Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The First Report of Differences in Gut Microbiota Composition between Obese and Normal Weight Iranian Subjects

Background: Obesity is a complex disorder influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. It has been shown that gut microbiota, which colonizes gastrointestinal tract, has a substantial role as an environmental factor in the pathophysiology of obesity. Since the composition of gut microbiota alters with regard to different criteria, such as ethnicity, geographical location, diet, lifestyle, age, and gender, we aimed to determine F/B ratio and the abundance of important gut microbiota members, A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Prevotella in Iranian obese and normal weight individuals, for the first time. Methods: In this study, 50 normal and 50 obese subjects were recruited and classified based on their BMI into normal weight and obese groups. Stool samples were collected. Following DNA extraction from the samples, qPCR was conducted based on 16s rDNA universal primers. Finally, the correlation between the bacterial abundance and obesity was analyzed by statistical analyses. Results: We observed a significant increase of F/B ratio in the obese group, compared to the normal weight group (p = 0.002). Although A. muciniphila (p = 0.039) and Bifidobacterium (p = 0.049) abundance significantly decreased, the abundance of F. prausnitzii (p = 0.046) significantly elevated with BMI increase in the studied groups. Conclusion: Owing to the importance of the gut microbiota composition in obesity development, determination and targeted restoration of gut microbiota pattern could be valuable in the control and treatment of obesity in certain populations.
Understanding the Factors Influencing Junior Doctors’ Career Decision-Making to Address Rural Workforce Issues: Testing a Conceptual Framework

Medical graduates’ early career is known to be disorienting, and career decision-making is influenced by a complex set of factors. There is a strong association between rural background and rural undergraduate training and rural practice, and personal and family factors have been shown to influence workplace location, but the interaction between interest, training availability, and other work-relevant factors has not yet been fully explored. A qualitative study conducted by the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA) and WA Country Health Service (WACHS) explored factors influencing the decision to pursue rural work among junior doctors. Data collection and analysis was iterative. In total, 21 junior doctors were recruited to participate in semi-structured telephone interviews. Two main themes relating to the systems of influence on career decision-making emerged: (1) The importance of place and people, and (2) the broader context. We found that career decision-making among junior doctors is influenced by a complex web of factors operating at different levels. As Australia faces the challenge of developing a sustainable rural health workforce, developing innovative, flexible strategies that are responsive to the individual aspirations of its workforce whilst still meeting its healthcare service delivery needs will provide a way forward.
Composition-function analysis of HDL subpopulations: influence of lipid composition on particle functionality[S]

The composition-function relationship of HDL particles and its effects on the mechanisms driving coronary heart disease (CHD) is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that the functionality of HDL particles is significantly influenced by their lipid composition. Using a novel 3D-separation method, we isolated five different-sized HDL subpopulations from CHD patients who had low preβ-1 functionality (low-F) (ABCA1-dependent cholesterol-efflux normalized for preβ-1 concentration) and controls who had either low-F or high preβ-1 functionality (high-F). Molecular numbers of apoA-I, apoA-II, and eight major lipid classes were determined in each subpopulation by LC-MS. The average number of lipid molecules decreased from 422 in the large spherical α-1 particles to 57 in the small discoid preβ-1 particles. With decreasing particle size, the relative concentration of free cholesterol (FC) decreased in α-mobility but not in preβ-1 particles. Preβ-1 particles contained more lipids than predicted; 30% of which were neutral lipids (cholesteryl ester and triglyceride), indicating that these particles were mainly remodeled from larger particles not newly synthesized. There were significant correlations between HDL-particle functionality and the concentrations of several lipids. Unexpectedly, the phospholipid:FC ratio was significantly correlated with large-HDL-particle functionality but not with preβ-1 functionality. There was significant positive correlation between particle functionality and total lipids in high-F controls, indicating that the lipid-binding capacity of apoA-I plays a major role in the cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL particles. Functionality and lipid composition of HDL particles are significantly correlated and probably both are influenced by the lipid-binding capacity of apoA-I.
Effect of Flash Light Sintering on Silver Nanowire Electrode Networks

We investigated the flash light sintering process to effectively reduce electrical resistance in silver nanowire networks. The optimum condition of the flash light sintering process reduces the electrical resistance by ~20%, while the effect of the conventional thermal annealing processes is rather limited for silver nanowire networks. After flash light sintering, the morphology of the junction between the silver nanowires changes to a mixed-phase structure of the two individual nanowires. This facile and fast process for silver nanowire welding could be highly advantageous to the mass production of silver nanowire networks.
Clinical Response to Discordant Therapy in Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant UTIs

