Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extreme blood-boosting capacity of an Antarctic fish represents an adaptation to life in a sub-zero environment

ABSTRACT Blood doping, the practice of boosting the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, is an illegal strategy used by human athletes to enhance aerobic capacity and athletic performance. Interestingly, the practice of boosting blood oxygen carrying capacity is also naturally prevalent in the animal kingdom via the splenic release of stored erythrocytes. Here, we demonstrate that an Antarctic notothenioid fish, the bald notothen (Pagothenia borchgrevinki), is a master of this practice. Because of the sub-zero environment these fish inhabit, they sequester a large proportion of erythrocytes in the spleen during times of inactivity to reduce the energetic and physiological costs associated with continuously pumping highly viscous blood around the body. However, in response to metabolically demanding situations (i.e. exercise and feeding), these fish contract the spleen to eject stored erythrocytes into circulation, which boosts blood oxygen carrying capacity by up to 207% (cf. exercise-induced increases of ∼40–60% in a range of other vertebrates and ∼5–25% in blood-doping athletes). By evaluating cardiorespiratory differences between splenectomized (unable to release erythrocytes from the spleen) and sham-operated individuals, we demonstrate the metabolic benefits (i.e. aerobic scope increase of 103%) and the cardiovascular trade-offs (i.e. ventral aortic blood pressure and cardiac workload increase of 12% and 30%, respectively) associated with the splenic blood-boosting strategy. In conclusion, this strategy provides bald notothens with an extraordinary facultative aerobic scope that enables an active lifestyle in the extreme Antarctic marine environment, while minimizing the energetic and physiological costs of transporting highly viscous blood during times of reduced energetic demand. Editors' Choice: Extreme splenic blood-boosting strategy provides bald notothens with an extraordinary facultative aerobic scope that enables an active lifestyle in sub-zero marine environments.
Analysis of 13,312 benthic invertebrate samples from German streams reveals minor deviations in ecological status class between abundance and presence/absence data

Benthic invertebrates are the most commonly used organisms used to assess ecological status as required by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). For WFD-compliant assessments, benthic invertebrate communities are sampled, identified and counted. Taxa × abundance matrices are used to calculate indices and the resulting scores are compared to reference values to determine the ecological status class. DNA-based tools, such as DNA metabarcoding, provide a new and precise method for species identification but cannot deliver robust abundance data. To evaluate the applicability of DNA-based tools to ecological status assessment, we evaluated whether the results derived from presence/absence data are comparable to those derived from abundance data. We analysed benthic invertebrate community data obtained from 13,312 WFD assessments of German streams. Broken down to 30 official stream types, we compared assessment results based on abundance and presence/absence data for the assessment modules “organic pollution” (i.e., the saprobic index) and “general degradation” (a multimetric index) as well as their underlying metrics. In 76.6% of cases, the ecological status class did not change after transforming abundance data to presence/absence data. In 12% of cases, the status class was reduced by one (e.g., from good to moderate), and in 11.2% of cases, the class increased by one. In only 0.2% of cases, the status shifted by two classes. Systematic stream type-specific deviations were found and differences between abundance and presence/absence data were most prominent for stream types where abundance information contributed directly to one or several metrics of the general degradation module. For a single stream type, these deviations led to a systematic shift in status from ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ (n = 201; with only n = 3 increasing). The systematic decrease in scores was observed, even when considering simulated confidence intervals for abundance data. Our analysis suggests that presence/absence data can yield similar assessment results to those for abundance-based data, despite type-specific deviations. For most metrics, it should be possible to intercalibrate the two data types without substantial efforts. Thus, benthic invertebrate taxon lists generated by standardised DNA-based methods should be further considered as a complementary approach.
Effect of Obesity in Persistent or Remission in Postmenopausal Women with Atypical Cervical Cytology

