Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
miRNA-221 Regulates Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Inflammatory Response through Targeting TNF-α Expression

Objectives To investigate the roles of miR-221 in spinal cord injury (SCI) as well as the underlying mechanism. Methods A mouse model of SCI was generated and used to examine dynamic changes in grip strength of the mouse upper and lower limbs. The expression of miR-221 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in microglia cells of the injured mice overexpressing miR-221 were then measured by ELISA. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to identify the miR-221 target. Results We successfully constructed SCI mouse model. The results of qRT-PCR showed that miR-221 was gradually upregulated in the spinal cord tissue of mice in the SCI group with the prolonged injury time. At the same time, the mRNA and protein of TNF-α gradually decreased. We further confirmed through cell experiments that the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6, as well as iNOS and eROS, were upregulated in spinal cord microglia cells of SCI mice, and upregulation of miR-122 can inhibit their expression. Finally, the luciferase reporter experiment confirmed that miR-122 targeted TNF-α. Conclusions We present evidence that miR-221 promotes functional recovery of the injured spinal cord through targeting TNF-α, while alleviating inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
Mapping the Human Leukocyte Antigen Diversity among Croatian Regions: Implication in Transplantation

In the present study, HLA allele and haplotype frequencies were studied using the HLA data of 9277 Croatian unrelated individuals, typed using high-resolution methods for the HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 loci. The total numbers of observed alleles were 47 for HLA-A, 88 for HLA-B, 34 for HLA-C, and 53 for HLA-DRB1. HLA-A∗02:01 (29.5%), B∗51:01 (10.5%), C∗04:01 (15.8%), and DRB1∗16:01 (10.4%) were the most frequent alleles in the Croatian general population. The three most frequent haplotypes were HLA-A∗01:01~C∗07:01~B∗08:01~DRB1∗03:01 (4.7%), HLA-A∗03:01~C∗07:02~B∗07:02~DRB1∗15:01 (1.7%), and HLA-A∗02:01~C∗07:01~B∗18:01~DRB1∗11:04 (1.5%). Allele and haplotype frequencies were compared between national and regional data, and differences were observed, particularly in the North Croatia region. The data has potential use in refining donor recruitment strategies for national registries of volunteer hematopoietic stem cell donors, solid organ allocation schemes, and the design of future disease and anthropological studies.
Contribution of the laboratory to a diagnosis process by sequential reflective testing: Paraprotein interference on a direct bilirubin assay

Errors in laboratory medicine occur in the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical phases. The errors are mostly detected in the preanalytical period. However, analytical errors are still an important source of error, despite their frequency is reduced significantly in years thanks to developments in laboratories. In this case, an analytical error was noticed during the verification of a patient’s results. The direct bilirubin of a 66-year-old male patient admitted to the emergency department was higher than the total bilirubin. The patient’s symptoms were fatigue and dyspnoea. Albumin and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of the patient were significantly low. After considering the patient’s demographics and laboratory results, the laboratory specialist suspected a paraproteinemia interference. Total protein was performed as a reflective test. The albumin/globulin ratio was reversed. Thereafter, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) were performed as another reflective tests, respectively. SPEP and IFE results were in favour of monoclonal gammopathy. The patient was directed to a haematologist, underwent a bone marrow biopsy, and the result was reported as Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia with plasma cell differentiation expressing IgM-Kappa. The patient went on a chemotherapy protocol, and his condition has been improved in subsequent months. Detection of analytical errors is of great importance, like in our case, and may be used as a tool to identify patients who have not yet been diagnosed. The laboratory specialist must dominate the entire process of each test in the laboratory, be aware of the limitations of tests, and turn these disadvantages into advantages when necessary.
Surgical Versus Conservative Management of Acute Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic provoked a change to normal surgical practice in the United Kingdom and led to an increase in acute appendicitis (AA) patients being treated conservatively with antibiotics. We aim to analyse the management of patients presenting with AA to our institution during the first wave of the pandemic, comparing surgically and conservatively managed patients. Method All patients presenting to our centre with AA between March and July 2020 were included. Six-month follow-up data were collected retrospectively using electronic records. Patients were categorised into surgically and conservatively managed groups. The primary outcome was the complication rate (post-operative complications vs failure of antibiotic treatment) and the secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and Alvarado score. Results Fifty-seven patients (n=57) were admitted with AA, 45.6% (n=26) managed conservatively compared to 54.4% (n=31) treated surgically. Higher complication rates were observed amongst the conservatively managed group, although not found to be statistically significant (16% vs 35%; p=0.131). There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay observed between the two groups (surgical: median, 2; interquartile range, 2-3 vs conservative: median, 3; interquartile range, 2-4). White cell count (WCC) and Alvarado score were higher on admission in the surgical group with statistical significance (p=0.012 and p=0.028, respectively). Conclusions COVID-19 has led to a significant cohort of conservatively managed AA patients in the United Kingdom. We propose a stratification pathway based on clinical severity, Alvarado score and imaging to facilitate safe selection for conservative management of AA, in order to reduce failure of treatment rates in this patient group. Further UK-based studies will add to the evidence-based surrounding safe management of AA with conservative treatment.
Treatment of Source-Separated Human Feces via Lactic Acid Fermentation Combined with Thermophilic Composting

