Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association mapping of genomic regions associated with drought stress tolerance at seedling and reproductive stages in bread wheat

Understanding the genetic architecture of drought stress tolerance in bread wheat at seedling and reproductive stages is crucial for developing drought-tolerant varieties. In the present study, 192 diverse wheat genotypes, a subset from the Wheat Associated Mapping Initiative (WAMI) panel, were evaluated at the seedling stage in a hydroponics system for chlorophyll content (CL), shoot length (SLT), shoot weight (SWT), root length (RLT), and root weight (RWT) under both drought and optimum conditions. Following that, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out using the phenotypic data recorded during the hydroponics experiment as well as data available from previously conducted multi-location field trials under optimal and drought stress conditions. The panel had previously been genotyped using the Infinium iSelect 90K SNP array with 26,814 polymorphic markers. Using single as well as multi-locus models, GWAS identified 94 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) or SNPs associated with traits recorded at the seedling stage and 451 for traits recorded at the reproductive stage. The significant SNPs included several novel, significant, and promising MTAs for different traits. The average LD decay distance for the whole genome was approximately 0.48 Mbp, ranging from 0.07 Mbp (chromosome 6D) to 4.14 Mbp (chromosome 2A). Furthermore, several promising SNPs revealed significant differences among haplotypes for traits such as RLT, RWT, SLT, SWT, and GY under drought stress. Functional annotation and in silico expression analysis revealed important putative candidate genes underlying the identified stable genomic regions such as protein kinases, O-methyltransferases, GroES-like superfamily proteins, NAD-dependent dehydratases, etc. The findings of the present study may be useful for improving yield potential, and stability under drought stress conditions.
Cognitive tasks and combined statistical methods to evaluate, model, and predict mental workload

Mental workload (MWL) is a concept that is used as a reference for assessing the mental cost of activities. In recent times, challenges related to user experience are determining the expected MWL value for a given activity and real-time adaptation of task complexity level to achieve or maintain desired MWL. As a consequence, it is important to have at least one task that can reliably predict the MWL level associated with a given complexity level. In this study, we used several cognitive tasks to meet this need, including the N-Back task, the commonly used reference test in the MWL literature, and the Corsi test. Tasks were adapted to generate different MWL classes measured via NASA-TLX and Workload Profile questionnaires. Our first objective was to identify which tasks had the most distinct MWL classes based on combined statistical methods. Our results indicated that the Corsi test satisfied our first objective, obtaining three distinct MWL classes associated with three complexity levels offering therefore a reliable model (about 80% accuracy) to predicted MWL classes. Our second objective was to achieve or maintain the desired MWL, which entailed the use of an algorithm to adapt the MWL class based on an accurate prediction model. This model needed to be based on an objective and real-time indicator of MWL. For this purpose, we identified different performance criteria for each task. The classification models obtained indicated that only the Corsi test would be a good candidate for this aim (more than 50% accuracy compared to a chance level of 33%) but performances were not sufficient to consider identifying and adapting the MWL class online with sufficient accuracy during a task. Thus, performance indicators require to be complemented by other types of measures like physiological ones. Our study also highlights the limitations of the N-back task in favor of the Corsi test which turned out to be the best candidate to model and predict the MWL among several cognitive tasks.
Meta-analysis of RNA-Seq datasets highlights novel genes/pathways involved in fat deposition in fat-tail of sheep

