Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination of circulating miR-145-5p/miR-191-5p as biomarker for breast cancer detection

Background Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women worldwide. At present, there is a need to search for new, accurate, reliable, minimally invasive and cheap biomarkers in addition to existing methods for the diagnosis and prognosis of BC. The main goal of this study was to test the diagnostic value of six circulating miRNAs in Kazakh women. Materials and methods TaqMan-based miRNA profiling was conducted using plasma specimens from 35 BC women patients and 33 healthy women samples (control group). Results The level of all seven miRNAs (including endogenous control) normalized by synthetic cel-miR-39 were significantly elevated in the group of BC patients. Normalization using miR-222-3p as endogenous control reduced differences in level of miRNAs between groups; as a result, only three miRNAs were significantly upregulated in the group of BC patients—miR-145-5p (P = 6.5e−12), miR-191-5p (P = 3.7e−10) and miR-21-5p (P = 0.0034). Moreover, ROC analysis showed that the use of miR-145-5p and miR-191-5p, both individually (AUC = 0.931 and 0.904, respectively) or in combination (AUC = 0.984), allows to accurately differentiate BC patients from healthy individuals. Conclusions Two plasma miRNAs—miR-145-5p and miR-191-5p—are potential biomarkers for diagnosis of BC in the Kazakh population. The findings need to be further substantiated using a more representative sample.
Changes in sprint performance and sagittal plane kinematics after heavy resisted sprint training in professional soccer players

Background Sprint performance is an essential skill to target within soccer, which can be likely achieved with a variety of methods, including different on-field training options. One such method could be heavy resisted sprint training. However, the effects of such overload on sprint performance and the related kinetic changes are unknown in a professional setting. Another unknown factor is whether violating kinematic specificity via heavy resistance will lead to changes in unloaded sprinting kinematics. We investigated whether heavy resisted sled training (HS) affects sprint performance, kinetics, sagittal plane kinematics, and spatiotemporal parameters in professional male soccer players. Methods After familiarization, a nine-week training protocol and a two-week taper was completed with sprint performance and force-velocity (FV) profiles compared before and after. Out of the two recruited homogenous soccer teams (N = 32, age: 24.1 ± 5.1 years: height: 180 ± 10 cm; body-mass: 76.7 ± 7.7 kg, 30-m split-time: 4.63 ± 0.13 s), one was used as a control group continuing training as normal with no systematic acceleration training (CON, N = 13), while the intervention team was matched into two HS subgroups based on their sprint performance. Subgroup one trained with a resistance that induced a 60% velocity decrement from maximal velocity (N = 10, HS60%) and subgroup two used a 50% velocity decrement resistance (N = 9, HS50%) based on individual load-velocity profiles. Results Both heavy resistance subgroups improved significantly all 10–30-m split times (p < 0.05, d = − 1.25; −0.62). Post-hoc analysis showed that HS50% improved significantly more compared to CON in 0–10-m split-time (d = 1.03) and peak power (d = 1.16). Initial maximal theoretical horizontal force capacity (F0) and sprint FV-sprint profile properties showed a significant moderate relationship with F0 adaptation potential (p < 0.05). No significant differences in sprinting kinematics or spatiotemporal variables were observed that remained under the between-session minimal detectable change. Conclusion With appropriate coaching, heavy resisted sprint training could be one pragmatic option to assist improvements in sprint performance without adverse changes in sprinting kinematics in professional soccer players. Assessing each player’s initial individual sprint FV-profile may assist in predicting adaptation potential. More studies are needed that compare heavy resisted sprinting in randomized conditions.
The Association between Residential Green Space in Childhood and Development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: Access to green space has been hypothesized to have a beneficial impact on children’s mental well-being and cognitive development. The underlying mechanisms of the mental health benefits of green space are not fully understood, but different pathways have been suggested, such as the psychologically restoring capacities of green space, the ability to facilitate physical activity and social cohesion, and the mitigation of exposure to air pollution. Objectives: In this nationwide cohort study, we investigated associations between residential green space in early childhood and a clinical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The cohort included individuals, who were born in Denmark between 1992 and 2007 (n=814,689) and followed for a diagnosis of ADHD from age 5, during the period 1997–2016. We used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as a measure of vegetation greenness surrounding each residential address in a quadratic area of 210m×210m in which the residence was located in the center of the quadrate. Individual exposure to green space was calculated as the average of NDVI surrounding each individual’s residential address (or addresses if more than one) between birth and the fifth birthday. Multilevel modeling was used to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for ADHD, according to exposure level and adjusted for calendar time, age, sex, parental socioeconomic status, neighborhood level socioeconomic status, and urbanicity. Results: Individuals living in areas defined by sparse green vegetation (lowest decile of NDVI) had an increased risk of developing ADHD, compared with individuals living in areas within the highest decile of NDVI (IRR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.46, 1.65). Adjusting for the known confounders attenuated the result, but the association remained (IRR=1.20; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.28). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that lower levels of green space in residential surroundings, during early childhood, may be associated with a higher risk of developing ADHD. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6729
Alteration of fecal tryptophan metabolism correlates with shifted microbiota and may be involved in pathogenesis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Gut tryptophan (Trp) metabolites are produced by microbiota and/or host metabolism. Some of them have been proven to promote or inhibit colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and animal models. We hypothesized that there is an alteration of gut Trp metabolism mediated by microbiota and that it might be involved in the pathogenesis of cancer in patients with CRC. AIM To investigate the features of Trp metabolism in CRC and the correlation between fecal Trp metabolites and gut microbiota. METHODS Seventy-nine patients with colorectal neoplastic lesions (33 with colon adenoma and 46 with sporadic CRC) and 38 healthy controls (HCs) meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Their demographic and clinical features were collected. Fecal Trp, kynurenine (KYN), and indoles (metabolites of Trp metabolized by gut microbiota) were examined by ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Gut barrier marker and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) mRNA were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The gut microbiota was detected by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Correlations between fecal metabolites and other parameters were examined in all patients. RESULTS The absolute concentration of KYN [1.51 (0.70, 3.46) nmol/g vs 0.81 (0.64, 1.57) nmol/g, P = 0.036] and the ratio of KYN to Trp [7.39 (4.12, 11.72) × 10-3 vs 5.23 (1.86, 7.99) × 10-3, P = 0.032] were increased in the feces of patients with CRC compared to HCs, while the indoles to Trp ratio was decreased [1.34 (0.70, 2.63) vs 2.46 (1.25, 4.10), P = 0.029]. The relative ZO-1 mRNA levels in patients with CRC (0.27 ± 0.24) were significantly lower than those in HCs (1.00 ± 0.31) (P < 0.001), and the relative IDO1 mRNA levels in patients with CRC [1.65 (0.47-2.46)] were increased (P = 0.035). IDO1 mRNA levels were positively associated with the KYN/Trp ratio (r = 0.327, P = 0.003). ZO-1 mRNA and protein levels were positively correlated with the indoles/Trp ratio (P = 0.035 and P = 0.009, respectively). In addition, the genera Asaccharobacter (Actinobacteria) and Parabacteroides (Bacteroidetes), and members of the phylum Firmicutes (Clostridium XlVb, Fusicatenibacter, Anaerofilum, and Anaerostipes) decreased in CRC and exhibited a positive correlation with indoles in all subjects. CONCLUSION Alteration of fecal Trp metabolism mediated by microbiota is associated with intestinal barrier function and tissue Trp metabolism, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of CRC.
Association of Long-Term Air Pollution with Prevalence and Incidence of Distal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy: KORA F4/FF4 Study

