Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Respiratory Functions and Respiratory Muscle Strength of Martial Arts Athletes

Background: Respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength are important factors influencing athletes’ both performance and rehabilitation processes. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strengths of elite athletes doing different branches of martial arts. Methods: 58 male athletes (Judo: 15, Muay Thai:15, Boxing:14, Taekwondo: 14) participated in our study. The samples’ respiratory function tests were administered with spirometry in sitting position, while their respiratory muscle strength tests were administered by using intraoral barometer. SPSS 22.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the respiratory function results of athletes doing different martial arts (p>0.05). However, it was found that Judo and Muay Thai athletes had higher FVC, FEV1, MVV and PEF values when compared with boxing and Taekwondo athletes. When respiratory muscle strengths were analysed, statistically significant difference was found in favour of Judo and Muay Thai athletes in terms of MIP values (p<0.05), while significant difference was found in favour of only Muay Thai athletes in terms of MEP values (p<0.05). Conclusion: When the results of our study were analysed, it was found that Judo and Muay Thai athletes had higher respiratory function levels when compared with Boxing and Taekwondo athletes; while Judo, Muay Thai and boxing athletes had higher respiratory muscle strength rates when compared with Taekwondo athletes and these results showed that these branches with different styles and systems could show different results. Based on the results of our study, it is thought that athletes and trainers of martial sports athletes can develop these parameters influencing performance through trainings which develop extra respiratory muscle (IMT) and functions. In addition, our study can become a reference in terms of respiratory functions and especially respiratory muscle strength administered in branches of Judo, Muay Thai, Boxing and Taekwondo.
Skeletal Muscle Ratio: A Complete Mediator of Physical Activity and HbA1C in Type 2 Diabetes

Background: An increase in the physical activity level reduces body weight, decreases body fat, increases skeletal muscle mass, and improves serum glucose; however, the influence of body composition parameters on the relationship between physical activity and serum glucose remains unclear. Objective: This study investigated whether skeletal muscle and visceral fat affect the relationship between high physical activity and long-term serum glucose goals. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited patients with type 2 diabetes. The Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for estimating the physical activity level, and a bioimpedance device was used to measure the skeletal muscle ratio (skeletal muscle mass/total body weight, %) and visceral fat area (cm2). Hierarchical logistic regression models and mediation tests were conducted according to Hayes’ procedures. Results: Of the total 543 Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes enrolled, HbA1C levels of fewer than half (n = 243, 44.8%) met the target of ≤7.0%. The skeletal muscle ratio was found to be a complete mediator (OR = 0.920, 95% CI: 0.848 to 0.998; indirect effect: −0.238, 95% CI: −0.525 to −0.020) of the relationship between high physical activity and the target HbA1C level after controlling for visceral fat area (indirect effect: −0.013, 95% CI: −0.183 to 0.156), age, time since diabetes diagnosis, and rice intake. Conclusion: Nurses should include an increase in the skeletal muscle ratio as an objective in physical activity interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes to help them achieve their long-term serum glucose goals.
Fetal spina bifida: What we tell the parents

Worldwide, about 150 000 infants are born with spina bifida yearly, making this condition one of the most common fetal central nervous system anomalies compatible with life. Over the last decade, major changes have been introduced in the prenatal diagnosis and management of spina bifida. In this review, we provide a brief summary of the current management of fetal spina bifida and present essential information that should be provided to expecting parents when their fetus has been diagnosed with spina bifida. This information is focused around common parental questions, as encountered in our typical clinical practice, to facilitate knowledge translation.
Mortality in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Objective To investigate the hypothesis that patients diagnosed with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) on video-EEG monitoring (VEM) have increased mortality by comparison to the general population. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients evaluated in VEM units of 3 tertiary hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2015. Diagnosis was based on consensus opinion of experienced epileptologists and neuropsychiatrists at each hospital. Mortality was determined in patients diagnosed with PNES, epilepsy, or both conditions by linkage to the Australian National Death Index. Lifetime history of psychiatric disorders in PNES was determined from formal neuropsychiatric reports. Results A total of 5,508 patients underwent VEM. A total of 674 (12.2%) were diagnosed with PNES, 3064 (55.6%) with epilepsy, 175 (3.2%) with both conditions, and 1,595 (29.0%) received other diagnoses or had no diagnosis made. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of patients diagnosed with PNES was 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0–3.3). Those younger than 30 had an 8-fold higher risk of death (95% CI 3.4–19.8). Direct comparison revealed no significant difference in mortality rate between diagnostic groups. Among deaths in patients diagnosed with PNES (n = 55), external causes contributed 18%, with 20% of deaths in those younger than 50 years attributed to suicide, and “epilepsy” was recorded as the cause of death in 24%. Conclusions Patients diagnosed with PNES have a SMR 2.5 times above the general population, dying at a rate comparable to those with drug-resistant epilepsy. This emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis, identification of risk factors, and implementation of appropriate strategies to prevent potential avoidable deaths.
Nanocurcumin versus mesenchymal stem cells in ameliorating the deleterious effects in the cadmium‐induced testicular injury: A crosstalk between oxidative and apoptotic markers

