Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The use of graded exercise test may be insufficient to quantify true changes in VO2max following exercise training in unfit individuals with metabolic syndrome.

We studied the accuracy of graded exercise testing (GXT) to assess improvements in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) with exercise training in unfit individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Forty-four adults with MetS (58±7 years; 36% women; BMI 31.8±4.8 kg·m-2) underwent 4 months of supervised high-intensity interval exercise training. VO2MAX was assessed using GXT followed by a constant-load verification test (VerT) at 110% of the maximal work-rate achieved during GXT. VO2 data from GXT and VerT were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. The mean improvement in VO2MAX following exercise training was similar when using GXT only or VerT. However, before training, 18 subjects achieved a higher VO2MAX during the verification test that was (+159 mLO2·min-1) higher than the GXT (P<0.001). After training, the underestimation of VO2MAX by GXT was reduced but still present (+64 mLO2·min-1). As a result, improvements in VO2MAX following exercise training as assessed using GXT only almost doubled the "real" increase in VO2MAX as measured by VerT in these 18 individuals. In the remaining 26 subjects, GXT scored below VerT only after training (+54 mLO2·min-1; P=0.046). As a consequence, GXT underestimated the actual VO2MAX increases (-49 mLO2·min-1; P=0.013) in these individuals. Assessment of changes in VO2MAX following exercise training using only GXT over-or-underestimates VO2MAX gains in unfit individuals with MetS. Thus, a verification test may be required to 1) identify the highest VO2MAX during a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer, 2) accurately quantify the true changes in cardiorespiratory fitness following exercise training in unfit individuals with MetS.
A Comparison of Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Administration of LigA Subunit Vaccine Adjuvanted with Neutral Liposomal Formulation Containing Monophosphoryl Lipid A and QS21

Leptospirosis vaccines with higher potency and reduced adverse effects are needed for human use. The carboxyl terminal domain of leptospiral immunoglobulin like protein A (LigAc) is currently the most promising candidate antigen for leptospirosis subunit vaccine. However, LigAc-based vaccines were unable to confer sterilizing immunity against Leptospira infection in animal models. Several factors including antigen properties, adjuvant, delivery system, and administration route need optimization to maximize vaccine efficacy. Our previous report demonstrated protective effects of the recombinant LigAc (rLigAc) formulated with liposome-based adjuvant, called LMQ (neutral liposome combined with monophosphoryl lipid A and Quillaja saponaria fraction 21) in hamsters. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two commonly used administration routes, intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC), on immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rLigAc-LMQ administrated three times at 2-week interval. Two IM vaccinations triggered significantly higher levels of total anti-rLigAc IgG than two SC injections. However, comparable IgG titers and IgG2/IgG1 ratio was observed for both routes after the third immunization. The route of vaccine administration did not influence the survival rate (60%) and renal colonization against lethal Leptospira challenge. Importantly, the kidneys of IM group showed no pathological lesions while the SC group showed mild damage. In conclusion, IM vaccination with rLigAc-LMQ not only elicited faster antibody production but also protected from kidney damage following leptospiral infection better than SC immunization. However, both tested routes did not influence protective efficacy in terms of survival rate and the level of renal colonization.
Performance of rGO/TiO2 Photocatalytic Membranes for Hydrogen Production

