Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study on preparation of chickpea peptide and its effect on blood glucose

Chickpeas are the third largest bean in the world and are rich in protein. In this study, chickpea peptides were prepared by the enzyme-bacteria synergy method. Taking the peptide yield as the index, we first screened 8 strains suitable for the fermentation of chickpea peptides from 16 strains, carried out sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and then screened 4 strains with the best decomposition effect of chickpea protein. The molecular weight, amino acid content, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the chickpea peptides fermented by these four strains were detected. Finally, the strains with the best α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were obtained, and the inhibitory activities of the different molecular weight components of the chickpea peptides fermented by the strains with the best α-glucosidase inhibitory were detected. It was found that Bifidobacterium species had the best fermentation effect, and the highest peptide yield was 52.99 ± 0.88%. Lactobacillus thermophilus had the worst fermentation effect, and the highest peptide yield was 43.22 ± 0.47%. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that Bifidobacterium species, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus paracasei have a better effect on the decomposition of chickpea protein in the fermentation process, and the molecular weight of their fermented peptides is basically below 20 KDa. Among the four strains, the α-glycosidase inhibition of chickpea peptide fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus was the best, which was 58.22 ± 1.10% when the peptide concentration was 5.0 mg/ml. In chickpea peptide fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus, the influence of molecular weight on the inhibitory activity is not obvious when the molecular weight is <10 kD, and the molecular weight range of the best inhibitory effect is 3–10 kD, and the inhibitory rate of α-glucosidase is 37 ± 1.32% at 2.0 mg/ml. This study provides a theoretical basis for the study of a new preparation method for chickpea peptide and its hypoglycemic effect.
Asymmetries and relationships between muscle strength, proprioception, biomechanics, and postural stability in patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis

Background: The pathological mechanism of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is unknown. KOA degeneration may be associated with changes in muscle strength, proprioception, biomechanics, and postural stability. Objective: This study aimed to assess asymmetries in muscle strength, proprioception, biomechanics, and postural stability of bilateral lower limbs in patients with unilateral KOA and healthy controls and analyze correlations between KOA and these parameters. Methods: A total of 50 patients with unilateral KOA (age range: 50-70) and 50 healthy subjects were recruited as study participants (age range: 50-70). Muscle strength, proprioception, femorotibial angle (FTA), femoral condylar–tibial plateau angle (FCTP), average trajectory error (ATE), and center of pressure (COP) sways areas were accessed in study participants, and the correlation between these variables was investigated. Results: In patients with unilateral KOA, lower limb muscle strength was significantly lower on the symptomatic side than on the asymptomatic side (p < 0.01), while the proprioception (degree error), FTA, FCTP, and ATE were substantially higher compared to the asymptomatic side (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in the healthy controls (p > 0.05). Patients with unilateral KOA had lower muscle strength than healthy controls (p < 0.05), but their proprioception (degree error: the difference between the target and reproduction angles), ATE, and COP sway areas were higher (p < 0.05). Muscle strength was found to be negatively correlated with ATE and COP sways areas (p < 0.05), whereas proprioception (degree error) was positively correlated with ATE and COP sways areas (p < 0.05) in all study participants. However, no correlation was found between FTA, FCTP, and ATE, COP sways areas in patients with unilateral KOA (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with unilateral KOA, muscle strength, proprioception, biomechanics, and postural stability of bilateral limbs are asymmetrical in unilateral KOA patients. Muscle strength, proprioception, and postural stability are significantly associated variables, and changes in these variables should be considered in KOA prevention and rehabilitation.
Deep learning-based self-induced emotion recognition using EEG

Emotion recognition from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals requires accurate and efficient signal processing and feature extraction. Deep learning technology has enabled the automatic extraction of raw EEG signal features that contribute to classifying emotions more accurately. Despite such advances, classification of emotions from EEG signals, especially recorded during recalling specific memories or imagining emotional situations has not yet been investigated. In addition, high-density EEG signal classification using deep neural networks faces challenges, such as high computational complexity, redundant channels, and low accuracy. To address these problems, we evaluate the effects of using a simple channel selection method for classifying self-induced emotions based on deep learning. The experiments demonstrate that selecting key channels based on signal statistics can reduce the computational complexity by 89% without decreasing the classification accuracy. The channel selection method with the highest accuracy was the kurtosis-based method, which achieved accuracies of 79.03% and 79.36% for the valence and arousal scales, respectively. The experimental results show that the proposed framework outperforms conventional methods, even though it uses fewer channels. Our proposed method can be beneficial for the effective use of EEG signals in practical applications.
Impact of entrepreneurial curriculum on entrepreneurial competencies among students: The mediating role of the campus learning environment in higher education

