Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Interaction between Mobility Status and Exercise Specificity in Older Adults.

Many adults older than 60 years suffer from mobility limitations. Although physical exercise improves older adults' mobility, differences in baseline mobility produce large variations in individual responses to interventions and these responses could further vary by the type and dose of exercise. Here, we propose an exercise prescription model for older adults based on their current mobility status.
Anthraquinone Formulation (Flight Control trademark) Shows Promise as Avian Feeding Repellent

We evaluated the effectiveness of Flight Control (FC), which contains 50% anthraquinone (AQ), as a grazing repellent for Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and as a seed-treatment repellent for brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in northern Ohio in 1997. For the turf test, FC was applied at 4.5 L/ha in 6 18.3- × 30.5-m pens. There were 2.5 times more (P < 0.01) bill contacts/min observed on untreated plots (26.4 ± 6.0: x + SE) compared to treated plots (10.4 ± 3.8) during a 7-day test uith captive geese. Mean numbers of geese per observation were also greater (P = 0.02) on untreated plots (2.6 ± 0.4) compared to treated plots (1.4 ± 0.4). Residue analyses indicated AQ declined from 2.02 kg/ha at application to 0.22 kg/ha after 1 week. Individually caged cowbirds were presented untreated millet or millet treated with FC at 0.1, 0.5 and 1,0% (g/g) levels in 1- and 2-choice tests for 3-4 days. Flight Control was repellent to cowbirds at all levels in both 1- and 2-choice tests. In the 2-choice test, birds in the 1.0% treatment level lost body mass (P = 0.04), whereas birds at the other levels did not. Each group of treated birds in the 1-choice test lost mass (P ≤ 0.01), whereas the control group did not. Birds in the 0.5 and 1,0% groups ate minimal amounts; 3 of 12 birds died, We conclude that FC was an effective foraging repellent for Canada geese in a 7-day pen experiment and for brown-headed cowbirds as a seed repellent in aviary experiments. Flight Control shows promise as an avian feeding repellent. Further lab and field studies are needed to refine minimum repellent levels and to enhance retention of AQ on treated vegetation.
Global insights into duplicated gene expression and alternative splicing in polyploid Brassica napus under heat, cold, and drought stress

Polyploidy has been a prevalent process during plant evolution and it has made a major impact on the structure and evolution of plant genomes. Many important crop plants are polyploid. There is considerable interest in expression patterns of duplicated genes in polyploids. Alternative splicing (AS) is a fundamental aspect of gene expression that produces multiple final transcript types from a single type of mRNAs. The effects of abiotic stress conditions on AS in polyploids has received little attention. We conducted a global transcriptome analysis of Brassica napus, an allotetraploid derived from B. rapa (AT) and B. oleracea (CT), by RNA‐Seq of plants subjected to cold, heat, and drought stress treatments. Analyses of 27,360 pairs of duplicated genes revealed overall AT subgenome biases in gene expression and CT subgenome biases in the extent of alternative splicing under all three stress treatments. More genes increased in expression than decreased in response to the stresses. Negative correlations were found between expression levels and AS frequency for each type of AS. Cold stress produced the greatest changes in gene expression and AS. Cold‐induced AS changes were more likely to be shared with those generated by drought than by heat stress. We used homeologs of FLC and CCA1 as case studies to show the dynamics of how duplicates in a polyploid respond to cold stress. Our results suggest that divergence in gene expression and AS patterns between duplicated genes may increase the flexibility of polyploids when responding to abiotic stressors.
Mobile health applications for the detection of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.

AIMS Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and an important risk factor for stroke and heart failure. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature and summarize the performance of mobile health (mHealth) devices in diagnosing and screening for AF. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups: 28 studies aimed at validating smart devices for AF diagnosis, and 15 studies used smart devices to screen for AF. Evaluated technologies included smartphones, with photoplethysmographic (PPG) pulse waveform measurement or accelerometer sensors, smartbands, external electrodes that can provide a smartphone single-lead electrocardiogram (iECG), such as AliveCor, Zenicor and MyDiagnostick, and earlobe monitor. The accuracy of these devices depended on the technology and the population, AliveCor and smartphone PPG sensors being the most frequent systems analysed. The iECG provided by AliveCor demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity between 66.7% and 98.5% and 99.4% and 99.0%, respectively. The PPG sensors detected AF with a sensitivity of 85.0-100% and a specificity of 93.5-99.0%. The incidence of newly diagnosed arrhythmia ranged from 0.12% in a healthy population to 8% among hospitalized patients. CONCLUSION Although the evidence for clinical effectiveness is limited, these devices may be useful in detecting AF. While mHealth is growing in popularity, its clinical, economic, and policy implications merit further investigation. More head-to-head comparisons between mHealth and medical devices are needed to establish their comparative effectiveness.
Carnosine synthase deficiency is compatible with normal skeletal muscle and olfactory function but causes reduced olfactory sensitivity in aging mice

Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) and anserine (β-alanyl-3-methyl-l-histidine) are abundant peptides in the nervous system and skeletal muscle of many vertebrates. Many in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that exogenously added carnosine can improve muscle contraction, has antioxidant activity, and can quench various reactive aldehydes. Some of these functions likely contribute to the proposed anti-aging activity of carnosine. However, the physiological role of carnosine and related histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) is not clear. In this study, we generated a mouse line deficient in carnosine synthase (Carns1). HCDs were undetectable in the primary olfactory system and skeletal muscle of Carns1-deficient mice. Skeletal muscle contraction in these mice, however, was unaltered, and there was no evidence for reduced pH-buffering capacity in the skeletal muscle. Olfactory tests did not reveal any deterioration in 8-month-old mice lacking carnosine. In contrast, aging (18–24-month-old) Carns1-deficient mice exhibited olfactory sensitivity impairments that correlated with an age-dependent reduction in the number of olfactory receptor neurons. Whereas we found no evidence for elevated levels of lipoxidation and glycation end products in the primary olfactory system, protein carbonylation was increased in the olfactory bulb of aged Carns1-deficient mice. Taken together, these results suggest that carnosine in the olfactory system is not essential for information processing in the olfactory signaling pathway but does have a role in the long-term protection of olfactory receptor neurons, possibly through its antioxidant activity.
Exposures to Potentially Psychologically Traumatic Events Among Nurses in Canada

Background Nurses are regularly exposed to diverse potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) as a function of their work. Cumulative exposure to PPTEs can lead to clinically significant symptoms of mental disorders. Purpose We designed the current study to investigate the prevalence of different PPTEs among Canadian nurses and estimate the associations between diverse exposures and several mental disorders. Methods Canadian nurses (i.e., registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners) completed an online, self-reported survey. In total, 4067 participants (94.8% women) completed all relevant survey measures. Results Nurses reported exposures to several PPTE categories including severe human suffering, life threatening illness or injury, and physical assault, often 11 or more times. There were significant (p<.05) associations between diverse traumatic events and all mental disorders (i.e., Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder) except Alcohol Use Disorder. Conclusions The current findings suggest that Canadian nurses are substantially exposed to traumatic events, which vary by several sociodemographic categories. PPTE exposures were significantly associated with mental disorders; that is, if PPTEs were eliminated among Canadian nurses in the sample, symptoms would be reduced between 42.0% and 58.0%.
Ketamine/Xylazine Anesthesia–Related Corneal Lesions in Rats With Surgically Implanted Venous Catheters Utilized in Nonclinical Intravenous Studies

Nonclinical rodent studies with repeat slow intravenous dosing, such as safety assessments of anticancer therapeutics, often require the use of animals with surgically implanted catheters. Catheterization is a relatively short surgical procedure but requires use of anesthesia. Ketamine/xylazine injectable anesthesia is typically used because it has advantages over inhalation anesthesia including ease of administration, safety and predictability of effects, and relatively low cost. However, ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in rodents can also be associated with the development of undesirable corneal lesions of uncertain mechanism such as mineralization of Bowman’s membrane or stroma, erosion/ulceration, inflammation, fibroplasia, and neovascularization. Such findings have the potential to confound study interpretation in programs for which the cornea is a potential target tissue. This case report describes the occurrence of ketamine/xylazine-related corneal lesions observed in surgically catheterized rats in a 16-day toxicity study for an oncology compound.
Differences of Morphological Senescence of Leaves in Various Maize Varieties during Mature Period of Seed

In this study,Zhengdan 958(compact type maize)and Nongda 364(loosely type maize)were sellected as materials,and leaf senescence during mature period of seed was studied.During grain filling period,senesence process of bottom and top leaves was faster than central leaves.And this was more in loosely type maize.The senescence of leaves above the ear had obvious differences between two maize varieties.At mature stage,proportion of senescence in leaves at different nodes of loosely type maize was higher than that of compact type maize,except for the 17th and 18th leaf.So the leaf area of single plant in loosely type maize was significantly lower than compact type maize.Rate of leaf senescence during the second half of the grain filling period were greater than that during the first half of the grain filling period.One factor which caused the difference of single plant yield between two maize varieties was rate of leaf senescence during the second half of the grain filling period in loosely type maize was significantly higher than that in compact type maize.During the second half of the grain filling period,effectively alleviating the senescence of top leaves will be helpful to increase the yield of maize,especially for loosely type maize.
CD44 expression enhances chemoresistance and implies occult micrometastases after conversion hepatectomy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