Objectives: To determine the effects of obesity in pre and postmenopausal women diagnosed with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) (in cases of remission, persistence, and progression of disease) after initial management and follow-up within 2 years to inform proper management for postmenopausal Thai women. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Thailand between January 2013 and October 2018. Medical records of 506 patients whose cervical cytology reported of ASC-US were reviewed. Prevalence of silent high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3) was evaluated. Cervical cytology after completed follow-up within 2 years were determined. Results: During the study period, there were 506 cases of ASC-US cytology reported. One quarter of cases were of post-menopausal status. Prevalence of CIN 2/3 in ASC-US cytology in pre and postmenopausal women were 9.9 and 7.2%, respectively. At 2-year follow-up appointments, around 90% of patients who completed follow-up remained in remission of the disease in both age groups. Menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), sexual activity, number of sexual partners, parity, smoking and hormone replacement therapy were not correlating factors to remission. Obese postmenopausal women had a lower remission rate of CIN, but this finding was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Obesity was not found to correlate strongly with the progression or remission of CIN. Obese postmenopausal women may still be affected by a persistence of the disease. Continuing cervical cytology monitoring should be recommended for such patients. Silent high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3) in ASC-US cytology in this study were high. Colposcopy should be recommended for diagnosis and follow-up in this setting.
Enhancing Graph-Based Semisupervised Learning via Knowledge-Aware Data Embedding

Semisupervised learning (SSL) is a family of classification methods conceived to reduce the amount of required labeled information in the training phase. Graph-based methods are among the most popular semisupervised strategies: the nearest neighbor graph is built in such a way that the manifold of the data is captured and the labeled information is propagated to target samples along the structure of the manifold. Research in graph-based SSL has mainly focused on two aspects: 1) the construction of the $k$ -nearest neighbors graph and/or 2) the propagation algorithm providing the classification. Differently from the previous literature, in this article, we focus on the data representation with the aim of incorporating semisupervision earlier in the process. To this end, we propose an algorithm that learns a new knowledge-aware data embedding via an ensemble of semisupervised autoencoders to enhance a graph-based semisupervised classification. The experiments carried out on different classification tasks demonstrate the benefit of our approach.
Biodegradable nanofiber-based piezoelectric transducer

Significance This paper describes a powerful biodegradable and biocompatible piezoelectric nanofiber platform for significant medical implant applications, including a highly sensitive, wireless, biodegradable force sensor for the monitoring of physiological pressures, and a biodegradable ultrasonic transducer for the delivery of drugs across the blood–brain barrier. Built upon materials commonly utilized in medical implants, the devices can self-degrade, causing no harm to the body, and avoid any invasive removal surgeries. Piezoelectric materials, a type of “smart” material that generates electricity while deforming and vice versa, have been used extensively for many important implantable medical devices such as sensors, transducers, and actuators. However, commonly utilized piezoelectric materials are either toxic or nondegradable. Thus, implanted devices employing these materials raise a significant concern in terms of safety issues and often require an invasive removal surgery, which can damage directly interfaced tissues/organs. Here, we present a strategy for materials processing, device assembly, and electronic integration to 1) create biodegradable and biocompatible piezoelectric PLLA [poly(l-lactic acid)] nanofibers with a highly controllable, efficient, and stable piezoelectric performance, and 2) demonstrate device applications of this nanomaterial, including a highly sensitive biodegradable pressure sensor for monitoring vital physiological pressures and a biodegradable ultrasonic transducer for blood–brain barrier opening that can be used to facilitate the delivery of drugs into the brain. These significant applications, which have not been achieved so far by conventional piezoelectric materials and bulk piezoelectric PLLA, demonstrate the PLLA nanofibers as a powerful material platform that offers a profound impact on various medical fields including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and implanted medical devices.
Psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler for measuring wellbeing in Australian adults

