Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Muscle Function, Structure, and Metabolism in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Reduced exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) could be partially explained by skeletal muscle dysfunction. We compared skeletal muscle function, structure, and metabolism among clinically stable outpatients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, HF with reduced ejection fraction, and healthy controls (HC). Furthermore, the molecular, metabolic, and clinical profile of patients with reduced muscle endurance was described. Methods: Fifty-five participants were recruited prospectively at the University Hospital Jena (17 HF with preserved ejection fraction, 18 HF with reduced ejection fraction, and 20 HC). All participants underwent echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, 6-minute walking test, isokinetic muscle function, and skeletal muscle biopsies. Expression levels of fatty acid oxidation, glucose metabolism, atrophy genes, and proteins as well as inflammatory biomarkers were assessed. Mitochondria were evaluated using electron microscopy. Results: Patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction showed compared with HF with reduced ejection fraction and HC reduced muscle strength (eccentric extension: 13.3±5.0 versus 18.0±5.9 versus 17.9±5.1 Nm/kg, P=0.04), elevated levels of MSTN-2 (myostatin-2), FBXO-32 (F-box only protein 32 [Atrogin1]) gene and protein, and smaller mitochondrial size (P<0.05). Mitochondrial function and fatty acid and glucose metabolism were impaired in HF-patients compared with HC (P<0.05). In a multiple regression analysis, GDF-15 (growth and differentiation factor 15), CPT1B (carnitine palmitoyltransferase IB)-protein and oral anticoagulation were independent factors for predicting reduced muscle endurance after adjusting for age (log10 GDF-15 [pg/mL] [B, −54.3 (95% CI, −106 to −2.00), P=0.043], log10 CPT1B per fold increase [B, 49.3 (95% CI, 1.90–96.77), P=0.042]; oral anticoagulation present [B, 44.8 (95% CI, 27.90–61.78), P<0.001]). Conclusions: Patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction have worse muscle function and predominant muscle atrophy compared with those with HF with reduced ejection fraction and HC. Inflammatory biomarkers, fatty acid oxidation, and oral anticoagulation were independent factors for predicting reduced muscle endurance.
Simulating nitrate leaching under crops fertilized with pig slurry in lysimeters

Abstract. Regions in the Po Valley, Northern Italy, are characterized by intensive crop‐livestock farming systems. A simulation model has been chosen for an inter‐regional project, which should help in defining groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk on a regional scale, in relation to agricultural land use, by allowing the prediction of nitrate leaching under different climate, soil, crop and management scenarios. The model derives from the coupling of a hydrological model, MACRO, simulating water flow and solute transport in structured soils, with a model simulating soil N dynamics, SOILN. The aim of this work was to test the model's ability to simulate nitrate leaching through soil after land spreading of pig slurries. A dataset obtained from lysimeter experiments which had been carried out in the period 1976–1981 was used for this purpose. Four soil types were compared (silty clay, sandy loam, loam and sand) in factorial combination with four rates of pig slurry (0, 142, 284, 426 g of N m–2, accumulated values from 1976 to 1979) for a seven crop sequence. The efficiency of the MACRO model ranged from 0.96, in the sandy‐loam soil, to 0.81, in the sand. Percolation was usually under‐estimated, the relative error ranging from 0.7 to 14.6, depending on the soil. The low efficiency of the SOILN model in simulating nitrate leaching is attributed to the lack of knowledge of the mechanisms regulating N transformation processes and especially the mineralization of pig slurry N. This lack of knowledge hampers the correct setting of the N transformation parameter values. A remarkable improvement of the model's performance was obtained by changing a few coefficients which control the mineralization‐immobilization turnover of the faeces‐organic N. The model efficiency, following this recalibration, ranged from –0.62 to 0.84, and the relative error ranged from –56 to 35, depending on soil and treatment. N leaching was under‐estimated at the low pig slurry N application rates and over‐estimated at the high ones.
Remote monitoring using donor-derived, cell-free DNA after kidney transplantation during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Background Donor-derived, cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) level correlates with allograft injury with clinical validity and utility for quiescence and active acute rejection (AR) in kidney transplant recipients. We analyzed trends in dd-cfDNA level immediately preceding and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with implemented “shelter in place” and a tele-health strategy with remote home phlebotomy to limit COVID-19 exposure. Methods During COVID-19 in the United States (US), we surveyed weekly (January 6, 2020-May 25, 2020) metrics for dd-cfDNA corresponding to both a low risk for active rejection (dd-cfDNA < 0.5%) and cohorts with indeterminate levels of 0.5% to 1.0% and > 1.0%. During the study timeframe, over 11,000 patient samples (67%) from 150 kidney transplantation centers were transitioned from standard facility-based to remote phlebotomy. Results The proportion of dd-cfDNA samples, analyzed in 21 weekly aggregated cohorts by risk-stratification category, was unchanged during the COVID-19 escalation in the US. Linearized slopes for numbers of samples corresponding to indeterminate risk for AR cohorts of > 1.0% and 0.5% to 1.0% were -0.31 and -0.12, respectively; indicating that prevalence of these “at risk for AR cohorts” decreased during remote surveillance. Approximately 73% of samples corresponded to low risk of AR (dd-cfDNA < 0.5%), while an additional 15% of samples had dd-cfDNA level ≤ 1.0%. Conclusion The combination of remote home phlebotomy including dd-cfDNA analysis and a tele-health program offer a new paradigm that may substantially improve patient compliance and assuage anxiety regarding the state of kidney allograft health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further prospective multi-center studies with robust outcomes data are warranted.
Rationale and methods of a randomized trial evaluating the effect of neprilysin inhibition on left ventricular remodelling