ABSTRACT Human feces from urine diverting dry toilets can serve as valuable soil conditioners. For a successful agricultural application, an efficient pathogen reduction needs to be ensured, with no negative effects on plants. This study assessed the efficiency of lacto-fermentation combined with thermophilic composting on pathogen removal from human feces and the post-treatment effects on germination and growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) and tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) compared to lacto-fermentation combined with vermi-composting and the control. The NH4+-N/NO3−-N ratio of 3.0 and 3.6, respectively, suggested the obtained compost and vermi-compost was not yet mature. A complete reduction in the concentration of all investigated bacterial indicators (i.e., coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium perfringens) from 5–7 log CFU g−1 to below detection limit (<3 log CFU g−1) was achieved after lacto-fermentation combined with thermophilic composting. Lacto-fermentation combined with vermi-composting also contributed to pathogen die-off, but coliform bacteria were reduced to only 5 log CFU g−1. Fertilization of seeds of radish by compost obtained after lacto-fermentation combined with thermophilic composting led to a higher germination index than by the vermicast obtained by lacto-fermentation and vermi-composting (90% versus 84%). Moreover, significantly bigger average fruit weight and total biomass per tomato plant (p < 0.05) were obtained after compost amendment compared to vermicast or the control.
Prediction of Gas Solubility in Ionic Liquids Using the Cosmo-Sac Model

Thermodynamic principles for the dissolution of gases in ionic liquids (ILs) and the COSMO-SAC model are presented. Extensive experimental data of Henry’s law constants for CO2, N2 and O2 in ionic liquids at temperatures of 280-363 K are compared with numerical predictions to evaluate the accuracy of the COSMO-SAC model. It is found that Henry’s law constants for CO2 are predicted with an average relative deviation of 13%. Both numerical predictions and experimental data reveal that the solubility of carbon dioxide in ILs increases with an increase in the molar mass of ionic liquids, and is visibly more affected by the anion than by the cation. The calculations also show that the highest solubilities are obtained for [Tf2N]ˉ. Thus, the model can be regarded as a useful tool for the screening of ILs that offer the most favourable CO2 solubilities. The predictions of the COSMOSAC model for N2 and O2 in ILs differ from the pertinent experimental data. In its present form the COSMO-SAC model is not suitable for the estimation of N2 and O2 solubilities in ionic liquids.
Global cognition is related to upper-extremity motor skill retention in individuals with mild-to-moderate Parkinson disease

Background and Purpose: Cognitive impairment has been linked to poor motor learning and rehabilitation outcomes in older adult and stroke populations, but this remains unexplored in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of this secondary data analysis from a recent clinical trial (NCT02600858) was to determine if global cognition was related to nine-day skill retention after upper-extremity motor training in individuals with PD. Methods: Twenty-three participants with idiopathic PD completed three consecutive days of training on an upper-extremity task. For the purposes of the original clinical trial, participants trained either on or off their dopamine replacement medication. Baseline, training, and shorter-term (48-hour) retention data have been previously published. Global cognition was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Participant age, baseline performance, MoCA score, and group (medication on/off) were included in a multivariate linear regression model to predict longer-term (nine day) follow-up performance. Baseline and follow-up performance were assessed for all participants while on their medication. Results: MoCA score was positively related to follow-up performance, such that individuals with better cognition performed better than those with poorer cognition. Participant age, baseline performance, and medication status were unrelated to follow-up performance. Discussion and Conclusions: Results of this secondary analysis align with previous work that suggest cognitive impairment may interfere with motor learning in PD, and that assessing cognition could provide prognostic information about an individuals responsiveness to motor rehabilitation for a number of clinical populations.
Serum spexin, adiponectin and leptin levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome in association with FTO gene polymorphism.