Cadmium (Cd), a grave occupational pollutant, can result in; testicular damage. This study was designed to distinguish the potential effect of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) versus that of curcumin nanoemulsion on Cd‐induced testicular damage. Fifty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into five groups; control, sham control, Cd‐treated, stem cell‐treated and nanocurcumin‐treated groups. Histological, immune histochemical; caspase 3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD 68, testosterone levels, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde (MDA)/glutathione (GSH) superoxide, dismutase (SOD), Western blot; B‐cell lymphoma (Bcl‐2), BCL2‐Associated X Protein (BAX), BAX/Bcl‐2 ratio and morphometry were done. Cadmium‐treated group showed degenerated, detached seminiferous tubules, vacuolations and wide interstitial spaces containing fluid exudates. The same group revealed increased expression of BAX, BAX/Bcl‐2 ratio, caspase 3, CD 68 and increased mean values of MDA, NO. Concomitantly, Cd has significant reduction in PCNA, Bcl‐2 and sperm cell count when compared to control group. BM‐MSCs‐ and nanocurcumin‐treated groups revealed well‐structured tubules and were perceived to expressively enhance the deleterious changes induced by Cd. The injurious changes on the testis induced by Cd were obviously improved when treated with either MSCs or nano‐curcumin. BM‐MSCs exerted more ameliorative changes.
Preparedness cycle to address transitions in diabetes care during the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a mass casualty incident of the most severe nature leading to unearthed uncertainties around management, prevention, and care. As of July 2020, more than twelve million people have tested positive for COVID-19 globally and more than 500 000 people have died. Patients with diabetes are among the most severely affected during this pandemic. Healthcare systems have made emergent changes to adapt to this public health crisis, including changes in diabetes care. Adaptations in diabetes care in the hospital (ie, changes in treatment protocols according to clinical status, diabetes technology implementation) and outpatient setting (telemedicine, mail delivery, patient education, risk stratification, monitoring) have been improvised to address this challenge. We describe how to respond to the current public health crisis focused on diabetes care in the USA. We present strategies to address and evaluate transitions in diabetes care occurring in the immediate short-term (ie, response and mitigation), as well as phases to adapt and enhance diabetes care during the months and years to come while also preparing for future pandemics (ie, recovery, surveillance, and preparedness). Implementing multidimensional frameworks may help identify gaps in care, alleviate initial demands, mitigate potential harms, and improve implementation strategies and outcomes in the future.
The evaluation of dual-purpose groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) varieties for fodder and seed production at Shika, Nigeria

At Shika in a subhumid environment of Nigeria, a 3-year study was carried out to select newly developed groundnut varieties for use in crop–livestock production systems. The study examined 11 groundnut varieties. Emergence time, plant stands at full emergence, forage and seed yields and yield components were examined. Whole plant samples were analysed for crude protein (CP) content. Varieties ICGV 87123 gave the lowest forage yield and cultivar M517-80I, the highest, with seven varieties recording forage yields above 5 t/ha. The CP content of forage was lowest (14·8%) for variety M576-80I and highest (21·6%) for variety M554-76. Mean seed yield (over 3 years) varied significantly from 0·73 to 1·68 t/ha. Only two varieties had mean seed yield >1 t/ha. The relationship between seed and forage yields was positive and significant (r = 0·529, P < 0·006). Varieties RMP 12, 88-80I and M517–80 were most promising for both forage and seed production.
Social dynamics in natural populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Microbes rely on collective behaviours, such as communication and cooperation to survive and form communities. The majority of these social behaviours are mediated by the secretion of public good molecules into a shared environment such that they can be utilized by neighbouring cells. Therefore, individuals that engage in costly cooperative behaviour are susceptible to exploitation by selfish cheats that gain the benefit of cooperation without investing their share of the public good cost. Understanding such bacterial social interactions and the underlying molecular mechanisms gives insight into their complex social life in natural environments and can be used to develop alternative treatments for pathogenic bacteria that rely on such social interactions for virulence and to infect hosts. In this thesis I examine social behaviours expressed by the opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I develop an understanding of bacterial social dynamics, particularly competitive dynamics between cooperator and cheat strains and strains that engage in bacteriocinmediated chemical warfare. I investigate bacterial cheat-cooperator systems in several ways: 1) I begin with a review describing the evolution of and response to cheating across a range of organisms and discuss the confusion that arises in identifying cheats particularly in microbial studies and therefore propose a key to identify cheating behaviour. 2) I empirically test whether cheating behaviour is context dependent in bacterial populations and reveal that the ability to cheat varies with the abiotic and social environment, which are two fluctuating conditions in natural environments. 3) I take an experimental approach to investigate why cheat invasion is not commonly observed in natural bacterial populations by testing the effect of cooperative bacterial growth dynamics on cheating ability. I find that secretion of public goods varies with bacterial growth dynamics and physiological growth stages which may explain why cheat invasion is more commonly observed in lab cultures and not in established natural populations. 4) In the final chapter I experimentally use natural isolates to examine the role of bacteriocins in mediating competition in pathogenic populations and find that contrary to empirical and theoretical work, bacteriocins do not play a significant role in strain competitive success and dominance. The thesis has laid groundwork for studying and understanding the role of social behaviours in bacterial systems and for further exploring social dynamics in natural bacterial populations.
Ericoid Mycorrhizas of Styphelieae: Intensity of Infection and Nutrition of the Symbionts

