Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Raveneliopsis, a new genus of ravenelioid rust fungi on Cenostigma (Caesalpinioideae) from the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga

ABSTRACT The multicellular discoid convex teliospore heads represent a prominent generic feature of the genus Ravenelia. However, recent molecular phylogenetic work has shown that this is a convergent trait, and that this genus does not represent a natural group. In 2000, a rust fungus infecting the Caesalpinioid species Cenostigma macrophyllum (= C. gardnerianum) was described as Ravenelia cenostigmatis. This species shows some rare features, such as an extra layer of sterile cells between the cysts and the fertile teliospores, spirally ornamented urediniospores, as well as strongly incurved paraphyses giving the telia and uredinia a basket-like appearance. Using freshly collected specimens of Rav. cenostigmatis and Rav. spiralis on C. macrophyllum, our phylogenetic analyses based on the nuc 28S, nuc 18S, and mt CO3 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3) gene sequences demonstrated that these two rust fungi belong in a lineage within the Raveneliineae that is distinct from Ravenelia s. str. Besides proposing their recombination into the new genus Raveneliopsis (type species R. cenostigmatis) and briefly discussing their potentially close phylogenetic affiliations, we suggest that five other Ravenelia species that are morphologically and ecologically close to the type species of Raveneliopsis, i.e., Rav. corbula, Rav. corbuloides, Rav. parahybana, Rav. pileolarioides, and Rav. Striatiformis, may be recombined pending new collections and confirmation through molecular phylogenetic analyses.
Insights into translocation mechanism and ribosome evolution from cryo-EM structures of translocation intermediates of Giardia intestinalis

Abstract Giardia intestinalis is a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea in humans. Using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, we have determined high-resolution structures of six naturally populated translocation intermediates, from ribosomes isolated directly from actively growing Giardia cells. The highly compact and uniquely GC-rich Giardia ribosomes possess eukaryotic rRNAs and ribosomal proteins, but retain some bacterial features. The translocation intermediates, with naturally bound tRNAs and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), display characteristic ribosomal intersubunit rotation and small subunit’s head swiveling—universal for translocation. In addition, we observe the eukaryote-specific ‘subunit rolling’ dynamics, albeit with limited features. Finally, the eEF2·GDP state features a uniquely positioned ‘leaving phosphate (Pi)’ that proposes hitherto unknown molecular events of Pi and eEF2 release from the ribosome at the final stage of translocation. In summary, our study elucidates the mechanism of translocation in the protists and illustrates evolution of the translation machinery from bacteria to eukaryotes from both the structural and mechanistic perspectives.
Clinical symptoms in mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies: Frequency, time of onset, and discriminant ability

Mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies (MCI‐LB) is associated with a range of cognitive, motor, neuropsychiatric, sleep, autonomic, and visual symptoms. We investigated the cumulative frequency of symptoms in a longitudinal cohort of MCI‐LB compared with MCI due to Alzheimer disease (MCI‐AD) and analysed the ability of a previously described 10‐point symptom scale to differentiate MCI‐LB and MCI‐AD, in an independent cohort.
Estimating the impact of influenza vaccination of low-risk 50–64-year-olds on acute and ICU hospital bed usage in an influenza season under endemic COVID-19 in the UK

ABSTRACT Co-circulation of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to place considerable strain on health-care services. We estimate the cost-effectiveness and health-care resource utilization impacts of influenza vaccination of low-risk 50–64-y-olds in the United Kingdom (UK) against a background SARS-CoV-2 circulation. A dynamic susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model was used to simulate influenza transmission, with varying rates of vaccine coverage in the low-risk 50–64 y age-group. Four scenarios were evaluated: no vaccination (baseline), 40%, 50%, and 60% coverage. For the 50% and 60% coverage, this rate was also applied to high-risk 50–64-y-olds, whereas 48.6% was used for the baseline and 40% coverage scenarios. Cost-effectiveness was estimated in terms of humanistic outcomes and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), with discounting applied at 3%. Overall, influenza vaccination of 50–64-y-olds resulted in reductions in GP visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, with a reduction in influenza-related mortality of 34%, 41%, and 52% for 40%, 50%, and 60% coverage, respectively. All four scenarios resulted in acute and intensive care unit (ICU) bed occupancy levels above available capacity, although vaccination of low-risk 50–64-y-olds resulted in a 35–54% and 16–25% decrease in excess acute and ICU bed requirements, respectively. Vaccination of this group against influenza was highly cost-effective from the payer perspective, with ICERs of £2,200–£2,343/quality-adjusted life year across the coverage rates evaluated. In conclusion, in the UK, vaccination of low-risk 50–64-y-olds against influenza is cost-effective and can aid in alleviating bed shortages in a situation where influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are co-circulating.
Ultra-processed foods in a rural Ecuadorian community: associations with child anthropometry and bone maturation