OBJECTIVES Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women and related with body mass and insulin resistance. Adipocytokines produced by adipose tissue seems to take part in the hormonal and metabolic alterations that arise in PCOS. Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene is linked with body mass index (BMI) and diabetes. Aims - To investigate the association between fat mass related adipocytokines and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs9939609 T/A) in the FTO gene in women with PCOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS FTO+rs9939609 gene polymorphism and serum spexin, adiponectin and leptin levels were deter-mined in 91 PCOS women and 86 healthy controls. Study participants were subdivided according to BMI and comparisons were made within each group. RESULTS Serum spexin levels were not differed between study groups. Serum levels of adiponectin were found to be de-creased in PCOS women with BMI lower than 25 kg/m2 (10.1 ± 5.6 vs 14.1 ± 9.1, p = 0.015). Serum leptin levels were elevated in obese PCOS women compared to healthy control group (2197.9 ± 596.3 pg/mL vs 1535.9 ± 812.1 pg/mL, p = 0.001). The prevalence of A risk allele of SNP rs9939609 was more frequent in PCOS patients than in the control group. PCOS risk was found to increase 3 times more in AA genotype when compared with TT genotype (OR = 3.04 95% CI: 1.243-7.309; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Serum adiponectin and leptin levels may serve as independent markers for PCOS diagnosis. Moreover, the FTO+rs9939609 gene polymorphism increase susceptibility to PCOS development independent from serum adipocytokine levels.
Information Processing and Technical Knowledge Contribute to Self-Controlled Video Feedback for Children Learning the Snatch Movement in Weightlifting

Our aim in this study was to examine, via technical performance analysis and speed of execution, whether information processing and technical knowledge help explain learning benefits of self-controlled video feedback in children’s weightlifting performance. We randomized 24 children (aged 10 to 12 years) into self-controlled (SC) and yoked (YK) feedback groups. Learners underwent test sessions one week before (pre-test) and one day after (post-test) six weightlifting training sessions. During each test session, we recorded kinematic parameters of snatch performance using Kinovea version 0.8. 15 software. After the learning sessions, the SC group improved on most kinematic parameters (e.g., the horizontal displacement of the bar between the first and the second pulls [MDXV = 25.42%, SD = 18.96, p = 0.003) and the maximum height reached by the bar (MHMV = 5.51%, SD = 7.71, p < 0.05)], while the YK group improved only on the DxV (MDXV = 19.08%, SD = 24.68, p < 0.05). In addition, the SC group showed a more advanced phase of cognitive processing compared to the YK group, and the SC group showed a superior improvement in their technical knowledge level (p < 0.001) compared to the YK group (p < 0.05). Thus, key elements to correcting motor errors in children’s weightlifting through self-controlled feedback were improvements in information processing and technical knowledge.
Prevalence of Uncorrected Refractive Error and Its Risk Factors; Tehran Geriatric Eye Study (TGES)

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the age-sex-standardized prevalence of uncorrected refractive error and its determinants Methods This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 3310 people aged≥ 60 years in Tehran, Iran in 2019. Need for spectacles was defined as uncorrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 in better eye that could be corrected to more than 20/40 with suitable spectacles. Met need was defined as proportion of individuals with need for spectacles whose visual acuity was 20/40 or better with current spectacles. Unmet need was defined as proportion of individuals with need for spectacles who needed but did not have spectacles or their visual acuity was worse than 20/40 with current spectacles while suitable spectacles improved their visual acuity to 20/40 or better. Results The age-sex-standardized prevalence of need for spectacles, met need, and unmet need was 16.67% (95% CI: 15.33–18.09), 7.81% (95% CI: 6.95–8.78), and 8.85% (95% CI: 7.77–10.07), respectively. Myopic subjects had the highest prevalence of need for spectacles (24.06%, 95% CI: 21.47–26.87). The odds ratio of met and unmet need in subjects≥ 80 years versus those aged 60–65 years was 0.36 (p-value: 0.009) and 2.34 (p-value: <0.001), respectively. The odds ratio of met and unmet need in subjects with a university education versus illiterate subjects was 1.72 (p-value: 0.045) and 0.42 (p-value: 0.007), respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error was lower in this study compared to previous studies. The met need rate was lower in subjects with older age and lower education levels.
Transcriptional landscapes of floral meristems in barley

High-resolution spatial transcriptomics identifies previously unknown regulators for barley floral meristem development. Organ development in plants predominantly occurs postembryonically through combinatorial activity of meristems; therefore, meristem and organ fate are intimately connected. Inflorescence morphogenesis in grasses (Poaceae) is complex and relies on a specialized floral meristem, called spikelet meristem, that gives rise to all other floral organs and ultimately the grain. The fate of the spikelet determines reproductive success and contributes toward yield-related traits in cereal crops. Here, we examined the transcriptional landscapes of floral meristems in the temperate crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using RNA-seq of laser capture microdissected tissues from immature, developing floral structures. Our unbiased, high-resolution approach revealed fundamental regulatory networks, previously unknown pathways, and key regulators of barley floral fate and will equally be indispensable for comparative transcriptional studies of grass meristems.
A novel approach to anterior segment imaging with smartphones in the COVID-19 era

