Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of omecamtiv mecarbil on the contractile properties of skinned porcine left atrial and ventricular muscles

Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) is a novel inotropic agent for heart failure with systolic dysfunction. OM prolongs the actomyosin attachment duration, which enhances thin filament cooperative activation and accordingly promotes the binding of neighboring myosin to actin. In the present study, we investigated the effects of OM on the steady-state contractile properties in skinned porcine left ventricular (PLV) and atrial (PLA) muscles. OM increased Ca2+ sensitivity in a concentration-dependent manner in PLV, by left shifting the mid-point (pCa50) of the force-pCa curve (ΔpCa50) by ∼0.16 and ∼0.33 pCa units at 0.5 and 1.0 μM, respectively. The Ca2+-sensitizing effect was likewise observed in PLA, but less pronounced with ΔpCa50 values of ∼0.08 and ∼0.22 pCa units at 0.5 and 1.0 μM, respectively. The Ca2+-sensitizing effect of OM (1.0 μM) was attenuated under enhanced thin filament cooperative activation in both PLV and PLA; this attenuation occurred directly via treatment with fast skeletal troponin (ΔpCa50: ∼0.16 and ∼0.10 pCa units in PLV and PLA, respectively) and indirectly by increasing the number of strongly bound cross-bridges in the presence of 3 mM MgADP (ΔpCa50: ∼0.21 and ∼0.08 pCa units in PLV and PLA, respectively). It is likely that this attenuation of the Ca2+-sensitizing effect of OM is due to a decrease in the number of “recruitable” cross-bridges that can potentially produce active force. When cross-bridge detachment was accelerated in the presence of 20 mM inorganic phosphate, the Ca2+-sensitizing effect of OM (1.0 μM) was markedly decreased in both types of preparations (ΔpCa50: ∼0.09 and ∼0.03 pCa units in PLV and PLA, respectively). The present findings suggest that the positive inotropy of OM is more markedly exerted in the ventricle than in the atrium, which results from the strongly bound cross-bridge-dependent allosteric activation of thin filaments.
Breakfast and psychosocial behavioural problems in young population: The role of status, place, and habits

The aim of this study was to examine whether breakfast status, place and habits are associated with psychosocial behavioural problems in a nationally representative sample of young people aged 4–14 years residing in Spain. This study analysed secondary data from the Spanish National Health Survey (2017), including 3,772 Spanish children and adolescents. Breakfast status, place, and habits were assessed by ad hoc questions answered by parents/guardians. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) parents’ version form was applied to evaluate the psychosocial health of their children. Skipping breakfast and eating breakfast out of home were linked to greater odds of psychosocial behavioural problems (skipping breakfast: OR = 3.29; CI 95%, 1.47–7.35; breakfast out of home: OR = 2.06; CI 95%, 1.27–3.33) than eating breakfast at home. Similarly, not consuming coffee, milk, tea, chocolate, cocoa, yogurt, etc., for breakfast was related to greater odds of psychosocial behavioural problems (OR = 1.76; CI 95%, 1.21–2.55). This association was also found for those who did not eat bread, toast, cereals, pastries, etc., for breakfast (OR = 1.31; CI 95%, 1.01–1.73). Conversely, not consuming eggs, cheese, ham, etc., was associated with lower odds of psychosocial behavioural problems (OR = 0.56; CI 95%, 0.38–0.83). Our results show that eating breakfast (specifically at home) and breakfast habits related to the intake of certain food/beverages groups were associated with higher or lower odds of psychosocial behavioural problems.
Comprehending the evolution of gene editing platforms for crop trait improvement

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) system was initially discovered as an underlying mechanism for conferring adaptive immunity to bacteria and archaea against viruses. Over the past decade, this has been repurposed as a genome-editing tool. Numerous gene editing-based crop improvement technologies involving CRISPR/Cas platforms individually or in combination with next-generation sequencing methods have been developed that have revolutionized plant genome-editing methodologies. Initially, CRISPR/Cas nucleases replaced the earlier used sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs), such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), to address the problem of associated off-targets. The adaptation of this platform led to the development of concepts such as epigenome editing, base editing, and prime editing. Epigenome editing employed epi-effectors to manipulate chromatin structure, while base editing uses base editors to engineer precise changes for trait improvement. Newer technologies such as prime editing have now been developed as a “search-and-replace” tool to engineer all possible single-base changes. Owing to the availability of these, the field of genome editing has evolved rapidly to develop crop plants with improved traits. In this review, we present the evolution of the CRISPR/Cas system into new-age methods of genome engineering across various plant species and the impact they have had on tweaking plant genomes and associated outcomes on crop improvement initiatives.
Neural basis of visuospatial tests in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