Although there are promising environmental and energy characteristics for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen, two main drawbacks must be overcome before the large- scale deployment of the technology becomes a reality, (i) the low efficiency reported by state of the art photocatalysts and, (ii) the short life time and difficult recovery of the photocatalyst, issues that need research and development for new high performance catalysts. In this work 2% rGO/TiO2 composite photocatalysts were supported over Nafion membranes and the performance of the photocatalytic membrane was tested for hydrogen production from a 20% vol. methanol solution. Immobilization of the composite on Nafion membranes followed three different simple methods which preserve the photocatalyst structure: solvent-casting (SC), spraying (SP), and dip-coating (DP). The photocatalyst was included in the matrix membrane using the SC method, while it was located on the membrane surface in the SP and DP membranes showing less mass transfer limitations. The performance of the synthesized photocatalytic membranes for hydrogen production under UVA light irradiation was compared. Leaching of the catalytic membranes was tested by measuring the turbidity of the solution. With respect to catalyst leaching, both the SC and SP membranes provided very good results, the leaching being lower with the SC membrane. The best results in terms of initial hydrogen production rate (HPR) were obtained with the SP and DP membrane. The SP was selected as the most suitable method for photocatalytic hydrogen production due to the high HPR and the negligible photocatalyst leaching. Moreover, the stability of this membrane was studied for longer operation times. This work helps to improve the knowledge on the application of photocatalytic membranes for hydrogen production and contributes in facilitating the large-scale application of this process.
Occurrence of antibiotic resistant E. coli in surface water: a study in a typical urban watershed, Korea.

Elevated levels of antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria are routinely detected in surface water, whereas the dissemination of such bacteria across tributaries, rivers, or watersheds is often unknown. In a present study, one year of water quality monitoring was conducted to assess the sources, occurrence, and distribution of AR bacteria in a typical urban watershed, the Gwangju Watershed, Korea. For this study, a total of 828 Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) isolates obtained from 8 sites in stream water were tested for their resistance against 15 different antibiotics. Results revealed that while antibiotic resistance of the E. coli isolates showed no significant difference among sites, resistance rates to one and more antibiotics were always higher than those of non-antibiotic (below 50%), representing a high incidence of antibiotic resistance in the surface water. Among the antibiotics tested, the isolates were most resistant to tetracycline (50%), followed by carbenicillin (33%) and ampicillin (32%). However, the resistance rates showed no measurable difference between the isolates from the wastewater treatment plants and those from downstream sites, except for streptomycin ( p < 0.05), indicating that untreated sewage discharge was not a primary source of the resistance. In addition, no significant difference in resistance rates was observed between summer and winter seasons. When the relationship between resistance rates in 828 E. coli isolates to antibiotics and those of multiple antibiotic resistance was further examined, a high correlation was found in streptomycin, carbenicillin, piperacillin, tetracycline, and ampicillin, thus suggesting that these antibiotics could be used as potential indicators for representing the resistance rate of E. coli isolates in surface water.
Beef tenderness evaluation using early post-mortem muscle nanostructure.

Objective Tenderness is believed to start immediately after slaughter, but there is little work that directly links tenderness to the muscle nanostructure early post-mortem. This study attempted early diagnosis of meat tenderness using muscle nanostructure at approximately 45 minutes and 24 hours post-slaughter. Methods Carcass intrinsic factors (carcass mass, muscle pH and temperature) were measured at 45 minutes and 24 hours post-slaughter on 52 A2-class beef carcasses from Bonsmara, Beefmaster, Hereford and Simbra steers. The muscle nanostructure (myofibril diameter (MYD), myofibril spacing (MYS), muscle fibre diameter (MFD), muscle fibre spacing (MFS) and sarcomere length (SL)) was also analysed at 45mins and 24hrs post-slaughter on 20 representative longissimus samples using a scanning electron microscope, while tenderness was measured using Warner Bratzler Shear Force. Results At 45 mins post-slaughter breed affected MYD and MYS while it also affected MFD and MFS at 24 hours. While pH24 affected MYD and MYS; muscle Temp45mins affected MYD, MFD and MFS; and Temp24hrs affected MYD; WBSF and sarcomere length were not affected by these factors. WBSF negatively correlated with pH0, MFD and SL at 45 mins post-slaughter, while it positively correlated with MYD, MYS, MFS WCM and Temp45mins. At 24 hours post-slaughter, WBSF had linear negative correlations with MYS, MFS, MFD, and SL, with WBSF decreasing as these muscle nanostructure components increased, thus enhancing tenderness. Meat tenderness was further enhanced by the muscle fibre bundle characteristics which include longer, visible and finer muscle grain. Conclusion Muscle tenderness is enhanced by muscle fibre bundle characteristics at approximately 24 hours post-slaughter. However, the myofibrillar structure at 45 mins post-slaughter can be a good predictor of the required ageing period for individual breeds to further enhance tenderness.
Elevating the Profession through Education, Community, and Professional Recognition.

