Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heavy upright exercise increases ventilation-perfusion mismatch in the basal lung: indirect evidence for interstitial pulmonary edema.

Ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) mismatch during exercise may result from interstitial pulmonary edema if increased pulmonary vascular pressure causes fluid efflux into the interstitium. If present, the increased fluid may compress small airways or blood vessels, disrupting VA/Q matching, but this is unproven. We hypothesized that VA/Q mismatch would be greatest in basal lung following heavy upright exercise, consistent with hydrostatic forces favoring edema accumulation in the gravitationally dependent lung. We applied new tools to reanalyze previously published magnetic resonance imaging data to determine regional VA/Q mismatch following 45 min of heavy upright exercise in 6 athletes (VO2max = 61±7 ml/kg/min). In the supine posture, regional alveolar ventilation and local perfusion were quantified from specific ventilation imaging, proton density, and arterial spin labeling data in a single sagittal slice of the right lung pre-exercise (PRE), 15 min post-exercise (POST), and in recovery 60 min post-exercise (REC). Indices of VA/Q mismatch (second moments [log scale] of ventilation (LogSDV) and perfusion (LogSDQ) vs VA/Q distributions) were calculated for apical, middle, and basal lung thirds, which represent gravitationally nondependent, middle, and dependent regions, respectively, during upright exercise. LogSDV increased after exercise only in the basal lung (PRE 0.46±0.06, POST 0.57±0.14, REC 0.55±0.14, P = 0.01). Similarly, LogSDQ increased only in the basal lung (PRE 0.40±0.06, POST 0.51±0.10, REC 0.44±0.09, P = 0.04). Increased VA/Q mismatch in the basal lung after exercise is potentially consistent with interstitial pulmonary edema accumulating in gravitationally dependent lung during exercise.
The Absence of Endothelial Sodium Channel α (αENaC) Reduces Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) has a key role in modulating endothelial cell stiffness and this in turn regulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. The physiological relevance of endothelial ENaC in pathological conditions where reduced NO bioavailability plays an essential role remains largely unexplored. Renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is characterized by vasoconstriction and sustained decrease in renal perfusion that is partially explained by a reduction in NO bioavailability. Therefore, we aimed to explore if an endothelial ENaC deficiency has an impact on the severity of renal injury induced by IR. Male mice with a specific endothelial sodium channel α (αENaC) subunit gene inactivation in the endothelium (endo-αENaCKO) and control littermates were subjected to bilateral renal ischemia of 22 min and were studied after 24 h of reperfusion. In control littermates, renal ischemia induced an increase in plasma creatinine and urea, augmented the kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin-2 (NGAL) mRNA levels, and produced severe tubular injury. The absence of endothelial αENaC expression prevented renal tubular injury and renal dysfunction. Moreover, endo-αENaCKO mice recovered faster from renal hypoxia after the ischemia episode as compared to littermates. In human endothelial cells, pharmacological ENaC inhibition promoted endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling and activation. Altogether, these data suggest an important role for endothelial αENaC in kidney IR injury through improving eNOS activation and kidney perfusion, thus, preventing ischemic injury.
Clinical outcomes for 61 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer with synchronous esophageal cancer

Abstract The aim of this research was to provide data from a single-center study of the treatment of synchronous hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) and esophageal cancer (EC) with different treatment modalities. A total of 61 patients with synchronous HPC and EC were included in this study. Patients were treated with radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (28 cases), surgery (9 cases), palliative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy (17 cases), or supportive care (7 cases). The median radiotherapy doses for EC and HPC in the radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy group were 64.5 Gy (range, 0–70) and 70 Gy (range, 60–75.2), respectively. Seven patients in the surgery group received pharyngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction, and two received esophagectomy followed by radiotherapy at the hypopharynx. Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that the outcome of active treatments, including surgery and radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy, was better than that of conservative care. In survival analysis, patients in the surgery group tended to have a better 3-year overall survival rate than those in the radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy group (55.6% vs 30.9%); however, this difference was not statistically different (P = 0.493). The two groups had similar 3-year progression-free survival rates (30.6% and 33.3%, P = 0.420). The current study suggested that radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy should be considered as an important treatment modality in addition to surgery for synchronous HPC and EC.
Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling Wheelchair for Stroke Patients: Design and Preliminary Evaluation Results