We examine the initial clinical response and care escalation needs of children with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant UTIs while on discordant antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: To describe the initial clinical response and care escalation needs for children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) resistant to third-generation cephalosporins while on discordant antibiotics. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of children <18 years old presenting to an acute care setting of 5 children’s hospitals and a large managed care organization from 2012 to 2017 with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant UTIs (defined as the growth of ≥50 000 colony-forming units per mL of Escherichia coli or Klebsiella spp. nonsusceptible to ceftriaxone with a positive urinalysis). We included children started on discordant antibiotics who had follow-up when culture susceptibilities resulted. Outcomes were escalation of care (emergency department visit, hospital admission, or ICU transfer while on discordant therapy) and clinical response at follow-up (classified as improved or not improved). RESULTS: Of the 316 children included, 78% were girls and the median age was 2.4 years (interquartile range 0.6–6.5). Children were evaluated in the emergency department (56%) or clinic (43%), and 90% were started on a cephalosporin. A total of 7 of 316 children (2.2%; 95% confidence interval 0.8%–4.5%) experienced escalation of care. For the 230 children (73%) with clinical response recorded, 192 of 230 (83.5%; 95% confidence interval 78.0%–88.0%) experienced clinical improvement. In children with repeat urine testing while on discordant therapy, pyuria improved or resolved in 16 of 19 (84%) and urine cultures sterilized in 11 of 17 (65%). CONCLUSIONS: Most children with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant UTIs started on discordant antibiotics experienced initial clinical improvement, and few required escalation of care. Our findings suggest that narrow-spectrum empiric therapy is appropriate while awaiting final urine culture results.
Immunosuppressive therapy post-transplantation in children: what the clinician needs to know

ABSTRACT Introduction: The goal of immunosuppressive therapy post-transplantation in pediatric renal transplant recipients is to prevent acute and chronic rejection while minimizing drug side effects. Most therapies alter immune response mechanisms but are not immunologically specific, and a careful balance is required to find the dose that prevents rejection of the graft, while minimizing the risks of over-immunosuppression leading to infection and cancer. Areas covered: This review article focuses on immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric renal transplant recipients, but many aspects can be applied on pediatric recipients of other solid organ transplants such as liver and heart. The major maintenance immunosuppressive agents currently used in various combination regimens are tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, everolimus, sirolimus, and glucocorticoids. Expert opinion: Although data from adult renal transplantation trials are used to help guide management decisions in pediatric patients, immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric renal transplant recipients often must be modified because of the unique dosage requirements and clinical effects of these agents in children, including their impact on growth and development. The optimal immunosuppressive therapy post-transplant is not established. The goal remains to find the best combination of immunosuppressive agents that optimizes allograft survival by preventing acute rejection while limiting drug toxicities.
Study on the Effect of Microwave Processing on Asphalt-Rubber

The addition of crumb rubber (CR) into base asphalt plays a critical role in the improvement of the performance of Asphalt-Rubber (AR) binders. However, due to the problems, like high constructing temperature and energy consumption brought by the additional rubber, the use of AR binders could be limited in some areas. During this study, CR is processed by microwave is adopted to reduce the viscosity of the AR binders system, while the CR processed by long screw extrusion also is studied. First, the swelling (the absorption of light component into the CR particle) and dissolution (some molecules of CR dissolving into the base asphalt), both of which determine the improved performance of AR binders, are investigated by fluorescence microscopy and extraction tests. The size of the CR particle after swelling observed by fluorescence microscopy is used to evaluate the swelling rate of CR samples, and the ratio of the weight loss of CR samples after extraction to the original weight is employed to measure the dissolution rate. Then, Brookfield rotational viscometer and storage stability tests are conducted. Last, the rheologic performance, including high and low-temperature performances, is characterized by the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR), respectively. The fluorescence microscopy and extraction results show that microwave processing could effectively increase the swelling and dissolving rate, with the figures rising twofold and more than threefold, respectively. The results show that microwave processing could effectively reduce the viscosity of AR binders, with a viscosity decrease of 65% at 190 °C and, at the same time, the high temperature of Performance Grade (PG) decrease from 88 °C to 76 °C. The storage stability could be negatively impacted, but it is slight and the low-temperature performance is improved slightly.
The Effect of Timing of Exercise and Eating on Postprandial Response in Adults: A Systematic Review