This study explored the direct and indirect influences of the entrepreneurial curriculum on entrepreneurial competencies, using the campus learning environment as a mediator. In this study, a survey questionnaire composed of 48 items was used to collect data on the entrepreneurial curriculum, entrepreneurial competencies, and campus learning environment from pre-service vocational teachers enrolled in six universities located in Hunan Province, China. The entrepreneurial curriculum has four components, namely, curriculum content, curriculum material, teaching strategies, and feedback and assessment. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used through SmartPLS 3.3. 3 to measure the effects. The curriculum content has a direct, significant, and positive influence on entrepreneurial competencies. For the indirect influence, all four dimensions of the entrepreneurial curriculum influenced the campus learning environment, which, in turn, was positively associated with entrepreneurial competencies. The campus learning environment was therefore revealed to play a mediating role between the entrepreneurial curriculum and entrepreneurial competencies. The study explored that effective entrepreneurial curriculum delivery and campus learning environment are helpful for developing entrepreneurial competencies among the pre-service vocational teachers. Universities should take initiatives to update the entrepreneurial curriculum and create a conducive campus learning environment that brings a positive change to develop entrepreneurial competencies among their students. Moreover, practical implications and future research directions are also discussed in this article.
The domain of dependence

The various properties of the domain of dependence (Cauchy development) which have been found particularly useful in the study of gravitational fields are reviewed. The basic techniques for constructing proofs and counterexamples are described. A new tool—the past and future volume functions—for treating certain global properties of space‐times is introduced. These functions are used to establish two new theorems: (1) a necessary and sufficient condition that a space‐time have a Cauchy surface is that it be globally hyperbolic; and (2) the existence of a Cauchy surface is a stable property of space‐times.
Adherence and retention to the self-managed community-based Step Into Health program in Qatar (2012–2019)

Purpose Investigate adherence and retention to the “Step Into Health (SIH)” initiative (www.stepintohealth.qa [website access only available from within the State of Qatar]), a Qatari self-managed community-based health program, from 2012 to 2019. Methods Participants (16,711; 16–80 years; 37% females, 34% Qatari) used a pedometer or smartphone application (app) to measure step count. Absolute adherence (ADH) and retention (RET) were calculated, with ADH (%) the ratio between number of days data and SIH enrollment length (RET). Linear Mixed Models identified differences in ADH between RET groups, main effects (i.e., sex, device, age, BMI, nationality) and interaction effects for ADH (RET entered as a covariate). Results Average ADH and RET to SIH (irrespective of sex, age, device and BMI) was 50% (±31%), and 16% (±20%), respectively, with ADH differing significantly between RET groups (F = 460.2, p < 0.001). RET (as a covariate) revealed a significant main effect for device (F = 12.00, p < 0.001) and age (F = 4.31, p = 0.001) on ADH observed. There was a significant association between RET and sex (p < 0.001), device (p < 0.001), and age groups 16–25 y (p < 0.001), and 26–35 y (p < 0.001). There were no significant main effects for sex or BMI on ADH, and no interaction effects (p ≥ 0.21) observed. Conclusions Follow-up data (e.g., interviews, focus groups, etc.) determining why differences in ADH and RET are observed appears prudent. To convert those that lapsed and/or abandoned SIH/PA into committed long-term PA adherers. This would be a first step to develop targeted public health promotions and initiatives to enhance health outcomes at a population level.
A new personalized vaccine strategy based on inducing the pyroptosis of tumor cells in vivo by transgenic expression of a truncated GSDMD N-terminus

The variability and heterogeneity of tumor antigens and the tumor-driven development of immunosuppressive mechanisms leading to tumor escape from established immunological surveillance. Here, the tumor cells were genetically modified to achieve an inducible overexpression of the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT) and effectively cause pyroptosis under a strict control. Pyroptotic tumor cells release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and inflammatory cytokines to promote the maturation and migration of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Furthermore, local tumor delivery, and preventive or therapeutic subcutaneous immunization of the modified cells, followed by the induction of GSDMD-NT expression, significantly stimulated both the systemic and local responses of antitumor immunity, and reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment, leading to the dramatic suppression of tumor growth in mice. This study has explored the application potency of inducing the pyroptosis of tumor cells in the field of tumor immunotherapy, especially for developing a new and promising personalized tumor vaccine. Graphical Abstract Schematic representation of a personalized tumor vaccine strategy based on inducing GSDMD-NT genetically engineered tumor cells to induce pyroptosis and elicit antitumor immune responses. Tumor cells were genetically engineered to inducibly overexpress GSDMD-NT and induce pyroptosis as a novel personalized tumor cell vaccine. After inoculation of mice with the cells, GSDMD-NT was induced to be expressed by providing drinking water with doxy, and it oligomerized on the cell membrane to form pores. Cell swelling and pyroptosis occur with the release of inflammatory molecules, and danger signals including HMGB1, ATP, LDH, CART, and HSP70/90. These DAMPs stimulate the migration and maturation of DCs, and promote the production of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and IFN-g, accompanied by downregulated systemic myeloidderived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) responses and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. Finally, tumor growth was significantly suppressed.
Intracranial pressure, lateral sinus patency, and jugular ultrasound hemodynamics in patients with venous pulsatile tinnitus

The clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of venous pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients with normal or elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) have not been clearly differentiated. This study aimed to explore CSFP among patients with PT as the solitary symptom, as well as quantitatively and qualitatively assess the role of the degree of transverse sinus (TS) stenosis and jugular hemodynamics in venous PT patients. A total of 50 subjects with venous PT with or without sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWAs) were enrolled in this study. In addition to radiologic assessments for TS stenosis and invagination of arachnoid granulation (AG) in TS, CSFP and jugular hemodynamics were measured via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) manometry and Doppler ultrasound. Apart from group comparisons and correlation analyses, multivariate linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) models were used to identify the sensitivity and specificity of the index of transverse sinus stenosis (ITSS) and hemodynamic variables with inferential significance. The mean CSFP of all cases was 199.5 ± 52.7 mmH2O, with no statistical difference in CSFP between the diverticulum and dehiscence groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that CSFP was linearly correlated with ITSS and pulsatility index (PI). ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of PI was 0.693 at 200 mmH2O threshold, and the best PI cut-off value was 0.467, with a sensitivity of 65.7% and specificity of 81.8%. For 250 mmH2O threshold, the area under the ROC curve of PI was 0.718, and the best PI cut-off value was 0.467 with a sensitivity of 68.4% and specificity of 75.0%. Additionally, the area under the ROC curve of ITSS was 0.757, and the best ITSS cutoff value was 8.5 (p = 0.002, 95% CI = 0.616–0.898) with a sensitivity of 72.4% and specificity of 75.0% at 200 mmH2O threshold. In conclusion, patients with venous PT as the only presenting symptom should be suspected of having borderline or increased CSFP when they present with high ITSS, BMI and low PI. Further, AG in TS without encephalocele and empty sellae are not limiting findings for differentiating the level of CSFP in patients with venous PT.
Speed up discharge planning at the acute stroke unit: A development and external validation study for the early prediction of discharge home

Background To reduce healthcare costs, it has become increasingly important to shorten the length of stay in acute stroke units. The goal of this study was to develop and externally validate a decision tree model applicable < 48 h poststroke for discharge home from an acute stroke unit with a short length of stay, and to assess the inappropriate home discharge rate. Methods A prospective study including two samples of stroke patients admitted to an acute stroke unit. The outcome was discharge home (yes/no). A classification and regression tree analysis was performed in Sample 1. The model's performance was tested in Sample 2. Results In total, 953 patients were included. The final decision tree included the patients' activities of daily living (ADL) performance <48 h poststroke, including motor function, cognition, and communication, and had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.76, 0.91). External validation resulted in an AUC of 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.72, 0.77). None of the patients discharged home were re-admitted < 2 months after discharge to a hospital or admitted to a rehabilitation center for symptoms that had needed inpatient neurorehabilitation. Conclusions The developed decision tree shows acceptable external validity in predicting discharge home in a heterogeneous sample of stroke patients, only based on the patient's actual ADL performance <48 h poststroke. Importantly, discharge was safe, i.e., no re-hospitalization was registered. The tree's application to speed up discharge planning should now be further evaluated.
Changes in amino acid and fatty acid composition during early development in cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

