washing methods for reduction of pesticide residues in Capia pepper with LC-MS/MS

Abstract The effects of washing treatments on removal rates of some pesticides residues (acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos and formetanate hydrochloride) on pepper were investigated. Method verification was conducted through spiking pepper samples at 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 × MRL. QuEChERS method produced average recovery of 104.91% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 13.41%. LOQ values of acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos and formetanate hydrochloride were estimated as 2, 10 and 5 µg/kg, respectively. Capia peppers grown in open fields were sprayed three times with pesticides. Peppers were harvested after 1st, 2nd and 3rd day of the treatments. Then the peppers were subjected to tap water, acetic acid and citric acid washing and ultrasonic cleaning treatments (for 2 and 5 min). Based on three different harvest times and two different washing durations, processing factors (PFs) and reduction rates were calculated for each washing treatment. The residues gradually decreased during washing treatments with increasing process duration. Similarly, a gradual reduction was noted with the progress of harvest times. This in turn corresponded to an increase in PF. Ultrasonic cleaning and citric acid (9%) washing were more effective than the others. Non-systemic pesticides (chlorpyrifos) were more readily removed than the systemic ones (acetamiprid). Similarly, highly soluble pesticides exhibited higher reduction.
Effect of different inoculation strategies of selected yeast and LAB cultures on Conservolea and Kalamàta table olives considering phenol content, texture and sensory attributes.

BACKGROUND In the present work, the effect of different inoculation strategies of selected starters i.e., yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB), used for the fermentation process of two Greek olive cultivars namely, Conservolea and Kalamàta was studied. The applied LAB strains were Leuconostoc mesenteroides K T5-1 and L. plantarum A 135-5, whereas the yeast selected strains were S. cerevisiae KI 30-16 and Debaryomyces hansenii A 15-44 for Kalamàta and Conservolea olives, respectively. RESULTS Table olives fermentation processes were monitored by performing microbiological analyses, changes in pH, titratable acidity and salinity, sugar consumption and volatile compounds evolution. Structural modifications occurring in phenolic compounds of brines were investigated during the fermentations using liquid chromatography/diode array detection/electrospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC/DAD/ESI-MSn ) and quantified by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a diode array detector. Phenolic compounds in processed Kalamàta olive brines consisted of phenolic acids, verbascoside, caffeoyl-6-secologanoside, comselogoside and the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethylelenolic acid linked to hydroxytyrosol, whereas oleoside and oleoside 11-methyl ester were identified only in Conservolea olive brines. CONCLUSION Volatile profile and sensory evaluation revealed that MIX (co-inoculum of yeast and LAB strain) inoculation strategy led to the most aromatic and acceptable Kalamàta olives. For the Conservolea table olives, YL treatment gave the most aromatic and the overall most acceptable product. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Multimodal approach towards understanding the changes in the autonomic nervous system induced by an ultramarathon

ABSTRACT Purpose: Running an ultramarathon can be considered as a multifaceted, intense stressor inducing changes within the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aim of this study was to examine changes within and across ANS modalities in response to an ultramarathon. Methods: Thirteen runners (44.3 ± 5.9 years) completed a 65 km run. Electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate (HR), and skin temperature measured at wrist (Temp), were recorded before and after running. Three-minute intervals were analysed. Mean values were compared by t-tests for dependent samples. Joint principal component analysis-canonical correlation analysis (PCA-CCA) and multiset CCA techniques were employed to measure the interactions between either any two or among all modalities. Results: HR (p < 0.01) and EDA (p < 0.01) increased, while Temp decreased (p < 0.01). PCA-CCA revealed one significant component (p < 0.05) for each modality pair in pre and post measures. Component strength increased from pre (mean = 0.73) to post (mean = 0.92) test. Multiset CCA supported the assumption of increasing strength of correlations across modalities. Conclusion: Ultramarathon, an intense physical stressor, increases correlations across modalities pointing towards a reorganization of central ANS control to restore dynamic balance after physical load. This characterization of ANS-states might offer new avenues for training control.
Characteristics and Risk Factors for Pupillary Capture of Intraocular Lens in Congenital Ectopia Lentis

ABSTRACT Importance: To analyze the characteristics and risk factors for pupillary capture (PC) of the intraocular lens (IOL) in congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) patients. Methods: Data of CEL patients who underwent lens extraction and intraocular implantation from 2013 to 2016 at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in China were collected. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL), refractive status, corneal curvature, intraocular pressure (IOP), degree of lens dislocation, presence of strabismus, and methods of IOL fixation were recorded. Postoperative data were collected from the routine one-month postoperative follow-up. Patients with PC of IOL were characterized and risk factors for PC of IOL were analyzed using age-sex adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 89 included CEL subjects, 43.8% (39/89) of them suffered from PC after IOL implantation. There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA, AL, refractive status and IOP between the eyes which developed PC versus those which did not. Age-sex multiple logistic regression analysis shows that PC of IOL was associated with a more severe degree of lens dislocation and eyes with strabismus before surgery. Conclusions: Eyes with strabismus and more severe degrees of lens dislocation before surgery are risk factors for PC of IOL. When treating patients that present these risk factors, preoperative communication, and postoperative follow-up should be strengthened. Considering that PC of IOL has little effect on visual acuity, patients with slight PC of IOL can be exempt from surgical intervention.
Depressive psychopathology in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