Introduction Fat-tail in sheep is considered as an important energy reservoir to provide energy as a survival buffer during harsh challenges. However, fat-tail is losing its importance in modern sheep industry systems and thin-tailed breeds are more desirable. Using comparative transcriptome analysis to compare fat-tail tissue between fat- and thin-tailed sheep breeds provides a valuable approach to study the complex genetic factors associated with fat-tail development. However, transcriptomic studies often suffer from issues with reproducibility, which can be improved by integrating multiple studies based on a meta-analysis. Methods Hence, for the first time, an RNA-Seq meta-analysis on sheep fat-tail transcriptomes was performed using six publicly available datasets. Results and discussion A total of 500 genes (221 up-regulated, 279 down-regulated) were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A jackknife sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the DEGs. Moreover, QTL and functional enrichment analysis reinforced the importance of the DEGs in the underlying molecular mechanisms of fat deposition. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network analysis revealed the functional interactions among the DEGs and the subsequent sub-network analysis led to identify six functional sub-networks. According to the results of the network analysis, down-regulated DEGs in green and pink sub-networks (like collagen subunits IV, V, and VI, integrins 1 and 2, SCD, SCD5, ELOVL6, ACLY, SLC27A2, and LPIN1) may impair lipolysis or fatty acid oxidation and cause fat accumulation in tail. On the other hand, up-regulated DEGs, especially those are presented in green and pink sub-networks (like IL6, RBP4, LEPR, PAI-1, EPHX1, HSD11B1, and FMO2), might contribute to a network controlling fat accumulation in the tail of sheep breed through mediating adipogenesis and fatty acid biosynthesis. Our results highlighted a set of known and novel genes/pathways associated with fat-tail development, which could improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms behind fat deposition in sheep fat-tail.
Effect of Cyberlindnera jadinii supplementation on growth performance, serum immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal health in winter fur-growing raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Introduction This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cyberlindnera jadinii supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemistry, immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota of raccoon dogs during the winter fur-growing period. Methods Forty-five 135 (±5) day-old male raccoon dogs were randomly assigned to three dietary groups supplemented with 0 (group N), 1 × 109 (group L) and 5 × 109 CFU/g (group H) Cyberlindnera jadinii, with 15 raccoon dogs per group. Results The results showed that Cyberlindnera jadinii in groups L and H improved average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed-to-weight ratio (F/G) (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in nutrient digestibility and nitrogen metabolism among the three groups (P > 0.05). Compared with group N, serum glucose levels were lower in groups L and H (P < 0.05). The levels of serum immunoglobulins A and G in group L were higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05), and the levels of serum immunoglobulins A and M in group H were higher than those in group N (P < 0.05). Supplementation with Cyberlindnera jadinii in groups L and H increased serum superoxide dismutase activity, and the total antioxidant capacity in group H increased compared with group N (P < 0.05). The phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were dominant in raccoon dogs. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that the composition of microbiota in the three groups changed significantly (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Campylobacterota was increased in the H group compared to the N and L groups (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Sarcina was increased in group L compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Subdoligranulum and Blautia were decreased in group H compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05). Also, the relative abundance of Prevotella, Sutterella and Catenibacterium was higher in group L (P < 0.05) compared with group H. Discussion In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Cyberlindnera jadinii improved growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune status, and improved intestinal microbiota in winter fur-growing raccoon dogs. Among the concentrations tested, 1 × 109 CFU/g was the most effective level of supplementation.
Individualized QT interval (QTi) is a powerful diagnostic tool in long QT syndrome: results from a large validation study

Aims Diagnosis of Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is based on prolongation of the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) on surface ECG and genotyping. However, up to 25% of genotype positive patients have a normal QTc interval. We recently showed that individualized QT interval (QTi) derived from 24 h holter data and defined as the QT value at the intersection of an RR interval of 1,000 ms with the linear regression line fitted through QT-RR data points of each individual patient was superior over QTc to predict mutation status in LQTS families. This study aimed to confirm the diagnostic value of QTi, fine-tune its cut-off value and evaluate intra-individual variability in patients with LQTS. Methods From the Telemetric and Holter ECG Warehouse, 201 recordings from control individuals and 393 recordings from 254 LQTS patients were analysed. Cut-off values were obtained from ROC curves and validated against an in house LQTS and control cohort. Results ROC curves indicated very good discrimination between controls and LQTS patients with QTi, both in females (AUC 0.96) and males (AUC 0.97). Using a gender dependent cut-off of 445 ms in females and 430 ms in males, a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 96% were achieved, which was confirmed in the validation cohort. No significant intra-individual variability in QTi was observed in 76 LQTS patients for whom at least two holter recordings were available (483 ± 36 ms vs. 489 ± 42 ms, p = 0.11). Conclusions This study confirms our initial findings and supports the use of QTi in the evaluation of LQTS families. Using the novel gender dependent cut-off values, a high diagnostic accuracy was achieved.
Vaccine development for mosquito-borne viral diseases