Background: Air pollution contributes to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, but its relevance for other complications of diabetes, in particular distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN), is unclear. Recent studies have indicated that DSPN is also increasingly prevalent in obesity. Objectives: We aimed to assess associations of air pollutants with prevalent and incident DSPN in a population-based study of older individuals with high rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses on prevalent DSPN were based on 1,075 individuals 62–81 years of age from the German Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 survey (2006–2008). Analyses on incident DSPN included 424 individuals without DSPN at baseline (KORA F4), of whom 188 had developed DSPN by the KORA FF4 survey (2013–2014). Associations of annual average air pollutant concentrations at participants’ residences with prevalent and incident DSPN were estimated using Poisson regression models with a robust error variance adjusting for multiple confounders. Results: Higher particle number concentrations (PNCs) were associated with higher prevalence [risk ratio (RR) per interquartile range (IQR) increase=1.10 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.20)] and incidence [1.11 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.24)] of DSPN. In subgroup analyses, particulate (PNC, PM10, PMcoarse, PM2.5, and PM2.5abs) and gaseous (NOx, NO2) pollutants were positively associated with prevalent DSPN in obese participants, whereas corresponding estimates for nonobese participants were close to the null [e.g., for an IQR increase in PNC, RR=1.17 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.31) vs. 1.06 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.19); pinteraction=0.22]. With the exception of PM2.5abs, corresponding associations with incident DSPN were positive in obese participants but null or inverse for nonobese participants, with pinteraction≤0.13 [e.g., for PNC, RR=1.28 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.51) vs. 1.03 (95% CI: 0.90, 1.18); pinteraction=0.03]. Discussion: Both particulate and gaseous air pollutants were positively associated with prevalent and incident DSPN in obese individuals. Obesity and air pollution may have synergistic effects on the development of DSPN. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7311
WeChat-based mHealth intention and preferences among people living with schizophrenia