Introduction This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler, a 15-item self-report measurement tool designed to measure Seligman’s five pillars of wellbeing: Positive emotions, Relationships, Engagement, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Methods Australian adults (N = 439) completed the PERMA Profiler and measures of physical and mental health (SF-12), depression, anxiety, stress (DASS 21), subjective physical activity (Active Australia Survey), and objective activity and sleep (GENEActiv accelerometer). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and associations between theoretically related constructs examined using Pearson’s correlation. Model fit in comparison with theorised models was examined via Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results Results indicated acceptable internal consistency for overall PERMA Profiler scores and all subscales (α range = 0.80–0.93) except Engagement (α = 0.66). Moderate associations were found between PERMA Profiler wellbeing scores with subjective constructs (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress; r = -0.374 - -0.645, p = <0.001) but not objective physical activity or sleep. Data failed to meet model fit criteria for neither the theorised five-factor nor an alternative single-factor structure. Conclusions Findings were mixed, providing strong support for the scale’s internal consistency and moderate support for congervent and divergent validity, albeit not in comparison to objectively captured activity outcomes. We could not replicate the theorised data structure nor an alternative, single factor structure. Results indicate insufficient psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler.
The primate model for understanding and restoring vision

Retinal degenerative diseases caused by photoreceptor cell death are major causes of irreversible vision loss. As only primates have a macula, the nonhuman primate (NHP) models have a crucial role not only in revealing biological mechanisms underlying high-acuity vision but also in the development of therapies. Successful translation of basic research findings into clinical trials and, moreover, approval of the first therapies for blinding inherited and age-related retinal dystrophies has been reported in recent years. This article explores the value of the NHP models in understanding human vision and reviews their contribution to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to save and restore vision.
cDC1 IL-27p28 Production Predicts Vaccine-Elicited CD8+ T Cell Memory and Protective Immunity

Key Points Twelve-hour cDC1 IL-27p28 expression predicts adjuvant-elicited CD8 T cell memory. cDC1 IL-27p28 expression uniquely stratifies T cell–inducing adjuvants. Visual Abstract Although adjuvants and formulations are often either empirically derived, or at best judged by their ability to elicit broad inflammation, it would be ideal if specific innate correlates of adaptive immunity could be identified to set a universally applicable benchmark for adjuvant evaluation. Using an IL-27 reporter transgenic mouse model, we show in this study that conventional type 1 dendritic cell IL-27 production in the draining lymph node 12 h after s.c. vaccination directly correlates with downstream CD8+ T cell memory and protective immunity against infectious challenge. This correlation is robust, reproducible, predictive, entirely unique to vaccine biology, and is the only innate correlate of CD8+ T cell immune memory yet to be identified. Our results provide new insights into the basic biology of adjuvant-elicited cellular immunity and have clear implications for the screening and evaluation of novel adjuvants.
The Interaction Between Feedback Type and Learning in Routine Grasping With Myoelectric Prostheses

While prosthetic fitting after upper-limb loss allows for restoration of motor functions, it deprives the amputee of tactile sensations that are essential for grasp control in able-bodied subjects. Therefore, it is commonly assumed that restoring the force feedback would improve the control of prosthesis grasping force. However, the literature regarding the benefit of feedback is controversial. Here, we investigated how the type of feedback affects learning and steady-state performance of routine grasping with a prosthesis. The experimental task was to grasp an object using a prosthesis and generate a low or high target-force range (TFR), both initially unknown, in three feedback conditions: basic auditory feedback on task outcome, and additional visual or vibratory feedback on the force magnitude. The results demonstrated that the performance was rather good and stable for the low TFR, whereas it was substantially worse for the high TFR with a pronounced training effect. Surprisingly, learning curve and steady-state performance did not depend on the feedback condition. Hence, in the specific context of routing grasping with a prosthesis controlled via surface EMG, the basic feedback on task outcome was not outperformed by force-related end-of-trial feedback and hence seemed to be sufficient for accomplishing the task. This conclusion applies to the context of routine grasping using a myoelectric prosthesis with surface EMG electrodes, which means that the control signals are variable and the feedback is perceived and processed at the end of the trial (motor adaption).
Increased pulmonary blood volume variation in patients with heart failure compared to healthy controls; a non-invasive, quantitative measure of heart failure.