Mosquito-borne viral diseases are a group of viral illnesses that are predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes, including viruses from the Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families. In recent years, outbreaks caused by Dengue and Zika viruses from the Flaviviridae family, and Chikungunya virus from the Togaviridae family, have raised significant concerns for public health. However, there are currently no safe and effective vaccines available for these viruses, except for CYD-TDV, which has been licensed for Dengue virus. Efforts to control the transmission of COVID-19, such as home quarantine and travel restrictions, have somewhat limited the spread of mosquito-borne viral diseases. Several vaccine platforms, including inactivated vaccines, viral-vector vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, protein vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines, are being developed to combat these viruses. This review analyzes the various vaccine platforms against Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses and provides valuable insights for responding to potential outbreaks.
Predictors of food insecurity among older adults before and during COVID-19 in the United States

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the health and wellbeing of older adult populations through increased morbidity, mortality, and social exclusion. However, the impact of COVID-19 on the health of older adults through food security has received relatively little attention, despite the strong impact of diet quality on the health and longevity of older adults. Objective The objective of this study was to identify sociodemographic and socioeconomic predictors of self-reported food insecurity before and early in the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Methods Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults in the United States, we examined the associations between sociodemographic and socioeconomic predictors of self-reported food insecurity between 2018 (N = 2,413) and June 2020 (N = 2,216) using population-weighted multivariate logistic regression models. Results The prevalence of food insecurity doubled among participants from 2018 (4.83%) to June 2020 (9.54%). In 2018, non-Hispanic Black and rural residents were more likely to report food insecurity, while individuals with higher education and greater wealth were less likely to report food insecurity in adjusted models. In June 2020, those who were relatively younger, not working due to a disability, and renting were more likely to report food insecurity. Those with an increased number of functional limitations, a recent onset of a work-limiting disability, and those who were no longer homeowners experienced an elevated longitudinal risk for food insecurity. Conclusion Future research should examine effective policies and interventions to address the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on populations at a heightened risk of experiencing food insecurity.
Scientific evidence of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Background It remains controversial whether sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are effective in treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Purpose The objective of this umbrella review is to provide a summary of the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of SGLT-2is for the treatment of HFpEF. Methods We extracted pertinent systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library that were published between the inception of the database and December 31, 2022. Two independent investigators assessed the methodological quality, risk of bias, report quality, and evidence quality of the included SRs/MAs in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We further evaluated the overlap of the included RCTs by calculating the corrected covered area (CCA) and assessed the reliability of the effect size by performing excess significance tests. Additionally, the effect sizes of the outcomes were repooled to obtain objective and updated conclusions. Egger's test and sensitivity analysis were used to clarify the stability and reliability of the updated conclusion. Results This umbrella review included 15 SRs/MAs, and their methodological quality, risk of bias, report quality, and evidence quality were unsatisfactory. The total CCA for 15 SRs/MAs was 23.53%, indicating a very high level of overlap. The excess significance tests did not reveal any significant results. Our updated MA demonstrated that the incidence of the composite of hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) or cardiovascular death (CVD), first HHF, total HHF, and adverse events as well as the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Total Symptom Score (KCCQ-TSS) and 6 min-walk distance (6MWD) were all substantially improved in the SGLT-2i intervention group compared to the control group. However, there was limited evidence that SGLT-2is could improve CVD, all-cause death, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, or plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level. Egger's test and sensitivity analysis proved that the conclusion was stable and reliable. Conclusions SGLT-2 is a potential treatment for HFpEF with favourable safety. Given the dubious methodological quality, reporting quality, evidence quality, and high risk of bias for certain included SRs/MAs, this conclusion must be drawn with caution. Systematic Review Registration https://inplasy.com/, doi: 10.37766/inplasy2022.12. 0083, identifier INPLASY2022120083.
Textiles impregnated with antimicrobial substances in healthcare services: systematic review

Background Antimicrobial textiles have proved to be a promising biosafety strategy. Thus, the current study was focused on identifying which antimicrobial substances impregnated in textiles used in healthcare services confer efficacy in reducing the microbial load present in these textiles and/or the Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) rates, when compared to conventional textiles. Methods A systematic review of intervention studies using MEDLINE via the PubMed portal, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and medRxiv. The studies identified were selected according to eligibility criteria and submitted to data extraction and methodological quality evaluation through Joanna Briggs Institute specific tools. The outcomes were synthesized qualitatively. Results 23 studies were selected to comprise the final sample, in which antimicrobial textiles were used by hospitalized patients, by health professionals during work shifts and in inanimate healthcare environments. Conclusions Copper, silver, zinc oxide, titanium and silver-doped titanium impregnated in textiles used by patients confer efficacy in reducing the microbial load of these textiles and/or the HAI rates. Quaternary ammonium, chlorhexidine, silver and copper together, quaternary ammonium, alcohols and isothiazolone derivatives together, chitosan and dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin together, all impregnated in textiles used by health professionals confer efficacy in reducing the microbial load of these textiles. Quaternary ammonium impregnated in textiles used in inanimate healthcare environments confers efficacy in reducing the microbial load of these textiles.
Pruritogenic molecules in the skin of patients with dermatomyositis

