Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inflammation Meets Metabolism: Roles for the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Axis in Cardiovascular Disease

Fundamental modulation of energy metabolism in immune cells is increasingly being recognized for the ability to impart important changes in cellular properties. In homeostasis, cells of the innate immune system, such as monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), are enabled to respond rapidly to various forms of acute cellular and environmental stress, such as pathogens. In chronic stress milieus, these cells may undergo a re-programming, thereby triggering processes that may instigate tissue damage and failure of resolution. In settings of metabolic dysfunction, moieties such as excess sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) accumulate in the tissues and may form advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are signaling ligands for the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). In addition, cellular accumulation of cholesterol species such as that occurring upon macrophage engulfment of dead/dying cells, presents these cells with a major challenge to metabolize/efflux excess cholesterol. RAGE contributes to reduced expression and activities of molecules mediating cholesterol efflux. This Review chronicles examples of the roles that sugars and cholesterol, via RAGE, play in immune cells in instigation of maladaptive cellular signaling and the mediation of chronic cellular stress. At this time, emerging roles for the ligand-RAGE axis in metabolism-mediated modulation of inflammatory signaling in immune cells are being unearthed and add to the growing body of factors underlying pathological immunometabolism.
Registered report: Does transcranial direct current stimulation of the primary motor cortex improve implicit motor sequence learning in Parkinson's disease?

Implicit motor sequence learning (IMSL) is a cognitive function that is known to be directly associated with impaired motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). Research on healthy young participants shows the potential for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, over the primary motor cortex (M1) to enhance IMSL. tDCS has direct effects on the underlying cortex, but also induces distant (basal ganglia) network effects—hence its potential value in PD, a prime model of basal ganglia dysfunction. To date, only null effects have been reported in persons with PD. However, these studies did not determine the reacquisition effects, although previous studies in healthy young adults suggest that tDCS specifically exerts its beneficial effects on IMSL on reacquisition rather than acquisition. In the current study, we will therefore establish possible reacquisition effects, which are of a particular interest, as long‐term effects are vital for the successful functional rehabilitation of persons with PD. Using a sham‐controlled, counterbalanced design, we will investigate the potential of tDCS delivered over M1 to enhance IMSL, as measured by the serial reaction time task, in persons with PD and a neurologically healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control (HC) group. Multilevel Mixed Models will be implemented to analyze the sequence‐specific aspect of IMSL (primary outcome) and general learning (secondary outcome). We will determine not only the immediate effects that may occur concurrently with the application of tDCS but also the short‐term (5 min post‐tDCS) and long‐term (1 week post‐tDCS) reacquisition effects.
Serological survey of antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 in dogs and cats, Thailand

Abstract Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus type 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is an emerging severe acute respiratory disease affecting global human health. In this study, a large‐scale serological survey of antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 in dogs and cats was conducted during the first and second waves of COVID‐19 outbreaks in Thailand, from April to December 2020. A total of 3215 serum samples were collected from dogs (n = 2102) and cats (n = 1113) living in Bangkok and in the vicinities. Serum samples were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies by using an indirect multispecies enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive and suspected samples were additionally tested for neutralizing antibodies by the surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). The indirect ELISA results showed that 1.66% (35 out of 2103) of dogs and 0.36% (four out of 1112) of cats were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies. The sVNT results showed that all ELISA‐positive and suspected samples were negative for neutralizing antibodies. Positive serum samples (35 dogs and four cats) were obtained from clinically healthy animals and animals with mild respiratory signs aged <1–13 years living in Bangkok and Samutprakarn Provinces. In summary, a serological survey revealed evidence of anti‐N‐IgG antibodies suggesting SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure in both dogs and cats during the first and second COVID‐19 outbreaks in Thailand.
Association Behavior, Diffusion, and Viscosity of End-Functionalized Supramolecular Poly(ethylene glycol) in the Melt State

