Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of online learning on physical activity during COVID-19 lockdown period among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Background During early 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown, most education systems—including universities—shifted from face-to-face classes to online learning. In Saudi Arabia, this might have contributed to a decreased level of physical activity (PA) and a concurrent increase in sedentary behaviour among young adults. This study aimed to investigate the impact of online learning on PA during the COVID-19 lockdown period among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia. Methods Data were collected through an online survey administered to participants. It consisted of three sections including demographic information, participants’ perception towards online learning and PA, and PA level using the self-reported active-questionnaire survey tool. The association between online learning and PA was measured using linear regression. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results A total of 197 female undergraduate students were included; 95.4% of them were aged 18–24 years old, and 59.9% were in the normal body mass index range (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). In terms of PA level, 55.3% were highly active, 33.5% were moderately active and 10.1% were low-active. In terms of students’ perception of engaging in PA, 53.3% of students reported that engaging in PA definitely affected their psychological status. Moreover, compared with those attending <25 hours/week of online learning, those who attended >30 hours/week had lower PA (r = − 363.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) −593.97, −132.50), followed by those attending 25–30 hours/week (r = − 277.66; 95% CI −484.65, −70.66). Conclusion Online learning has negatively affected the PA level of female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 lockdown period, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, this might affect their phycological status. Nevertheless, future studies are warranted to further investigate the relationship between PA level and psychological status.
Sudapyridine (WX-081) antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium chelonae in vitro and in vivo

ABSTRACT Sudapyridine (WX-081) is a structural analog of bedaquiline (BDQ), which shows anti-tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) activities but, unlike BDQ, did not prolong QT interval in animal model studies. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of this novel compound against Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium chelonae in vitro and in vivo. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of WX-081 against three kinds of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) clinical strains was determined using microplate-based alamarBlue assay (MABA), and the antibacterial activity of WX-081 against NTM in J774A.1 cells and mice was evaluated. MIC ranges of WX-081 against clinical strains of M. avium and M. abscessus were 0.05–0.94 μg/mL, 0.88–7.22 μg/mL (M. abscessus subsp. abscessus), and 0.22–8.67 μg/mL (M. abscessus subsp. massiliense), respectively, which were slightly higher than those of BDQ. For M. avium, M. abscessus, and M. chelonae, WX-081 can reduce the intracellular bacterial load by 0.13–1.18, 0.18–1.50, and 0.17–1.03 log10 colony forming units (CFU)/mL, respectively, in a concentration-dependent manner. WX-081 has bactericidal activity against three NTM species in mice. WX-081 exhibited anti-NTM activity to the same extent as BDQ both in vivo and in vitro. WX-081 is a promising clinical candidate and should be studied further in clinical trials. IMPORTANCE Due to the rapidly increased cases globally, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease has become a significant public health problem. NTM accounted for 11.57% of all mycobacterial isolates in China, with a high detection rate of Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium chelonae during 2000–2019. Treatment of NTM infection is often challenging, as natural resistance to most antibiotics is quite common among different NTM species. Hence, identifying highly active anti-NTM agents is a priority for potent regimen establishment. The pursuit of new drugs to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis may also identify some agents with strong activity against NTM. Sudapyridine (WX-081) is a structural analog of bedaquiline (BDQ), which was developed to retain the anti-tuberculosis efficacy but eliminates the severe side effects of BDQ. This study initially evaluated the antimicrobial activity of this novel compound against M. avium, M. abscessus, and M. chelonae in vitro, in macrophages and mice, respectively.
Exosome as a crucial communicator between tumor microenvironment and gastric cancer (Review)

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies and has relatively high morbidity and mortality rates. Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that originate from a diverse array of cells and may be found throughout various bodily fluids. These vesicles are endogenous nanocarriers in their natural state with the unique ability to transport lipids, proteins, DNA and RNA. Exosomes contain DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and other bioactive components that have crucial roles in the transmission of information and regulation of cell activities in gastric cancer. This paper begins with an exploration of the composition, formation and release mechanisms of exosomes. Subsequently, the role of exosomes in the tumor microenvironment is reviewed in terms of the immune cell population, nonimmune cell population and other factors. Finally, the current status and challenges of exosome-based research on the progression, diagnosis and therapeutic methods of gastric cancer are summarized. This holistic review offers insight that may guide future research directions for exosomes and potentially pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions in the management of gastric cancer.
Reduced myeloid commitment and increased uptake by macrophages of stem cell–derived HPS2 neutrophils