Background The past few decades have seen a rapid expansion of mHealth programs among people with serious mental illness, yet mHealth for schizophrenia is in a much earlier stage of development. This study examined the intention of WeChat-based mHealth programs among people living with schizophrenia (PLS) and evaluated correlates of the intention. Methods A total of 400 PLS aged 18–77 completed a cross-sectional survey by face-to-face interviews. The survey included a general question asking about participants’ willingness to attend WeChat-based mHealth programs, followed by preferences of three specific WeChat-based programs: psychoeducation, peer support, and professional support. PLS symptoms, functioning and disability were measured using the 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-18), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), respectively. A multivariate logistic regression was used to determine correlates of program participation intention. Results Over forty percent (43%, n = 172) of participants were willing to participate in WeChat-based mHealth programs, among whom preferences for each specific program were shown in descending order: psychoeducation (68.60%), professional support (60.47%), and peer support (52.33%). A multivariate analysis revealed that younger age (OR: 0.13–0.20, 95% CI [0.05–0.43]), higher education (OR: 3.48–6.84, 95% CI [1.69–18.21]), and lower disability (OR: 0.97, 95% CI [0.94–0.99]) were all independently associated with WeChat-based mHealth program participation intention. Conclusion The findings provide guidance for further development of WeChat-based mHealth programs among PLS in China, and targeted at those who are younger, well-educated and with lower disability.
MultiNets

MultiNets is a system supporting seamless switch-over between wireless interfaces on mobile devices in real-time. MultiNets is configurable to run in three different modes: (i) Energy Saving mode--for choosing the interface that saves the most energy based on the condition of the device, (ii) Offload mode--for offloading data traffic from the cellular to WiFi network, and (iii) Performance mode--for selecting the network for the fastest data connectivity. MultiNets also provides a powerful API that gives the application developers: (i) the choice to select a network interface to communicate with a specific server, and (ii) the ability to simultaneously transfer data over multiple network interfaces. MultiNets is modular, easily integrable, lightweight, and applicable to various mobile operating systems. We implement MultiNets on Android devices as a show case. MultiNets does not require any extra support from the network infrastructure and runs existing applications transparently. To evaluate MultiNets, we first collect data traces from 13 actual Android smartphone users over three months. We then use the collected traces to show that, by automatically switching to WiFi whenever it is available, MultiNets can offload on average 79.82% of the data traffic. We also illustrate that, by optimally switching between the interfaces, MultiNets can save on average 21.14 KJ of energy per day, which is equivalent to 27.4% of the daily energy usage. Using our API, we demonstrate that a video streaming application achieves 43--271% higher streaming rate when concurrently using WiFi and 3G interfaces. We deploy MultiNets in a real-world scenario and our experimental results show that depending on the user requirements, it outperforms the state-of-the-art Android system either by saving up to 33.75% energy, achieving near-optimal offloading, or achieving near-optimal throughput while substantially reducing TCP interruptions due to switching.
An exploration of the reasons and governance models for web 2.0 in providing public services

The growing participation in social networking sites is altering the nature of social relations and changing the nature of political and public dialogue. This paper contributes to the current debate on Web 2.0 technologies and their implications for local governance, identifying the perceptions of policy makers on the use of Web 2.0 in providing public services and on the changing roles that could arise from the resulting interaction between local governments and their stakeholders. The results obtained suggest that policy makers are willing to implement Web 2.0 technologies in providing public services, but preferably under the Bureaucratic model framework, thus retaining a leading role in this implementation. The learning curve of local governments in the use of Web 2.0 technologies is a factor that could influence policy makers' perceptions. In this respect, many research gaps are identified and further study of the question is recommended.
Nitrogen oxide emissions and soil microbial activities in a Japanese andisol as affected by N-fertilizer management

Abstract This experiment was conducted in maize field plots to study the effects of N-fertilizer management on nitrogen oxide emissions, soil microbial activities and crop yield, and the relationships among them in a Japanese Andisol. N fertilization increased both nitrification and dehydrogenase activities in soil and the emissions of NO and N20. Nitrification and dehydrogenase activities showed a close relationship with the NO emission, while the relationship with the N20 emission was not significant. Deep application (8 cm) of N fertilizer generally decreased both nitrification activity and NO emission. Controlled release of N fertilizer decreased the dehydrogenase activity and up to 86% of the NO emission. Our findings indicate the possibility that the low biological NO production in soil by deep application and controlled release of N fertilizer contributed to the low NO emission. Application of controlled release N fertilizer significantly increased the grain yield and N uptake by grain. NO emission showed a negative relationship with maize yield as affected by N-fertilizer management, suggesting the possibility of mitigating NO emission from Andisols without reducing crop production.
Deregulation of mTORC1-TFEB axis in human iPSC model of GBA1-associated Parkinson’s disease