Soil and leaf total nitrogen and intensity of ericoid mycorrhizal infection were measured in Leucopogon juniperinus R.Br. growing under forest in four different soils. Leaf nitrogen varied from 1.1 to 1.9%, which was correlated with soil nitrogen (0.17-0.32%) but was not related to intensity of infection. Maximal infection occurred in March and the cold months. Five vegetative types of endophytes were isolated from roots of L. juniperinus. Three produced ericoid mycorrhizas in pot cultures of Vaccinium. A fungus isolated from a decaying endocarp of Styphelia tubiflora Sm. produced an infection in Vaccinium which was similar to ericoid mycorrhizas.
Asymmetric distribution of pallial‐expressed genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The left and right distribution of a set of twenty‐six genes in the zebrafish pallium was examined by RT‐qPCR experiments. The analysis comprised four general pallial markers (eomesa, emx2, emx3 and prox1); eight genes, dapper1, htr3a, htr3b, htr4, id2, ndr2, pkcβ and lmo4, that have been described as asymmetric distributed in the brain of mammals (human and mouse); six genes, arrb2, auts2, baiap2, fez1, gap43 and robo1, asymmetrically distributed in the mammalian cortex, that have been associated with autism in humans; and, eight genes, baz1b, fzd9, limk1, tubgcp5, cyfip1, grik1a, nipa1 and nipa2, which have been associated with developmental dyscalculia, a brain disability linked to brain laterality in humans. We found a leftward bias in the expression of 10 genes (dapper1, htr3a, htr3b, htr4, id2, ndr2, pkcß, auts2, baiap2 and grik1a) and a rightward bias for 5 genes (lmo4, arrb2, fez1, gap43, robo1) in agreement with the data reported in mammals. We also found a rightward lateralization for nipa1 and nipa2, whereas the remaining genes (eomesa, emx2, emx3, prox1, baz1b, cyfip1, fzd9, limk1 and tubgpc5) were bilaterally distributed. These findings suggest a basic homology in the asymmetric expression of several pallial vertebrate genes.
Manifestations of clinical depression in daily life: a daily diary study of descriptions of naturally occurring events

ABSTRACT In the present study, clinically depressed (n = 135) and non-depressed adults (n = 138) described the events that happened to them each day for two weeks, and these descriptions were content analysed. Participants also rated how stressful and how positive each event was. Multilevel analyses found that depressed individuals, compared to the non-depressed, used more negative emotion words and more pronouns and used fewer positive emotion words, and they rated events as more stressful and less positive. Stressfulness of events was positively related to the use of pronouns and negative emotion words and was negatively related to the use of positive emotion words. Relationships between positivity of events and word counts were in the opposite direction. Controlling for stressfulness or positivity of events eliminated differences between the depressed and non-depressed in word use, except for use of other-pronouns words. Compared to the non-depressed, depressed people may either experience a greater number of objectively stressful or less pleasant daily events or perceive naturally occurring daily events as more stressful and less positive, and they describe daily events in ways that are consistent with such differences.
Dermoscopic clues of palmoplantar hyperkeratotic eczema and palmoplantar psoriasis: A prospective, comparative study of 90 patients

