Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical demands of elite basketball during an official U18 international tournament

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were (a) to compare players’ physical demands between different playing positions in elite U18 basketball games and (b) to identify different clusters of performance. Data were collected from 94 male subjects (age: 17.4 ± 0.7 years), competing in a Euroleague Basketball Tournament. Guards covered a greater relative distance than centres and forwards (small to moderate effect). Forwards and guards had more peak accelerations, high accelerations and high decelerations than centres (moderate to large effects). A cluster analysis allowed to classify all cases into three different groups (Lower, Medium and Higher activity demands), containing 37.4%, 52.8% and 9.8% of the cases, respectively. The high accelerations, high decelerations, peak accelerations and total distance covered were the variables that most contributed to classify the players into the new groups. The percentage of cases distributed in the clusters according to playing position, game type (worst vs worst, mixed opposition, best vs best) and team were different. Centres have lower physical demands specially related with the number of accelerations and decelerations at high intensity and the peak acceleration when compared with guards. Each team has a different activity profile, that does not seem to influence the tournament outcome.
A rice gene that confers broad-spectrum resistance to β-triketone herbicides

A double-edged rice paddy herbicide A useful herbicide kills weeds but spares the crop of interest. For many rice paddies, the herbicide benzobicyclon (BBC) serves this purpose. But some rice strains are susceptible to BBC, which diminishes its value in weed control. Maeda et al. uncovered the genetic cause controlling the response to the herbicide: resistant rice cultivars have an oxidase that detoxifies BBC herbicides. Susceptible rice varieties carried genetic mutations that disabled the oxidase. The gene HPPD INHIBITOR SENSITIVE 1, which encodes the oxidase, may be useful for developing BBC-resistant crops. Science, this issue p. 393 Herbicide resistance follows from expression of an oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase that detoxifies certain herbicides. The genetic variation of rice cultivars provides a resource for further varietal improvement through breeding. Some rice varieties are sensitive to benzobicyclon (BBC), a β-triketone herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Here we identify a rice gene, HIS1 (HPPD INHIBITOR SENSITIVE 1), that confers resistance to BBC and other β-triketone herbicides. We show that HIS1 encodes an Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate–dependent oxygenase that detoxifies β-triketone herbicides by catalyzing their hydroxylation. Genealogy analysis revealed that BBC-sensitive rice variants inherited a dysfunctional his1 allele from an indica rice variety. Forced expression of HIS1 in Arabidopsis conferred resistance not only to BBC but also to four additional β-triketone herbicides. HIS1 may prove useful for breeding herbicide-resistant crops.
Ameliorative effect of acetylshikonin on ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic rhinitis in mice through the inhibition of Th2 cytokine production and mast cell histamine release

Acetylshikonin has long been known as an anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative reagent. However, the anti‐allergic effect has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acetylshikonin on allergic rhinitis (AR) in mice. Mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA and aluminum hydroxide and challenged with intranasal instillation of OVA. Acetylshikonin was administered orally after nasal cavities challenge. Severity of allergic rhinitis was assessed according to nasal symptoms; serum OVA‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), IgG1, and IgG2a level; and interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10, IL‐5, IL‐13, TNF‐α, IL‐12, and interferon (INF)‐γ levels in nasal lavage fluid (NALF). Additionally, the histological change and the release of histamine in serum and nasal lavage fluid were evaluated by acid‐Schiff stain and ELISA. Acetylshikonin attenuated manifestation of nasal symptoms in sensitized mice and inhibited production of Th2‐related OVA‐specific IgE, IgG1, and Th2 cell‐produced IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and mast cell produced histamine; however, it had no effect on Th1 cell‐produced cytokines, like INF‐γ. In addition, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia was attenuated by acetylshikonin treatment. Our results suggest that acetylshikonin effectively reduces allergic inflammation in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis by its anti‐allergic and anti‐inflammatory properties.
Suppression of Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis Using an MDA-9/Syntenin (SDCBP) PDZ1 Small-Molecule Inhibitor