Abstract Frequent ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is consistently associated with poor health outcomes. Little is known about UPF intake during early childhood and its effects on growth. We assessed UPF in relation to child anthropometry, bone maturation, and their nutrition profiles in a rural Ecuadorian community. Covariate-adjusted regression models estimated relationships between UPF intake from a 24-hour Food Frequency Questionnaire and three outcomes: linear growth, weight status and bone maturation. Nutrient Profiling Models (NPM) evaluated a convenience sample of UPF (n 28) consumed by children in the community. In this cohort (n 125; mean age = 33·92 (sd 1·75) months), 92·8 % consumed some form of UPF the previous day. On average, children consuming UPF four to twelve times per day (highest tertile) had lower height-for-age z-scores than those with none or a single instance of UPF intake (lowest tertile) (β = –0·43 [se 0·18]; P = 0·02). Adjusted stunting odds were significantly higher in the highest tertile relative to the lowest tertile (OR: 3·07, 95 % CI 1·11, 9·09). Children in the highest tertile had significantly higher bone age z-scores (BAZ) on average compared with the lowest tertile (β = 0·58 [se 0·25]; P = 0·03). Intake of savoury UPF was negatively associated with weight-for-height z-scores (β = –0·30 [se 0·14]; P = 0·04) but positively associated with BAZ (β = 0·77 [se 0·23]; P < 0·001). NPM indicated the availability of unhealthy UPF to children, with excessive amounts of saturated fats, free sugars and sodium. Findings suggest that frequent UPF intake during early childhood may be linked to stunted growth (after controlling for bone age and additional covariates), despite paradoxical associations with bone maturation.
Influence of trans‐ferulic acid on the quality of ram semen upon cold preservation

Abstract Background Due to lower antioxidant capacity and higher amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, ram spermatozoa are very susceptible during cooling process. Objectives The objective was to examine the effect of the trans‐ferulic acid (t‐FA) on the ram semen during liquid preservation. Methods Semen samples were collected from the Qezel rams, pooled, and extended with the Tris‐based diluent. Pooled samples enriched with different amounts of the t‐FA (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 25 mM) and preserved at 4°C for 72 h. Spermatozoa's kinematics, membrane functionality, and viability were assessed by CASA system, hypoosmotic swelling test, and eosin‐nigrosin staining, respectively. Moreover, biochemical parameters were measured at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Results Results showed that 5 and 10 mM t‐FA improved forward progressive motility (FPM) and curvilinear velocity compared to the other groups at 72 h (p < 0.05). Samples treated with 25 mM t‐FA showed the lowest total motility, FPM, and viability at 24, 48, and 72 h of storage (p < 0.05). Higher total antioxidant activity levels were observed in the 10 mM t‐FA‐treated group compared to the negative control at 72 h (p < 0.05). Treatment with 25 mM t‐FA increased malondialdehyde amounts and decreased superoxide dismutase activity compared to other groups at the final time assessment (p < 0.05). Nitrate‐nitrite and lipid hydroperoxides values were not affected by treatment. Conclusions The current study indicates the positive and negative influences of different concentrations of t‐FA on the ram semen upon cold storage.
Causal association of the brain structure with the susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity of COVID‐19: A large‐scale genetic correlation study

Brain structure is related to its ability to resist external pathogens. Furthermore, there are several abnormal anatomical brain events and central system symptoms associated with COVID‐19. This study, which was conducted based on genetic variables, aimed to identify the causal association between brain structure and COVID‐19 phenotypes. We performed a two‐sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis using genetic variables obtained from large genome‐wide association studies as instruments to identify the potential causal effects of various brain imaging‐derived phenotypes (BIDPs) traits on susceptibility, hospitalisation, and severity of COVID‐19. We explored the genetic correlations of 1325 BIDPs with the susceptibility, hospitalisation, and severity of COVID‐19 using Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression. We observed a causal relationship between increased cortical thickness of the left inferior temporal area and an increased risk of increased COVID‐19 infection (p = 4.29 × 10‐4) and hospitalisation (p = 3.67 × 10‐3). Moreover, the larger total surface area of the whole brain was negatively correlated with the risk of hospitalisation for COVID‐19. Furthermore, there was a significant causal association between increased cerebrospinal fluid volume and decreased severity of COVID‐19 (p = 3.74 × 10‐3). In a conclusion, we provide new insights into the causal association between BIDPs and COVID‐19 phenotypes, which may help elucidate the aetiology of COVID‐19.
Warning signals? An explorative study of distant recollections of the moments before a disaster