In patients at high risk of heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI) as a result of residual left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), the angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan may result in a greater attenuation of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling than renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibition alone, due to increased levels of substrates for neprilysin with vasodilatory, anti‐hypertrophic, anti‐fibrotic, and sympatholytic effects.
Utilization of Jujube Biomass to Prepare Biochar by Pyrolysis and Activation: Characterization, Adsorption Characteristics, and Mechanisms for Nitrogen

The rapid advancement of jujube industry has produced a large amount of jujube biomass waste, requiring the development of new methods for utilization of jujube resources. Herein, medium-temperature pyrolysis is employed to produce carbon materials from jujube waste in an oxygen-free environment. Ten types of jujube biochar (JB) are prepared by modifying different pyrolysis parameters, followed by physical activation. The physicochemical properties of JB are systematically characterized, and the adsorption characteristics of JB for NO3− and NH4+ are evaluated via batch adsorption experiments. Furthermore, the pyrolysis and adsorption mechanisms are discussed. The results indicate that the C content, pH, and specific surface area of JB increase with an increase in the pyrolysis temperature from 300 °C to 700 °C, whereas the O and N contents, yield, zeta potential, and total functional groups of JB decrease gradually. The pyrolysis temperature more significantly effects the biochar properties than pyrolysis time. JB affords the highest adsorption capacity for NO3− (21.17 mg·g−1) and NH4+ (30.57 mg·g−1) at 600 °C in 2 h. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models suitably describe the isothermal and kinetic adsorption processes, respectively. The NO3− and NH4+ adsorption mechanisms of JB may include surface adsorption, intraparticle diffusion, electrostatic interaction, and ion exchange. In addition, π–π interaction and surface complexation may also be involved in NH4+ adsorption. The pyrolysis mechanism comprises the combination of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin decomposition involving three stages. This study is expected to provide a theoretical and practical basis for the efficient utilization of jujube biomass to develop eco-friendly biochar and nitrogenous wastewater pollution prevention.
Vaccines safety and maternal knowledge for enhanced maternal immunization acceptability in rural Uganda: A qualitative study approach

Background Maternal immunization is a successful and cost-effective public health strategy. It protects pregnant women and their infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. Uganda is exploring new vaccines for pregnant women like replacing Tetanus Toxoid (TT) with Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td). Research on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and willingness among pregnant women is needed before the introduction of vaccines for pregnant women. This study was aimed at exploring maternal knowledge, attitudes, willingness, and beliefs towards maternal immunization among pregnant women in rural Uganda. Methods This was a qualitative descriptive study. Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted at antenatal care (ANC) clinics and in a rural community of Uganda. Five key informant interviews (KIIs) were done with health workers, for triangulation. Considering context and research characteristics, data were collected and thematically analyzed. Results Women were familiar with the importance of maternal vaccines, had positive attitudes, and expressed willingness to take them. Acceptance of a new vaccine could be affected by worries of pregnant women and that of their partners, who influence health seeking decisions in a home concerning adverse events, following the maternal immunization (AEFI). There were misconceptions about introduction of vaccines such as the belief that vaccines treat malaria and general body weakness, and being used as guinea pigs to test for the vaccine before its introduction to the larger population. Conclusion A range of diverse sentiments and beliefs may affect uptake and acceptability of vaccines that are introduced in communities. For instance, ignoring vaccine safety concerns may impede maternal immunization acceptability, because pregnant women and their husbands are concerned about AEFI. Moreover, husbands make all health-seeking decisions at home, and their opinion is key, when considering such interventions.
Stronger tilt aftereffects in persons with schizophrenia.