Mutations in the GBA1 gene are the single most frequent genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Neurodegenerative changes in GBA1-associated PD have been linked to the defective lysosomal clearance of autophagic substrates and aggregate-prone proteins. To elucidate novel mechanisms contributing to proteinopathy in PD, we investigated the effect of GBA1 mutations on the transcription factor EB (TFEB), the master regulator of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP). Using PD patients’ induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we examined TFEB activity and regulation of the ALP in dopaminergic neuronal cultures generated from iPSC lines harboring heterozygous GBA1 mutations and the CRISPR/Cas9-corrected isogenic controls. Our data showed a significant decrease in TFEB transcriptional activity and attenuated expression of many genes in the CLEAR network in GBA1 mutant neurons, but not in the isogenic gene-corrected cells. In PD neurons, we also detected increased activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1), the main upstream negative regulator of TFEB. Increased mTORC1 activity resulted in excess TFEB phosphorylation and decreased nuclear translocation. Pharmacological mTOR inhibition restored TFEB activity, decreased ER stress and reduced α-synuclein accumulation, indicating improvement of neuronal protiostasis. Moreover, treatment with the lipid substrate reducing compound Genz-123346, decreased mTORC1 activity and increased TFEB expression in the mutant neurons, suggesting that mTORC1-TFEB alterations are linked to the lipid substrate accumulation. Our study unveils a new mechanism contributing to PD susceptibility by GBA1 mutations in which deregulation of the mTORC1-TFEB axis mediates ALP dysfunction and subsequent proteinopathy. It also indicates that pharmacological restoration of TFEB activity could be a promising therapeutic approach in GBA1-associated neurodegeneration.
Texture Assessment of French Cheeses

ABSTRACT: The texture of a variety of French cheeses was studied by examining their compositional and mechanical parameters. The data obtained were correlated to those derived from a panel assessment of the sensory textural attributes of the samples. Statistical treatement of the results employing cluster analysis, analysis of variance, and redundancy analysis revealed that the most influential objective variable to characterize the cheese texture are the dry matter content and the resistance to force compression at 10% deformation of the initial samples height. These variables were highly correlated with sensory attributes such as hardness, brittleness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness.
Characterization of Exhaust Particulates from a Dual Fuel Engine by TGA, XPS, and Raman Techniques

Particulate matter (PM) emitted from a dual fuel engine is characterized using thermogravimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) provides the mass fractions of elemental carbon and volatile materials in PM; XPS provides the possible chemical compositions in the topmost layer of PM surface and Raman analysis provides the possible structure of the carbon presented in PM. Dual fuel engine uses both liquid (diesel) and gaseous fuels simultaneously to produce mechanical power and can be switched to only diesel fueling under load. The dual fuel engine is operated with natural gas and simulated biogases (laboratory prepared) and results are compared between the dual fueling and diesel fueling under the same engine operating conditions. Significantly higher volatile fractions in PM are obtained for dual fueling compared to diesel fueling complementing the gravimetric results. The maximum contribution of the graphitic carbon or aliphatic carbon such as hydrocarbons and paraffins (C═C or C─C) are found in the topmost atomic layers of both the diesel and dual fuel PM samples. The other chemical states are found to be the carbon-oxygen functional groups indicating significant oxidation behavior in the PM surface. Lesser aromatic content is noticed in the case of dual fuel PM than diesel PM. The carbon in dual fuel PM is found to be more amorphous compared to diesel PM. These characterizations provide us new information how the PM from a diesel engine can be different from that from a dual fuel engine.
International Mindedness: A Revised Conceptual Framework

This paper suggests a revised framework for explaining, developing and assessing international mindedness (IM). A review of the literature – that presents initiatives, challenges, and debates regarding IM – concludes with an overview of selected conceptual frameworks that have been used to develop a shared understanding of IM. When the authors applied one of these frameworks in a previous empirical study, they found during data analysis that some aspects of the framework’s key pillars played a more supportive role and that other components of IM needed further identification. As a result, this paper proposes a revision of the framework that features intercultural competence and global engagement, and identifies more specific components of these attributes, namely knowledge, skills, dispositions, and agency. The paper includes another review of the literature to emphasise how these components are important for the development, implementation, and assessment of international mindedness.