ABSTRACT Background: How do we remember what happened shortly before a traumatic experience? There has been little focus on the temporal context of trauma memories, but a few studies suggest that aspects of what happened in the moments prior to a traumatic experience may be selectively enhanced and prioritized in memory. Objective: The main aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence, nature, and content of voluntary memories about what happened shortly before a disaster. The participants were individuals who had survived a fire on the passenger ferry Scandinavian Star 26 years earlier. Methods: Data collection took the form of face-to-face interviews. The analysis was carried out in two steps. First, all the narratives from participants who were aged 7 years or older at the time of the fire (N = 86) were coded in terms of the presence of detailed descriptions of what happened before the fire. Next, the narratives that included detailed descriptions of the moments before (N = 28) were included in a thematic analysis, focusing on coding the mode and the content. Results: More than one-third of the participants reported detailed accounts of what happened in the hours, minutes, or seconds before the fire. These memories included detailed descriptions of sensory impressions, dialogues, actions, and thoughts. Two themes stood out in the thematic analysis: (1) unusual observations and danger cues; and (2) counterfactual thoughts. Conclusion: The finding that specific details from the moments before a traumatic event may be vividly recalled indicates that peripheral details of traumatic events can be prioritized in memory. Such details may be interpreted as warning signals. Future research should examine whether such memories might stimulate long-standing thoughts of the world as being dangerous, and hence carry the threat forward in time. HIGHLIGHTS A qualitative study exploring the occurrence, nature, and content of memories about what happened shortly before a disaster. For some trauma survivors, experiences or observations shortly before a traumatic event can be vividly recalled in detail, after more than two decades. Such detailed memories of what happened before a traumatic experience may be interpreted as warning signals; furthermore, they may stimulate long-standing thoughts of the world as dangerous, thus carrying the threat forward in time.
Inhibition of ATP synthase reverse activity restores energy homeostasis in mitochondrial pathologies

The maintenance of cellular function relies on the close regulation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and hydrolysis. ATP hydrolysis by mitochondrial ATP Synthase (CV) is induced by loss of proton motive force and inhibited by the mitochondrial protein ATPase inhibitor (ATPIF1). The extent of CV hydrolytic activity and its impact on cellular energetics remains unknown due to the lack of selective hydrolysis inhibitors of CV. We find that CV hydrolytic activity takes place in coupled intact mitochondria and is increased by respiratory chain defects. We identified (+)‐Epicatechin as a selective inhibitor of ATP hydrolysis that binds CV while preventing the binding of ATPIF1. In cells with Complex‐III deficiency, we show that inhibition of CV hydrolytic activity by (+)‐Epichatechin is sufficient to restore ATP content without restoring respiratory function. Inhibition of CV–ATP hydrolysis in a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is sufficient to improve muscle force without any increase in mitochondrial content. We conclude that the impact of compromised mitochondrial respiration can be lessened using hydrolysis‐selective inhibitors of CV.
Wetting‐induced soil CO2 emission pulses are driven by interactions among soil temperature, carbon, and nitrogen limitation in the Colorado Desert

Warming‐induced changes in precipitation regimes, coupled with anthropogenically enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition, are likely to increase the prevalence, duration, and magnitude of soil respiration pulses following wetting via interactions among temperature and carbon (C) and N availability. Quantifying the importance of these interactive controls on soil respiration is a key challenge as pulses can be large terrestrial sources of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) over comparatively short timescales. Using an automated sensor system, we measured soil CO2 flux dynamics in the Colorado Desert—a system characterized by pronounced transitions from dry‐to‐wet soil conditions—through a multi‐year series of experimental wetting campaigns. Experimental manipulations included combinations of C and N additions across a range of ambient temperatures and across five sites varying in atmospheric N deposition. We found soil CO2 pulses following wetting were highly predictable from peak instantaneous CO2 flux measurements. CO2 pulses consistently increased with temperature, and temperature at time of wetting positively correlated to CO2 pulse magnitude. Experimentally adding N along the N deposition gradient generated contrasting pulse responses: adding N increased CO2 pulses in low N deposition sites, whereas adding N decreased CO2 pulses in high N deposition sites. At a low N deposition site, simultaneous additions of C and N during wetting led to the highest observed soil CO2 fluxes reported globally at 299.5 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Our results suggest that soils have the capacity to emit high amounts of CO2 within small timeframes following infrequent wetting, and pulse sizes reflect a non‐linear combination of soil resource and temperature interactions. Importantly, the largest soil CO2 emissions occurred when multiple resources were amended simultaneously in historically resource‐limited desert soils, pointing to regions experiencing simultaneous effects of desertification and urbanization as key locations in future global C balance.
Correlation Between Air Quality Index and Tear Film Lipid Layer Thickness: Comparison Between Patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome and with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of air pollution on the tear film stability by analyzing the correlation between Air Quality Index (AQI) and Lipid Layer thickness (LLT) in Xuzhou. Methods As a prospective descriptive observational study, 284 patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), 157 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), and 264 healthy volunteers were included. The tear film lipid layer thickness of the three groups of subjects was measured weekly and compared with the air quality index to analyze the correlation between the two indicators. Logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the effect of AQI on the thickness of the tear film lipid layer. The change of LLT with air pollution at different AQI levels was also analyzed. Results There are obvious seasonal differences in the changes of air pollution index in Xuzhou. Significant differences could be observed in the thickness of the lipid layer of the tear film among the three groups. LLT in the MGD group and SS group decreased with the aggravation of air pollution, while remained unchanged in the control group. There was strong evidence of correlation between LLT of the MGD group (F = 353.494, p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.695) and the SS group (F = 502.404, p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.764) with AQI, while there was minor correlation between LLT with AQI in control group (F = 8.525, p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.046). Conclusions Air pollution can cause a decrease in the thickness of the tear film lipid layer, thereby affecting tear film stability, leading to the occurrence of dry eye.
Improvements in the ADO Method for a One-Dimensional Model of Neutral Particle Transport in Ducts

