Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sperm migration, selection, survival, and fertilizing ability in the mammalian oviduct†

Abstract In vitro fertilization (IVF) gives rise to embryos in a number of mammalian species and is currently widely used for assisted reproduction in humans and for genetic purposes in cattle. However, the rate of polyspermy is generally higher in vitro than in vivo and IVF remains ineffective in some domestic species like pigs and horses, highlighting the importance of the female reproductive tract for gamete quality and fertilization. In this review, the way the female environment modulates sperm selective migration, survival, and acquisition of fertilizing ability in the oviduct is being considered under six aspects: (1) the utero-tubal junction that selects a sperm sub-population entering the oviduct; (2) the presence of sperm binding sites on luminal epithelial cells in the oviduct, which prolong sperm viability and plays a role in limiting polyspermic fertilization; (3) the contractions of the oviduct, which promote sperm migration toward the site of fertilization in the ampulla; (4) the regions of the oviduct, which play different roles in regulating sperm physiology and interactions with oviduct epithelial cells; (5) the time of ovulation, and (6) the steroid hormonal environment which regulates sperm release from the luminal epithelial cells and facilitates capacitation in a finely orchestrated manner. Summary sentence Summary Sentence After mating or insemination, the region-specific and hormonally regulated morphology and secretions of the utero-tubal junction and oviduct lead to the selection of a limited sub-population of top quality spermatozoa at the site of fertilization. Graphical Abstract
A Cholesky-based sparse covariance estimation with an application to genes data

ABSTRACT The modified Cholesky decomposition (MCD) is a powerful tool for estimating a covariance matrix. The regularization can be conveniently imposed on the linear regressions to encourage the sparsity in the estimated covariance matrix to accommodate the high-dimensional data. In this paper, we propose a Cholesky-based sparse ensemble estimate for covariance matrix by averaging a set of Cholesky factor estimates obtained from multiple variable orderings used in the MCD. The sparse estimation is enabled by encouraging the sparsity in the Cholesky factor. The theoretical consistent property is established under some regular conditions. The merits of the proposed method are illustrated through simulation and a maize genes data set.
Sound Localization Bias and Error in Bimodal Listeners Improve Instantaneously When the Device Delay Mismatch Is Reduced

Users of a cochlear implant (CI) in one ear, who are provided with a hearing aid (HA) in the contralateral ear, so-called bimodal listeners, are typically affected by a constant and relatively large interaural time delay offset due to differences in signal processing and differences in stimulation. For HA stimulation, the cochlear travelling wave delay is added to the processing delay, while for CI stimulation, the auditory nerve fibers are stimulated directly. In case of MED-EL CI systems in combination with different HA types, the CI stimulation precedes the acoustic HA stimulation by 3 to 10 ms. A self-designed, battery-powered, portable, and programmable delay line was applied to the CI to reduce the device delay mismatch in nine bimodal listeners. We used an A-B-B-A test design and determined if sound source localization improves when the device delay mismatch is reduced by delaying the CI stimulation by the HA processing delay (τHA). Results revealed that every subject in our group of nine bimodal listeners benefited from the approach. The root-mean-square error of sound localization improved significantly from 52.6° to 37.9°. The signed bias also improved significantly from 25.2° to 10.5°, with positive values indicating a bias toward the CI. Furthermore, two other delay values (τHA –1 ms and τHA +1 ms) were applied, and with the latter value, the signed bias was further reduced in some test subjects. We conclude that sound source localization accuracy in bimodal listeners improves instantaneously and sustainably when the device delay mismatch is reduced.
RIP3/MLKL pathway‐regulated necroptosis: A new mechanism of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy

Paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy treatment often leads to neuropathic pain, which is resistant to available analgesic treatments. Death of cells and neuroinflammatory response are associated with PTX‐induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). Necroptosis is a form of regulated necrotic cell death that accompanies strong inflammatory response. It is mediated by receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed‐lineage kinase domain‐like protein (MLKL), which contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, the role of necroptosis in PIPN remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in PIPN using its antagonists (necrostatin‐1 and Nec‐1). The quartic PTX administration (accumulated dose: 8 mg/kg, ip) in rats induced robust hyperalgesia and allodynia with significant cell necrosis and an increase in proinflammatory cytokines in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). PTX application also increased RIP3 and MLKL protein levels in DRG, which were primarily in neurons. Moreover, it also promoted satellite glial cells (SGCs) activation, as assayed by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) upregulation. All these PTX‐induced changes were prevented by the Nec‐1 treatment. When taken together, the present study indicated that RIP3/MLKL pathway‐regulated neuronal necroptosis, which promoted an inflammatory cascade reaction in DRG, might be a new mechanism of PIPN.
Specific expression of AtIRT1 in phloem companion cells suggests its role in iron translocation in aboveground plant organs

