Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of functional exercise on the reversal of acromegaly induced frailty: a case report

ABSTRACT Background: Acromegaly is an endocrine disease caused by the excess secretion of growth hormone and is responsible for the development of multiple comorbidities that can reduce physiologic reserve. The hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) affects virtually every organ in the body and can predispose an individual to frailty; a state of vulnerability resulting from cumulative decline across multiple systems. Frailty results in a loss of physiologic reserve and vulnerability to adverse outcomes such as morbidity and mortality. Case Description: The patient was a 73-year-old male with acromegaly who declined into a cycle of frailty following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and aortic valve replacement surgery. Prolonged hospitalization and lack of adequate physical stress led to the depletion of reserve in the cardiopulmonary, cognitive, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular systems, leaving a previously independent adult fully dependent for mobility. Outcomes: The patient participated in a twelve-week multicomponent physical therapy program in a skilled nursing facility. The exercise program was designed and administered to impact multiple systems and provide the necessary overload for adaptation. The patient demonstrated significant improvement in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti (POMA), Functional Outcome Scale (FOS), and returned to independent community ambulation. Discussion: The case illustrates the effectiveness of a multicomponent functional-based exercise program to improve markers of frailty and reverse functional decline in a frail older adult with acromegaly.
Morphometric diagnosability of Cyprus Wheatears Oenanthe cypriaca and an unexpected occurrence on Helgoland Island

Capsule We found closely related Cyprus Wheatears Oenanthe cypriaca and Pied Wheatears Oenanthe pleschanka to differ significantly from each other in 14 external morphometric characters, supporting the independent taxonomic status of both forms. An additionally measured old specimen from Helgoland unexpectedly turned out to be a Cyprus Wheatear, the first record for Germany.
Genetically flexible but conserved: a new essential motif in the C-ter domain of HIV-1 group M integrases

Using coevolution-network interference based on the comparison of two phylogenetically distantly related isolates, one from the main group M and the other from the minor group O of HIV-1, we identify, in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of integrase, a new functional motif constituted by four non-contiguous amino acids (N222K240N254K273). Mutating the lysines abolishes integration through decreased 3’-processing and inefficient nuclear import of reverse transcribed genomes. Solution of the crystal structures of wt and mutated CTDs shows that the motif generates a positive surface potential that is important for integration. The number of charges in the motif appears more crucial than their position within the motif. Indeed, the positions of the K could be permutated or additional K could be inserted in the motif, generally without affecting integration per se. Despite this potential genetic flexibility, the NKNK arrangement is strictly conserved in natural sequences, indicative of an effective purifying selection exerted at steps other than integration. Accordingly, reverse transcription was reduced even in the mutants that retained wt integration levels, indicating that specifically the wt sequence is optimal for carrying out the multiple functions integrase exerts. We propose that the existence of several amino acids arrangements within the motif, with comparable efficiencies of integration per se, might have constituted an asset for the acquisition of additional functions during viral evolution. IMPORTANCE Intensive studies on HIV-1 have revealed its extraordinary ability to adapt to environmental and immunological challenges, an ability that is also at the basis of antiviral treatments escape. Here, by deconvoluting the different roles of the viral integrase in the various steps of the infectious cycle, we report how the existence of alternative equally efficient structural arrangements for carrying out one function opens on the possibility of adapting to the optimisation of further functionalities exerted by the same protein. Such property provides an asset to increase the efficiency of the infectious process. On the other hand, though, the identification of this new motif provides a potential target for interfering simultaneously with multiple functions of the protein.
The Physiology of a Wilty Pea: Abscisic Acid Production under Water Stress