Background Recent models of visuospatial functioning suggest the existence of three main circuits emerging from the dorsal (“where”) route: parieto-prefrontal pathway, parieto-premotor, and parieto-medial temporal. Neural underpinnings of visuospatial task performance and the sparing of visuospatial functioning in bvFTD are unclear. We hypothesized different neural and cognitive mechanisms in visuospatial tasks performance in bvFTD and AD. Methods Two hundred and sixteen participants were enrolled for this study: 72 patients with bvFTD dementia and 144 patients with AD. Visual Object and Space Perception Battery Position Discrimination and Number Location (VOSP-PD and VOSP-NL) and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) were administered to examine visuospatial functioning, together with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. FDG-PET was acquired to evaluate brain metabolism. Voxel-based brain mapping analyses were conducted to evaluate the brain regions associated with visuospatial function in bvFTD and AD. Results Patients with AD performed worst in visuospatial tasks in mild dementia, but not at prodromal stage. Attention and executive functioning tests showed higher correlations in bvFTD than AD with ROCF, but not VOSP subtests. Visuospatial performance in patients with bvFTD was associated with bilateral frontal regions, including the superior and medial frontal gyri, supplementary motor area, insula and middle cingulate gyrus. Conclusion These findings support the role of prefrontal and premotor regions in visuospatial processing through the connection with the posterior parietal cortex and other posterior cortical regions. Visuospatial deficits should be interpreted with caution in patients with bvFTD, and should not be regarded as hallmarks of posterior cortical dysfunction.
The importance of being animate: Information selection as a function of dynamic human-environment interactions

This study examined whether the stability of highly relevant animate and inanimate information predicted encoding. Participants (N = 149 young adults) viewed audiovisual media and completed a change detection task of screenshots taken from the viewing session. The screenshots were either left as originally viewed or a factor was altered. The factors were all motivationally (relevant to biological imperatives) and story (relevant to the ongoing narrative) relevant. Half were part of an animal and half were part of other environmental information. This was crossed with whether the information was stable or fleeting in the scene (e.g., a person’s clothing vs. their gestures). Changes to animals were more recognized than inanimate information. Changes to fleeting inanimate information were better recognized than changes to stable inanimate information. These findings indicate potential for relevant change in environmental threat and opportunity is adaptively significant and likely to increase attention and encoding across animate and inanimate categories of information.
Co-occurrence and diversity patterns of benthonic and planktonic communities in a shallow marine ecosystem

Marine microorganisms are involved in a variety of biogeochemical cycles and live in diverse ecological communities where they interact with each other and with other organisms to guarantee ecosystem functions. The present study focused on a shallow marine environment located in Ría de Vigo (NW, Spain), where sediment and size-fractionated plankton samples were collected from 2016 to 2018. DNA metabarcoding was used to describe the eukaryote and prokaryote composition and diversity in sediments and plankton and to depict possible associations among the most frequent and abundant organisms by co-occurrence network analysis. High eukaryote and prokaryote diversity indices were obtained in all compartments. Significant differences among eukaryote and prokaryote communities were found between sediment and plankton samples, with a high percentage of exclusive operational taxonomic units (OTUs) associated with each compartment, especially from sediment. Despite these differences, shared taxa between water and sediment were also obtained, suggesting a relatively meaningful exchange of organisms between both environmental compartments. Significant co-occurrences were mainly obtained between prokaryotes (41%), followed by eukaryotes–prokaryotes (32%) and between eukaryotes (27%). The abundant and strong positive correlations between organisms, including representatives from the sediment and the water column, suggested an essential role of biotic interactions as community-structuring factors in shallow waters where beneficial associations likely prevail. This study provides a novel approach for the detailed description of the eukaryote and prokaryote diversity and co-occurrence patterns in a shallow marine area, including both the sediment and different water-size fractions. The high diversity obtained and the detection of predominantly coexisting interactions among organisms from sediment and the overlying water column suggest a movement of species between both habitats and therefore confirm the importance of integratively studying shallow marine ecosystems.
Hashimoto's encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia as the main symptom: A case report and literature review

Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE), also known as steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT), has a variety of clinical manifestations, with various neuropsychiatric characteristics, including tremors, transient aphasia, seizures, altered consciousness, myoclonus, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric manifestations. The hallmark presenting feature is a non-specific encephalopathy characterized by alteration of mental status and consciousness ranging from confusion to coma and impaired cognitive function, while those with cerebellar ataxia as the main manifestation is rare. We reported a case of Hashimoto's encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia as the main manifestation, elevated anti-thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO/TG), and normal thyroid function. The symptoms of cerebellar ataxia improved after steroid treatment. Meanwhile, we reviewed the clinical features of 20 representative cases of HE with cerebellar ataxia as the core symptoms. In conclusion, based on our case findings and literature review, the diagnosis of HE should be suspected in cases of encephalopathy without an obvious cause, to quickly start an effective treatment.
CB2 cannabinoid receptor expression is increased in 129S1/SvImJ mice: behavioral consequences

Genetic and environmental factors are implicated in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. Inbred mouse strains, including the 129S1/SvImJ (S1), constitute important models to study the influence of genetic factors in these conditions. S1 mice displayed anxiogenic-like behavior, impaired fear extinction, and increased prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle reflex compared to C57BL/6J (BL6) mice. Given the role played by the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in these responses, we evaluated the expression of the ECS components in different brain regions in S1 mice. Gene expression levels of the cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R) and the endocannabinoid metabolizing enzymes varied depending on the brain region evaluated. Notably, CB2R expression markedly increased in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in S1 mice. Moreover, CB2R blockade with SR144528 partially rescued the anxiogenic phenotype in S1 mice, while CB2R activation with JWH133 potentiated the deficits in fear extinction and the PPI of startle reflex in this mouse strain. These data suggest that CB2R is involved in the behavioral alterations observed in S1 mice and underline the importance of this cannabinoid receptor subtype in the regulation of certain central nervous system disorders.
Myelin damage and cortical atrophy in watershed regions in patients with moyamoya angiopathy

Background Despite it being known that chronic ischemia results in myelin damage and gray matter atrophy, data regarding patients with moyamoya angiopathy is limited. We hypothesized that chronic ischemia in moyamoya angiopathy leads to myelin damage, especially in anterior watershed regions, as well as cortical atrophy in these areas. Materials and methods Twenty adult patients with moyamoya angiopathy and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated using the T1w/T2w mapping method and surface-based MR-morphometry. The T1w/T2w signal intensity ratio, which reflects the white matter integrity, and the cortical thickness, were calculated in watershed regions and compared between the patients and controls. In the patients with moyamoya angiopathy, the correlations between these parameters and the Suzuki stage were also evaluated. Results The regional T1w/T2w ratio values from centrum semiovale in patients with MMA were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p < 0.05); there was also a downward trend in T1w/T2w ratio values from middle frontal gyrus white matter in patients compared with the controls (p < 0.1). The cortical thickness of the middle frontal gyrus was significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). There were negative correlations between the Suzuki stage and the T1w/T2w ratio values from the centrum semiovale and middle frontal white matter. Conclusion T1w/T2w mapping revealed that myelin damage exists in watershed regions in patients with moyamoya angiopathy, in association with cortical atrophy according to MR-morphometry. These changes were correlated with the disease stage.
Interventions for increasing return to sport rates after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: A systematic review

Background An injury followed by surgery poses many challenges to an athlete, one of which is rehabilitation, with the goal of returning to sport. While total restoration of physical abilities is a primary goal for most athletes, psychosocial factors also play an important role in the success of an athlete's return to sport (RTS). The purpose of this review was to examine the effectiveness of exercise and psychosocial interventions on RTS rates, which might be one of the most important outcomes for elite athletes. Methods To carry out this review, PubMed, SAGE Journals, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception to July 2022. The inclusion criteria consisted exercise or psychosocial intervention for athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), with reporting RTS rates as an outcome. Results From 1032 identified articles, four reports (N = 130) met inclusion criteria, all of which examined the recovery after ACLR. The mean MINORS score for the included studies was 16.3 ± 6.1, of which non-comparative studies scored 11.0 ± 1.4, while comparative studies scored 21.5 ± 0.7. There were consistent findings for benefits of exercise and psychosocial interventions on RTS rates. Return to preinjury rates in the reviewed studies vary between 63 and 95% with lower % observed in female athletes and with shorter follow-up. Interventional studies reporting RTS rates with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed. Conclusion Physical and psychological function, as well as social support can be influenced by appropriate interventions, indicating future work on rehabilitation programs for return to preinjury might consider taking the holistic approach addressing those.
The dynamic effect of information and communication technology and renewable energy on CO2 emission: Fresh evidence from panel quantile regression

