Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resting Energy Expenditure Is Elevated in Asthma

Background: Asthma physiology affects respiratory function and inflammation, factors that may contribute to elevated resting energy expenditure (REE) and altered body composition. Objective: We hypothesized that asthma would present with elevated REE compared to weight-matched healthy controls. Methods: Adults with asthma (n = 41) and healthy controls (n = 20) underwent indirect calorimetry to measure REE, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to measure body composition, and 3-day diet records. Clinical assessments included spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and a complete blood count. Results: Asthmatics had greater REE than controls amounting to an increase of ~100 kcals/day, even though body mass index (BMI) and body composition were similar between groups. Inclusion of asthma status and FENO in validated REE prediction equations led to improved estimates. Further, asthmatics had higher white blood cell (control vs. asthma (mean ± SD): 4.7 ± 1.1 vs. 5.9 ± 1.6, p < 0.01) and neutrophil (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 1.4, p = 0.02) counts that correlated with REE (both p < 0.01). Interestingly, despite higher REE, asthmatics reported consuming fewer calories (25.1 ± 7.5 vs. 20.3 ± 6.0 kcals/kg/day, p < 0.01) and carbohydrates than controls. Conclusion: REE is elevated in adults with mild asthma, suggesting there is an association between REE and the pathophysiology of asthma.
Insights into the Role of the Microbiota and of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Rubinstein–Taybi Syndrome

The short-chain fatty acid butyrate, produced by the gut microbiota, acts as a potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. We assessed possible ameliorative effects of butyrate, relative to other HDAC inhibitors, in in vitro and in vivo models of Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by variants in the genes encoding the histone acetyltransferases CBP and p300. In RSTS cell lines, butyrate led to the patient-specific rescue of acetylation defects at subtoxic concentrations. Remarkably, we observed that the commensal gut microbiota composition in a cohort of RSTS patients is significantly depleted in butyrate-producing bacteria compared to healthy siblings. We demonstrate that the effects of butyrate and the differences in microbiota composition are conserved in a Drosophila melanogaster mutant for CBP, enabling future dissection of the gut–host interactions in an in vivo RSTS model. This study sheds light on microbiota composition in a chromatinopathy, paving the way for novel therapeutic interventions.
The Effects of Different Invitation Schemes on the Use of Fecal Occult Blood Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Simple Summary There is large heterogeneity in invitation schemes and participation rates in colorectal cancer screening programs offering fecal occult blood tests (nowadays mostly fecal immunochemical tests). It is unclear what the most effective invitation strategies are for fecal occult blood tests. In this systematic review, advance notification, mailed fecal occult blood test, and reminders had major, consistent, and complementary potential to increase participation in fecal occult blood test-based colorectal cancer screening. Our findings show that the effectiveness of invitations for fecal occult blood test-based colorectal cancer screening can be substantially increased across several settings by the implementation of comprehensive invitation strategies. Abstract Personal invitations for fecal occult blood tests (nowadays mostly fecal immunochemical tests) are increasingly used to raise their usage for colorectal cancer screening. However, there is a large heterogeneity in applied invitation schemes. We aimed to review evidence for the effectiveness of various invitation schemes. The main outcome was the fecal occult blood test usage rate. A systematic search was performed in Medline and Web of Science (up to 9 July 2020). Randomized controlled trials or cluster-randomized controlled trials were eligible, which reported on general invitations for fecal occult blood test-based colorectal cancer screening sent to the general population at average colorectal cancer risk. (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020169409). Overall, 34 studies were included. Invitations with an attached, i.e., mailed fecal occult blood test consistently increased test usage by 4–19.7% points, compared to other methods of test provision. Likewise, the introduction of advance notification consistently led to a higher usage rate, with an increase of 3.3–10.8% points. Reminders showed positive but varying effects by method. With an increase of 8.5–15.8% points, letter or email reminders were more effective than reminders by phone call or text message (0.6–6.5% points). Inconsistent results were found for financial incentives ((−8.4)–20% points) and for added or changed invitation material ((−3.5)–11.8% points). With 3.5–24.7% points, the strongest increases in use were achieved by multifaceted invitation, implementing multiple components. Any invitation scheme was superior over no invitation. Advance notification, mailing of fecal occult blood test, and reminders were consistently shown to have major, complementary potential to increase participation in fecal occult blood test-based colorectal cancer screening settings.
Breast Cancer Patient Prognosis Is Determined by the Interplay between TP53 Mutation and Alternative Transcript Expression: Insights from TP53 Long Amplicon Digital PCR Assays