People with post-stroke neurological damage may be left with physical impairments deeply affecting their daily life. Using a manual wheelchair is a common manner of locomotion for stroke patients in recovery stage. However, this kind of wheelchair is poor clinical considered and difficult for them to use. A functional electrical stimulation system with cycling system wheelchair (FCW) for hemiplegic patients was designed and proposed in this study. Hemiplegic patients can propel the FCW using both the unaffected and affected legs and can steer the wheelchair efficiently. A clinical evaluation was conducted to assess both the chair's maneuverability and user-satisfaction with the chair. A total of 12 participants were recruited to evaluate the FCW by comparing with a commercially available manual wheelchair (MW). The results inducted that the FCW was more maneuverable than the MW. In addition, participants were more satisfied with the FCW than with the MW. Therefore, we concluded that it is easier and more efficient for hemiplegic stroke patients to operate the FCW than the MW.
Factors predicting difficult endotracheal intubation.

Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure in emergency medicine, and recognizing a potentially difficult intubation is imperative in planning for the procedure. While the "can't intubate, can't ventilate" scenario is rare, it is catastrophic if the airway operator is not prepared.1-3 Thus, predicting factors associated with difficult endotracheal intubation is important for emergency clinicians, with consideration of airway adjuncts such as video laryngoscopy, supraglottic airway devices, and cricothyrotomy.4 Some of the factors associated with intubation failure (or difficult intubation) include a history of prior difficult intubation, limited upper lip bite test (the patient bites the upper lip with his/her lower incisors), retrognathia, short thyromental and hyomental distance, decreased cervical spinal motion, higher modified Mallampati classification (defined by visibility of oropharyngeal structures with maximal mouth opening and tongue protrusion), and composite scores such as the Wilson Score (incorporating weight, mobility of the cervical spine and jaw, retrognathia, and incisor appearance). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Ca2+ flux through splice variants of the ATP-gated ionotropic receptor P2X7 is regulated by its cytoplasmic N terminus

Activation of ionotropic P2X receptors increases free intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) by initiating a transmembrane cation flux. We studied the “a” and “k” splice variants of the rat purinergic P2X7 receptor (rP2X7aR and rP2X7kR) to exhibit a significant difference in Ca2+ flux through this channel. This difference is surprising because the variants share absolute sequence identity in the area of the pore that defines ionic selectivity. Here, we used patch-clamp fluorometry and chimeric receptors to show that the fraction of the total current carried by Ca2+ is a function of the primary sequence of the cytoplasmic N terminus. Using scanning mutagenesis, we identified five sites within the N terminus that respond to mutagenesis with a decrease in fractional calcium current and an increase in permeability to the polyatomic cation, N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG+), relative to Na+ (PNMDG/PNa). We tested the hypothesis that these sites line the permeation pathway by measuring the ability of thiol-reactive MTSET+ to alter the current of cysteine-substituted variants, but we detected no effect. Finally, we studied the homologous sites of the rat P2X2 receptor (rP2X2R) and observed that substitutions at Glu17 significantly reduced the fractional calcium current. Taken together, our results suggest that a change in the structure of the N terminus alters the ability of an intra-pore Ca2+ selectivity filter to discriminate among permeating cations. These results are noteworthy for two reasons: they identify a previously unknown outcome of mutagenesis of the N-terminal domain, and they suggest caution when assigning structure to function for truncated P2X receptors that lack a part of the N terminus.
The zebrafish Cytochrome b5/Cytochrome b5 reductase/NADH system efficiently reduces Cytoglobins 1 and 2 - Conserved activity of Cytochrome b5/Cytochrome b5 reductases during vertebrate evolution.