[Figure][1] Tina M. Buehner, MS, CNMT, NMTCB(CT)(RS), RT(N)(CT) Every president has an agenda; that is why we run for office. We want to improve the profession and believe that we can, in fact, do so. Ensuring alignment between presidential goals and the strategic plan that supports the
Coprecipitation of phosphate and silicate affects environmental iron (oxyhydr)oxide transformations: a gel-based diffusive sampler approach.

Sorption of nutrients such as phosphate (P) and silicate (Si) by ferric iron (oxyhydr)oxides (FeOx) modulates nutrient mobility and alters the structure and reactivity of the FeOx. We investigated the impact of these interactions on FeOx transformations using a novel approach with samplers containing synthetic FeOx embedded in diffusive hydrogels. The FeOx were prepared by Fe(III) hydrolysis and Fe(II) oxidation, in the absence and presence of P or Si. Coprecipitation of P or Si during synthesis altered structure of Fe precipitates and, in case of Fe(II) oxidation, lepidocrocite was (partly) substituted by poorly ordered FeOx. The pure and P- or Si-bearing FeOx were deployed in (i) freshwater sediment rich in dissolved Fe(II) and P and (ii) marine sediment with sulfidic pore-water. Iron(II)-catalyzed crystallization of poorly ordered FeOx was negligible, likely due to surface passivation by adsorption of dissolved P. Reaction with dissolved sulfide was modulated by diffusion limitations and therefore the extent of sulfidation was lowest for poorly ordered FeOx with high reactivity towards sulfide that created temporary, local sulfide depletion (Fh < Lp). We show that coprecipitation-induced changes in FeOx structure affect coupled iron-nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. The gel-based method enriches our geochemical toolbox by enabling detailed characterization of target phases under natural conditions.
Dietary protein considerations for muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass preservation in older adults

Abstract Amino acid bioavailability is critical for muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and preservation of skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Ageing is associated with reduced responsiveness of MPS to essential amino acids (EAA). Further, the older adult population experiences anabolic resistance, leading to increased frailty, functional decline and depleted muscle mass preservation, which facilitates the need for increased protein intake to increase their SMM. This review focuses on the role of proteins in muscle mass preservation and examines the contribution of EAA and protein intake patterns to MPS. Leucine is the most widely studied amino acid for its role as a potent stimulator of MPS, though due to inadequate data little is yet known about the role of other EAA. Reaching a conclusion on the best pattern of protein intake has proven difficult due to conflicting studies. A mixture of animal and plant proteins can contribute to increased MPS and potentially attenuate muscle wasting conditions; however, there is limited research on the biological impact of protein blends in older adults. While there is some evidence to suggest that liquid protein foods with higher than the RDA of protein may be the best strategy for achieving high MPS rates in older adults, clinical trials are warranted to confirm an association between food form and SMM preservation. Further research is warranted before adequate recommendations and strategies for optimising SMM in the elderly population can be proposed.
Fitting the size of no-take zones to species movement patterns: a case study on a Mediterranean seabream

No-take zones (NTZs) have been shown to be useful tools for marine conservation and fishery management, although the lack of information on species’ movements often makes it difficult to properly establish NTZ size. Using acoustic telemetry techniques, we monitored the movements, home range (HR) and homing ability (to capture sites) of 22 adult white seabream Diplodus sargus sargus in a fully protected portion (138.60 ha) of the Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area (SE Italy). After release at a different location than the site of capture, 85% of the tagged fish returned to the capture site within 3 d. Fish were monitored for 161 d. All tagged fish spent most of the time within the monitoring area (fish presence index = 92.8%) and showed a mean HR of 20.6 ha. These results indicate that the studied NTZ effectively protects seabream, as it entirely encompasses their HRs, which are on average far smaller than the reserve. Twelve individuals left the monitoring area during the period of the year that corresponds to their known time of spawning. This potential emigration during the spawning period indicates that the reserve alone does not fully protect white seabream and that other management options, such as a seasonal fishing closure during the reproductive period, may be needed. Estimates of movement patterns and HRs of fishes, therefore, represent useful information to better understand, refine and enhance the value of NTZs for protecting ecologically valuable species.
Performance of the German version of the PARCA-R questionnaire as a developmental screening tool in two-year-old very preterm infants