ABSTRACT IRON‐REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1 (IRT1) is a central iron transporter responsible for the uptake of iron from the rhizosphere to root epidermal cells. This study uses immunohistochemistry, histochemistry, and fluorometry to show that this gene’s promoter is also active in the aboveground parts, specifically in phloem companied cells. Promoter activity here was regulated by iron as it was in the roots. The promoter of the close IRT2 homolog was root-specific and only weakly active in the stem pits. RT-PCR showed the presence of a long splicing form exclusively in iron-deficient roots. The short splicing form was present in all organs regardless of the presence of iron. Immunohistology exhibited labeling on the periphery of the epidermal cells in matured root zone and intracellular patches in the meristematic cells. In the aboveground organs, the protein was seen in the whole volume of companion cells and in neighboring sieve elements as bodies. The fluorescent protein technique revealed the short IRT1 form to be present in the patches accumulated mainly around the nucleus and the long form as a continuous layer along the cells periphery. These results suggest that IRT1 has a role also in the aboveground organs.
Big data screening identifies 110 complex traits causally associated with obesity

Background/Objectives: Obesity has become a serious public health concern worldwide due to the rapid increase in its prevalence and its multiple negative health consequences. Here we sought to identify causal relationships between obesity and other complex traits and conditions using a data-driven hypothesis-free approach that relies on genetic data to infer causal associations. Subjects/Methods: We leveraged available summary-based genetic data from genome-wide association studies on 1 498 phenotypes and applied the latent causal variable method (LCV) between obesity and all traits. Results: We identified 110 traits with significant causal associations with obesity. Results show obesity influencing 26 phenotypes associated with cardiovascular diseases, 22 anthropometric measurements, 9 with the musculoskeletal system, 9 with behavioural or lifestyle factors including loneliness or isolation, 6 with respiratory diseases, 5 with body bioelectric impedances, 4 with psychiatric phenotypes, 4 with the nervous system, 4 with disabilities or long-standing illness, 3 with the gastrointestinal system, 3 with use of analgesics, 2 with metabolic diseases such as diabetes, 1 with inflammatory response and 1 with the neurodevelopmental disorder ADHD, among others. Conclusions: Our results indicate that obesity is primarily the cause, not the consequence of other underlying traits or comorbid diseases. The wide array of causally associated phenotypes provides an overview of the metabolic, physiological, and neuropsychiatric impact of obesity.
C-reactive protein as a biomarker for immune-related adverse events in melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the adjuvant setting

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as biomarker for the early diagnosis of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the adjuvant setting, and its potential correlation with relapse-free survival (RFS). Prospectively collected data from 72 melanoma patients treated with adjuvant ICIs were pooled. CRP values at diagnosis of 10 irAEs were descriptively analysed. Correlations between RFS and the occurrence of irAEs, the grade of the irAE, the extent of CRP-elevation and the use of corticosteroids for irAE treatment were investigated. A total of 191 irAEs (grade 1/2, n = 182; grade 3/4, n = 9) occurred in 64 patients [skin toxicity (n = 70), fatigue (n = 50), thyroiditis (n = 12), musculoskeletal toxicity (n = 11), sicca syndrome (n = 10), other (n = 23), pneumonitis (n = 6), colitis (n = 4), hepatitis (n = 3) and hypophysitis (n = 2)]. In pneumonitis and hypophysitis, the median CRP levels at diagnosis exceeded the upper limit of normal (ULN, 5 mg/L). After a median follow-up of 26.5 months, 28 patients (39%) had been diagnosed with a melanoma relapse. Patients who experienced no irAE were at the highest risk for relapse (P = 0.008). A trend was observed for patients diagnosed with an irAE that was associated with an elevated CRP (>2xULN) to be at higher risk for relapse as compared to those diagnosed with an irAE and CRP <ULN (P = 0.054). CRP has potential as biomarker for the early detection of selected irAEs. Dynamic evaluation can guide irAE diagnosis, regression or relapse. The observed correlation between irAEs associated with an elevated CRP and risk for recurrence deserves further investigation.
The role of lipids in exosome biology and intercellular communication: Function, analytics and applications