Cytoglobin is a heme protein evolutionarily related to hemoglobin and myoglobin. Cytoglobin is expressed ubiquitously in mammalian tissues; however its physiological functions are yet unclear. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the cytoglobin gene is highly conserved in vertebrate clades, from fish to reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Most proposed roles for cytoglobin require the maintenance of a pool of reduced cytoglobin (FeII). We have shown previously that the human cytochrome b5 / cytochrome b5 reductase system, considered a quintessential hemoglobin/myoglobin reductant, can reduce human and zebrafish cytoglobins up to 250-fold faster than human hemoglobin or myoglobin. It was unclear whether this reduction of zebrafish cytoglobins by mammalian proteins indicates a conserved pathway through vertebrate evolution. Here we report the reduction of zebrafish cytoglobins 1 and 2 by the zebrafish cytochrome b5 reductase and the two zebrafish cytochrome b5 isoforms. In addition, the reducing system also supports reduction of Globin X, a conserved globin in fish and amphibians. Indeed, the zebrafish reducing system can maintain a fully reduced pool for both cytoglobins, and both cytochrome b5 isoforms can support this process. We determined the P50 for oxygen being 0.5 torr for cytoglobin-1 and 4.4 torr for cytoglobin-2 at 25 °C. Thus, even at low oxygen tension, the reduced cytoglobins may exist in a predominant oxygen-bound form. In these conditions, the cytochrome b5/cytochrome b5 reductase system can support a conserved role for cytoglobins through evolution, providing electrons for redox signaling reactions such as nitric oxide dioxygenation, nitrite reduction or phospholipid oxidation.
Cyclic Stretch Promotes Proliferation and Contraction of Human Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells by Cajal-Mediated c-kit Expression in Interstitial Cells

Background The present study was performed to assess the effect of mechanical stretch on the proliferation and contractile function of hBSMCs. Material/Methods hBSMCs and ICCs were seeded at 8×104 cells/well in 6-well silicone elastomer-bottomed culture plates coated with type I collagen, and grown to 80% confluence in DMEM/10% FBS and a 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere at 37°C. Cells of hBSMCs and hBSMCs/ICCs of co-culture were then subjected to continuous cycles of stretch-relaxation using a computer-driven, stretch-inducing device. The treated concentration of imatinib was 10 μM. Mechanisms underlying observed hBSMCs contraction were examined using Western blotting and RT-PCR. The 0.1 μM carbachol was separately added to the experimental groups, and 300 s was recorded by laser scanning confocal microscope. Results We found that mechanical stretch increased contraction and proliferation of hBSMCs. Calcium ion activity increased significantly after mechanical stretch. The number of hBSMCs was significantly increased after the combination mechanical stretch with ICCs treatment. After combination mechanical stretch with hBSMCs/ICCs treatment, the mRNA and protein level of M2, M3, and c-kit were significantly increased. After combination of mechanical stretch with no imatinib treatment, the proliferation of hBSMCs was higher than others, and the mRNA and protein level of M2 and M3 were significantly increased. Conclusions We revealed that ICCs could promote hBSMC proliferation and contraction, and cyclic stretch could promote acetylcholine receptor M2 and M3 caused by c-kit in the ICCs, which promoted the contraction of hBSMCs.
Low S-adenosylmethionine/ S-adenosylhomocysteine Ratio in Urine is Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in urine with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS Case-control study including 50 patients with CKD and 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS SAM level and SAM/SAH ratio in urine were significantly lower in patients than in control individuals (P <.001 and P = .01, respectively). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was associated with the SAM level (P = .04) and the SAM/SAH ratio in urine (P = .01). CONCLUSION CKD is associated not only with the decline in the SAM level but also with the decrease in the SAM/SAH ratio in urine. Thus, use of the urinary SAM/SAH ratio as a noninvasive diagnostic indicator of renal function seems promising.
Are Collectivistic Cultures More Prone to Rapid Transformation? Computational Models of Cross-Cultural Differences, Social Network Structure, Dynamic Social Influence, and Cultural Change

Societies differ in susceptibility to social influence and in the social network structure through which individuals influence each other. What implications might these cultural differences have for changes in cultural norms over time? Using parameters informed by empirical evidence, we computationally modeled these cross-cultural differences to predict two forms of cultural change: consolidation of opinion majorities into stronger majorities, and the spread of initially unpopular beliefs. Results obtained from more than 300,000 computer simulations showed that in populations characterized by greater susceptibility to social influence, there was more rapid consolidation of majority opinion and also more successful spread of initially unpopular beliefs. Initially unpopular beliefs also spread more readily in populations characterized by less densely connected social networks. These computational outputs highlight the value of computational modeling methods as a means to specify hypotheses about specific ways in which cross-cultural differences may have long-term consequences for cultural stability and cultural change.
The Physiology of Auto Racing: A Brief Review.