'Wilty' (JI 1069), a mutant of Pisum sativum, has been examined for its ability to produce abscisic acid (ABA) under water stress. ABA was measured using combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and multiple-ion-monitoring employing a deuterated internal standard. In intact draughted plants, 'Wilty' produced less ABA than a non-wilty line (JI 1194) and maximum production was delayed. Detached leaves of the wilty mutant lost significantly more water than control leaves but did not show an increase in ABA content. Non-stressed mutant material from both intact plants and isolated leaves contained less ABA than control tissue.
Evaluation of Prescription Pattern of Analgesic Use among Ambulatory Elderly in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Inappropriate prescribing of analgesics has a global impact on the health of elderly patients and the society. Empirical evidence on the prescription of analgesics among elderly Nigerians is scarce. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of analgesics and describe the co-prescribing of gastroprotective agents with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) among elderly patients at the geriatric center, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional, hospital-based study was carried out among elderly patients (≥60 years) who were prescribed analgesics. Using a data extraction sheet, information on demographic characteristics, drug utilization pattern, and morbidities was obtained from patients' case files via electronic health records. Results: A total of 337 patients case files were reviewed, the mean age was 72 ± 8.8 years, and 210 (62.3%) were females. There were a total of 2074 medications prescribed, with 733 (35.3%) being analgesics. Majority of the elderly patients (259, 76.9%) were on nonopioids, with 252 (74.8%) on NSAIDs. Paracetamol was the most commonly prescribed analgesics (181, 24.6%), followed by diclofenac/misoprostol (177, 24.1%), opioid analgesic prescribed was 88 (12.0%), with paracetamol/codeine 58 (65.9%), and tramadol 16 (18.2%) being the most prescribed opioid. A significant proportion of the hypertensive elderly patients (160, 78.8%; P < 0.036) were on NSAIDs. The oral route of administration (302, 89.6%) was the most common route of administration. Majority (310, 92%) of elderly patients taking NSAIDs had a co-prescription for gastroprotective agents. Conclusions: Majority of hypertensive patients were on NSAIDs. This calls for prompt awareness of rational analgesic use among the elderly to improve management and their survival.
G-quadruplexes offer a conserved structural motif for NONO recruitment to NEAT1 architectural lncRNA

Abstract The long non-coding RNA NEAT1 serves as a scaffold for the assembly of paraspeckles, membraneless nuclear organelles involved in gene regulation. Paraspeckle assembly requires NEAT1 recruitment of the RNA-binding protein NONO, however the NEAT1 elements responsible for recruitment are unknown. Herein we present evidence that previously unrecognized structural features of NEAT1 serve an important role in these interactions. Led by the initial observation that NONO preferentially binds the G-quadruplex conformation of G-rich C9orf72 repeat RNA, we find that G-quadruplex motifs are abundant and conserved features of NEAT1. Furthermore, we determine that NONO binds NEAT1 G-quadruplexes with structural specificity and provide evidence that G-quadruplex motifs mediate NONO-NEAT1 association, with NONO binding sites on NEAT1 corresponding largely to G-quadruplex motifs, and treatment with a G-quadruplex-disrupting small molecule causing dissociation of native NONO-NEAT1 complexes. Together, these findings position G-quadruplexes as a primary candidate for the NONO-recruiting elements of NEAT1 and provide a framework for further investigation into the role of G-quadruplexes in paraspeckle formation and function.
Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Irrigated No‐Till Corn Production and Soil Carbon and Nitrogen