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that in recent years have received special attention for their regulatory functions in numerous biological processes. Recent evidence suggests a correlation between the composition of exosomes in body fluids and the progression of some disorders, such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. In consequence, numerous studies have been performed to evaluate the composition of these vesicles, aiming to develop new biomarkers for diagnosis and to find novel therapeutic targets. On their part, lipids represent one of the most important components of exosomes, with important structural and regulatory functions during exosome biogenesis, release, targeting and cellular uptake. Therefore, exosome lipidomics has emerged as an innovative discipline for the discovery of novel lipid species with biomedical applications. This review summarizes the current knowledge about exosome lipids and their roles in exosome biology and intercellular communication. Furthermore, it presents the state‐of‐the‐art analytical procedures used in exosome lipidomics while emphasizing how this emerging discipline is providing new insights for future applications of exosome lipids in biomedicine.
The role of regional myocardial topography post‐myocardial infarction on infarct extension

Infarct extension involves necrosis of healthy myocardium in the border zone (BZ), progressively enlarging the infarct zone (IZ) and recruiting the remote zone (RZ) into the BZ, eventually leading to heart failure. The mechanisms underlying infarct extension remain unclear, but myocyte stretching has been suggested as the most likely cause. Using human patient‐specific left‐ventricular (LV) numerical simulations established from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of myocardial infarction (MI) patients, the correlation between infarct extension and regional mechanics abnormality was investigated by analysing the fibre stress–strain loops (FSSLs). FSSL abnormality was characterised using the directional regional external work (DREW) index, which measures FSSL area and loop direction. Sensitivity studies were also performed to investigate the effect of infarct stiffness on regional myocardial mechanics and potential for infarct extension. We found that infarct extension was correlated to severely abnormal FSSL in the form of counter‐clockwise loop at the RZ close to the infarct, as indicated by negative DREW values. In regions demonstrating negative DREW values, we observed substantial fibre stretching in the isovolumic relaxation (IVR) phase accompanied by a reduced rate of systolic shortening. Such stretching in IVR phase in part of the RZ was due to its inability to withstand the high LV pressure that was still present and possibly caused by regional myocardial stiffness inhomogeneity. Further analysis revealed that the occurrence of severely abnormal FSSL due to IVR fibre stretching near the RZ‐BZ boundary was due to a large amount of surrounding infarcted tissue, or an excessively stiff IZ.
(Pro)renin receptor antagonist PRO20 attenuates nephrectomy‐induced nephropathy in rats via inhibition of intrarenal RAS and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling

(Pro)renin receptor has emerged as a new member of the renin‐angiotensin system implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Herein we report characterization of the therapeutic potential of (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist PRO20 in 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx) rats.
Influence of rotating shifts and fixed night shifts on sleep quality of nurses of different ages: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to understand the influence of rotating shifts and fixed night shifts on the sleep quality of nurses using a systematic literature review and meta-analysis and to determine whether the sleep quality of nurses working rotating shifts or fixed night shifts differs from that of nurses working fixed day shifts. We conducted a meta-analysis on literature that had used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to gauge sleep quality and had been published between 2000 and 2020 in the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases. This study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA, and the quality of the literature was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies. CMA 3.0 was employed for data analysis, and meta-regression analysis was conducted to examine the differences between the PSQI scores of nurses working fixed day shifts and those working rotating shifts or fixed night shifts. Following assessment, a total of 29 papers (34 items of data) were analyzed. The papers included a total of 3,935 nurses who worked fixed day shifts, 3,777 nurses who worked rotating shifts, and 1,559 nurses who worked fixed night shifts. Our subgroup analysis indicated that the sleep quality of nurses working rotating shifts was poorer than the sleep quality of nurses working fixed day shifts; the standardized mean difference (SMD) was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.24–0.52, p< .001), and the meta-regression analysis found that the difference in sleep quality between nurses over 40 years old working rotating shifts and those working fixed day shifts was significantly smaller than the difference in sleep quality between nurses 40 years old or younger working rotating shifts and those working fixed day shifts (β = −0.368, p= .011). The sleep quality of nurses working fixed night shifts was also poorer than the sleep quality of nurses working fixed day shifts; the SMD was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.38–0.78, p< .001), and the meta-regression analysis revealed that the difference in sleep quality between nurses over 40 years old working fixed night shifts and those working fixed day shifts was not significantly different from the difference in sleep quality between nurses 40 years old or younger working fixed night shifts and those working fixed day shifts (β = −0.118, p= .608). This meta-analysis found that both nurses working rotating shifts and those working fixed night shifts had poorer sleep quality than those working fixed day shifts and that age influenced the difference in sleep quality only between nurses working rotating shifts and those working fixed day shifts; the difference in sleep quality between nurses 40 years old or younger working rotating shifts and those working fixed day shifts was greater than the difference in sleep quality between nurses over 40 years old working rotating shifts and those working fixed day shifts.
Serving the need of people: the case for servant leadership against populism