Metastasis is the primary determinant of death in patients with diverse solid tumors and MDA-9/Syntenin (SDCBP), a pro-metastatic and pro-angiogenic gene, contributes to this process. Recently, we documented that by physically interacting with IGF-1R, MDA-9/Syntenin activates STAT3 and regulates prostate cancer pathogenesis. These observations firmly established MDA-9/Syntenin as a potential molecular target in prostate cancer. MDA-9/Syntenin contains two highly homologous PDZ domains predicted to interact with a plethora of proteins, many of which are central to the cancerous process. An MDA-9/Syntenin PDZ1 domain-targeted small molecule (PDZ1i) was previously developed using fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) guided by NMR spectroscopy and was found to be well-tolerated in vivo, had significant half-life (t1/2 = 9 hours) and displayed substantial anti-prostate cancer preclinical in vivo activity. PDZ1i blocked tumor cell invasion and migration in vitro, and metastasis in vivo. Hence, we demonstrate that PDZ1i an MDA-9/Syntenin PDZ1 target-specific small-molecule inhibitor displays therapeutic potential for prostate and potentially other cancers expressing elevated levels of MDA-9/Syntenin.
Probiotic supplementation in well children: A scoping review

Probiotic supplements have been suggested as therapy for a range of health problems in children. This article aims to map the literature around probiotic use in well children, with a focus on prevalence. Using a scoping review methodology, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, HealthSource and SAGE, as well as Google and MedNar for grey literature, in July 2018. We followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and used the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool to assess articles for quality. Seven studies including a total of 24,742 children were identified. The prevalence of probiotic use ranged from 4% to 51%. The most common predictors of use were parental probiotic use, and higher maternal education and income. Only one small study reported the strains of probiotics used. Neither the reasons for using probiotics, nor parental perceptions of efficacy were adequately explored. Most parents obtained their information about probiotics from the Internet or family members. Despite the number of children in the community reported to have used probiotics, there are few well-designed and/or well-reported studies of prevalence, and inadequate data concerning the strains of probiotics used, reasons for their use and their perceived efficacy.
Demographics, management and outcome of females and males with acute respiratory distress syndrome in the LUNG SAFE prospective cohort study

Rationale We wished to determine the influence of sex on the management and outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients in the Large Observational Study to Understand the Global Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Failure (LUNG SAFE). Methods We assessed the effect of sex on mortality, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in patients with ARDS who underwent IMV, adjusting for plausible clinical and geographic confounders. Findings Of 2377 patients with ARDS, 905 (38%) were female and 1472 (62%) were male. There were no sex differences in clinician recognition of ARDS or critical illness severity profile. Females received higher tidal volumes (8.2±2.1 versus 7.2±1.6 mL·kg−1; p<0.0001) and higher plateau and driving pressures compared with males. Lower tidal volume ventilation was received by 50% of females compared with 74% of males (p<0.0001). In shorter patients (height ≤1.69 m), females were significantly less likely to receive lower tidal volumes. Surviving females had a shorter duration of IMV and reduced length of stay compared with males. Overall hospital mortality was similar in females (40.2%) versus males (40.2%). However, female sex was associated with higher mortality in patients with severe confirmed ARDS (OR for sex (male versus female) 0.35, 95% CI 0.14–0.83). Conclusions Shorter females with ARDS are less likely to receive lower tidal volume ventilation, while females with severe confirmed ARDS have a higher mortality risk. These data highlight the need for better ventilatory management in females to improve their outcomes from ARDS. Shorter females with ARDS were less likely to receive lower tidal volume ventilation than shorter males, while mortality rates were higher in females with confirmed severe ARDS. Better ventilatory management may improve outcomes in females with ARDS. http://bit.ly/2JIsUBz
Gender differences in the rat corpus callosum: An ultrastructure study