Simple Summary The TP53 gene, the most commonly mutated gene in human cancers, is capable of producing multiple RNAs (transcripts). The aim of our study was to measure the abundance of each TP53 transcript, combined with TP53 gene mutation information, to determine the interplay between these in a cohort of breast tumors from New Zealand patients. To do this, we devised a new assay which then enabled the measurement of all known TP53 transcripts. We showed how TP53 gene mutations influenced the levels of specific TP53 transcripts in breast tumors. We evaluated whether a combination of TP53 tumor information, including TP53 mutation status and the levels of certain TP53 transcripts, with standard clinical and pathological information, was associated with breast cancer patient outcome. We recommend that a truly comprehensive analysis of TP53 needs to incorporate data about both TP53 DNA mutations and the expression of the alternative TP53 transcripts. Abstract The TP53 gene locus is capable of producing multiple RNA transcripts encoding the different p53 protein isoforms. We recently described multiplex long amplicon droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays to quantify seven of eight TP53 reference transcripts in human tumors. Here, we describe a new long amplicon ddPCR assay to quantify expression of the eighth TP53 reference transcript encoding ∆40p53α. We then applied these assays, alongside DNA sequencing of the TP53 gene locus, to tumors from a cohort of New Zealand (NZ) breast cancer patients. We found a high prevalence of mutations at TP53 splice sites in the NZ breast cancer cohort. Mutations at TP53 intron 4 splice sites were associated with overexpression of ∆133TP53 transcripts. Cox proportional hazards survival analysis showed that interplay between TP53 mutation status and expression of TP53 transcript variants was significantly associated with patient outcome, over and above standard clinical and pathological information. In particular, patients with no TP53 mutation and a low ratio of TP53 transcripts t2 to t1, which derive from alternative intron 1 acceptor splice sites, had a remarkably good outcome. We suggest that this type of analysis, integrating mutation and transcript expression, provides a step-change in our understanding of TP53 in cancer.
Neurophysiological Approach by Self-Control of Your Stress-Related Autonomic Nervous System with Depression, Stress and Anxiety Patients

Background: Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) is a treatment in which patients learn self-regulation of a physiological dysregulated vagal nerve function. While the therapeutic approach of HRVB is promising for a variety of disorders, it has not yet been regularly offered in a mental health treatment setting. Aim: To provide a systematic review about the efficacy of HRV-Biofeedback in treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress related disorders. Method: Systematic review in PubMed and Web of Science in 2020 with terms HRV, biofeedback, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, panic disorder, and anxiety disorder. Selection, critical appraisal, and description of the Random Controlled Trials (RCT) studies. Combined with recent meta-analyses. Results: The search resulted in a total of 881 studies. After critical appraisal, nine RCTs have been selected as well as two other relevant studies. The RCTs with control groups treatment as usual, muscle relaxation training and a “placebo“-biofeedback instrument revealed significant clinical efficacy and better results compared with control conditions, mostly significant. In the depression studies average reduction at the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale was 64% (HRVB plus Treatment as Usual (TAU) versus 25% (control group with TAU) and 30% reduction (HRVB) at the PSQ scale versus 7% (control group with TAU). In the PTSD studies average reduction at the BDI-scale was 53% (HRV plus TAU) versus 24% (control group with TAU) and 22% (HRVB) versus 10% (TAU) with the PTSD Checklist (PCL). In other systematic reviews significant effects have been shown for HRV-Biofeedback in treatment of asthma, coronary artery disease, sleeping disorders, postpartum depression and stress and anxiety. Conclusion: This systematic review shows significant improvement of the non-invasive HRVB training in stress related disorders like PTSD, depression, and panic disorder, in particular when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or different TAU. Effects were visible after four weeks of training, but clinical practice in a longer daily self-treatment of eight weeks is more promising. More research to integrate HRVB in treatment of stress related disorders in psychiatry is warranted, as well as research focused on the neurophysiological mechanisms.
Hesperidin and Naringin Improve Broiler Meat Fatty Acid Profile and Modulate the Expression of Genes Involved in Fatty Acid β-oxidation and Antioxidant Defense in a Dose Dependent Manner