Individuals with schizophrenia may fail to appropriately use temporal context and apply past environmental regularities to the interpretation of incoming sensory information. Here we use the visual system as a test bed for investigating how prior experience shapes perception in individuals with schizophrenia. Specifically, we use visual aftereffects, illusory percepts resulting from prior exposure to visual input, to measure the influence of prior events on current processing. At a neural level, visual aftereffects arise due to attenuation in the responses of neurons that code the features of the prior stimulus (neuronal adaptation) and subsequent disinhibition of neurons signaling activity at the opposite end of the feature dimension. In the current study, we measured tilt aftereffects and negative afterimages, 2 types of aftereffects that reflect, respectively, adaptation of cortical orientation-coding neurons and adaptation of subcortical and retinal luminance-coding cells in persons with schizophrenia (PSZ; n = 36) and demographically matched healthy controls (HC; n = 22). We observed stronger tilt aftereffects in PSZ compared to HC, but no difference in negative afterimages. Stronger tilt aftereffects were related to more severe negative symptoms. These data suggest oversensitivity to recent regularities, in the form of stronger visual adaptation, at cortical, but not subcortical, levels in schizophrenia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Review of the physicochemical properties and associated health effects of aerosols generated during thermal spray coating processes

Thermal spray coating is a process that applies a molten metal product under pressure onto a surface. Although thermal spray processes have been used for decades, exposure to aerosols formed during thermal spray coating is an emerging risk. Reports indicate that high concentrations of aerosols composed of toxic metals (e.g. chromium) are generated in the workplace. A knowledge gap exists related to the physicochemical properties of thermal spray coating aerosols as well as any potential associated health effects. The objective of this manuscript was to review thermal spray coating and previous studies that have examined the aerosols produced from this process. A thermal spray coating generator and exposure system is also described that has recently been developed to further evaluate the physical and chemical properties of aerosols formed during thermal spray coating as well as to assess the possible health effects of this process in an effort to mitigate potential occupational health hazards related to the industry.
Expression of Connexins 37, 43 and 45 in Developing Human Spinal Cord and Ganglia

Direct intercellular communication via gap junctions has an important role in the development of the nervous system, ranging from cell migration and neuronal differentiation to the formation of neuronal activity patterns. This study characterized and compared the specific spatio-temporal expression patterns of connexins (Cxs) 37, 43 and 45 during early human developmental stages (since the 5th until the 10th developmental week) in the spinal cord (SC) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) using double immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. We found the expression of all three investigated Cxs during early human development in all the areas of interest, in the SC, DRG, developing paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic trunk, notochord and all three meningeal layers, with predominant expression of Cx37. Comparing the expression of different Cxs between distinct developmental periods, we did not find significant differences. Specific spatio-temporal pattern of Cxs expression might reflect their relevance in the development of all areas of interest via cellular interconnectivity and synchronization during the late embryonic and early fetal period of human development.
Tax Revenues, Duties and Public Expenditure: Nigerian Evidence

This study evaluates the influences of various Tax revenues and duty elements on public expenditure in Nigeria over the period of 1994 to 2016. The study employs the stationarity test, the Co-integration, Error Correction estimate and the Granger Causality test. Due to the relatively short period considered by the study, it employs the Auto regressive Distributive Lag model. The lag length selection criteria showed the sufficiency of the first lag for the employed model since revenues of previous period may be expended in future periods. It is discovered in the long run that Petroleum Profit Tax, Company Income Tax and Value Added Tax revenue sources contribute significantly to the expenditure pattern of the government. Unidirectional causal relationship abound and spilled from Petroleum profit Tax and Company Income tax to Government Expenditure while bidirectional causal relationship is seen between Personal Income Tax and Government Expenditure and Valued Added Tax and Government Expenditure. It was also observed that the trend of government expenditure is largely independent of Capital Gains Tax and Custom and Excise duties. This is linked to insufficient funds accruing to the identified tax revenue and duties sources. Freidman’s Tax leading hypothesis is imminently represented as Petroleum Profit Tax and Company Income Tax are seen to be leading and determining the expenditure pattern of the public sector. Although, the above shows the dependence of government expenditure largely on the natural resource of the nation (crude oil) and the corporate firms. It is therefore recommended that (i) the public sector should ensure a fluid budgetary process to ensure easier transition and benefit from revenues via government expenditures and (ii) the custom and excise duties should be reformed to ensure proper remittances and adequate collection plans.
Extrusion Processing of Starch Film

Processing behaviors of starch film using a twin screw extruder were studied; in particular the effect of processing conditions, such as temperature, screw speed, feeding speed, and water content, on the extrusion torque and die pressure were systematically investigated. A specific focus of this work was to investigate the effect of amylose/amylopectin ratio containing in cornstarch on the film processing and performances. It was found that the processibility was decreased as the amylose content increased. Pre-mixing and equilibration improve the processibility of starch films, especially for the high amylose starches. The high amylose starches need higher moisture content and temperature for film extrusion.
A review of solar air heaters: techniques for thermal performance enhancement