Our current work uses iPSC-derived neutrophils to unveil novel reasons for the neutropenia found in HPS2 patients. HPS2 iPSC-derived neutrophils have lower myeloid commitment, and are actively phagocytosed by macrophages present in the iPSC cultures or healthy donor macrophages.
Activity-restriction only as treatment yields positive outcomes in pediatric spinal compression fractures: a prospective study of 47 patients at medium-term follow-up

Background and purpose We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes, radiographic results, and health-related quality of life in pediatric AO type A1 spinal compression fractures treated with activity-restriction only. Patients and methods All children between 2014 and 2020 with an AO type A1 spinal compression fracture treated with activity-restriction only identified from an institutional fracture registry were invited to a prospective outcomes study. Clinical findings and spinal radiographs were assessed at median 3 years, interquartile range (IQR) 1–4 follow-up from injury. Oswestry Disability Index, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scale (PedsQL), and PedsQL Pediatric Pain Questionnaire were compared with reference values. 63 children were identified, of whom 47 agreed to participate. 8 were polytrauma patients. Results Age at injury was median 11 (IQR 9–14) years. The number of injured vertebrae was median 2 (IQR 1–3). 82% (94 of 115) were thoracic vertebrae fractures and 70% (33 of 47) of the patients had thoracic vertebrae fractures only. At follow-up all but 2 fractures showed radiographic remodeling. There was no difference from the published reference values in the patient-reported outcome measures. A lower PedsQL physical functioning score was associated with higher patient-reported pain (P = 0.03). At follow-up 12 patients had hyperkyphosis (median difference from the reference values 4°, IQR 3–6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3–6) and 5 hypolordosis (median difference from reference 8°, IQR 4–11, CI 4–14). None of the patients had surgery for deformity during follow-up. Conclusion Clinical, radiographic, and health-related quality of life outcomes were good after activity-restriction treatment in pediatric A1 spinal compression fractures.
Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity mediates the relationships between 'Dark Triad' traits and cyberbullying perpetration.

BACKGROUND Cyberbullying perpetration and victimisation have been associated with psychological distress, including depression and suicidal ideation. Prior studies have shown that the 'Dark Triad' personality traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) are associated with greater likelihood of perpetration, yet there is a research gap regarding potential mediators of this relationship. AIMS To test whether functional and dysfunctional impulsivity act as mediators between Dark Triad traits and cyberbullying perpetration. METHODS A cross-sectional online study was conducted, in which a sample of 141 university students (63% male) from Malaysia were recruited by online and local poster advertising inviting them to complete a questionnaire containing a series of psychometric scales, including measures of 'Dark Triad' personality traits, impulsivity and cyberbullying perpetration. RESULTS A relationship between cyberbullying perpetration and higher psychopathy scale scores was mediated by dysfunctional, but not functional, impulsivity. The relationship between cyberbullying and narcissism scores was not mediated by impulsivity. Higher Machiavellianism scores were similarly associated with cyberbullying, but there was no correlation at all between Machiavellianism and impulsivity scores. CONCLUSION Our findings add to the literature by showing that not only Dark Triad scale scores are associated with cyberbullying, but that difficulty in refraining from or controlling impulsive behaviours (dysfunctional impulsivity) may be a key component in this relationship. Given that our sample was of generally well-functioning people, our findings may not extend to those with serious cyberbullying problems. Yet, they provide avenues for identifying people at risk of such behaviours before problems become well-established and call for more nuanced approaches towards understanding and intervening with problematic cyberbullying.
Rapid Online Corrections for Proprioceptive and Visual Perturbations Recruit Similar Circuits in Primary Motor Cortex

An important aspect of motor function is our ability to rapidly generate goal-directed corrections for disturbances to the limb or behavioral goal. The primary motor cortex (M1) is a key region involved in processing feedback for rapid motor corrections, yet we know little about how M1 circuits are recruited by different sources of sensory feedback to make rapid corrections. We trained two male monkeys (Macaca mulatta) to make goal-directed reaches and on random trials introduced different sensory errors by either jumping the visual location of the goal (goal jump), jumping the visual location of the hand (cursor jump), or applying a mechanical load to displace the hand (proprioceptive feedback). Sensory perturbations evoked a broad response in M1 with ∼73% of neurons (n = 257) responding to at least one of the sensory perturbations. Feedback responses were also similar as response ranges between the goal and cursor jumps were highly correlated (range of r = [0.91, 0.97]) as were the response ranges between the mechanical loads and the visual perturbations (range of r = [0.68, 0.86]). Lastly, we identified the neural subspace each perturbation response resided in and found a strong overlap between the two visual perturbations (range of overlap index, 0.73–0.89) and between the mechanical loads and visual perturbations (range of overlap index, 0.36–0.47) indicating each perturbation evoked similar structure of activity at the population level. Collectively, our results indicate rapid responses to errors from different sensory sources target similar overlapping circuits in M1.
Riding the digital wilds: Learner autonomy and informal language learning

