Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of High-Speed Resistance Training on Health Outcomes in Independent Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Human ageing involves several physiological impairments—in particular, a decrease in sensorimotor function and changes in the nervous system reduce muscle strength, power, balance, and functional capacity performance. Preventive strategies are essential to ensure the quality of life of the elderly. High-speed resistance training (HSRT) may be an effective approach to muscle power development in this population, with significant short-term effects on neural adaptations and muscle power production. Therefore, the present study intends to analyze and systematize the studies focused on HSRT interventions and their effects on health outcomes in independent older adults. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Scielo) were used for the purposes of searching randomized controlled trials that measured at least one key outcome measure focusing on velocity-based training and health outcomes in older adults on 7 March 2022 and identified 1950 studies. At the end of the process, fourteen studies were included in this systematic review and ten studies were included in the quantitative analysis. The main results showed that HSRT interventions would improve health measures, mostly cognitive function (large effects, p = 0.001, SMD = 0.94), neuromuscular function (moderate effects, p = 0.003, SMD = 0.70), and physical function (moderate effects, p = 0.04, SMD = 0.55 and p = 0.009, SMD = −0.59). Additionally, the results suggested that interventions with ten weeks or more, performed three times a week, provide significant improvements in neuromuscular function. In this sense, HSRT is effective for improving overall health outcomes in older adults. Future studies should include proper follow-ups (e.g., minimum six months) to assess the durability of HSRT intervention effects on all health-related variables.
Non-Invasive Tests of Liver Fibrosis Help in Predicting the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Patients with NAFLD

Background: The potential role of non-invasive tests (NITs) for liver fibrosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prediction remains poorly known. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a NAFLD cohort from a single university hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Incidence rates and cumulative incidence for the overall cohort, as well as cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to investigate risk factors of HCC. Results: From the entire cohort of 1040 patients, 996 patients (95.8%) were analyzed, in whom 35 cases of HCC were detected, of which 26 (72.4%) HCC incident cases were newly diagnosed during a median follow-up of 2.5 (1.9–3.6) years. Two-hundred and thirty-one (23.2%) were cirrhotic at baseline. With the exception of 2 (7.7%) cases of HCC, the rest were diagnosed in cirrhotic patients. Overall HCC cumulative incidence was 9.49 (95% CI 6.4–13.9) per 1000 person-years. The incidence rate for cirrhotic patients was 41.2 (95% CI 27.6–61.6) per 1000 person-years and 0.93 (95% CI 0.23–3.7) per 1000 person-years for patients without cirrhosis. Overall mortality was significantly higher amongst patients with HCC (4.4% vs. 30.8%, p < 0.001). In patients with available liver biopsy (n = 249, 25%), advanced fibrosis (F3–F4) was significantly associated with higher HCC incidence, but not steatosis, lobular inflammation, nor ballooning. In the overall cohort, FIB-4 ≥1.3 (HR 8.46, 95% CI 1.06–67.4, p = 0.044) and older age (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11, p = 0.025) were associated with increasing risk of HCC over time, whereas in cirrhotic patients predictors of HCC included decreasing values of albumin (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13–0.87, p = 0.024), platelets (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.98–0.99, p = 0.001), and increasing values of liver stiffness (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.06, p = 0.016). Conclusions: In a Spanish cohort of NAFLD patients, HCC was rare in non-cirrhotic patients. NITs might play a relevant role at predicting HCC.
High-Dose Acetaminophen Alters the Integrity of the Blood–Brain Barrier and Leads to Increased CNS Uptake of Codeine in Rats

The consumption of acetaminophen (APAP) can induce neurological changes in human subjects; however, effects of APAP on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity are unknown. BBB changes by APAP can have profound consequences for brain delivery of co-administered drugs. To study APAP effects, female Sprague–Dawley rats (12–16 weeks old) were administered vehicle (i.e., 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), intraperitoneally (i.p.)) or APAP (80 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg in DMSO, i.p.; equivalent to a 900 mg or 5600 mg daily dose for a 70 kg human subject). BBB permeability was measured via in situ brain perfusion using [14C]sucrose and [3H]codeine, an opioid analgesic drug that is co-administered with APAP (i.e., Tylenol #3). Localization and protein expression of tight junction proteins (i.e., claudin-5, occludin, ZO-1) were studied in rat brain microvessels using Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy, respectively. Paracellular [14C]sucrose “leak” and brain [3H]codeine accumulation were significantly enhanced in rats treated with 500 mg/kg APAP only. Additionally, claudin-5 localization and protein expression were altered in brain microvessels isolated from rats administered 500 mg/kg APAP. Our novel and translational data show that BBB integrity is altered following a single high APAP dose, results that are relevant to patients abusing or misusing APAP and/or APAP/opioid combination products.
Human Disturbance on the Land Surface Environment in Tropical Islands: A Remote Sensing Perspective