ABSTRACT Converting to no-till (NT) production can affect N requirements for optimizing corn ( Zea mays L.) yields while enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) and N levels. Nitrogen fertilization impacts on irrigated, NT continuous-corn grain, stalk, cob, and stover yields, stover C and N uptake, and C/N ratios were evaluated for 11 yr on a clay loam soil. Changes in SOC and total soil nitrogen (TSN) were also monitored. Grain, stalk, cob, and stover yields increased with increasing N rate, as did N and C uptake. The C/N ratio of stalk residue declined with increasing N rate, but cob C/N ratio was not affected, with an average stover C/N ratio of 68 at the highest N rate. Nitrogen fertilization increased SOC and TSN levels with average SOC and TSN mass rate gains with N application of 0.388, 0.321, and 0.160 Mg SOC ha –1 yr –1 and 0.063, 0.091, and 0.140 Mg TSN ha –1 yr –1 in the 0- to 7.6-, 0- to 15.2-, and 0- to 30.4-cm soil depths, respectively. The SOC and TSN mass rate changes were lower without N application. Increases in TSN appeared to be more rapid than SOC, resulting in a decline in the soil C/N ratio with time. Under irrigated, NT continuous corn production, N fertilization optimized grain and residue yields, with the enhanced benefit of increased SOC and TSN levels in the semiarid central Great Plains. Removal of cobs or partial stover residue as a cellulosic feedstock for ethanol production appears possible without negative effects on soil quality under irrigated, NT corn production.
Biological Flora of the British Isles: Fagus sylvatica

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Fagus sylvatica L. that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Fagus sylvatica (Beech) is a large usually single‐stemmed deciduous tree native to south‐east England but now growing over almost the whole of the British Isles, often planted as a forestry tree on all but the wettest soils. It forms extensive woodlands, where it is dominant over a large altitudinal range, competing primarily with Quercus robur. The outcome of this competition is determined by local soil and climatic conditions leading to a gradation into oak woodlands. It is monoecious, wind‐pollinated and notable for its periodic large seed numbers (mast years); seed is dispersed by birds and mammals but mostly drops below the parent tree. Fagus sylvatica is hardy, very shade tolerant, casts a deep shade and is fairly resistant to browsing but susceptible to spring frosts. Due to its shallow rooting and intensive rather than extensive mode of soil water exploitation, it is also susceptible to drought, and this is likely to be the main factor controlling its expected response to climate change. Fagus sylvatica is facing few conservation problems, and indeed, its range is currently expanding into central Europe. However, in the face of climate change, its range is likely to contract from its extremes in all but the north, and Phytophthora diseases may become more serious.
Prognosis Value of Early Veno Arterial PCO2 Difference in Patients Under Peripheral Veno Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

INTRODUCTION Veno arterial membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is increasingly used for cardiogenic failure. However, hemodynamic targets for adequate resuscitation remain a challenge. The PCO2 gap and the ratio between PCO2 gap and the arteriovenous difference in oxygen (PCO2 gap/Da-vO2) are marker of peripheral hypoperfusion. We hypothesized that the PCO2 gap and the PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 ratio might be useful parameters in VA ECMO patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted an observational prospective study between September 2015 and February 2017. All consecutive patients >18 years of age who had been treated with peripheral VA ECMO for cardiac failure were included. We compared 2 groups of patients: patients who died of any cause under VA ECMO or in the 72 h following VA ECMO weaning (early death group) - and patients who survived VA ECMO weaning more than 72 h (surviving group). Blood samples were drawn from arterial and venous VA ECMO cannulas at H0, H6 and H24. The ability of PCO2 gap and PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 to discriminate between early mortality and surviving was studied using ROC curves analysis. RESULTS We included 20 patients in surviving group and 29 in early death group. The PCO2 gap was higher in the early death group at H6 (7.4 mmHg [5.7-10.1] vs. 5.9 mmHg [3.8-9.2], p < 0.01). AUC for PCO2 gap at H6 was 0.76 (0.61-0.92), with a cut-off of 6.2 mmHg. The PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 was higher in the early death group at H0 (2.1 [1.5-2.6] vs. 1.2 [0.9-2.4], p < 0.01) and at H6 (2.1 [1.3-2.6] vs. 1.0 [0.8-1.7], p < 0.01). AUC for PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 at H0 and H6 were 0.79 and 0.73 respectively; the cut-off value was 1.4. CONCLUSIONS Early PCO2 gap and PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 ratio are higher in the early death group in patients under VA ECMO.
The Taste of Emotion: Metaphoric Association Between Taste Words and Emotion/Emotion-Laden Words