In the 20th anniversary issue of this journal, Reinders and White (2016) describe the relationship between computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and autonomy as having become “both more complex and more promising” (p. 143). This is, they assert, in large part due to the rise of informal language learning online, with an accompanying diminution for many learners in the role of formal education. In the process, they claim, education theory and practice have begun to take “the learner’s lives and their experience as a central point for their learning” (p. 143). In this column, I will be arguing that in fact this trend has accelerated, with new opportunities for autonomous language learning through mobile devices and the everincreasing availability and use of streaming video and other authentic materials in the target language. The choice of learning resources is wide and personal, but inevitably draws the learner into contact—and into learning opportunities—with fellow learners and native speakers.
Predation by wolves and other large carnivores in northwestern Montana and southeastern British Columbia

45 Introduction. 46 Methods. 49 Survival Rates. 49 Cervid Trapping and Mortalities. 49 Recruitment Rates. 51 Deer. 51 Elk. 52 Moose. 52 Pellet Trend. 54 Hunter Success. 54 Factors Affecting Mortality. 55 Age. 55 Area. 56 Nutritional Condition. 56 Factors Explaining Cervid Population Trends 56
Ecological Aspects in Control of Small-scale Biomass Fired Boilers

Control of combustion in small-scale boilers has been standing outside interest for a long time. More attention has been paid to design of the boilers than to economic and ecological aspects of their operation. To the question under which operating conditions of the boiler a controller carries out its activities has been paid a limited attention. The quick by developing use of biomass fired boilers, local shortage of quality biomass, legal restriction on emissions and available cheaper instrumentation have caused a turn in replacing older simple control solutions by more sophisticated technology. The final goal is evident: to achieve for small-scale boilers to be able to operate automatically fulfilling ecological limits comparable with those usual in fullscale boilers, even when firing biomass of lower quality and no skilled service can be expected. Some experience obtained from experiments aimed at this goal and improvements carried out on pilot boilers are reported in this paper.
Estimating Functional Brain Networks by Low-Rank Representation With Local Constraint

The functional architecture undergoes alterations during the preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s disease. Consequently, the primary research focus has shifted towards identifying Alzheimer’s disease and its early stages by constructing a functional connectivity network based on resting-state fMRI data. Recent investigations show that as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) progresses, modular tissue and connections in the core brain areas of AD patients diminish. Sparse learning methods are powerful tools for understanding Functional Brain Networks (FBNs) with Regions of Interest (ROIs) and a connectivity matrix measuring functional coherence between them. However, these tools often focus exclusively on functional connectivity measures, neglecting the brain network’s modularity. Modularity orchestrates dynamic activities within the FBN to execute intricate cognitive tasks. To provide a comprehensive delineation of the FBN, we propose a local similarity-constrained low-rank sparse representation (LSLRSR) method that encodes modularity information under a manifold-regularized network learning framework and further formulate it as a low-rank sparse graph learning problem, which can be solved by an efficient optimization algorithm. Specifically, for each modularity structure, the Schatten p-norm regularizer reduces the reconstruction error and provides a better approximation of the low-rank constraint. Furthermore, we adopt a manifold-regularized local similarity prior to infer the intricate relationship between subnetwork similarity and modularity, guiding the modeling of FBN. Additionally, the proximal average method approximates the joint solution’s proximal map, and the resulting nonconvex optimization problems are solved using the alternating direction multiplier method (ADMM). Compared to state-of-the-art methods for constructing FBNs, our algorithm generates a more modular FBN. This lays the groundwork for further research into alterations in brain network modularity resulting from diseases.
Senolytic combination of dasatinib and quercetin protects against diabetic kidney disease by activating autophagy to alleviate podocyte dedifferentiation via the Notch pathway