Geographically isolated islands are under great stress due to global climate change, as well as the social and environmental issues relating to human activities. It is necessary to monitor and analyze the spatial–temporal changes of the land surface environment in species-rich tropical islands in order to realize the sustainable development and protection of island areas. In this study, we extracted the land cover and coastline information of three tropical islands from 1990 to 2020 based on the Google Earth Engine platform and the Random Forest algorithm. The results showed that: (1) different tropical islands have similar characteristics in terms of land surface environment changes, with the amount of artificial surface and cultivated land increasing, the forest and mangrove areas decreasing, and the amount of artificial coastline increasing; (2) human disturbance plays an important role in changes in the land surface environment. Population growth, immigration policies, food security, and human activities related to achieving economic profits are likely responsible for these land cover changes; and (3) the main factors driving coastline changes include natural processes (topography, ecological ecosystems, sea-level rise, sea waves, and storms) and human activities (sand mining, tourism, port construction, aquaculture expansion, and mangrove deforestation). Understanding these changes will help tropical islands and coastal zones to make suitable policies for land management and respond to climate change and sustainable development challenges.
Characterization of Elemental Composition and Valence State of Cyclone-collected Aerosol Particles Using EDXRF and XAFS at Three Sites in Japan

The valence state and concentration of metallic pollutants are important factors contributing to the health effects of respirable particulate matter (PM); however, they have not been well studied. In this study, coarse and fine powder samples of atmospheric PM were collected using a cyclone system at Kanagawa (KO), Saitama (SA), and Fukuoka (FU) in Japan in 2017. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) was used to measure the concentrations of nine metallic elements (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to analyze the valence states of target elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn). The EDXRF results indicated that the average contents of Fe, Ti, and Zn were much higher than those of the other six elements in all samples. The XAFS results showed that the major valence states of the elements were Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), and Zn(II). The percentages of Mn(IV), Fe(II), and Cu(0) were higher in KO and SA samples than in FU samples. Mn(0) and Zn(0) were detected in some samples only, and Cu(I) was not detected in any samples. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis were performed on the EDXRF and XAFS data of the target elements. The source identification results showed that the sources of metal contaminants in the samples varied considerably between sampling sites and depended on the industrial structure and geographical location of the sampling area. Our findings on the different valence states of the elements may be important for determining the toxicity of PM at different locations.
Asian rainfall anomaly patterns associated with interannual variations of early and peak summer rainfall over the Indochina Peninsula

This study investigates the rainfall anomaly patterns over Asia associated with interannual variations of early summer (May–June) and peak summer (July–August) Indochina Peninsula (ICP) rainfall during 1979–2016. It is found that the early and peak summer rainfall variation in the ICP displays an out‐of‐phase relation to that in central Asia and central China, respectively. Analysis reveals that the out‐of‐phase early summer rainfall variation between the ICP and central Asia tends to occur in ENSO decaying years and the out‐of‐phase peak summer rainfall variation between the ICP and central China tends to occur in ENSO developing years. The early summer out‐of‐phase rainfall anomaly pattern between the ICP and central Asia forms due to a Rossby wave type response to anomalous heating extending from the ICP to northeast India, which is attributed to a combined influence of same sign sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the equatorial eastern Pacific and tropical southwestern Indian Ocean and opposite sign SST anomalies in the tropical western North Pacific. The peak summer out‐of‐phase rainfall variation between the ICP and central China forms due to a meridional atmospheric circulation pattern over East Asia and the western North Pacific, which is resulted from the combined impacts of opposite SST anomalies in the equatorial central Pacific and tropical southeastern Indian Ocean. Further analysis indicates that the out‐of‐phase rainfall variations between the ICP and central Asia in early summer and between the ICP and central China in peak summer may occur without anomalous tropical Indo‐Pacific SST forcing.
Dimensions of service quality of multipurpose cooperatives in Southern Mindanao Region, Philippines: A multivariate approach

The study endeavored to identify the measures of service quality of multipurpose cooperatives in Digos City. The study followed a sequential exploratory design implemented using survey method involving 367 active members of multi-purpose cooperatives (response rate of 91.75%) responding on a 48-item scale of developed service quality. In analyzing the data, exploratory factor analysis was used with principal components analysis to extract the number of dimensions. Results revealed four measures can be extracted from the 48 items submitted for exploratory factor analysis, named as accommodation and reliability, assurance and empathy, accessibility, and service efficiency. Implications on the utility of the framework developed from the analysis were discussed, as well as the context and applicability of the measures for other institutions.
The prevalence of cumulative alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell disease at King Fahad University Hospital