Sexual dimorphism exists at all levels of the nervous system, from genetic, anatomical and system levels. The sexual dimorphism in the axonal content of the corpus callosum (CC) has always been controversial; hence, the aim of this study was to analyse the differences in total, myelinated and unmyelinated axons density of various regions of the CC between male and female rats. To assess that, six pairs of adult male and female rats were perfused and the CC was removed and sectioned. Four sections from different subregions of the corpus callosum that represent the genu, anterior body, posterior body, and splenium, were stained, and electron microscopic images were captured using stereological guidelines. Later, the axons density for each subregion was calculated and compared between males and females. The findings of the present study indicated region‐specific differences in the myelinated, unmyelinated or the ratio of myelinated/total axons in the CC between male and female rats.
“In Africa, There Was No Family Planning. Every Year You Just Give Birth”: Family Planning Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Somali and Congolese Refugee Women After Resettlement to the United States

It is crucial for refugee service providers to understand the family planning knowledge, attitudes, and practices of refugee women following third country resettlement. Using an ethnographic approach rooted in Reproductive Justice, we conducted six focus groups that included 66 resettled Somali and Congolese women in a western United States (US) metropolitan area. We analyzed data using modified grounded theory. Three themes emerged within the family planning domain: (a) concepts of family, (b) fertility management, and (c) unintended pregnancy. We contextualized these themes within existing frameworks for refugee cultural transition under the analytic paradigms of “pronatalism and stable versus evolving family structure” and “active versus passive engagement with family planning. ” Provision of just and equitable family planning care to resettled refugee women requires understanding cultural relativism, social determinants of health, and how lived experiences influence family planning conceptualization. We suggest a counseling approach and provider practice recommendations based on our study findings.
Effectiveness of Hatha Yoga Versus Conventional Therapeutic Exercises for Chronic Nonspecific Low-Back Pain.

Objective: To determine whether the effectiveness of Hatha yoga therapy is comparable to conventional therapeutic exercises (CTEs) for reducing back pain intensity and back-related dysfunction in patients with chronic nonspecific low-back pain (CNLBP). Design: The study was a prospective randomized comparative trial, divided into two phases: an initial 6-weekly supervised intervention period followed by a 6-week follow-up period. Settings: This study was conducted at Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research of a tertiary care hospital. Subjects: Patients between 18 and 55 years of age with complaint of CNLBP persisting ≥12 weeks with pain rating ≥4 on a numerical rating scale (0-10). Intervention: A total of six standardized 35-min weekly Hatha yoga sessions (yoga group) and similarly 35-min weekly sessions of CTEs (CTE group), designed for people with CNLBP unaccustomed to structured yoga or CTE program. Participants were asked to practice on nonclass days at home. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) (0-10) and 24-point Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). Secondary outcomes were pain medication usage per week and a postintervention Perceived recovery (Likert seven-point scale) of back-related dysfunction. Outcomes were recorded at the baseline, 6-week follow-up, and 12-week follow-up. Results: Seventy subjects were randomized to either yoga (n = 35) or CTE group (n = 35). Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat, with last observation carried forward. Both yoga and the CTE group have shown significant improvement in back pain intensity and back-related dysfunction within both the groups at 6- and 12-week follow-ups compared to baseline. No statistically significant differences in the pain intensity (DVPRS; at 6 weeks: n = 35, difference of medians 1.0, 95% confidence interval [-5.3 to 3.0], p = 0.5; at 12 weeks: n = 35, 0.0 [-4.2 to 5.0], 0.7) and back-related dysfunction (RDQ; at 6 weeks: n = 35, 1.0 [-9.6 to 10.6], 0.4; at 12 weeks: n = 35, 0.0 [-8.8 to 10.6], 0.3) were noted between two groups. Improvements in pill consumption and perceived recovery were also comparable between the groups. Conclusion: Yoga provided similar improvement compared with CTEs, in patients with CNLBP.
Solving Groundwater Flow Problems with Time Series Analysis: You May Not Even Need Another Model