The beneficial properties of the flavanones hesperidin and naringin as feed additives in poultry have lately been under investigation. In broilers, both flavanones have been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties while their individual effects on fatty acid (FA) composition and the underlying molecular mechanisms of their activity have not been explored. Here, we studied their effects on broiler meats’ FA profiles and on the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism, antioxidant defense and anti-inflammatory function. The experimental design comprised six treatment groups of broilers, each supplemented from day 11 until slaughter at 42 days with hesperidin, naringin or vitamin E, as follows: the E1 group received 0.75 g of hesperidin per kg of feed, E2 received 1.5 g hesperidin/kg feed, N1 received 0.75 g naringin/kg feed, N2 received 1.5 g naringin/kg feed, vitamin E (VE) received 0.2 g a-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed, and the control group was not provided with a supplemented feed. The VE treatment group served as a positive control for antioxidant activity. An analysis of the FA profiles of the abdominal adipose tissue (fat pad), major pectoralis (breast) and biceps femoris (thigh) muscles showed that both hesperidin and naringin had significant effects on saturated FA (SFA), polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and omega n-6 content. Both compounds reduced SFA and increased PUFA and n-6 content, as well as reducing the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices in the breast muscle and fat pad. The effects on the thigh muscle were limited. An analysis of gene expression in the liver revealed that naringin significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) and glutathione disulfide reductase (GSR) expression. In the breast muscle, both hesperidin and naringin increased fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression and hesperidin increased the expression of adiponectin. In brief, both hesperidin and naringin supplementation beneficially affected FA profiles in the breast meat and fat pad of broiler chicken. These effects could be attributed to an increase in FA β-oxidation since the increased expression of related genes (PPARα and ACOX1) was observed in the liver. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of hesperidin and naringin previously observed in the meat of broilers could be attributed, at least partly, to the regulation of antioxidant defense genes, as evidenced by the increased GSR expression in response to naringin supplementation.
SOLUTE TRANSPORT THROUGH SOIL WITH ADSORPTION AND ROOT WATER UPTAKE COMPUTED WITH A TRANSIENT AND A CONSTANT‐FLUX MODEL

Computer models are often used to simulate solute transport through soil profiles. This paper compares the results obtained with two such models. The first model is rather complex and requires a complete description of the soil hydrological properties. The second model is much simpler and uses an average percolation rate as input. Solute transport was compared with and without adsorption and with and without root water uptake. The results show that the relative solute concentration at a given soil depth, as a function of cumulative drainage of an intermittently irrigated soil, is a smooth curve, which can also be simulated with the simple model. Such models are apparently appropriate for predicting solute transport through field soils with their inherent spatial variability in physical and chemical properties.
Characteristics and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation with Respect to the Presence or Absence of Heart Failure. Insights from the Multicenter Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry

Background: We aimed to assess characteristics and treatment of AF patients with and without heart failure (HF). Methods: The prospective, observational Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry included consecutive patients with AF hospitalized in 10 Polish cardiology centers in 2019–2020. Results: Among 3999 AF patients, 2822 (71%) had HF (AF/HF group). Half of AF/HF patients had preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Compared to patients without HF (AF/non–HF), AF/HF patients were older, more often male, more often had permanent AF, and had more comorbidities. Of AF/HF patients, 98% had class I indications to oral anticoagulation (OAC). Still, 16% of patients were not treated with OAC at hospital admission, and 9%—at discharge (regardless of the presence of HF and its subtypes). Of patients not receiving OAC upon admission, 61% were prescribed OAC (most often apixaban) at discharge. AF/non–HF patients more often converted from AF at admission to sinus rhythm at discharge compared to AF/HF patients (55% vs. 30%), despite cardioversion performed as often in both groups. Class I antiarrhythmics were more often prescribed in AF/non–HF than in AF/HF group (13% vs. 8%), but still as many as 15% of HFpEF patients received them. Conclusions: Over 70% of hospitalized AF patients have coexisting HF. A significant number of AF patients does not receive the recommended OAC.
Energy Intake and Appetite Sensations Responses to Aquatic Cycling in Healthy Women: The WatHealth Study

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate energy expenditure, food intake and appetite feelings in response to water- vs. land-based cycling exercises in healthy young women. Methods: Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed among 20 women who performed four experimental sessions in a randomized order: (i) a rest condition (CONT); (ii) a 30-min aqua-cycling exercise session (WAT), (iii) a 30-min land-cycling exercise session at the same rpm (LAND), (iv) a land-cycling session at the same heart rate and isoenergetic to WAT (LAND-Iso). Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured by indirect calorimetry; ad libitum energy intake during subsequent lunch was assessed with appetite feelings recorded at regular intervals. Results: Energy expenditure was higher during the 30-min WAT than during CONT and LAND (p < 0.001). Carbohydrate oxidation was higher in the WAT session compared to CONT and LAND (p < 0.05). LAND-Iso duration was significantly increased (+14 min) to reach the same energy expenditure as in the WAT condition (p < 0.05). There was no differences in food intake between sessions. Conclusion: While further studies are needed to optimize the chronic energetic effects of aqua-cycling, the present study suggests that this exercise modality could represent an efficient strategy to induce acute energy deficit.
Effect of Tai Chi on Markers of Oxidative Stress: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This study aimed to synthesize the evidence of the effect of practicing Tai Chi on oxidative stress markers (OxSM). Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducting using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, and Ovid databases to identify randomized (RCT) and non-randomized (NRCT) clinical trials that evaluated the Tai Chi effect on OxSM compared to sedentary behavior, walking or yoga. Pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using the inverse variance method to determine the effect of Tai Chi on OxSM. PROSPERO register: CRD42019138362. Results: Five RCT and five NRCT were included. Compared to sedentary behavior, regular Tai Chi practice increases the levels of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (MD = 34.97 U/mL, (95%CI, 9.45 to 60.48), 344 participants) and catalase (MD = 15.63 U/mL, (95%CI, 4.05 to 27.22), 110 participants), as well as reducing the levels of lipoperoxides (MD = −0.02 µmol/L, (95%CI, −0.04 to −0.00), 234 participants). For comparisons with walking or yoga, only one study per activity was identified comparing the effect on OxSM. Conclusions: Regular Tai Chi practice increases the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as reducing the levels of lipoperoxides. More studies are necessary to determine the effect of Tai Chi on OxSM when compared to other physical activities.
Dimethyl Trisulfide Diminishes Traumatic Neuropathic Pain Acting on TRPA1 Receptors in Mice