Graphical Abstract Over the last few years, the rapid growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) has contributed to every sector of the economy; however, the environmental consequences of ICT should not be overlooked. In doing so, this research investigated the asymmetric impact of ICT, renewable energy consumption (RENE), economic growth (GDP), financial development (FD), and population (POP) on CO2 emissions (CE) in the MINT countries over the period from 1990 to 2018. For this purpose, this study used STIRPAT and quantile regression. The preliminary outcomes reject the assumption of data normality; therefore, it is very necessary to use the quantile regression (QR), as the QR technique can deal with structural changes, outliers, and data non-normality. The results of QR indicate that ICT reduce carbon emissions across all the quantiles (1st quantile to 9th quantile). Similarly, RENE impedes the carbon emissions across all (1st–9th) quantiles. On the other hand, FD, GDP, and POP increase the carbon emissions across all the quantiles (1st–9th). These outcomes purposed appropriate policy implications for MINT countries.
Starch accumulation dynamics and transcriptome analysis of Chlorella sorokiniana during transition of sulfur nutritional status

Microalgae can effectively accumulate starch by using nutritional limitation methods in the context of bioalcohol fuel production. However, relatively few studies have focused on starch accumulation in microalgae and its molecular basis, especially under sulfur limitation conditions. In this study, the starch accumulation dynamics and physiological responses of Chlorella sorokiniana under sulfur starvation (SS) and sulfur replenishment (SR) conditions were investigated, and the genes involved in the transcriptional regulation were explored using RNA-seq. The starch content in C. sorokiniana cells significantly increased from 1.6% to 55.0% of dry weight within 24 h under SS conditions, and then, it decreased to 3.4% within 12 h after transition to SR conditions. However, cell growth was inhibited, and pigment content decreased under SS conditions. Using RNA-seq analysis, a total of 9720 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by sulfur status were obtained. These genes were narrowed down to 454 starvation and replenishment cross-validated (SRV)-DEGs, among which 283 SRV-DEGs were significantly up-regulated and 171 SRV-DEGs were down-regulated under SS conditions, and returned to their previous state under SR conditions. The SRV-DEGs enriched in the sulfate metabolism pathway were all up-regulated under SS conditions after 6 h to speed up the sulfur metabolic cycle, and the transcriptional abundance of a sulfate transporter (SULTR4), cysteine synthase[O-acetylserine(thiol)-lyase] (OASTL), serine acetyltransferase (SAT), and methanethiol oxidase (SELENBP1) increased 8.6-fold, 12.6-fold, 8.7-fold, and 12.4-fold, respectively. Protein synthesis was correspondingly inhibited, which resulted in the reallocation of carbon and elevated the starch synthesis pathway, in which the expressions of glycogen branching enzyme (GBE) and starch synthase (SS) were up-regulated 12.0- and 3.0-fold, respectively. The fatty acid desaturase (FAD) and phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) in the lipid synthesis pathway were strongly up-regulated 8.8- and 16.2-fold, respectively, indicating the competitive synthesis of lipids. The down-regulation of SRV-DEGs associated with carbon fixation, such as those in the Calvin cycle, possibly affected cell growth. The time-resolved transcriptional analysis identified the SRV-DEGs, revealing the underlying starch accumulation mechanism, as well as the relationship with cell growth and lipid synthesis.
Combined effect of game position and body size on network-based centrality measures performed by young soccer players in small-sided games

This study verified the effects of body size and game position on interactions performed by young soccer players in small-sided games (SSG). The sample consisted of 81 Brazilian soccer players (14.4 ± 1.1 years of age). Height, body mass, and trunk-cephalic height were measured. SSG was applied in the GK + 3v3 + GK format, and Social Network Analyses were carried out through filming the games to obtain the following prominence indicators: degree centrality, closeness centrality, degree prestige, and proximity prestige, in addition to network intensity and number of goals scored. Factorial ANCOVA (bone age as covariate) was used to test the effects of game position, body size, and respective interaction on centrality measurements (p < 0.05). Similarity between game positions in body size indicators (p > 0.05) was observed. The game position affected degree centrality (p = 0.01, η2 = 0.16), closeness centrality (p = 0.01, η2 = 0.11), and network intensity (p = 0.02, η2 = 0.09), in which midfielders presented the highest network prominence values when compared to defenders and forwards. In conclusion, midfielders are players with high interaction patterns in the main offensive plays, which behavior is independent of body size.