An analytical solution is reported for a linear system that is encountered when the analytical discrete-ordinates (ADO) method is applied to the Prinja-Pomraning model of neutral particle transport in ducts. As a consequence of such development, the existence and uniqueness of the ADO solution for the considered problem are established.
A Novel Semi-Explicit Spatially Fourth Order Accurate Projection Method for Unsteady Incompressible Viscous Flows

This article describes a simple and elegant compact higher order finite-difference based numerical solution technique to the primitive variable formulation of unsteady incompressible Navier Stokes equations (UINSE) on staggered grids. The method exploits the advantages of the D'yakanov ADI-like scheme and a non-iterative pressure correction based fractional step method. Spatial derivatives are discretized to fourth order accuracy and the time integration is realized through the Euler explicit method. The fast and efficient iterative solution to the discretized momentum and pressure Poisson equations is achieved using a variant of conjugate gradient method. Spatial accuracy and robustness of the solver are tested through its application to relevant benchmark problems.
Long-term functional ability trajectories and mental health among older people before and after the COVID-19 pandemic onset in Chile

Abstract Objectives Despite the advances in understanding the complex association between functional abilities and mental health in old age, studies have overlooked two important aspects. First, traditionally, research has employed cross-sectional designs, measuring limitations at a single time point. Second, most gerontological studies on this field have been conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic onset. This study aims to explore the association between diverse long-term functional ability trajectories across late adulthood and old age, and older people’s mental health in Chile, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Methods We use data from the population-representative and longitudinal ‘Chilean Social Protection Survey’, sequence analysis to reconstruct functional ability trajectory types from 2004 to 2018, and bivariate and multivariate analyses to measure their association with depressive symptoms in early 2020 (N = 891) and late 2020 (N = 672). We analyzed four age groups defined by their age at baseline (2004): people aged 46–50, 51–55, 56–60, and 61–65. Results Our findings indicate that erratic or equivocal patterns of functional limitations across time (with people transiting back and forth between low and high levels of limitations) show the worst mental health outcomes, both before and after the pandemic onset. Prevalence of people with depression increased after the COVID-19 onset in most groups, being particularly high among those with previous equivocal functional ability trajectories. Conclusions The relationship between functional ability trajectories and mental health calls for a new paradigm, moving away from age as the main policy guide, and highlighting the need to adopt strategies to improve population-level functional status as an efficient policy to address the challenges of population aging.
Vaporized nicotine use among patients in HIV care who smoke tobacco: perceived health effects and effectiveness as a smoking cessation tool

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests adverse health effects from vaporized nicotine (VN) use, such as electronic “e” cigarettes, and limited efficacy to aid tobacco cessation. People with HIV (PWH) smoke tobacco at higher rates than the general population, with greater morbidity, highlighting the necessity of effective tobacco cessation tools. PWH may be more vulnerable to adverse effects of VN. Using semi-structured 1:1 interviews, we examined health beliefs regarding VN, patterns of use, and perceived effectiveness for tobacco cessation among PWH in HIV care at three geographically diverse U.S. sites. PWH (n = 24) had limited understanding of VN product content or health effects, presuming VN less harmful than tobacco cigarettes (TC). VN failed to adequately replicate the psychoactive effects or desired ritual of smoking TC. Concurrent TC use, and continuous VN use throughout the day, was common. Satiety using VN was elusive, and consumption quantity was difficult to track. VN had limited desirability and durability as a TC cessation tool among the interviewed PWH.