An estimation of the utilization of endogenous nutrients from the yolk sac that occurs during embryonic and early larval development can be a valuable approach to studying the nutritional requirements of fish larvae. In this study, fertilized eggs, embryos (before the membrane, 24 hours after fertilization), newly-hatched larvae (0-d-old), and open-mouthed larvae (3-day-old, unfed rotifers) samples of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) were collected to determine the amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Crude protein composition varies significantly for cobia during the different stages of development. The total amino acids, except for lysine(Lys), histidine (His), methionine(Met), serine(Ser), and glycine(Gly), had no significant change in the early development stage (P > 0.05); the content of other six essential amino acids (EAA) and six non-essential amino acids (NEAA) was consistent with the changing trend of total essential amino acid. From hatching newly hatched larvae to open-mouthed larvae, except for Leu, Phe and Ser, decreased significantly (P<0.05). From the utilization rate of FAA, the utilization rate of Lys and Leu was the highest (60.26%) and (52.21%) in the embryonic and endogenous nutritional stages, respectively. The water content of the open-mouthed larvae of cobia was significantly higher than that of the fertilized eggs, embryos, and newly hatched larvae (P < 0.05). Three kinds of saturated fatty acids (SFA), five kinds of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and eight kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were detected in the dry samples of each developmental stage. Based on these results, juvenile cobia can thrive with a wide range of crude protein concentrations. Further refinement of commercial cobia production feeds would have beneficial consequences for economic and environmental concerns due to the positive impacts of optimizing the protein component as well as the ability to maintain the rapid growth rates. The results show that the larval development of cobia needs to consume large amounts of n3PUFA (especially DHA and EPA) to improve the larvae’s survival rate. Research methods will always have limitations when evaluating the relationship between early life nutrition interventions and well-being outcomes later in life. This study provides essential information regarding cobia larvae’s fatty acid requirements.
Breakdown of the central synapses in C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of motor and cortical neurons. The clinical manifestations of ALS are heterogenous, and efficacious treatments to significantly slow the progression of the disease are lacking. Cortical hyper-excitability is observed pre-symptomatically across disease-causative genetic variants, as well as in the early stages of sporadic ALS, and typically precedes motor neuron involvement and overt neurodegeneration. The causes of cortical hyper-excitability are not yet fully understood but is mainly agreed to be an early event. The identification of the nucleotide repeat expansion (GGGGCC)n in the C9ORF72 gene has provided evidence that ALS and another neurodegenerative disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are part of a disease spectrum with common genetic origins. ALS and FTD are diseases in which synaptic dysfunction is reported throughout disease onset and stages of progression. It has become apparent that ALS/FTD-causative genes, such as C9ORF72, may have roles in maintaining the normal physiology of the synapse, as mutations in these genes often manifest in synaptic dysfunction. Here we review the dysfunctions of the central nervous system synapses associated with the nucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 observed in patients, organismal, and cellular models of ALS and FTD.
Role of daytime variation in pharmaceutical effects of sufentanil, dezocine, and tramadol: A matched observational study

The role of daytime variation in the comprehensive pharmaceutical effects of commonly used opioid analgesics in clinical setting remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the differences in daytime variation among elective surgery patients who were scheduled to receive preemptive analgesia with equivalent doses of sufentanil, dezocine, and tramadol in the morning and afternoon. The analgesic effect was assessed by changes in the pressure pain threshold before and after intravenous administration of sufentanil, dezocine, and tramadol. Respiratory effects were evaluated using pulse oximetry, electrical impedance tomography, and arterial blood gas analysis. Other side effects, including nausea, sedation, and dizziness, were also recorded, and blood concentration was measured. The results showed that the analgesic effects of sufentanil, dezocine, and tramadol were significantly better in the morning than in afternoon. In the afternoon, sufentanil had a stronger sedative effect, whereas dezocine had a stronger inhibitory respiratory effect. The incidence of nausea was higher in the morning with tramadol. Additionally, significant differences in different side effects were observed among three opioids. Our results suggest that the clinical use of these three opioids necessitates the formulation of individualized treatment plans, accounting for different administration times, to achieve maximum analgesic effect with minimal side effects.
Hope and trust: Public attitudes toward mass COVID-19 testing programs in Guangzhou, China

Mass testing is one COVID-19 pandemic response strategy. The effect of population-wide testing programs is influenced by public attitudes toward COVID-19 viral tests. However, the public’s attitudes toward mass testing and related factors in mainland China are not adequately understood. This study focuses on pandemic responses during the first wave of the Delta variant outbreak in southern China and explores how residents responded to population-wide mass COVID-19 testing programs. The research relies on data collected from short videos recording residents’ experiences of being in lockdown, media reports, and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and four themes emerged: public attitudes toward mass testing, the technology of viral tests, policy and governance, and cultural practices. The study finds that residents actively participated in mass testing campaigns as mass viral tests are associated with hope and trust. The Reverse Transcription–Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), negative test results, lockdown policies, waiting times, medical staff, and media representations are all actors that assemble and mobilize hope and trust. The research reveals some critical factors influencing people’s attitudes toward mass testing policies in response to COVID-19 and provides practical suggestions for public health professionals in rolling out effective population-wide mass COVID-19 testing.