Variation of the blood content of the pulmonary vascular bed during a heartbeat can be quantified by pulmonary blood volume variation (PBVV) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim was to evaluate if PBVV differs in patients with heart failure compared to healthy controls and investigate the mechanisms behind the PBVV. Forty-six patients and 10 controls underwent MRI. PBVV was calculated from blood flow measurements in the main pulmonary artery and a pulmonary vein, defined as the maximum difference in cumulative PBV over one heartbeat. PBVV was indexed to stroke volume (SV) in the main pulmonary artery (PBVVSV). Patients displayed higher PBVVSV than controls (58±14% vs 43±7%, p<0.001). The change in PBVVSV could be explained by left ventricular (LV) longitudinal contribution to SV (R2=0.15, p=0.02) and the phase shift between in- and outflow (R2=0.31, p<0.001) in patients. Both variables contributed to the multiple regression analysis model and predicted PBVVSV (R2=0.38), however, the phase shift alone explained about ~30% of the variation in PBVVSV. No correlation was found between PBVVSV and large vessel area. In conclusion, PBVVSV was higher in patients compared to controls. Approximately 40% of the variation of PBVVSV in patients can be explained by the LV longitudinal contribution to SV and the phase shift between pulmonary in- and outflow, where the phase shift alone accounts for ~30%. The remaining variation, (60-70%), most likely occurs on small vessel level. Future studies are needed to show the clinical added value of PBVVSV compared to right heart catheterization.
Clinical efficacy of icotinib in treatment of seventeen non-smokers with advanced lung adenocarcinoma

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of icotinib in treatment of non-smokers with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:Seventeen non-smokers with stage Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled into the study.The regimen was oral intake of icotinib until the disease progression.The response rate,quality of life,adverse reactions of icotinib and relief of clinical symptom were observed.Results:Symptom relief started at d 4～10,12 cases(70.6%) has improved KPS score,complete respose(CR) rate was 0%,partial response(PR) rate was 52.9%(9 cases),stable disease(SD) rate was 35.3%(6 cases),progressive disease(PD) rate was 11.8%(2 cases). There were 9 cases with first-line therapy,CR 0%,PR 66.7%(6 cases),SD 11.1%(1 cases),PD 22.2%(2 cases). There were 8 cases with second-line therapy,CR 0%,PR 37.5%(3 cases),SD 62.5%(5 cases),PD 0%. The major adverse reactions included low-grade dry skin(23.5%),rash(11.8%) and diarrhea(11.8%). Conclusion:Icotinib was effective for non-smokers with advanced lung adenocarcinoma even in first-line therapy.The adverse reaction of icotinib were slight as well.
Prevalence of Atrophic Gastritis in Kazakhstan and the Accuracy of Pepsinogen Tests to Detect Gastric Mucosal Atrophy

Background: Atrophic gastritis is considered precursor condition for gastric cancer. There is so far limited evidence on the performance of pepsinogens for atrophy detection in Central Asia. The aim of our study was to detect the prevalence of atrophic gastritis in the asymptomatic adult population in Kazakhstan as well as address the accuracy of pepsinogen testing in atrophy detection. Methods: Healthy individuals aged 40-64 were included. Upper endoscopy and pepsinogens (PG) evaluation were performed. PG were analysed in plasma by latex agglutination. Cut off values were used to define decreased PG values (PGR ≤ 3 and PG I ≤ 70 ng/mL); severely decreased PG values (PGR ≤ 2 and PG I ≤ 30 ng/mL). Biopsies were analyzed and obtained according to the updated Sydney System. PG test sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy were assessed using the histological diagnosis as the “gold standard”. Results: Altogether 157 individuals - female 40,1% and male 59,9% were included. Histologically, moderate to severe corpus atrophy, was present only in 1,3% cases. From all study subjects, 26,8% had decreased plasma PG values with cut-off values PGR ≤ 3 and PG I ≤ 70 ng/mL. The sensitivity of the PG test with this cut-off values was 50,0%, specificity 73,5%, overall accuracy 73,2% for detection of moderate to severe atrophy in the corpus. The sensitivity of PG test with cut-off values PGR ≤ 2 and PG I ≤30 ng/mL was 50,0%, specificity 90,9% and overall accuracy 90,4%. Conclusions: The prevalence of gastric mucosal atrophy was low in the Kazakh population. Serological PG test screening nevertheless can play an important role in the diagnosis of gastric precancerous lesions. However, the diagnostic accuracy of the PG test is mainly dependent on the cut-off values for positive results.
Cytotoxicity of vanadium oxide nanoparticles and titanium dioxide‐coated vanadium oxide nanoparticles to human lung cells