According to the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, abstract concepts can be metaphorically associated with more concrete, physically embodied concepts, such as gustatory experience. Studies on taste–emotion metaphoric association reported that people associate love with sweet, jealousy with sour and bitter, and sadness with bitter. However, few studies have systematically examined the metaphoric association between taste and words referred to emotion (e.g., “sad”) or emotion-laden concepts (e.g., “funeral”). In the current four studies (total N = 357), we examined this metaphoric association by having participants come up with a taste word when reading an emotion and emotion-laden word (Study 1—explicit association of taste words-to-emotion/emotion-laden words), come up with an emotion word when reading taste words (Study 2—explicit association of emotion words-to-taste words), rate the association between taste words and basic or non-basic emotion words (Study 3), and rate the association between taste words and a more expanded pool of emotion/emotion-laden words (Study 4). Results showed that sweet was mostly associated with positive emotion and emotion-laden words, whereas bitter, followed by sour and spicy, was mostly associated with negative emotion and emotion-laden words. The bidirectionality of taste–emotion metaphoric association was supported by our dataset. The implications of these findings on the Conceptual Metaphor Theory and embodied cognition are discussed.
Association Between Preschoolers’ Specific Fine (But Not Gross) Motor Skills and Later Academic Competencies: Educational Implications

Motor development is an inseparable component of cognitive development. So, to develop the mind, it is necessary to work the body. Therefore, Early Childhood Education curricula and the scientific literature emphasize the need to promote the development of motor skills during the 1st years of life. These skills are necessary for learning and subsequent academic performance. However, studies frequently offer only a partial view of these relationships. Few works have analyzed the specific relationships between different components of preschool gross and fine motor skills and subsequent performance on different academic competencies. Further, they present discrepant results. The aim of this study was to determinate which specific components of gross and fine motor skills assessed in Spanish students during the final year of Early Childhood Education (5 to 6-year-olds) were associated with different academic competencies assessed in the following academic year, when the students were in their 1st year of Primary Education. The final sample consisted of 38 Spanish students, aged 5. A mixed methods approach was used. It consisted of systematic observation to assess specific components of gross and fine motor skills when children were in the Early Childhood Education period, and selective methodology to evaluate their academic competencies (specifically in literacy and mathematics and overall), 1 year later, once in Primary Education. Multiple linear regression models were constructed using the computing language R to examine the association between motor skills and academic competencies. The results indicated that only the components of fine motor skills showed associations with academic competencies. The pattern of association varied when literacy and mathematics competencies were specifically and individually assessed and when overall academic competency was considered. The two assessed fine motor skills (Coordination and Integration) were associated with literacy competency (β = 0.344, p = 0.025; β = 0.349, p = 0.024, respectively) and overall academic competency (β = 0.267, p = 0.065; β = 0.493, p = 0.001, respectively). However, only Integration was associated with mathematics competency (β = 0.476, p = 0.002). The “Discussion” section focuses on the educational implications of these results and future research. It highlights the importance of early assessment of fine motor skills to identify students likely to present inadequate subsequent academic performance and the need to apply instruction and interventions tailored to the specific needs of each child.
Peroxisomal oxidation of erucic acid suppresses mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation by stimulating malonyl-CoA formation in the rat liver