Objective To validate and test a German version of the revised Parent Report of Children's Abilities questionnaire (PARCA-R). Methods Multicentre cross-sectional study. Parents of infants born <32 gestational weeks, completed the PARCA-R within three weeks before the follow-up assessment of their child at age two years. Infants were assessed using the Mental Development Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2nd edition (BSID-II). Pearson correlation between the Parent Report Composite (PRC) of the PARCA-R and MDI was tested. The optimal PRC cut-off for predicting moderate-to-severe mental delay, defined as MDI<70, was identified through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results PARCA-R and BSID-II data were collected from 154 consecutive infants [51% girls, mean (SD) gestational age 29.0 (2.0) weeks, birth weight 1174 (345) grams] at 23.2 (1.6) months of corrected age. The PRC score [70.5 (31.1)] correlated with the MDI [92.2 (17.3); R = 0.54; p < 0.0001]. The optimal PRC cut-off for identifying mental delay was 44 with 0.81 (0.54–0.96) sensitivity (95%-CI), 0.81 (0.74–0.87) specificity, area under the ROC curve of 0.840 (0.729–0.952). Conclusion The German version of the PARCA-R had good validity with the BSID-II and PCR scores < 44 proved optimal discriminatory power for the identification of mental delay at two years of corrected age.
A metabolite binding protein moonlights as a bile‐responsive chaperone

Bile salts are secreted into the gastrointestinal tract to aid in the absorption of lipids. In addition, bile salts show potent antimicrobial activity in part by mediating bacterial protein unfolding and aggregation. Here, using a protein folding sensor, we made the surprising discovery that the Escherichia coli periplasmic glycerol‐3‐phosphate (G3P)‐binding protein UgpB can serve, in the absence of its substrate, as a potent molecular chaperone that exhibits anti‐aggregation activity against bile salt‐induced protein aggregation. The substrate G3P, which is known to accumulate in the later compartments of the digestive system, triggers a functional switch between UgpB's activity as a molecular chaperone and its activity as a G3P transporter. A UgpB mutant unable to bind G3P is constitutively active as a chaperone, and its crystal structure shows that it contains a deep surface groove absent in the G3P‐bound wild‐type UgpB. Our work illustrates how evolution may be able to convert threats into signals that first activate and then inactivate a chaperone at the protein level in a manner that bypasses the need for ATP.
MRI Brain Findings in 126 Patients with COVID-19: Initial Observations from a Descriptive Literature Review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently, numerous investigational studies, case series, and case reports have been published describing various MR imaging brain findings in patients with COVID-19. The purpose of this literature review was to compile and analyze brain MR imaging findings in patients with COVID-19-related illness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature searches of PubMed, publicly available Internet search engines, and medical journal Web sites were performed to identify articles published before May 30, 2020 that described MR imaging brain findings in patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were included in the analysis: 5 investigational studies, 6 case series, and 11 case reports, encompassing MR imaging of the brain in 126 patients. The articles originated from 7 different countries and were published in 14 medical journals. MR imaging brain findings included specific diagnoses (such as acute infarct, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome) or specific imaging features (such as cortical FLAIR signal abnormality, microhemorrhages). CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent diagnoses made on brain MR imaging in patients with COVID-19 were acute and subacute infarcts. Other common findings included a constellation of leukoencephalopathy and microhemorrhages, leptomeningeal contrast enhancement, and cortical FLAIR signal abnormality.
Neuroprotective Effect of Intravitreal Single-Dose Lithium Chloride after Optic Nerve Injury in Rats