Time series analysis is a data‐driven approach to analyze time series of heads measured in an observation well. Time series models are commonly much simpler and give much better fits than regular groundwater models. Time series analysis with response functions gives insight into why heads vary, while such insight is difficult to gain with black box models out of the artificial intelligence world. An important application is to quantify the contributions to the head variation of different stresses on the aquifer, such as rainfall and evaporation, pumping, and surface water levels. Time series analysis may be applied to answer many groundwater questions without the need for a regular groundwater model, such as what is the drawdown caused by a pumping station? Or, how long will it take before groundwater levels recover after a period of drought? Even when a regular groundwater model is needed to solve a groundwater problem, time series analysis can be of great value. It can be used to clean up the data, identify the major stresses on the aquifer, determine the most important processes that affect flow in the aquifer, and give an indication of the fit that can be expected. In addition, it can be used to determine calibration targets for steady‐state models, and it can provide several alternative calibration methods for transient models. In summary, the overarching message of this paper is that it would be wise to do time series analysis for any application that uses measured groundwater heads.
Suicide Risk in Bipolar Disorder: A Brief Review

Bipolar disorders (BDs) are prevalent mental health illnesses that affect about 1–5% of the total population, have a chronic course and are associated with a markedly elevated premature mortality. One of the contributors for the decreased life expectancy in BD is suicide. Accordingly, the rate of suicide among BD patients is approximately 10–30 times higher than the corresponding rate in the general population. Extant research found that up to 20% of (mostly untreated) BD subjects end their life by suicide, and 20–60% of them attempt suicide at least one in their lifetime. In our paper we briefly recapitulate the current knowledge on the epidemiological aspects of suicide in BD as well as factors associated with suicidal risk in BD. Furthermore, we also discuss concisely the possible means of suicide prevention in BD.
Effectiveness and safety of transvenous extraction of single- versus dual-coil implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads at single-center experience

Abstract The available literature lacks data concerning direct comparison of the effectiveness and safety of single- versus dual-coil implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads transvenous extraction. Certainly, additional shocking coil in superior vena cava adds to the amount of metal in the vascular system. Adhesions developing around the superior vena cava coil add to the difficulty of extraction of ICD lead if lead removal is required. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of single- and dual-coil ICD leads transvenous extraction using mechanical systems. We performed transvenous lead extraction (TLE) of 197 ICD leads in 196 patients. There were 46 (23.3%) dual-coil leads removed from 46 (23.5%) patients. Cardiovascular implantable electronic device-related infection was an indication for TLE in 25.0% of patients. The following extracting techniques were used: manual direct traction, mechanical telescopic sheaths, controlled-rotation mechanical sheaths, and femoral approach. Complete ICD lead removal and complete procedural success in both groups were similar (99.3% in single-coil vs 97.8% in dual-coil, P = .41 and 99.3% in single-coil vs 97.8% in dual-coil, P = 0.41, respectively). We did not find significant difference between major and minor complication rates in both groups (2.0% in single-coil vs 4.3% in dual-coil, and 0.7% in single-coil vs 0.0% in dual-coil, P = .58, respectively). There was 1 death associated with the TLE procedure of single-coil lead. This study shows that extraction of dual-coil leads seems to be comparably safe and effective to extraction of single-coil leads. On the other hand, it requires longer fluoroscopy time and frequent utilization of advanced tools.
Hurthle cell predominance impacts results of Afirma gene expression classifier and ThyroSeq molecular panel performance in indeterminate thyroid nodules

Molecular tests such as the Afirma gene expression classifier (GEC) and mutational panels (such as ThyroSeq) have been introduced to help risk stratify cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with the aim to reduce the number of unnecessary thyroidectomies. Some reports have suggested that samples with Hurthle cell predominance have higher false‐positive rates on GEC testing, but data are limited.
Effects of Initial Age and Severity on Cranial Remolding Orthotic Treatment for Infants with Deformational Plagiocephaly