AIM The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and biological significance of CD44 expression in conversion hepatectomy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases. METHODS Fifty-four patients who received chemotherapy followed by hepatectomy (conversion hepatectomy) for initially unresectable liver metastases were enrolled. CD44 expression and its clinical significance were examined in 52 resected specimens; two specimens revealed no residual cancer cells. The biological significance of CD44 expression in the chemoresistance response to fluorouracil, oxaliplatin or irinotecan, three major anti-cancer agents for colon cancer in the clinical setting, was examined using colon cancer cell lines. RESULTS Membrane CD44 expression in the residual cancer cells after chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases was detectable in 19 patients (37%), and was significantly associated with high proliferative activity represented by Ki-67 expression (P = 0.003). CD44 expression was also significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival and worse overall survival after hepatectomy (hazard ratio and P-values were 2.570, 0.007 and 3.457, 0.026, respectively). In SW480 and HT29 colon cancer cells, siRNA-mediated CD44 knockdown attenuated cell growth. Additionally, CD44 knockdown overcame chemoresistance in response to fluorouracil and oxaliplatin with enhanced apoptosis and p27 upregulation, respectively. For irinotecan, CD44 knockdown showed no additional effect in chemoresistance. CONCLUSIONS CD44 enhances chemoresistance in response to anti-cancer drugs (fluorouracil and oxaliplatin) in colon cancer cells. CD44 expression in liver metastases after chemotherapy implies the presence of occult micrometastases and is a worse prognostic factor in patients with conversion hepatectomy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases.
Exploring the Relationship between Prosodic Control and Social Competence in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction. Speech is an important form of social communication. Prosody (e.g. vocal pitch, rhythm, etc.), one aspect of the speech signal, is crucial for ensuring information about the emotionality, excitability, and intent of the speaker, is accurately expressed. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of how auditory information is used to regulate speech prosody in autistic and non‐autistic children, while exploring the relationship between the prosodic control of speech and social competence. Eighty autistic (M = 8.48 years, SD = 2.55) and non‐autistic (M = 7.36 years, SD = 2.51) participants produced vocalizations while exposed to unaltered and frequency altered auditory feedback. The parent‐report Multidimensional Social Competence Scale was used to assess social competence, while the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient and the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales were used to assess autism characteristics. Results indicate that vocal response magnitudes and vocal variability were similar across autistic and non‐autistic children. However, autistic children produced significantly faster responses to the auditory feedback manipulation. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that these faster responses were significantly associated with poorer parent‐rated social competence and higher autism characteristics. These findings suggest that prosodic speech production differences are present in at least a subgroup of autistic children. These results represent a key step in understanding how atypicalities in the mechanisms supporting speech production may manifest in social‐communication deficits, as well as broader social competence, and vice versa. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1880‐1892. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC
Sparse classification of discriminant nystagmus features using combined video-oculography tests and pupil tracking for common vestibular disorder recognition

Abstract Vertigo is a common sign related to a problem with the brain or vestibular system. Detection of ocular nystagmus can be a support indicator to distinguish different vestibular disorders. In order to get reliable and accurate real time measurements from nystagmus response, video-oculography (VOG) plays an important role in the daily clinical examination. However, vestibular diseases present a large diversity in their characteristics that leads to many complications for usual analysis. In this paper, we propose a novel automated approach to achieve both selection and classification of nystagmus parameters using four tests and a pupil tracking procedure in order to give reliable evaluation and standardized indicators of frequent vestibular dysfunction that will assist clinicians in their diagnoses. Indeed, traditional tests (head impulse, caloric, kinetic and saccadic tests) are applied to obtain clinical parameters that highlight the type of vertigo (peripheral or central vertigo). Then, a pupil tracking method is used to extract temporal and frequency nystagmus features in caloric and kinetic sequences. Finally, all extracted features from the tests are reduced according to their high characterization degree by linear discriminant analysis, and classified into three vestibular disorders and normal cases using sparse representation. The proposed methodology is tested on a database containing 90 vertiginous subjects affected by vestibular Neuritis, Meniere's disease and Migraines. The presented technique highly reduces labor-intensive workloads of clinicians by producing the discriminant features for each vestibular disease which will significantly speed up the vertigo diagnosis and provides possibility for fully computerized vestibular disorder evaluation.
Cardiac contractility modulation attenuates structural and electrical remodeling in a chronic heart failure rabbit model