Purpose: To report a novel, telemedicine-friendly, smartphone-based, wireless anterior segment device with instant photo-documentation ability in the COVID-19 era. Methods: Anterior Imaging Module (AIM) was constructed based on a 50/50 beam splitter design, to match the magnification drum optics of slit-lamps with a three-step or higher level of magnification. The design fills the smartphone sensor fully at the lowest magnification and matches the fixed focus of the slit-lamp. It comes with a smartphone for instant photo-documentation, an in-built software application for data-management and secure HIPAA compliant cloud storage, and a Bluetooth trigger for a one-tap image capture. The construction of the device is explained, and the optical resolution measured using U.S. air-force resolution test. AIM's performance was characterized with traceability to internationally relevant performance standards for digital slit-lamps after image quality assessment through a pilot study. Results: Clinically useful anterior segment images were obtained with both diffuse and slit illumination at different magnification settings with the highest magnification (40X) resolution of 359 lines per cm and the lowest magnification (16X) resolution of 113 lines per cm. Conclusion: AIM is a novel, wireless, telemedicine-enabled design that digitizes existing, analog slit lamps with at least three-step magnification. The settings ensure the focus is determined purely by the position of the slit-lamp. Hence, the image viewed and captured on the smartphone is exactly what the clinician sees through the eyepiece. This helps in maintaining distance from the patient in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well.
Integrating community participation in the transition of older adults from hospital to home: a scoping review

Abstract Introduction Benefits of community participation and physical activity for the health and wellbeing of older adults are well documented. This review aims to answer the question; “How is community participation considered for older adults in the transition from hospital to home? ” Materials and methods This scoping review searched key databases using subject headings and keywords. Two independent reviewers selected studies based on a systematic procedure. Inclusion criteria were adults aged ≥60 years, transitioning from hospital to home, reporting on community participation, inclusive of leisure activities, social activities, and physical activity. Results Of 2206 initial unique articles, 19 met inclusion criteria. Articles covered a range of diagnoses, most frequently stroke, hip replacement, or fracture. Numerous measures of community participation were reported, identifying “low” and “reduced” community participation in ten studies. Measures of physical activity, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, and loneliness were variable. Five studies reported interventions and four reported improved components of community participation. Numerous barriers to community participation were identified, with recommendations for future transition care services considered. Conclusion There are considerable barriers to promoting community participation in transition care services for older people. Older adults need information to prepare for returning home from hospital and to regain valued leisure and social activities for health-related quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Community participation is an important component of healthy ageing which health professionals should consider beyond discharge. Levels of mobility and endurance should be considered in terms of facilitating community participation for older adults. Transition care services should provide adequate information to prepare individuals expectations of returning home following hospital stay, whilst attempting to maintain valued leisure and social activities.
Benefits of Experience and Knowledge for Older Adults’ Monetary Sequence Preferences

Financial literacy and financial experience may be important for understanding age differences in financial decisionmaking. Older adults generally have more financial experience than younger adults do, and some studies suggest they also have better financial literacy. We investigated associations among age (N = 594, aged 20–88, M age = 46.48), financial experience, financial literacy, and preferences for receiving larger (versus smaller) amounts of money sooner (versus later). Older age was correlated with preferences for receiving larger amounts of money sooner and smaller amounts later, but this association was no longer significant after accounting for financial experience and financial literacy. Financial experience was the only significant contributor. We discuss implications for improving financial decision-making across adulthood.
Comparable endemic coronavirus nucleoprotein‐specific antibodies in mild and severe Covid‐19 patients

The severity of disease of Covid‐19 is highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic to critical respiratory disease and death. Potential cross‐reactive immune responses between SARS‐CoV‐2 and endemic coronavirus (eCoV) may hypothetically contribute to this variability. We herein studied if eCoV nucleoprotein (N)‐specific antibodies in the sera of patients with mild or severe Covid‐19 are associated with Covid‐19 severity. There were comparable levels of eCoV N‐specific antibodies early and during the first month of infection in Covid‐19 patients with mild and severe symptoms, and healthy SARS‐CoV‐2‐negative subjects. These results warrant further studies to investigate the potential role of eCoV‐specific antibodies in immunity to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.