INTRODUCTION Auto racing poses a unique set of physiologic challenges for athletes who compete in this sport. These challenges are not widely recognized due to the limited amount of original research in this field and the diffuse nature of this literature. The purpose of this article is to review the major physiologic challenges of auto racing and summarize what is currently known about athletes in this sport. CONCLUSIONS The physical stressors of either driving or servicing the race car are overlaid with particular environmental challenges associated with racing (e.g. thermal, noise, carbon monoxide exposure) that increase the physiological stress on motorsport athletes. Physical stress reflects the muscular work required for car control and control of posture during high gravitational (g) loads: factors that predispose athletes to fatigue. The physiologic effects of these stressors include cardiovascular stress as reflected by prolonged elevation of heart rate, cardiac output, and oxygen consumption in both driver and pit athletes during competition. Psychological stress is evident in autonomic and endocrine responses of athletes during competition. The thermal stress of having to compete wearing multi-layer fire suits and closed helmets in ambient temperatures of 50-60 C results in the ubiquitous risk of dehydration. Published data show that both drivers and pit crew members are accomplished athletes with distinct challenges and abilities. There are gaps in the literature, especially in regard to female, older adult, and child participants. Additionally, minimal literature is available on appropriate training programs to offset the physiological challenges of auto racing.
Effects of Fructose or Glucose on Circulating ApoCIII and Triglyceride and Cholesterol Content of Lipoprotein Subfractions in Humans

ApoCIII and triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins (TRL), particularly, large TG-rich lipoproteins particles, have been described as important mediators of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The effects of sustained consumption of dietary fructose compared with those of sustained glucose consumption on circulating apoCIII and large TRL particles have not been reported. We measured apoCIII concentrations and the TG and cholesterol content of lipoprotein subfractions separated by size in fasting and postprandial plasma collected from men and women (age: 54 ± 8 years) before and after they consumed glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages for 10 weeks. The subjects consuming fructose exhibited higher fasting and postprandial plasma apoCIII concentrations than the subjects consuming glucose (p < 0.05 for both). They also had higher concentrations of postprandial TG in all TRL subfractions (p < 0.05, effect of sugar), with the highest increases occurring in the largest TRL particles (p < 0.0001 for fructose linear trend). Compared to glucose consumption, fructose consumption increased postprandial TG in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (p < 0.05, effect of sugar), especially in the smaller particles (p < 0.0001 for fructose linear trend). The increases of both postprandial apoCIII and TG in large TRL subfractions were associated with fructose-induced increases of fasting cholesterol in the smaller LDL particles. In conclusion, 10 weeks of fructose consumption increased the circulating apoCIII and postprandial concentrations of large TRL particles compared with glucose consumption.
MoTe2 Lateral Homojunction Field-Effect Transistors Fabricated using Flux-Controlled Phase Engineering.