Background Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is non-excitatory electrical stimulation for improving cardiac function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CCM on structural and electrical remodeling in a rabbit model of chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into the sham, CHF, and CCM groups. The CHF model was induced 12 weeks after trans-aortic constriction by pressure unloading and CCM was delivered to the myocardium for 4 weeks. Corrected QT intervals, the ventricular effective refractory period, and inducibility of ventricular tachycardia were measured by an electrophysiological examination. Connective tissue growth factor, galectin-3, Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2, and connexin 43 protein levels were measured by western blotting. Results The CHF group had a significantly prolonged corrected QT interval and ventricular effective refractory period, and increased inducibility of ventricular tachycardia. Prominent myocardial fibrosis and increased hydroxyproline content were observed in the CHF group, but these were suppressed in the CCM group. Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2, and connexin 43 protein levels were significantly lower in the CHF group, but treatment with CCM partially restored their levels. Conclusions CCM attenuates myocardial structural and electrical remodeling during CHF. These findings provide evidence for clinical use of CCM in treating CHF.
Resveratrol inhibits skin squamous cell carcinoma proliferation, migration and invasion through up-regulating miR-126.

The current experiment was performed to explore the effect and possible mechanism of resveratrol on the proliferation, migration and invasion of skin squamous cell carcinoma cells (HSC-5). Tetramethyl azozo blue (MTT) method, Transwell experiment and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the effects of resveratrol intervention on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells and the expression of miR-126. The miR-126 mimics and inhibitors were transfected into HSC-5 cells, and the effects of up-regulation or down-regulation of HSC-5 expression on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were detected. The miR-126 inhibitor was transfected into HSC-5 cells, and the effects of resveratrol intervention on HSC-5 cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and β-catenin protein expression were detected. After resveratrol intervention, the growth rate, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were significantly reduced, miR-126 expression was significantly increased, and β-catenin protein expression was significantly reduced (p<0.05). After up-regulating the expression of miR-126, the growth rate, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were significantly reduced (p<0.05). After down-regulating the expression of miR-126, the growth rate, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were significantly increased (p<0.05). Down-regulation of miR-126 expression could reverse the effects of resveratrol intervention on HSC-5 cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and β-catenin protein expression (p<0.05). Resveratrol could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of skin squamous cell carcinoma cells, which may be related to the up-regulation of miR-126 to inhibit the Wnt / β-catenin signaling pathway.
The splicing regulatory factor hnRNPU is a novel transcriptional target of c‐Myc in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer with high mortality. Here, we found that hnRNPU is overexpressed in HCC tissues and is correlated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients. Besides, hnRNPU is of high significance in regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, self‐renewal, and tumorigenic potential of HCC cells. Mechanismly, c‐Myc regulates hnRNPU expression at the transcriptional level, and meanwhile, hnRNPU stabilizes the mRNA of c‐MYC. We found that the hnRNPU and c‐Myc regulatory loop exerts a synergistic effect on the proliferation and self‐renewal of HCC, and promotes the HCC progression. Taken together, hnRNPU functions as a novel transcriptional target of c‐Myc and promotes HCC progression, which may become a promising target for the treatment of c‐Myc‐driven HCC.
Early Prediction of Malignant Cerebellar Edema in Posterior Circulation Stroke Using Quantitative Lesion Water Uptake.

BACKGROUND Malignant cerebellar edema (MCE) is a life-threatening complication of ischemic posterior circulation stroke that requires timely diagnosis and management. Yet, there is no established imaging biomarker that may serve as predictor of MCE. Early edematous water uptake can be determined using quantitative lesion water uptake, but this biomarker has only been applied in anterior circulation strokes. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that lesion water uptake in early posterior circulation stroke predicts MCE. METHODS A total 179 patients with posterior circulation stroke and multimodal admission CT were included. A total of 35 (19.5%) patients developed MCE defined by using an established 10-point scale in follow-up CT, of which ≥4 points are considered malignant. Posterior circulation net water uptake (pcNWU) was quantified in admission CT based on CT densitometry and compared with posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) as predictor of MCE using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Acute pcNWU within the early ischemic lesion was 24.6% (±8.4) for malignant and 7.2% (±7.4) for nonmalignant infarctions, respectively (P < .0001). Based on ROC analysis, pcNWU above 14.9% identified MCE with high discriminative power (area under the curve: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89-0.97). Early pcNWU (odds ratio [OR]: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.15-1.42, P < .0001) and pc-ASPECTS (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.95, P = .02) were associated with MCE, adjusted for age and recanalization status. CONCLUSION Quantitative pcNWU in early posterior circulation stroke is an important marker for MCE. Besides pc-ASPECTS, lesion water uptake measurements may further support identifying patients at risk for MCE at an early stage indicating stricter monitoring and consideration for further therapeutic measures.