Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness-Based Interventions For Successful Aging: Benefits, Barriers, and the Future

A growing body of research supports the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) to address a wide range of health concerns. This narrative literature review recognizes the important role these interventions play in response to public health challenges prompted by an aging demographic. Moreover, this review identifies opportunities to deliver cost-effective, community-based interventions tailored to older adults that promote successful aging. Complementary to this diverse demographic, MBIs allow participants to access naturally developed abilities that support overall well-being and resiliency later in life. The intersecting and beneficial effects of these interventions offer a well-suited, proactive, and holistic avenue to enhance quality of life for older adults.
Titanium Substratum Roughness as a Determinant of Human Gingival Fibroblast Fibronectin and α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression

The most appropriate surface treatment to enhance gingival connective tissue formation on the abutment of dental implants remains undefined, with healing associated with a scar-like response. We have previously shown that topographies with an arithmetic average of the absolute profile height deviations (Ra) = 4.0 induces an anti-fibrotic phenotype in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) by causing nascent adhesion formation. With bacterial colonization considerations, we hypothesized that a lower Ra could be identified that would alter adhesion stability and promote a matrix remodeling phenotype. Focal adhesions (FAs) area decreased with increasing roughness, although no differences in cell attachment or proliferation were observed. Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein levels were significantly reduced on Ra = 3.0 and 4.0 vs. 0.1 (p < 0.05), with incorporation of α-SMA into stress fibers most prominent on Ra = 0.1. Fibronectin protein levels were reduced on 3.0 and 4.0 vs. 0.1 (p < 0.05), and Ra = 1.5 and deeper significantly altered fibronectin deposition. Addition of exogenous TGF-β3 increased HGF adhesion size on 0.1 surfaces, but not on any other topography. We conclude that Ra = 1.5 is sufficient to reduce adhesion size and inhibit α-SMA incorporation into stress fibers in HGFs, but 3.0 is required in the presence of exogenous TGF-β3. Our findings have implications for inhibiting fibrotic tissue formation surrounding percutaneous devices such as dental implants.
TP53 in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Simple Summary The importance of gene variants in the prognosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) has been repeatedly reported in recent years. Especially, TP53 mutations are independently associated with a higher risk category, resistance to conventional therapies, rapid transformation to leukemia, and a poor outcome. In the review, we discuss the features of monoallelic and biallelic TP53 mutations within MDS, the carcinogenic mechanisms, and the predictive value of TP53 variants in current standard treatments including hypomethylating agents, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and lenalidomide, as well as the latest progress in TP53-targeted therapy strategies in MDS. Abstract Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are heterogeneous for their morphology, clinical characteristics, survival of patients, and evolution to acute myeloid leukemia. Different prognostic scoring systems including the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), the Revised IPSS, the WHO Typed Prognostic Scoring System, and the Lower-Risk Prognostic Scoring System have been introduced for categorizing the highly variable clinical outcomes. However, not considered by current MDS prognosis classification systems, gene variants have been identified for their contribution to the clinical heterogeneity of the disease and their impact on the prognosis. Notably, TP53 mutation is independently associated with a higher risk category, resistance to conventional therapies, rapid transformation to leukemia, and a poor outcome. Herein, we discuss the features of monoallelic and biallelic TP53 mutations within MDS, their corresponding carcinogenic mechanisms, their predictive value in current standard treatments including hypomethylating agents, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and lenalidomide, together with the latest progress in TP53-targeted therapy strategies, especially MDS clinical trial data.
Properties of the Ignimbrites in the Architecture of the Historical Center of Arequipa, Peru

The petrographic and petrophysical characteristics of three varieties of ignimbrites used in the architectural heritage of Arequipa (southwest Peru) are analyzed. The modal classification QAFP and TAS diagram discriminate their dacitic nature. Mercury injection porometry revealed very high porosity: 46.5% for white and beige ignimbrites and 35.5% for the pink variety. Ignimbrites contain intrusions of vulcanodetrital fragments and vacuoles that influence their predominantly non-linear mechanical behavior. Results of water absorption by capillarity (C) and ultrasound pulse velocity (UPV) demonstrated a slight anisotropy for the beige variety and near isotropy for white and pink ignimbrites, which justify the randomness of the application of the ashlars in the masonry and in the selection of the faces to carve. Surfaces with hollows in the white and beige ignimbrites are the result of the erosion of the acicular pumice that fills the vacuoles.
Screening Leads to Overestimated Associations of Thyroid Dysfunction and Thyroiditis with Thyroid Cancer Risk