The senolytics dasatinib and quercetin (DQ) alleviate age-related disorders. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of DQ on diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The present study aimed to explore the effects of DQ on DKD and its potential molecular mechanism(s). Dasatinib (5 mg/kg) and quercetin (50 mg/kg) were administered to diabetic db/db mice by gavage for 20 weeks. Body weight, urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were recorded at the indicated time periods. Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's staining were performed to assess the histopathological changes of kidney tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis, immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, autophagic and podocyte differentiation-related proteins. In addition, mouse podocytes were administered with high-glucose, DQ and 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and the expression levels of autophagic and podocyte differentiation-related proteins were measured. Moreover, following overexpression of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD), the expression levels of NICD, autophagic and podocyte differentiation-related proteins were further assessed. DQ significantly reduced the body weight, blood glucose, ACR, Scr and BUN levels and improved the histopathological changes induced in diabetic db/db mice. In addition, DQ caused a significant downregulation of the expression levels of the ECM proteins, improved autophagy and induced an upregulation of the expression levels of podocyte differentiation-related proteins. Administration of 3-MA to mice significantly reduced podocyte differentiation, and overexpression of NICD could reverse the effects of DQ on autophagy and podocyte differentiation in vitro. The present study suggests that DQ protects against DKD by activation of autophagy to alleviate podocyte dedifferentiation via the Notch pathway.
Adolescent Contact, Lasting Impact? Lessons Learned From Two Longitudinal Studies Spanning 20 Years of Developmental Science Research With Justice-System-Involved Youths

In this article, we summarize key findings from 20 years of research conducted at the intersection of developmental psychology and juvenile justice in the United States. We predominantly examine data from two large-scale, multisite longitudinal studies involving justice-system-involved adolescents—the Pathways to Desistance study and the Crossroads study. Topics of discussion include predictors of offending and desistance from crime; youth outcomes and psychosocial needs; and emerging research, programs, and policy initiatives. First, individual-level (e.g., age, psychosocial maturity) and contextual-level (e.g., antisocial peers, exposure to violence) risk factors associated with offending are explored. Second, we discuss short-term and long-term outcomes of justice-system contact for youths engaging in moderate offenses. We highlight main findings from the Crossroads study indicating that youths who are sanctioned by the justice system at their first arrest have worse outcomes than youths who are diverted from formal processing. Additionally, we discuss the high prevalence of youths’ exposure to violence and mental health disorders as well as the differential treatment of youths of color in the justice system. Third, we extend the conversation to justice-system-involved young adults and discuss emerging, innovative legal solutions, including young adult courts. Last, we discuss real-world implications of these findings.
Aberrant trophoblastic differentiation in human cancer: An emerging novel therapeutic target (Review)

Various types of human cancer may develop aberrant trophoblastic differentiation, including histological changes and altered expression of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Aberrant trophoblastic differentiation in epithelial cancer is usually associated with poor differentiation, tumor metastasis, unfavorable prognosis and treatment resistance. Since β-hCG-targeting vaccines have failed in an early phase II trial, it is crucial to obtain a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of trophoblastic differentiation in human cancer. The present review summarizes the clinical and translational research on this topic with the aim of accelerating the development of an effective targeted therapy. Ectopic expression of β-hCG promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, vasculogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, and enhances metastatic and tumorigenic capabilities in vivo. Signaling cascades modulated by β-hCG include the TGF-β receptor pathway, EMT-related pathways, the c-MET receptor tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK pathways, and the SMAD2/4 pathway. Taken together, these findings indicated that TGF-β receptors, c-MET and ERK1/2 are potential therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, further investigation on the molecular basis of aberrant trophoblastic differentiation is mandatory to improve the design of precision therapy for this aggressive type of human cancer.
Taxonomy and distribution of recent benthic foraminifers from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica), Oceanographic Campaign 1987/1988

Presentation d'analyses quantitatives et revision taxonomique des foraminiferes vivants et morts d'âge recent de Terra Nova Bay (Antarctique), realisees par la Premiere Expedition Oceanographique Italienne en 1987-88, dont le but principal est de decrire les aspects oceanographiques, sedimentologiques et biologiques de la Mer de Ross. Afin d'exploiter correctement les foraminiferes comme indicateurs ecologiques et paleoecologiques dans de futures etudes statistiques et pour la reconstitution de l'histoire environnementale de l'Antarctique, le principal ojectif de cet article est d'etudier : 1) la taxonomie des foraminiferes modernes de Terra Nova Bay ; 2) leur disribution d'apres les echantillons collectes lors de precedentes expeditions ; 3) leurs relations avec les caracteristiques bathymetriques et sedimentologiques