Feeding of rapeseed (canola) oil with a high erucic acid concentration is known to cause hepatic steatosis in animals. Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation plays a central role in liver lipid homeostasis, so it is possible that hepatic metabolism of erucic acid might decrease mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. However, the precise mechanistic relationship between erucic acid levels and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation is unclear. Using male Sprague–Dawley rats, along with biochemical and molecular biology approaches, we report here that peroxisomal β-oxidation of erucic acid stimulates malonyl-CoA formation in the liver and thereby suppresses mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Excessive hepatic uptake and peroxisomal β-oxidation of erucic acid resulted in appreciable peroxisomal release of free acetate, which was then used in the synthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA. Peroxisomal metabolism of erucic acid also remarkably increased the cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio, suppressed sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activity, and thereby activated acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which stimulated malonyl-CoA biosynthesis from acetyl-CoA. Chronic feeding of a diet including high-erucic-acid rapeseed oil diminished mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and caused hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in the rats. Of note, administration of a specific peroxisomal β-oxidation inhibitor attenuated these effects. Our findings establish a cross-talk between peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. They suggest that peroxisomal oxidation of long-chain fatty acids suppresses mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation by stimulating malonyl-CoA formation, which might play a role in fatty acid–induced hepatic steatosis and related metabolic disorders.
Mother brain is wired for social moments

Reorganization of the maternal brain, primed by oxytocin surge during childbirth, triggers the species-typical maternal social behavior. These brief social moments carry profound effects on the infant’s social brain and likely have a distinct signature in the maternal brain. Utilizing a double-blind, oxytocin/placebo administration crossover design, we imaged mothers twice while observing three naturalistic maternal-infant contexts in the home ecology; “unavailable”, “unresponsive”, and “social”, when mothers engaged in synchronous pick-a-boo play. We found four processes by which mother’s brain registers social moments. Salience - social moments increased activations throughout the maternal brain network; Brain-behavior coupling - caregiving behavior linked with socially-driven neural response; Oxytocin sensitivity – administration impacted neural response mainly to the social context; and Temporal engrams–consistent temporal patterns in insula and TP characterized response to social play. Findings describe how mother’s brain compiles and amplifies these precious social moments to generate dyad-specific brain-behavior patterns that initiate the cross-generational transmission of human sociality.
Comparison of color indexes for tomato ripening

A cor do tomate e a caracteristica externa mais importante que permite determinar a maturacao e estimar a vida pos-colheita, sendo por sua vez um fator importante na decisao de compra por parte do consumidor. O grau de maturacao geralmente e determinado usando cartas de cores. Sem duvida, com o emprego de colorimetros, pode-se expressar o grau de maturacao em termos de valores nos eixos L*, a* e b* (de branco a preto, verde a vermelho e de azul a amarelo, respectivamente) dentro da esfera de cor CIELAB, que matematicamente combinados, permitem calcular os diferentes indices de cor. O objetivo desse trabalho foi comparar, entre si, os distintos indices de cor e estudar a relacao dos mesmos com a classificacao visual por cor, para frutos de tomate amadurecidos na planta. Valores de L*, a* e b* (175 observacoes provenientes de onze cultivares) correspondentes a frutos que haviam sido previamente classificados em seis estadios de maturacao de acordo com a escala USDA, foram empregados para calcular os valores de hue, chroma, indice de cor, diferenca de cor com o vermelho puro, relacao a*/b* e (a*/b*)2. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se ANOVA e as medias foram discriminadas pelo teste de Duncan (5%). A variacao de cor durante a maturacao provocou variacoes significativas em L*, a* e b*. Nas condicoes do presente trabalho, indice de cor, diferenca de cor e relacao a*/b* tiveram, essencialmente, a mesma expressao, com as categorias de cor significativamente diferentes em termos da percepcao humana, entretanto, o valor de hue mostrou uma variacao mais ampla de valores. O chroma nao foi um bom parâmetro para expressar os diferentes estadios de maturacao, entretanto, seria um bom indicador de aceitacao por parte dos consumidores quando os frutos se encontrassem totalmente maduros. A relacao (a*/b*)2 apresentou as mesmas limitacoes que o chroma. Os valores de hue, indice de cor, diferenca de cor e relac! ao a*/b* podem ser utilizados indistintamente como indices quando os frutos amadurecem na planta. Sem duvida, seria interessante determinar-se qual e o melhor indice quando a maturacao ocorre sob condicoes inadequadas de temperatura e iluminacao.