Simple Summary The association of thyroid dysfunction and thyroiditis with the risk of thyroid cancer is an important issue in clinical practice, and is controversial due to various confounders, including screening effects. In this large-sample, population-based, nationwide study, we demonstrated that the screening effect likely significantly contributed to the positive associations of thyroid dysfunction and thyroiditis with thyroid cancer. After adjustment for this confounder, thyroid cancer risk was positively associated with hypothyroidism and thyroiditis but negatively associated with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease. Multiple subgroup analyses showed consistent results. Given these overestimated associations, we suggest that unnecessary and excessive concerns or screening tests for thyroid cancer could be reduced in patients with thyroid dysfunction or thyroiditis. Abstract We aimed to assess the relationships of functional thyroid disease and thyroiditis with subsequent thyroid cancer, which is controversial due to various confounders, and the effect of thyroid disease workup on this association. We used the cohort data from 2002 to 2015 (Study I, n = 28,330) and the entire data from 2002 to 2019 (Study II, n = 883,074) of the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, and performed logistic regression and subgroup analyses with various covariates. In Study I, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, and Graves’ disease showed positive associations with thyroid cancer. In Study II, after adjustment for covariates including the number of thyroid function tests, the ORs for thyroid cancer were significantly reduced in all thyroid diseases. Hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis were positively associated (adjusted odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI) 1.28 (1.25–1.32), 1.36 (1.31–1.42), and 1.17 (1.11–1.24), respectively), whereas hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease were negatively associated with thyroid cancer (adjusted OR (95% CI) 0.80 (0.77–0.83) and 0.69 (0.65–0.74), respectively). Multiple subgroup analyses in both studies showed consistent results. In this large population-based, nationwide study, we confirmed that thyroid disease workup leads to overestimation of associations of thyroid dysfunction and thyroiditis with thyroid cancer risk.
GRAIN QUALITY OF MUTANT LINES INDUCED IN MALTING BARLEY VARIETIES

Forty-three mutant lines selected on the base of their high grain yield along with parent varieties Kuber, Zagorets, Asparuh, and Imeon were grown in field trials at the Institute of Agriculture – Karnobat in three consecutive years. Eight physical and chemical characteristics of grain related to the grain quality of malting barley were measured. There was considerable variation among barley mutant lines for all studied traits. Mutant lines with higher extract content, grain uniformity, 1000 grain weight, and lower protein content in grain compared to parent varieties were found. The correlations among traits showed that improvement of extract content of mutant lines was associated with increased grain uniformity, starch content, grain size, and 1000 grain weight and reduced protein content. The results from cluster analysis indicated that mutants originated from the same parent were grouped into different clusters. Therefore, the sodium azide treatment effectively induced diverse types of changes in the grain characteristics.
Thickness-Dependent Photocatalysis of Ultra-Thin MoS2 Film for Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Reduction

The thickness of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) plays a key role in enhancing their photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity. However, the optimum thickness of the layered TMDs that is required to achieve sufficient light absorption and excellent crystallinity has still not been definitively determined. In this work, ultra-thin molybdenum disulfide films (MoS2TF) with 25 nm thickness presented remarkable photocatalytic activity, and the product yield increased by about 2.3 times. The photocatalytic mechanism corresponding to the TMDs’ thickness was also proposed. This work demonstrates that the thickness optimization of TMDs provides a cogent direction for the design of high-performance photocatalysts.
Does cytomegalovirus load predict the outcome of acute severe ulcerative colitis?

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 357 regarded as an innocent bystander. Indeed, such reactivation can be identified even in steroid-naïve UC patients, indicating that severe inflammation of the colonic mucosa itself is an important trigger for CMV reactivation. In this issue of Intestinal Research, Jain et al. investigated the role of quantitative CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a predictor of short-term outcomes in patients with ASUC. Using multivariate analysis, they reported that colonic mucosal CMV DNA load > 2,000 copies/mg (odds ratio, 10.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–39.7; P < 0.01) on admission was an independent predictor of steroid failure. Interestingly, positive immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for CMV (16%, P = 0.41) or CMV PCR positivity (59%, P = 0.15) were not clinically significant in predicting steroid failure. The authors suggested that, using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cutoff value of colonic mucosal CMV DNA load > 2,000 copies/mg was a predictor of steroid failure in ASUC (sensitivity 67%, specificity 70%, area under the curve 74%). A similar study in a French cohort reported that a CMV DNA load > 250 copies/ mg in colonic tissue was a predictor of steroid resistance (likelihood ratio = 4.33; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.85). They suggested that early antiviral treatment is needed for patients with a high CMV DNA load. Although the cutoff value was different (CMV DNA load > 2,000 copies/mg vs. CMV DNA load > 250 copies/mg) between these 2 studies due to different study populations and definition of steroid resistance, the concept is identical in that high CMV pISSN 1598-9100 • eISSN 2288-1956 https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2021. 00120 Intest Res 2021;19(4):357-359
Comparison of nutritional and nutraceutical properties of Chenopodium quinoa cultivated in Mexico and Ecuador