ABSTRACT Objective Lithium is an old drug to control bipolar disorder. Moreover, it presents neuroprotective effects and supports neuronal plasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate neuroprotective effect of intravitreal lithium after optic nerve injury. Methods Three dosages of lithium chloride, including 2 pmol, 200 pmol, and 2 nmol, were injected intravitreally after rat optic nerve injury. Proteins expression were assessed by western blot. Nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were measured by Griess test. Visual evoked potential (VEP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement were performed after trauma induction, in addition to H & E and TUJ1 staining of ganglion cells. Results Western blot depicted lithium can significantly increase antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein level and reduce p-ERK, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and proapoptotic proteins such as Bax level in retinal tissue and Griess test reflected that NO metabolites level decreased in lithium treated eyes (P < .05). While, OCT showed no significant changes (P = .36 and P = .43 comparing treated group with trauma) in retinal ganglion cell layer thickness after lithium injection, VEP P2 wave amplitude increased significantly (P < .01) in lithium-treated eyes and its latency reduced (P < .05 for N1 wave and P < .01 for P2 wave). Tuj1 antibody-labeled retinal ganglion cells analyzing showed that the number of retinal ganglion cells were significantly higher in lithium treated eyes compared to untreated eyes with optic nerve injury. Conclusion It seems intravitreally lithium has optic nerve neuroprotective effects by various mechanisms like overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins, suppressing proinflammatory molecules and proapoptotic factors, and decreasing nitric oxide.
Formative and Pilot Study for an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Cluster Randomized Trial to Incorporate Oral Health Activities into Pediatric Well-Child Visits

Background: Dental caries in pediatric patients are noted to have broad impacts on systemic health and well-being. Thus, utilizing an effectiveness-implementation hybrid I design, the Pediatric Providers Against Cavities in Children’s Teeth (PACT) trial is investigating multi-level interventions at the practice (incorporation of oral health in electronic medical record [EMR]) and provider levels (theory-based didactic and skills training to communicate oral health facts to parent/caregiver, give a prescription to see a dentist and a list of area dentists) to increase dental utilization among 3 to 6 year old Medicaid-enrolled children attending well-child visits (WCV). The formative and pilot work for the larger main trial are presented. Methods: Formative work—Focus groups with 26 participants (Community leaders, providers, parent/caregivers); and key informant interviews with practice leadership (n = 4). Topics discussed were: core oral health (OH) information to communicate at WCVs and study logistics. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using Atlas.ti; Pilot study was refined using the formative findings and was conducted at two pediatric practices to test the implementation of: the provider didactic and skills training curriculum; EMR incorporation of four OH questions; logistics of incorporating OH activities at a WCV; and parent/caregiver recruitment. Results: Formative work showed that providers and parent/caregivers required knowledge of dental caries, and a list of area Medicaid-accepting dentists. Providers and practice leadership advised on the logistics of incorporating oral health into WCVs. All groups suggested asking parent/caregivers their preferred method of contact and emphasizing importance of OH to motivate participation. Utilizing these findings, the curriculum and protocol was revised. The pilot study in two practices successfully implemented the protocol as follows: all seven providers were trained in two 45 min didactic education and skills session; incorporation of OH questions into practices EMR; recruited 86 child-parent dyads (95% participation) at the WCV; providers delivered the OH intervention to parent/caregivers in <2 min and 90% completed EMR documentation of OH questions. These findings were instrumental in finalizing the main PACT trial in 18 practices. The RE-AIM framework is used in the main trial to collect effectiveness and implementation measures at baseline and follow-up visits. Conclusions: The formative and pilot findings were instrumental in refining the OH intervention and protocol which has resulted in successful implementation of the main trial. Trial Registration: Clinical trials.gov, Registered 9 November 2017, NCT03385629.