The solar air heater is a simple device which captures solar energy. Producing hot air by using a solar air heater is a renewable energy heating technology used to process heat generation for space heating. Such systems produce heat at a minimum initial and running cost. Minimum maintenance like cleaning of collectors only is required. Many studies have studied the possibility of improving the performance of solar collectors and raising their thermal efficiency through additions and improvements that were added to the solar heater. Among these improvements are: Adding the extended surfaces to the upper or lower channels, or both, attaching baffles to the absorber plate surface, using corrugated absorber plate, and storing the extra thermal energy and releasing it during sunset. The objective of the present paper is to review the various studies dealing with previous improvements, to present the design modifications, in addition to summarizing their most important results. Based on the review, it is found that: Adding the fins and baffles together to the absorber plate surface of the single or double pass solar air heater has a great effect on improving the thermal efficiency. The use of a corrugated absorber plate leads to a significant increase in the efficiency of the solar air heater. The heat stored in the solar air heater can be used to produce useful heat for several hours after the absence of solar radiation and raise daily efficiency.
Award Number: W81XWH-06-1-0673 TITLE: ErbB2 Trafficking and Signaling in Human Vestibular Schwannomas

s/Presentations: Gurgel, R, Clark, J, Provenzano, M, Hansen, M. Merlin phosphorylation on serine 518 by protein kinase A contributes to spiral ganglion and sciatic nerve Schwann cell proliferation following denervation. Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Baltimore, Maryland, February 2009. Cho, C-H, Xu, N, Han, GC, Green, S, Hansen, M. c-Jun N-terminal kinase is required for neurite growth in dissociated spiral ganglion neurons. Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Baltimore, Maryland, February 2009. Hansen, MR, Clark, JJ, Gantz, BJ, Goswami, PC. Effects of ErbB2 signaling on the response of vestibular schwannoma cells to γ-irradiation. Triologic Society, Orlando, Florida, May 2008— Fowler Award for Best Basic Science Thesis. Woodson, EA, Clark, JJ, Xu, N, Provenzano, MJ, Hansen, MR. Constitutive ERK and PI3-K activity each promote proliferation in vestibular schwannoma cells while constitutive JNK activity and p75NTR signaling protect against apoptosis. Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Phoenix, Arizona, February 2008. Clark, JJ, Brown, KD, Gantz, BJ, Hansen MR. Contribution of ErbB2 signaling to vestibular schwannoma cell proliferation and radiosensitivity. 5th International Conference on Vestibular Schwannomas and Other CPA Lesions, Barcelona, Spain, June 2007 Brown, KD, Clark, J, Hansen MR. Differential lipid raft localization of ErbB2 in vestibular schwannoma cells and Schwann cells. Combined Sections Meeting, Triologic Society, Marco Island, Florida, February 2007. Brown, KD, Clark, J, Hansen MR. Differential lipid raft localization of ErbB2 in vestibular schwannoma cells and Schwann cells. Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Denver, Colorado, February 2007. Manuscripts: Hansen, MR, Clark, JJ, Gantz, BJ, Goswami, PC. (2008) Effects of ErbB2 signaling on the response of vestibular schwannoma cells to γ-irradiation. Laryngoscope, 118(6):1023-30. Brown, KD, Hansen, MR. (2008) Lipid raft localization of erbB2 in vestibular schwannoma and Schwann cells. Otol Neurotol, 29(1):79-85. Clark, JJ, Provenzano, M, Diggelmann, HR, Xu, N, Hansen, SS, Hansen, MR. The ErbB inhibitors, trastuzumab and erlotinib, inhibit growth of vestibular schwannoma xenografts in nude mice: a preliminary study. Otology&Neurotology 2008, 29(6):846-53.
LYME DISEASE AND RELAPSING FEVER SPIROCHETES

The mammalian host responds to infection with Borrelia spirochetes through a highly orchestrated immune defense involving innate and adaptive effector functions aimed toward limiting pathogen burdens, minimizing tissue injury, and preventing subsequent reinfection. The evolutionary adaptation of Borrelia spirochetes to their reservoir mammalian hosts may allow for its persistence despite this immune defense. This review summarizes our current understanding of the host immune response to B. burgdorferi sensu lato, the most widely studied Borrelia spp. and etiologic agent of Lyme borreliosis. Pertinent literature will be reviewed with emphasis on in vitro, ex vivo and animal studies that influenced our understanding of both the earliest responses to B. burgdorferi as it enters the mammalian host and those that evolve as spirochetes disseminate and establish infection in multiple tissues. Our focus is on the immune response of inbred mice, the most commonly studied animal model of B. burgdorferi infection and surrogate for one of this pathogen’s principle natural reservoir hosts, the white-footed deer mouse. Comparison will be made to the immune responses of humans with Lyme borreliosis. Our goal is to provide an understanding of the dynamics of the mammalian immune response during infection with B. burgdorferi and its relation to the outcomes in reservoir (mouse) and non-reservoir (human) hosts.
SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology

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