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is considered a superfood due to its nutritional qualities and potential health benefits. In this work, the nutritional and nutraceutical properties were compared for white Ecuador quinoa seeds (WEQ) and red Ecuador quinoa seeds (REQ) with respect to the white Mexican quinoa seeds (WMxQ). Quinoa seeds from Peru have been introduced and adapted to the geographic and climatic conditions by the State of Morelos, Mexico, improved by mass selection in field to obtain plants with desirable phenotypic characteristics. The nutritional properties of seeds were evaluated through a proximate analysis, mineral content, amino acids profile, and fatty acid profile of quinoa oil. The nutraceutical properties were determined quantifying total phenols, total betalains and antioxidant capacity. The results evidenced that WEQ seeds had the highest protein content (16.59 g 100 g-1 dw). The P, Ca, and Mg contents were high in WMxQ (424.6, 60.3, and 152.3 mg 100 g-1 in dw respectively). Arginine, glutamic acid, and alanine were the most abundant amino acids in the three cultivars. In all quinoas, unsaturated fatty acids were most predominant (73.6% to 78.0%). The Mexican quinoa seeds showed the highest total phenolic content (2.9 mg gallic acid equivalent g-1 in fw). The concentration of betalains in the REQ was 83.3 mg 100 g-1 fw. The results demonstrate that nutritional and phenolic contents varies according to the color seeds and region. Quinoa of Mexico is high in phenolic compounds and may be used as a source of natural antioxidants.
Table 3 Odds Ratios and 95 % Confidence Intervals Predicting Agreement With Barriers to Physical Activity Between Those With and Without AGMa in the Total Sample , and in Those Meeting and Not Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations

The 1999 to 2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) was a population-based crosssectional study among adults aged ≥25 years. AGM was identified through an oral glucose tolerance test. The previous week’s physical activity and individual, social, and environmental barriers to physical activity were selfreported. Logistic regression analyses examined differences in barriers to physical activity between those with and without AGM, and for those with and without AGM who did and did not meet the minimum recommendation of 150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.
A Corpus-Based Study on Phrasal Complexity in Computer Science Abstracts of Novice and Advanced Writers

The correlation between phrasal complexity and L2 writers’ writing proficiency has been confirmed by numerous studies, among which the empirical studies on measuring of L2 writing have attracted much attention in English for academic purposes. Based on the hypothesized developmental indices of noun phrase modifications, this study examines, from the corpus-driven approach, the linguistic realization of phrasal complexity on abstracts written by international advanced academic writers and Chinese graduate L2 writers of computer science. The results show that while both groups illustrated the developmental stages of academic writing, many complexity measures of noun phrase modifiers significantly distinguish L2 learners from expert writers, especially in post-modifiers. The findings thus support previous studies on writing developmental stages, presenting a thorough understanding of graduate L2 writers’ and advanced writers’ of EAP writing through analysis of pre-modifiers and post-modifiers.
Influence of Toothbrush Abrasion and Surface Treatments on Roughness and Gloss of Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramics

The aim of this study was to compare the surface roughness and gloss of polymer-infiltrated ceramics after simulated in vitro toothbrushing in different storage mediums. Four polymer- infiltrated ceramics were evaluated, Lava ultimate (LU), Vita enamic (EN), Shofu (SH), and Crystal ultra (CU). The control group was a feldspathic ceramic, Vita Mark II (VM). One hundred and twenty specimens (12 × 14 × 2.5 mm) were prepared using a precision saw. For each material (n = 24), the specimens were allocated into two groups, polished and stained. The specimens of each group were stored (for 7 days) in either citric acid (0.2N) or distilled water. Data for surface gloss (ΔE*SCE-SCI) and roughness (Ra) were evaluated before (baseline) and after simulated toothbrushing. For toothbrushing simulation, a toothpaste slurry containing a toothpaste of 100 relative dentin abrasion (RDA) and 0.3 ml distilled water was used for 3650 cycles (7300 strokes) for each specimen. Data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. A p-value of ≤ to 0.05 was considered significant. The highest mean value of surface gloss was identified in CU (stained—water) (4.3 (0.47)) (ΔE*) and EN (stained—acid) (4.3 (1.00)) (ΔE*) specimens, whereas the lowest mean value was shown by SH (stained—acid) (2.04 (0.42)) (ΔE*) samples. The highest mean value of surface roughness was observed in SH (0.40 (0.99)) Ra (stained—acid) whereas the lowest in VM (0.13 (0.039)) Ra (polished— water). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in surface roughness and gloss between the materials with simulated toothbrushing, except in VM and LU, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that simulated toothbrushing impacts on surface roughness and gloss, irrespective of the storage medium.
A Multiallelic Molecular Beacon-Based Real-Time RT-PCR Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2