ABSTRACT This article provides a contrasting perspective between populist and servant leadership. We propose four key differences based on distinct views on people centricity, the role of the people in the leadership process, the problem solving approach and the preferred leader role. Given the key function that meaning plays in leadership discourse, in particular during times of uncertainty and change, we further propose that populist leaders make use of simplistic meaning-making systems that emphasize monistic and over-simplified views around polarized options, while servant leaders in contrast use complex meaning-making systems that emphasize pluralist and reconciled views towards shared problem solving. Considering that populist leadership often makes references to serving, humility and self-sacrifice in defence of the people, we find it important to distinguish it from servant leadership. We advance, in fact, that servant leaders can function as an antidote to populism, being a genuine people centred approach with a reconciliatory and pluralist view and an adequate (but surely not perfect) response to many of our societal problems.
The Impact of Source and Message Relevance on Audience Responses to Health Podcasts

This study explores the impact of source type (expert, experienced, and layperson) and message relevance (high versus low relevance) on message processing and persuasion in the context of health podcasts as a health promotion tool. Findings from a 3 (source) x 2 (message relevance) within-subjects factorial design experiment (N = 113) showed perceived source competence, perceived source trustworthiness, perceived message effectiveness, health behavior intentions, and podcast download intentions were greatest for podcasts delivered by an expert source, followed by an experienced source and a layperson source. Podcasts with higher message relevance resulted in greater health behavior intentions and podcast download intentions.
Great houses for whom?: Chacoan monumental architecture in cross-cultural, cognitive, and ethnohistorical perspective

ABSTRACT This paper offers a new interpretation of Chacoan Great Houses, multistoried masonry structures of the 9th-12th century U.S. Southwest, using insights from animist ontologies, cognitive science, cross-cultural analysis, and ethnohistory. Throughout time and space, societies have constructed buildings to serve as dwelling places for animate, divine entities immanent in material objects. We call these structures god houses and briefly review examples from numerous societies across the ancient/extramodern worlds and indigenous U.S. Southwest. We then apply this understanding to argue that the architectural logic and material assemblages of Chacoan Great Houses, and especially Pueblo Bonito, suggest identification as god houses, a notion that rephrases the usual distinction between ‘domestic’ and ‘ritual’ interpretations of Great Houses to consider the nature of the beings that dwelled within them. Our argument enriches investigations of the Chaco world by highlighting the role of religion and relations with non-human beings in the development of monumental architecture, regional organization, and inequality in the precontact U.S. Southwest.
Centralized Decentralization, or Distributed Leadership as Paradox: The Case of the Patient Innovation’s COVID-19 Portal

ABSTRACT Patients with rare diseases, as well as their caregivers, sometimes develop new solutions to deal with their health conditions but only a small fraction share the solution with their doctor or other health professionals. When the value of patient-developed solutions is considered, the evidence is that these solutions consistently help improve the overall quality of life. Patient-developed innovations are very heterogeneous in nature, level of quality, sophistication, and cost; nonetheless, the majority are frugal in cost and design. In this paper, we explore the organizational lessons of the patient innovation platform and community, and its leadership expressions, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Multi-sided online platforms for collecting, curating, and distributing those innovations can help in the fight against the pandemic by centralizing decentralization and we consider this theme in terms of our understanding of when leadership is distributed and when it is not. Distributed leadership can be considered as a paradox, a process in which leadership is retained and dispersed.
Linguistic profiles of translation manuscripts and edited translations

A range of studies have pointed to the importance of considering the influence of editors in studies of translated language. Those studies have concentrated on particular features, which allowed them to study those features in detail, but also prevented them from providing an overall picture of the linguistic properties of the texts in question. This study addresses this issue by conducting a multivariate analysis of unedited and edited translations of English business articles into German. We aim to investigate whether translation manuscripts have a characteristically different distribution of lexico-grammatical features compared to edited translations, and whether editors normalize those features and thus assimilate the translations to non-translated texts. Findings related to individual features are in line with the previously observed phenomena of sentence splitting and passive voice, and a general tendency towards increasing readability. In general, however, no profound effect of editorial intervention could be observed, even though there was a slight tendency of edited translations to be more similar to comparable originals.
Do not Rely on Relay Translations: Multilingual Parallel Direct Europarl

Translationese data is a scarce and valuable resource. Traditionally, the proceedings of the European Parliament have been used for studying translationese phenomena since their metadata allows to distinguish between original and translated texts. However, translations are not always direct and we hypothesise that a pivot (also called ”relay”) language might alter the conclusions on translationese effects. In this work, we ( i ) isolate translations that have been done without an intermediate language in the Europarl proceedings from those that might have used a pivot language, and ( ii ) build comparable and parallel corpora with data aligned across multiple languages that therefore can be used for both machine translation and translation studies.