Abstract Background Despite knowing for many decades that depressive psychopathology is common in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES), there is limited knowledge regarding the extent and nature of such psychopathology (degree of comorbidity, caseness, severity) and its demographic, clinical, functional and treatment correlates. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of depressive disorder and caseness, and the pooled mean severity of depressive symptoms, as well as the demographic, illness, functional and treatment correlates of depressive psychopathology in FES. Methods This systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression was prospectively registered (CRD42018084856) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Results Forty studies comprising 4041 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of depressive disorder and caseness was 26.0% (seven samples, N = 855, 95% CI 22.1–30.3) and 43.9% (11 samples, N = 1312, 95% CI 30.3–58.4), respectively. The pooled mean percentage of maximum depressive symptom severity was 25.1 (38 samples, N = 3180, 95% CI 21.49–28.68). Correlates of depressive psychopathology were also found. Conclusions At least one-quarter of individuals with FES will experience, and therefore require treatment for, a full-threshold depressive disorder. Nearly half will experience levels of depressive symptoms that are severe enough to warrant diagnostic investigation and therefore clinical intervention – regardless of whether they actually fulfil diagnostic criteria for a depressive disorder. Depressive psychopathology is prominent in FES, manifesting not only as superimposed comorbidity, but also as an inextricable symptom domain.
Author's Response to Correspondence on Article "The Unfiltered Nanofat: a Great Source of Staminal Cells".

Dear Sir, T hank you for your interest in our article “Unfiltered Nanofat Injections Rejuvenate Postburn Scars of Face” published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery. We achieved good results on all parameters of the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale scale using unfiltered nanofat to rejuvenate postburn scars similar to the study of Furno et al. Although we did not have the facility for enumerating the adipose tissue derived stem cells (ASCs) in the unfiltered nanofat specimen, the study by the aforementioned authors provided a plausible rationale for our results and affirmed our mantra that the mechanical stresses exerted by filtration would logically be deleterious to the precious ASCs. Goisis et al used unfiltered nanofat to successfully treat tear trough deformities. Similar to us, they lacked the equipment for filtration and instead used 1.5-mm cannulas to suction the nanofat. However, quantification of the ASCs was not done in their study as well. Mashiko et al in their study “Mechanical micronization of lipoaspirates: Squeeze and emulsification techniques” published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2017mentioned the noxious effect of filtration on the adipocytes. Tonnard et al, who pioneered the use of nanofat and used filtration twice in his technique states that very few adipocytes survive the mechanical stresses of filtration. He did not however study the damage inflicted on the ASCs by the filtration process. The final step of filtration was used to facilitate injection by 27-G needles, as it generated an almost fluid form of nanofat. We used blood transfusion set needles to inject the denser unfiltered nonfat without any remnant scarring at all. Similar to Tonnard et al's nanofat, there were no granulomas or fat cysts with the unfiltered version of the nanofat. Alexander in his article “Understanding Adipose-derived Stromal Vascular Fraction (AD-SVF) Cell Biology and Use on the Basis of Cellular, Chemical, Structural and Paracrine Components: AConcise Review” terms Tonnard et al's filtered nanofat as tissue stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which is the main source of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells, the quintessential elements for regeneration and rejuvenation. Further enzymatic degradation of the tissue SVF would yield the cellular SVF, a purer assembly of the coveted stem cells.
Pharmacokinetics and drug delivery systems for puerarin, a bioactive flavone from traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is a medicinal and edible homologous plant with a long history in China. Puerarin, the main component isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties. Daidzein and glucuronides are the main metabolites of puerarin and are excreted in the urine and feces. As active substrates of P-gp, multidrug resistance-associated protein and multiple metabolic enzymes, the pharmacokinetics of puerarin can be influenced by different pathological conditions and drug-drug interactions. Due to the poor water-solubility and liposolubility, the applications of puerarin are limited. So far, only puerarin injections and eye drops are on the market. Recent years, researches on improving the bioavailability of puerarin are developing rapidly, various nanotechnologies and preparation technologies including microemulsions and SMEDDS, dendrimers, nanoparticles and nanocrystals have been researched to improve the bioavailability of puerarin. In order to achieve biocompatibility and desired activity, more effective quality evaluations of nanocarriers are required. In this review, we summarize the pharmacokinetics and drug delivery systems of puerarin up to date.