Introduction Pruritus is a common excruciating symptom in systemic autoimmune diseases such as dermatomyositis (DM) but the pathogenesis is not fully understood. We intended to investigate the targeted expression analysis of candidate molecules involved in the development of pruritus in lesional vs. non-lesional skin samples of patients affected with active DM. We looked for correlations between the investigated pruriceptive signaling molecules, disease activity, and itching sensation of DM patients. Methods Interleukins (IL-33 and IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), and ion channels belonging to the transient receptor potential (TRP) family were analyzed. The expression of TNF-α, PPAR-γ, IL-33, IL-6, and TRP channels in lesional DM skin was evaluated by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry and was compared with non-lesional DM skin samples. Pruritus, disease activity, and damage of DM were evaluated by the 5-D itch scale and Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS 28 software. Results A total of 17 active DM patients participated in the study. We could show that the itching score was positively correlated with the CDASI activity score (Kendall's tau-b = 0.571; p = 0.003). TNF-α gene expression was significantly higher in lesional DM skin than in non-lesional DM skin (p = 0.009) and differed in the subgroups of patients with different itch intensities (p = 0.038). The mRNA expression of lesional IL-6 correlated positively with 5-D itch and CDASI activity score (Kendall's tau-b = 0.585; p = 0.008 and 0.45; p = 0.013, respectively). TRPV4 expressions were positively correlated with CDASI damage score (Kendall's tau-b = 0.626; p < 0.001), but the mRNA expressions of the TRP family, PPAR-γ, IL-6, and IL-33 were not different in lesional and non-lesional samples. Immunohistochemistry analysis did not find significant alterations in the expressions of TNF-α, PPAR-γ, IL-6, and IL-33 in lesional and non-lesional regions. Discussion Our results argue that cutaneous disease activity, TNF-α, and IL-6 might play a central role in DM-associated itch, while TRPV4 plays a central role in tissue regeneration.
Family functioning and resilience in children in mainland China: life satisfaction as a mediator

Introduction Grounded in the perspective of “Positive Youth Development” (PYD), resilience is an important developmental asset shaping human development. Although many studies have examined the impact of resilience on child developmental outcomes, relatively few studies have focused on the predictors of resilience, in particular familial antecedents of resilience in Chinese children and adolescents. In addition, the degree to which life satisfaction contributes to the mechanism by which family functioning impacts the development of children’s resilience over time needs to be clarified. Besides, there is a scarcity of studies that incorporate family functioning, resilience as well as life satisfaction in a single comprehensive investigation to analyze the mediating impact of life satisfaction on the linkage between family functioning and resilience under COVID-19. Methods The study investigated the predictive role of family functioning on resilience as well as the mediating effect of life satisfaction within the context of COVID-19, using data gathered in two waves before the onset of the pandemic and after the resumption of school during the pandemic, with 6 months apart. We employed the 33-item “Chinese Family Assessment Instrument” to evaluate family functioning, the 7-item “Chinese Resilience Scale” to assess resilience, and the “Satisfaction with Life Scale” with 5 items to measure life satisfaction. Results As per the responses of 4,783 students in Grades 4 through 7 recruited in Sichuan, China, family functioning significantly predicted resilience concurrently and longitudinally. After controlling for resilience scores in Wave 1, results demonstrated that family functioning examined in Wave 1 predicted an increase in resilience reported in Wave 2. In addition, family functioning significantly predicted life satisfaction, which also significantly predicted resilience. Multiple regression using PROCESS analyses indicated that life satisfaction mediated the predictive relationship between family functioning and child resilience. Discussion The findings spotlight the significant involvement of family functioning as well as life satisfaction in shaping children’s resilience in the Chinese context. The study also supports the hypothesis that perceived satisfaction with life serves as a mediator between family functioning and child resilience, suggesting interventions and support should concentrate on the family level for enhancing resilience in children.