Type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern. Management of this condition has focused on behavior modification through diet and exercise interventions. A growing body of evidence has focused on temporality of dietary intake and exercise and potential effects on health. This review summarizes current literature that investigates the question “how does the timing of exercise relative to eating throughout the day effect postprandial response in adults? ” Databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched between March–May 2019. Experimental studies conducted in healthy adults (≥18 y) and those with type 2 diabetes were included. Full texts were examined by at least two independent reviewers. Twenty studies with a total of 352 participants met the inclusion criteria. The primary finding supports that exercise performed post-meal regardless of time of day had a beneficial impact on postprandial glycemia. There was insufficient evidence regarding whether timing of exercise performed pre- vs. post-meal or vice versa in a day is related to improved postprandial glycemic response due to inherent differences between studies. Future studies focusing on the investigation of timing and occurrence of meal intake and exercise throughout the day are needed to inform whether there is, and what is, an optimal time for these behaviors regarding long-term health outcomes.
Continuous Representations of Speed by Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons

The striatum is critical for controlling motor output. However, it remains unclear how striatal output neurons encode and facilitate movement. A prominent theory suggests that striatal units encode movements in bursts of activity near specific events, such as the start or end of actions. These bursts are theorized to gate or permit specific motor actions, thereby encoding and facilitating complex sequences of actions. The striatum is critical for controlling motor output. However, it remains unclear how striatal output neurons encode and facilitate movement. A prominent theory suggests that striatal units encode movements in bursts of activity near specific events, such as the start or end of actions. These bursts are theorized to gate or permit specific motor actions, thereby encoding and facilitating complex sequences of actions. An alternative theory has suggested that striatal neurons encode continuous changes in sensory or motor information with graded changes in firing rate. Supporting this theory, many striatal neurons exhibit such graded changes without bursting near specific actions. Here, we evaluated these two theories in the same recordings of mice (both male and female). We recorded single-unit and multiunit activity from the dorsomedial striatum of mice as they spontaneously explored an arena. We observed both types of encoding, although continuous encoding was more prevalent than bursting near movement initiation or termination. The majority of recorded units did not exhibit positive linear relationships with speed but instead exhibited nonlinear relationships that peaked at a range of locomotor speeds. Bulk calcium recordings of identified direct and indirect pathway neurons revealed similar speed tuning profiles, indicating that the heterogeneity in response profiles was not due to this genetic distinction. We conclude that continuous encoding of speed is a central component of movement encoding in the striatum. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The striatum is a structure that is linked to volitional movements and is a primary site of pathology in movement disorders. It remains unclear how striatal neurons encode motor parameters and use them to facilitate movement. Here, we evaluated two models for this: a “discrete encoding model” in which striatal neurons facilitate movements with brief burst of activity near the start and end of movements, and a “continuous encoding model,” in which striatal neurons encode the sensory or motor state of the animal with continuous changes in firing. We found evidence primarily in support of the continuous encoding model. This may have implications for understanding the striatal control of movement, as well as informing therapeutic approaches for treating movement disorders.
Acoustic behaviour of male European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) during agonistic encounters

ABSTRACT Previous studies have demonstrated that male European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) use chemical and visual signals as a means of intraspecific communication during agonistic encounters. In this study, we show that they also produce buzzing sounds during these encounters. This result was missed in earlier studies because low-frequency buzzing sounds are highly attenuated in tanks, and are thus difficult to detect with hydrophones. To address this issue, we designed a behavioural tank experiment using hydrophones, with accelerometers placed on the lobsters to directly detect their carapace vibrations (i.e. the sources of the buzzing sounds). While we found that both dominant and submissive individuals produced carapace vibrations during every agonistic encounter, very few of the associated buzzing sounds (15%) were recorded by the hydrophones. This difference is explained by their high attenuation in tanks. We then used the method of algorithmic complexity to analyse the carapace vibration sequences as call-and-response signals between dominant and submissive individuals. Even though some intriguing patterns appeared for closely size-matched pairs (<5 mm carapace length difference), the results of the analysis did not permit us to infer that the processes underlying these sequences could be differentiated from random ones. Thus, such results prevented any conclusions about acoustic communication. This concurs with both the high attenuation of the buzzing sounds during the experiments and the poor understanding of acoustic perception by lobsters. New approaches that circumvent tank acoustic issues are now required to validate the existence of acoustic communication in lobsters. Summary: Male European lobsters may use sounds to communicate dominance status during agonistic encounters.
Oversized ubiquinones as molecular probes for structural dynamics of the ubiquinone reaction site in mitochondrial respiratory complex I

NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) couples electron transfer from NADH to quinone with proton translocation across the membrane. Quinone reduction is a key step for energy transmission from the site of quinone reduction to the remotely located proton-pumping machinery of the enzyme. Although structural biology studies have proposed the existence of a long and narrow quinone-access channel, the physiological relevance of this channel remains debatable. We investigated here whether complex I in bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMPs) can catalytically reduce a series of oversized ubiquinones (OS-UQs), which are highly unlikely to transit the narrow channel because their side chain includes a bulky “block” that is ∼13 Å across. We found that some OS-UQs function as efficient electron acceptors from complex I, accepting electrons with an efficiency comparable with ubiquinone-2. The catalytic reduction and proton translocation coupled with this reduction were completely inhibited by different quinone-site inhibitors, indicating that the reduction of OS-UQs takes place at the physiological reaction site for ubiquinone. Notably, the proton-translocating efficiencies of OS-UQs significantly varied depending on their side-chain structures, suggesting that the reaction characteristics of OS-UQs affect the predicted structural changes of the quinone reaction site required for triggering proton translocation. These results are difficult to reconcile with the current channel model; rather, the access path for ubiquinone may be open to allow OS-UQs to access the reaction site. Nevertheless, contrary to the observations in SMPs, OS-UQs were not catalytically reduced by isolated complex I reconstituted into liposomes. We discuss possible reasons for these contradictory results.
Enhancing the usability of pea protein isolate in food applications through modifying its structural and sensory properties via deamidation by glutaminase.

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of improving the properties of pea protein isolate (PPI) related to food applications via deamidation with glutaminase. SDS-PAGE and FT-IR profiling revealed that the current glutaminase treatment did not change the basic protein subunit composition. But it allowed a certain extent of protein unfolding and conformational re-organization to generate more flexible and extended proteins with reduced average particle size and more hydrophobic groups exposed. The underlying mechanisms might include the reduction of β-sheets and anti-parallel β-sheets and the increase of β-turn structure. Moreover, the treatment time was of importance. A 12-h treatment was generally better than a 24-h treatment, and PPI treated with glutaminase at 50 °C for 12 h to a degree of deamidation of 56.1% exhibited significantly improved solubility, homogeneity, dispersibility, suspendability with reduced beany flavour, grittiness and lumpiness (compared to the untreated PPI). Thus, the glutaminase treatment offers a promising approach for enhancing the usability and applicability of pea proteins.
Novel KIAA1033/WASHC4 mutations in three patients with syndromic intellectual disability and a review of the literature

In 2011, KIAA1033/WASHC4 was associated with autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID) in a large consanguineous family comprising seven affected individuals with moderate ID and short stature. Since then, no other cases of KIAA1033 variants have been reported. Here we describe three additional patients (from two unrelated families) with syndromic ID due to compound heterozygous KIAA1033 variants ascertained by exome sequencing (ES). Two sisters, aged 4 and 5.5 years, had a stop‐gain and a missense variants, each inherited from one parent (p.(Gln442*) and p.(Asp1048Gly)). Both had learning disabilities, macrocephaly, dysmorphic features, skeletal anomalies, and subependymal heterotopic nodules. In addition, the younger sibling had a congenital absence of the right internal carotid and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The third patient was aged 34 years and had two missense variants, one inherited from each parent (p.(Lys1079Arg) and p.(His503Arg)). This patient presented with mild ID, short stature, and microcephaly. KIAA1033 encodes a large protein (WASHC4), which is part of the WASH complex. The WASH complex is involved in the regulation of the fission of tubules that serve as transport intermediates during endosome sorting. Another member of the WASH complex, KIAA0196/WASHC5, has already been implicated in ARID with brain and cardiac malformations, under the designation of 3C or Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome (MIM#20210). ES has proved efficient for finding replications of genes with insufficient data in the literature to be defined as new OMIM genes. We conclude that KIAA1033 is responsible for a heterogeneous ARID phenotype, and additional description will be needed to refine the clinical phenotype.