Due to excellent metal–insulator transition property, vanadium dioxide nanoparticles (VO2 NPs)‐based nanomaterials are extensively studied and applied in various fields, and thus draw safety concerns of VO2 NPs exposure through various routes. Herein, the cytotoxicity of VO2 NPs (N‐VO2) and titanium dioxide‐coated VO2 NPs (T‐VO2) to typical human lung cell lines (A549 and BEAS‐2B) was studied by using a series of biological assays. It was found that both VO2 NPs induced a dose‐dependent cytotoxicity, and the two cell lines displayed similar sensitivity to VO2 NPs. Under the same conditions, T‐VO2 NPs showed slightly lower cytotoxicity than N‐VO2 in both cells, indicating the surface coating of titanium dioxide mitigated the toxicity of VO2 NPs. Titanium dioxide coating changed the surface property of VO2 NPs and reduced the vanadium release of particles, and thus helped lowing the toxicity of VO2 NPs. The induced cell viability loss was attributed to apoptosis and proliferation inhibition, which were supported by the assays of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane damage, caspase‐3 level, and cell cycle arrest. The oxidative stress, i.e., enhanced reactive oxygen species generation and suppressed reduced glutathione , in A549 and BEAS‐2B cells was one of the major mechanisms of the cytotoxicity of VO2 NPs. These findings provide safety guidance for the practical applications of vanadium dioxide‐based materials.
Preoperative and operation-related risk factors for postoperative nosocomial infections in pediatric patients: A retrospective cohort study

Background Pediatric patients undergoing invasive operations bear extra risk of developing nosocomial infections (NIs). However, epidemiological evidence of the underlying risk factors, which is needed for early prevention, remains limited. Methods Using data from the electronic medical records and the NI reporting system of a tertiary pediatric hospital, we conducted a retrospective analysis to identify preoperative and operation-related risk factors for postoperative NIs. Multivariable accelerated failure time models were fitted to select independent risk factors. The performance of these factors in risk stratification was examined by comparing the empirical risks between the model-defined low- and high-risk groups. Results A total of 18,314 children undergoing invasive operations were included for analysis. After a follow-up period of 154,700 patient-days, 847 postoperative NIs were diagnosed. The highest postoperative NI rate was observed for operations on hemic and lymphatic system. Surgical site infections were the NI type showing the highest overall risk; however, patients were more likely to develop urinary tract infections in the first postoperative week. Older age, higher weight-for-height z-score, longer preoperative ICU stay, preoperative enteral nutrition, same-day antibiotic prophylaxis, and higher hemoglobin level were associated with delayed occurrence of postoperative NIs, while longer preoperative hospitalization, longer operative duration, and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score showed acceleration effects. Risk stratification based on these factors in an independent patient population was moderate, resulting in a high-risk group in which 72% of the postoperative NIs were included. Conclusions Our findings suggest that pediatric patients undergoing invasive operations and at high risk of developing postoperative NIs are likely to be identified using basic preoperative and operation-related risk factors, which together might lead to moderately accurate risk stratification but still provide valuable information to guide early and judicious prevention.