Emerging infectious viruses have led to global advances in the development of specific and sensitive detection techniques. Viruses have an inherent potential to easily mutate, presenting major hurdles for diagnostics and requiring methods capable of detecting genetically diverse viral strains. One such infectious agent is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in December 2019 and has resulted in the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study presents a real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) detection assay for SARS-CoV-2, taking into account its intrinsic polymorphic nature that arises due to genetic drift and recombination, as well as the possibility of continuous and multiple introductions of genetically nonidentical strains into the human population. This advance was achieved by using mismatch-tolerant molecular beacons designed to specifically detect the SARS-CoV-2 S, E, M, and N genes. These were applied to create a simple and reproducible real-time RT-PCR assay, which was validated using external quality control panels (QCMD: CVOP20, WHO: SARS-CoV-2-EQAP-01) and clinical samples. This assay was designed for high target detection accuracy and specificity and can also be readily adapted for the detection of other emerging and rapidly mutating pathogens.
A Comprehensive Search for Repeating Earthquakes in Northern California: Implications for Fault Creep, Slip Rates, Slip Partitioning, and Transient Stress

Repeating earthquakes, earthquakes that rupture the same fault patch more than once, are playing an important role in the study of source processes and fault behavior, and have the potential to improve hazard assessment and earthquake forecast. They are believed to represent brittle failure of a stuck patch (asperity) on an otherwise creeping fault, and as such may offer insight into slip behavior at depth. We carried out a systematic analysis in search for repeating earthquakes in northern California between 1984 and 2014 by identifying events that are co‐located, are of similar size, and share similar waveforms. We find 27,675 events in 7,713 repeating earthquake sequences (RES) that include between 2 and 32 events with magnitudes between −0.5 and 6.5. Temporal behavior of the events within each RES ranges between random and quasi‐periodic over the 30‐year observation period, and includes temporal clustering (bursts). The RESs occur throughout northern California, with some of the largest and most periodic sequences predominately, but not exclusively, along faults within the San Andreas Fault system that exhibit surface creep. Piecewise periodic RESs are found near large earthquakes where they are modulated by transient stress. Slip rates inferred from the new data, while generally consistent with published estimates from geodetic and surface data, offer a high‐resolution image of subsurface creep along individual fault strands and resolve slip partitioning across wider zones of deformation.
The Inhibition of the Degrading Enzyme Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Alters the Activity of the Cone System in the Vervet Monkey Retina

Recent studies using full-field electroretinography (ffERG) that triggers a non-specific mass response generated by several retinal sources have attributed an important role for cannabinoid receptors in mediating vision in primates. Specific cone-mediated responses evoked through the photopic flicker ERG appear to be a better way to validate the assumption that endogenous cannabinoids modulate the cone pathway, since FAAH is mainly expressed in the vervet monkey cone photoreceptors. The aim of this study is two-fold: (1) to use the photopic flicker ERG to target the cone pathway specifically, and (2) use URB597 as a selective inhibitor of the endocannabinoid degrading enzyme Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) to enhance the levels of fatty acid amides, particularly anandamide. We recorded ERGs under four different flicker frequencies (15, 20, 25, and 30 Hz) in light-adapted conditions after intravitreal injections of URB597. Our results show that intravitreal injections of URB597, compared to the vehicle DMSO, increased significantly ffERG amplitudes at 30 Hz, a frequency that solely recruits cone activity. However, at 15 Hz, a frequency that activates both rods and cones, no significant difference was found in the ERG response amplitude. Additionally, we found no differences in implicit times after URB597 injections compared to DMSO vehicle. These results support the role of molecules degraded by FAAH in cone-mediated vision in non-human primates.
Hepatotoxic Effects of Ethanolic leaf Extract of Breynia nivosa (Snow bush) in Wistar rats

The hepatotoxic effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Breynia nivosa in male albino Wistar rats were studied. The Breynia nivosa leaves were extracted using 70% ethanol. The phytochemicals were evaluated and found to contain – tannin, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and cyanogenic glycosides. Twenty (20) adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four (4) groups – three tests of A, B, C and one control – and were administered with 400mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 100mg/kg of the ethanolic leaf extract of Breynia nivosa respectively for 21days after two weeks of acclimatization. The animals were sacrificed under anaesthesia after the experiment and blood samples collected for determination of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), malondialdehyde, and liver enzyme: aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALT). The results showed that there was a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase level (P<0.05). Changes in other markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase) were however not statistically significant (P>0.05) when compared with the control. The extract significantly increased ALT, AST, ALP levels (p<0.05). Hence Breynia nivosa may be toxic and caution should be exercised in its consumption.