The aim of this study is to review the effects of an infant’s presenting age and severity of deformation on cranial remolding orthotic (CRO) treatment outcomes for patients with deformational plagiocephaly. This study is a retrospective chart review of 499 infants with non-synostotic plagiocephaly who completed CRO treatment. Data collected included age at start of treatment, head shape measurements before and after treatment, total months of CRO treatment, and other factors such as presence/absence of prematurity. The infants were divided into subgroups according to age and severity at initiation of treatment and data for subgroups was analyzed to track the change in head shape over the course of treatment, review overall treatment duration, and discuss the rate of change of cranial deformation. Overall, treatment times tended to statistically increase with increasing initial severity and age. Posttreatment asymmetry measurements statistically trended to greater residual deformation in infants who began treatment in the older or more severe subcategories. This indicates that younger and less severe infants have shorter treatment durations and less residual cranial deformation after CRO treatment. Therefore, clinical consideration may need to be taken to treat infants at younger ages or prior to progression of the cranial deformity.
Peramorphosis, an evolutionary developmental mechanism in neotropical bat skull diversity

The neotropical leaf‐nosed bats (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) are an ecologically diverse group of mammals with distinctive morphological adaptations associated with specialized modes of feeding. The dramatic skull shape changes between related species result from changes in the craniofacial development process, which brings into focus the nature of the underlying evolutionary developmental processes.
GPs’ perspectives on eHealth use in the Czech Republic: a cross-sectional mixed-design survey study

Background Digitalisation of health services is among the top priorities of the European Union (EU), yet take-up of eHealth tools is slower in some EU countries than others. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of information communication technology (ICT) and eHealth tools by Czech GPs, to elucidate their motivation and barriers to the adoption of eHealth technologies. Design & setting A cross-sectional, mixed-design survey study, administered online and conducted with GPs from seven randomly selected Czech regions. Of the invited 777 GPs, 196 participants responded (25% response rate) and 153 completed the survey. Method Quantitative (measured using, for example, the eHealth readiness scale) and qualitative (thematic analysis) methods were used. Results Hierarchical multilinear regression (controling for age, sex, and city size) showed that ICT usage in general practice was predicted by eHealth readiness. Among GPs with their own practice, age and practice size also predicted ICT use. Analysis of barriers specific to mobile health tools identified obstacles on the side of GPs (such as low perceived usefulness), patients (such as lack of interest), and contextual barriers (such as lack of time). Conclusion In addition to system-level change, educating Czech GPs about the benefits of eHealth tools for better patient–provider interaction and quality of care is necessary to facilitate eHealth adoption and usage in the Czech Republic.
Underwater hearing in sea snakes (Hydrophiinae): first evidence of auditory evoked potential thresholds

ABSTRACT The viviparous sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) are a secondarily aquatic radiation of more than 60 species that possess many phenotypic adaptations to marine life. However, virtually nothing is known of the role and sensitivity of hearing in sea snakes. This study investigated the hearing sensitivity of the fully marine sea snake Hydrophis stokesii by measuring auditory evoked potential (AEP) audiograms for two individuals. AEPs were recorded from 40 Hz (the lowest frequency tested) up to 600 Hz, with a peak in sensitivity identified at 60 Hz (163.5 dB re. 1 µPa or 123 dB re. 1 µm s−2). Our data suggest that sea snakes are sensitive to low-frequency sounds but have relatively low sensitivity compared with bony fishes and marine turtles. Additional studies are required to understand the role of sound in sea snake life history and further assess these species' vulnerability to anthropogenic noise. Summary: The first audiograms of auditory evoked potentials for any aquatic snake show that Stokes’s sea snake, Hydrophis stokesii, can detect low-frequency underwater sounds (40–600 Hz).