Diagnosis can be difficult in isolated palmar and plantar lesions in patients with psoriasis and eczema. The purpose of our study is to compare the dermoscopic findings in patients with palmoplantar psoriasis and palmoplantar hyperkeratotic eczema. This prospective, comparative study included 90 patients histopathologically diagnosed with eczema or psoriasis (35 psoriasis and 55 eczema). The age range was 18–75 years. The most common vessel type was dot vessel in psoriasis. Red globular ring vessels were seen in five patients with psoriasis, but not in any with eczema (P = 0.007). The most common vascular distribution pattern was regular in psoriasis (40%). Patchy vascular pattern was significant in eczema. The most common background color was light red in psoriasis (48.6%) (P < 0.001). Brownish‐orange globules were observed in 25.7% of patients with eczema and 5.7% in patients with psoriasis (P = 0.02). There is only one study in the published work about dermoscopy of palmoplantar psoriasis and eczema. In our study, yellow crusts, patchy scale distribution, patchy vascular pattern, yellow scale color, dull red background color and brownish‐orange globules were significant in patients with palmoplantar eczema. On the other hand, patients with psoriasis had light red background color, regular vascular distribution pattern and white scale color. We observed globule structures with a pale center and dark peripheral rim only in patients with eczema, which was not identified in previous studies. This globule structure may be a new finding in eczema.
Peptide vaccination directed against IDO1-expressing immune cells elicits CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity and enhanced anti-PD1 responses

Background The tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which subverts T-cell immunity at multiple levels, is itself subject to inherent T-cell reactivity. This intriguing deviation from central tolerance has been interpreted as counterbalancing IDO1-mediated immunosuppression. Based on this hypothesis, clinical studies employing an IDO1 peptide-based vaccine approach for cancer treatment have been initiated, but there remains a pressing need to further investigate the immunological ramifications of stimulating the anti-IDO1 T-cell response in this manner. Methods CT26 colon carcinoma tumors were evaluated for expression of IDO1 protein by western blot analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Mouse IDO1-derived peptides, predicted to bind either major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II of the H2d BALB/c strain, were emulsified in 50% Montanide for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine treatment of CT26 tumor-bearing mice initiated either 7 days prior to or following tumor cell injection, respectively. In some therapeutic treatment experiments, administration of programmed cell death protein 1-binding antibody (anti-PD1 antibody) or epacadostat was concurrently initiated. Tumor size was determined by caliper measurements and comparative tumor growth suppression was assessed by longitudinal analyses of tumor growth data. For adoptive transfer, T cells from complete responder animals were isolated using paramagnetic beads and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Results This study identifies mouse MHC class I-directed and II-directed, IDO1-derived peptides capable of eliciting antitumor responses, despite finding IDO1 expressed exclusively in tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Treatment of established tumors with anti-PD1 antibody and class I-directed but not class II-directed IDO1 peptide vaccines produced an enhanced antitumor response. Likewise, class I-directed and II-directed IDO1 peptides elicited an enhanced combinatorial response, suggesting distinct mechanisms of action. Consistent with this interpretation, adoptive transfer of isolated CD8+ T cells from class I and CD4+ T cells from class II peptide-vaccinated responder mice delayed tumor growth. The class II-directed response was completely IDO1-dependent while the class I-directed response included an IDO1-independent component consistent with antigen spread. Conclusions The in vivo antitumor effects demonstrated with IDO1-based vaccines via targeting of the tumor microenvironment highlight the utility of mouse models for further exploration and refinement of this novel vaccine-based approach to IDO1-directed cancer therapy and its potential to improve patient response rates to anti-PD1 therapy.
Molecular dynamics simulations provide molecular insights into the role of HLA‐B51 in Behçet's disease pathogenesis

Behçet's disease is an inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. Genetic tendency has an important role in its pathogenesis, and HLA‐B51, a class I MHC antigen, has been recognized as the strongest susceptibility factor for Behçet's disease. Despite the confirmation of the association of HLA‐B51 with Behçet's disease in different populations, its pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. HLA‐B51 differs in only two amino acids from HLA‐B52, other split antigen of HLA‐B5, which is not associated with Behçet's disease. These two amino acids are located in the B pocket of the antigen‐binding groove, which occupies the second amino acids of the bound peptides. To understand the nature of the HLA–peptide interactions, differences in structure and dynamics of two HLA alleles were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations using YAYDGKDYI, LPRSTVINI, and IPYQDLPHL peptides. For HLA‐B51, all bound peptides fluctuated to larger extent than HLA‐B52. Free energy profiles of unbinding process for YAYDGKDYI by steered molecular dynamics simulations showed that unbinding from HLA‐B52 results in greater free energy differences than HLA‐B51. These results suggest the possibility of an instability of HLA‐B51 associated with the repertoire of peptides, and this finding may provide significant insight to its pathogenic role in Behçet's disease.