Pharmacotherapy of neuropathic pain is still challenging. Our earlier work indicated an analgesic effect of dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), which was mediated by somatostatin released from nociceptor nerve endings acting on SST4 receptors. Somatostatin release occurred due to TRPA1 ion channel activation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DMTS in neuropathic pain evoked by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve in mice. Expression of the mRNA of Trpa1 in murine dorsal-root-ganglion neurons was detected by RNAscope. Involvement of TRPA1 ion channels and SST4 receptors was tested with gene-deleted animals. Macrophage activity at the site of the nerve lesion was determined by lucigenin bioluminescence. Density and activation of microglia in the spinal cord dorsal horn was verified by immunohistochemistry and image analysis. Trpa1 mRNA is expressed in peptidergic and non-peptidergic neurons in the dorsal root ganglion. DMTS ameliorated neuropathic pain in Trpa1 and Sstr4 WT mice, but not in KO ones. DMTS had no effect on macrophage activity around the damaged nerve. Microglial density in the dorsal horn was reduced by DMTS independently from TRPA1. No effect on microglial activation was detected. DMTS might offer a novel therapeutic opportunity in the complementary treatment of neuropathic pain.
Online Learning Approach for Predictive Real-Time Energy Trading in Cloud-RANs

Constantly changing electricity demand has made variability and uncertainty inherent characteristics of both electric generation and cellular communication systems. This paper develops an online learning algorithm as a prescheduling mechanism to manage the variability and uncertainty to maintain cost-aware and reliable operation in cloud radio access networks (Cloud-RANs). The proposed algorithm employs a combinatorial multi-armed bandit model and minimizes the long-term energy cost at remote radio heads. The algorithm preschedules a set of cost-efficient energy packages to be purchased from an ancillary energy market for the future time slots by learning both from cooperative energy trading at previous time slots and by exploring new energy scheduling strategies at the current time slot. The simulation results confirm a significant performance gain of the proposed scheme in controlling the available power budgets and minimizing the overall energy cost compared with recently proposed approaches for real-time energy resources and energy trading in Cloud-RANs.
The Effects of Drought and Re-Watering on Non-Structural Carbohydrates of Pinus tabulaeformis Seedlings

Simple Summary Drought is one of the main drivers resulting in carbon imbalance in terrestrial ecosystems and the mortality of plants. How plants can survive under drought stress is becoming a major focus of interest. Non-structural carbohydrates include sugars and starch that are essential to plant metabolism and their roles in drought stress are thought to be critically important. Our study examined the allocation strategies of non-structural carbohydrates for three-year-old Pinus tabulaeformis (Chinese pine) seedlings under drought and subsequent re-watering conditions. Our results indicated that P. tabulaeformis seedlings showed strong drought resistance by investing limited non-structural carbohydrates to roots and depleting the starch storage in each organ (leaf, twig, stem, and root) to fuel the needs of plant metabolism and osmotic adjustment. Starch storage was first reconstructed after the drought stress was released. Our findings not only prove the important role of non-structural carbohydrates, especially starch storage, in the survival of P. tabulaeformis seedlings under drought condition, but also complement the limited studies on allocation strategies of non-structural carbohydrate after the drought stress is released, and broaden our understanding of the physiological mechanisms of plants in response to drought stress. Abstract Intense and frequent drought events strongly affect plant survival. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are important “buffers” to maintain plant functions under drought conditions. We conducted a drought manipulation experiment using three-year-old Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. seedlings. The seedlings were first treated under different drought intensities (i.e., no irrigation, severe, and moderate) for 50 days, and then they were re-watered for 25 days to explore the dynamics of NSCs in the leaves, twigs, stems, and roots. The results showed that the no irrigation and severe drought treatments significantly reduced photosynthetic rate by 93.9% and 32.6% for 30 days, respectively, leading to the depletion of the starch storage for hydraulic repair, osmotic adjustment, and plant metabolism. The seedlings under moderate drought condition also exhibited starch storage consumption in leaves and twigs. After re-watering, the reduced photosynthetic rate recovered to the control level within five days in the severe drought group but showed no sign of recovery in the no irrigation group. The seedlings under the severe and moderate drought conditions tended to invest newly fixed C to starch storage and hydraulic repair instead of growth due to the “drought legacy effect”. Our findings suggest the depletion and recovery of starch storage are important strategies for P. tabulaeformis seedlings, and they may play key roles in plant resistance and resilience under environmental stress.