The coexistence of metallic and semiconducting polymorphs in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) can be utilized to solve the large contact resistance issue in TMDC-based field effect transistors (FETs). Semiconducting hexagonal (2H) molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) phase, metallic monoclinic (1T') MoTe2 phase and their lateral homojunctions can be selectively synthesized in situ by chemical vapor deposition due to the small free energy difference between the two phases. Here, we have investigated, in detail, the structural and electrical properties of in-situ-grown lateral 2H/1T' MoTe2 homojunctions grown using flux-controlled phase engineering. Using atomic-resolution plan-view and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy analyses, we show that the round regions of near-single-crystalline 2H-MoTe2 grow out of a polycrystalline 1T'-MoTe2 matrix. We further demonstrate the operation of MoTe2 FETs made on these in-situ-grown lateral homojunctions with 1T' contacts. The use of 1T' phase as electrodes in MoTe2 FETs effectively improves device performance by substantially decreasing the contact resistance. The contact resistance of 1T' electrodes extracted from the transfer length method measurements is 470 ± 30 Ω-μm. Temperature- and gate-voltage-dependent transport characteristics reveal a flat-band barrier height of ~ 30 ± 10 meV at the lateral 2H/1T' interface that is several times smaller, and shows stronger gate modulation, compared to the metal-2H Schottky barrier height. The information learned from this analysis will be critical to understanding the properties of MoTe2 homojunction FETs for use in memory and logic circuity applications.
Gaming in Second Life via Scratch4SL

While pedagogical and technological affordances of three-dimensional (3D) multiuser virtual worlds in various educational disciplines are largely well-known, a study about their effect on high school students’ engagement in introductory programming courses is still lacking. This case study presents students’ opinions about their participation in a 3D multiuser game-like environment, by harnessing Second Life in combination with the two-dimensional (2D) programming environment of Scratch4SL. Following a blended instructional format (face-to-face in a computer laboratory and supplementary online courses), 56 students utilizing Scratch4SL participated in this study, with a view to reduce the “steep learning curve” created during their first-time entrance into Second Life. This study identifies Papert’s theory of Constructionism as a potentially appropriate theoretical foundation for the development of an instructional framework, in order to assist students to coordinate and manage learning materials with other teammates, using their computational thinking skills in collaborative problem-based programming tasks. The study findings based on a mixed-method research (a close-ended questionnaire and an open-ended interview) indicated the effectiveness of this “constructionist-oriented” instructional process for students’ engagement to acquire or empower social, cognitive, higher-order, and computational thinking skills. Educational implications and recommendations for future research are also discussed.
Mid-upper arm circumference predicts death in adult patients admitted to a TB ward in the Philippines: A prospective cohort study

Background The Philippines is ranked 3rd globally for tuberculosis incidence (554/100,000 population). The tuberculosis ward at San Lazaro Hospital, Manila receives 1,800–2,000 admissions of acutely unwell patients per year with high mortality. Objectives of this prospective cohort study were to quantify the association of under-nutrition (primary) and diabetes (secondary) with inpatient mortality occurring between 3–28 days of hospital admission in patients with suspected or previously diagnosed TB. Methods and results We enrolled 360 adults (≥18 years); 348 were eligible for the primary analysis (alive on day 3). Clinical, laboratory, anthropometric and enhanced tuberculosis diagnostic data were collected at admission with telephone tracing for mortality up to 6 months post-discharge. In the primary analysis population (mean age 45 years, SD = 15.0 years, 70% male), 58 (16.7%) deaths occurred between day 3–28 of admission; 70 (20.1%) between day 3 and discharge and documented total post-day 3 mortality including follow-up was 96 (27.6%). In those in whom it could be assessed, body mass index (BMI) ranged from 11.2–30.6 kg/m2 and 141/303 (46.5%) had moderate/severe undernutrition (BMI<17 kg/m2). A sex-specific cut-off for mid-upper arm circumference predictive of BMI<17 kg/m2 was associated with inpatient Day 3–28 mortality in males (AOR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.50–16.86; p = 0.009; p = 0.032 for interaction by sex). The inability to stand for weight/height for BMI assessment was also associated with mortality (AOR = 5.59; 95% CI 2.25–13.89; p<0.001) as was severe compared to normal/mild anaemia (AOR = 9.67; 95% CI 2.48–37.76; p<0.001). No TB specific variables were associated with Day 3–28 mortality, nor was diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5% or diabetes treatment). Similar effects were observed when the same multivariable model was applied to confirmed TB patients only and to the outcome of all post-day 3 in-patient mortality. Conclusion This research supports the use of mid-upper arm circumference for triaging acutely unwell patients and the design and testing of nutrition-based interventions to improve patient outcomes.