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a mutation in the beta-globin gene. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is considered the mainstay of management. On the other hand, it carries many side effects, of which alloimmunization is the most significant. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence of alloimmunization among SCD patients and its relation with other independent risk factors in order to provide recommendations for the care of SCD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at King Fahad Hospital of the University in Al-Khobar from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. Data were collected from both the QuadraMed electronic system and the blood bank transfusion cards. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 23.0, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: One hundred and seven out of 556 SCD patients developed alloantibodies with a prevalence of (19.2%). Anti-E was the most identified alloantibody in 37 (34.6%) patients, followed by anti-K in 33 (30.8%) of the alloimmunized SCD patients. We found a clinically significant correlation between the alloimmunization and age and direct antiglobulin test positivity. CONCLUSION: Alloimmunization is a major complication among SCD patients. Moreover, most of the formed alloantibodies were directed toward the Rh and K antigens. All SCD patients should undergo extended RBC phenotyping at the earliest opportunity, including the following RBC antigens (C/c, E/e, K, Jka/Jkb, Fya/Fyb, M/N, and S/s) at a minimum either serologically or by genotyping.
Seismic performance of semi-precast high-strength recycled concrete columns with ultra-high-strength steel bar

Abstract The purpose of this study is to promote the application of high-strength reinforcement and recycled aggregate concrete in post-earthquake repairable precast structures. Three large-scale recycled concrete columns with ultra-high-strength steel bar were designed and tested under quasi-static cyclic loads. The feasibility of semi-precast columns is verified, i.e., the concrete shell of the outer tube is precast first, and then the precast external shell is used as a formwork to cast concrete into the tube. The design parameters include axial load and the addition of steel fibers. The results indicate that all specimens exhibited a good deformation capacity with an ultimate drift ratio greater than 4%. Increasing axial load will increase the lateral load capacity of the specimen by 21%, while the deformability and repairability decrease. Adding steel fibers to the precast external shell can increase the lateral load capacity by 10%, as well as the deformability and repairability of the specimen. Due to the low bond strength of ultra-high-strength steel bar, it slips at the column footing in the tensile side. Eventually, the fiber-based model simplified flexural capacity calculation model considering the ultra-high-strength steel bar slippage in the tensile zone are established.
Comparison of efficacy and safety of bevacizumab biosimilar and original bevacizumab in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Bevacizumab (Avastin®), a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, is widely used in treating a variety of malignant tumors. Several biosimilars of bevacizumab have been developed and marketed with the expiration of bevacizumab’s patent. The objective of this study was to collate available data from head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of biosimilar bevacizumab compared with the bevacizumab (Avastin®) in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Literature search of Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed from inception until October 15, 2021. The efficacy outcome indicators were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The occurrence of adverse events (AEs) was evaluated for safety outcome. Results Ten RCTs recruiting 6,416 patients with non-squamous NSCLC were included. All RCTs studies included the biosimilar bevacizumab group as the experimental group and the original bevacizumab group as the control group. The patients in the experimental group and control group received the same dose and duration of chemotherapy combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in ORR [risk ratio (RR): 0.97, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.93–1.02. P=0.841, I2=0], PFS (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.98–1.10, P=0.235, I2=0) and OS (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.10, P=0.692, I2=0) between the biomarker and original groups. The P values of ORR, PFS and OS were 0.533, 0.970 and 0.916 respectively as shown by Egger's test, suggesting that there was no publication bias. Subgroup analysis showed no significant differences in ORR, PFS, and OS between the Chinese and multicenter trials. The pooled incidence rate of AEs between two groups was similar, and there was also no significant difference between the two groups. Discussion This is the first study to independently report biosimilar bevacizumab in a meta-analysis on NSCLC treatment. The results showed that biosimilar bevacizumab had similar efficacy and safety compared with the original bevacizumab. Trial Registration PROSPERO registration No. CRD42021276991.
New Antibacterial Chloro-Containing Polyketides from the Alga-Derived Fungus Asteromyces cruciatus KMM 4696

Six new polyketides acrucipentyns A–F (1–6) were isolated from the alga-derived fungus Asteromyces cruciatus KMM 4696. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of acrucipentyn A was assigned by the modified Mosher’s method and ROESY data analysis. Acrucipentyns A–E were identified to be the very first examples of chlorine-containing asperpentyn-like compounds. The cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds were examined. Acrucipentyns A–F were found as antimicrobial agents, which inhibited sortase A enzyme activity, bacterial growth and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus and decreased LDH release from human keratinocytes HaCaT in S. aureus skin infection in an in vitro model.
A prediction model with lifestyle factors improves the predictive ability for renal replacement therapy: a cohort of 442 714 Asian adults

ABSTRACT Background There are limited renal replacement therapy (RRT) prediction models with good performance in the general population. We developed a model that includes lifestyle factors to improve predictive ability for RRT in the population at large. Methods We used data collected between 1996 and 2017 from a medical screening in a cohort comprising 442 714 participants aged 20 years or over. After a median follow-up of 13 years, we identified 2212 individuals with end-stage renal disease (RRT, n: 2091; kidney transplantation, n: 121). We built three models for comparison: model 1: basic model, Kidney Failure Risk Equation with four variables (age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria); model 2: basic model + medical history + lifestyle risk factors; and model 3: model 2 + all significant clinical variables. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to construct a points-based model and applied the C statistic. Results Adding lifestyle factors to the basic model, the C statistic improved in model 2 from 0.91 to 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.94, 0.95). Model 3 showed even better C statistic value i.e., 0.95 (0.95, 0.96). With a cut-off score of 33, model 3 identified 3% of individuals with RRT risk in 10 years. This model detected over half of individuals progressing to RRT, which was higher than the sensitivity of cohort participants with stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease (0.53 versus 0.48). Conclusions Our prediction model including medical history and lifestyle factors improved the predictive ability for end-stage renal disease in the general population in addition to chronic kidney disease population.
Disconfirmation of Taste as a Measure of Trust in Brands: An Experimental Study on Mineral Water

The underlying factors of the purchase decision process of bottled mineral water have been a less studied area. The typically related attributes of consumer judgement in the case of low involvement can vary widely, ranging from price sensitivity to habits. However, assessing the role of brand reputation and trust from a sensory perception perspective is not a common approach. This paper examines the impact of trust on consumer value judgements for a frequently consumed beverage such as mineral water. Combining trust and sensory attributes with the Expectation–Disconfirmation Theory (EDT) framework provides insights into the weight of taste, trust and reputation in product evaluation. A tasting experiment was carried out using a representative systematic random sampling method. A mixed method was applied; EDT was used to analyze quantitative data and grounded theory methodology was performed in the case of qualitative data. Results indicate complete assimilation for the most preferred brand and negative contrast for less well-known brands. It can be stated that the applied methodology is suitable as a certain kind of trust measurement and also can function particularly well as a reinforcement and complement to other methodologies (e.g., neuromarketing methods). This study suggests that brand names positively influence value judgment. Origin bounded brands compared to imported brands can help companies mitigate trust issues in developing countries as they convey a particular reputation, which helps reinforce trust.
One-Year Clinical Outcomes of Minimal-Invasive Dorsal Percutaneous Fixation of Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures

Introduction: Minimal-invasive instrumentation techniques have become a workhorse in spine surgery and require constant clinical evaluations. We sought to analyze patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinicopathological characteristics of thoracolumbar fracture stabilizations utilizing a minimal-invasive percutaneous dorsal screw-rod system. Methods: We included all patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures who underwent minimal-invasive percutaneous spine stabilization in our clinics since inception and who have at least 1 year of follow-up data. Clinical characteristics (length of hospital stay (LOS), operation time (OT), and complications), PROMs (preoperative (pre-op), 3-weeks postoperative (post-op), 1-year postoperative: eq5D, COMI, ODI, NRS back pain), and laboratory markers (leucocytes, c-reactive protein (CRP)) were analyzed, finding significant associations between these study variables and PROMs. Results: A total of 68 patients (m: 45.6%; f: 54.4%; mean age: 76.9 ± 13.9) were included. The most common fracture types according to the AO classification were A3 (40.3%) and A4 (40.3%), followed by B2 (7.46%) and B1 (5.97%). The Median American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 3 (range: 1–4). Stabilized levels ranged from TH4 to L5 (mean number of targeted levels: 4.25 ± 1.4), with TH10-L2 (12/68) and TH11-L3 (11/68) being the most frequent site of surgery. Mean OT and LOS were 92.2 ± 28.2 min and 14.3 ± 6.9 days, respectively. We observed 9/68 complications (13.2%), mostly involving screw misalignments and loosening. CRP increased from 24.9 ± 33.3 pre-op to 34.8 ± 29.9 post-op (p < 0.001), whereas leucocyte counts remained stable. All PROMs showed a marked significant improvement for both 3-week and 1-year evaluations compared to the preoperative situation. Interestingly, we did not find an impact of OT, LOS, lab markers, complications, and other clinical characteristics on PROMs. Notably, a higher number of stabilized levels did not affect PROMs. Conclusions: Minimal-invasive stabilization of thoracolumbar fractures utilizing a dorsal percutaneous approach resulted in significant PROM outcome improvements, although we observed a complication rate of 13.2% for up to 1 year of follow-up. PROMs were not significantly associated with clinicopathological characteristics, technique-related variables, or the number of targeted levels.