In this work we present a combined analysis of small-angle neutron scattering, linear rheology and pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments on the supramolecular association and chain structure of well-defined telechelically modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in the bulk. Oligomeric PEG was functionalized with directed heterocomplementary hydrogen-bonding end-groups, thymine (Thy) and diaminotriazine (DAT). The polarity of the backbone polymer is comparable to the end groups and avoids clustering of the groups basing on energetic arguments. Their linear association behavior in the ideal melt state was investigated on the microscopic/molecular level as a function of temperature. By means of a selective labeling scheme, which should ideally lead to the formation of alternating hydrogeneous-deuterated building block sequences if the hydrogen bonding reaction is exclusively heterocomplementary, we showed that the Thy–DAT association is dominant and a Thy–Thy homoassociation .
Consensus-Based Fault-Tolerant Platooning for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Platooning is a representative application of connected and autonomous vehicles. The information exchanged between connected functions and the precise control of autonomous functions provide great safety and traffic capacity. In this paper, we develop an advanced consensus-based approach for platooning. By applying consensus-based fault detection and adaptive gains to controllers, we can detect faulty position and speed information from vehicles and reinstate the normal behavior of the platooning. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches and achieves small steady state errors and small settling times under scenarios with faults.
Self-Control, Risky Lifestyles, and Victimization among Chinese Adolescents

Violent and property victimization among Chinese adolescents remains a social problem, yet studies that incorporate individual characteristics and situational/contextual factors to explain such victimization remain scarce. Drawing upon survey data collected from a large, representative sample of middle school students from two areas in Guizhou Province, China, we test Schreck’s integrated model of victimization, finding that self-control has both direct and indirect influences on violent and property victimization among Chinese adolescents. Delinquent peers play the most significant intermediate role in connecting self-control and adolescent victimization. Results reconfirm the importance of both self-control and risky lifestyles/situations in shaping victimization, and identify a victimization pathway that accentuates the key linking mechanism of delinquent peers in the self-control—victimization nexus.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: real world diagnostic criteria

Purpose of review Establishing a diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and distinguishing it from other forms of interstitial lung diseases represents a common challenge in clinical practice. This review summarizes the latest literature and guidelines on HP while integrating some real-life conundrums. Recent findings Advances in the understanding of the pathobiology of fibrotic HP and other progressive pulmonary fibrosis have changed how we approach the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung disease. Classifications now embrace distinguishing two clinical phenotypes: nonfibrotic and fibrotic HP because of distinct disease behavior and prognosis implications. International guidelines on HP were recently published and proposed a framework and algorithm to guide the diagnostic process. Summary The diagnosis of HP relies on the integration of multiples domains: clinical assessment of exposure, imaging, bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis and histopathological findings. These features are reviewed in multidisciplinary discussion and lead to an estimation of the degree of confidence for HP diagnosis. Further research is warranted to improve knowledge on the pathophysiology of HP and ultimately improve its diagnostic approaches.
Sleep Habits of Women with Infertility.

CONTEXT Sleep plays important roles in metabolic and reproductive function, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with sleep disturbances including increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea. OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate sleep parameters in infertile women with PCOS compared to women with unexplained infertility (UI) and identify risk factors for disturbed sleep. DESIGN Prospective cohort of women diagnosed with PCOS or UI from two randomized clinical trials. SETTING Private and academic ambulatory gynecology and infertility practices. PARTICIPANTS 1603 infertile women enrolled in two concurrent randomized clinical trials. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Self-reported sleep measures. RESULTS Sleep duration <6 hours (6.1% vs. 2.7%; P<.001), habitual snoring (37.8% vs. 19.0%; p<.001), and clinical sleepiness (12.0% vs. 8.6%; P<0.026) were more common in women with PCOS than those with UI. After adjusting for covariates, PCOS and elevated fasting insulin were associated (p=0.010) with clinical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis, whereas PCOS, elevated insulin (p=0.003), waist circumference >88 cm (p=0.003), and current smoking (p=0.012) were associated with habitual snoring. Clinical depression score (p<0.001) and PCOS diagnosis (p=0.002) were associated with perceived daytime sleepiness. Short sleep duration and clinical symptoms of OSA were not associated with conception and live birth rates. CONCLUSIONS Infertile women with PCOS more commonly report sleep disturbances than those with UI. Markers of insulin resistance are associated with previous diagnosis of OSA, habitual snoring and short sleep duration. Presence of clinical symptoms of OSA or short sleep duration does not affect fertility treatment response.
An Automatic Biopsy Needle Detection and Segmentation on Ultrasound Images Using a Convolutional Neural Network

Needle visualization in the ultrasound image is essential to successfully perform the ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy. Automatic needle detection can significantly reduce the procedure time, false-negative rate, and highly improve the diagnosis. In this paper, we present a CNN-based, fully automatic method for detection of core needle in 2D ultrasound images. Adaptive moment estimation optimizer is proposed as CNN architecture. Radon transform is applied to locate the needle. The network’s model was trained and tested on the total of 619 2D images from 91 cases of breast cancer. The model has achieved an average weighted intersection over union (the weighted Jaccard Index) of 0.986, F1 Score of 0.768, and angle RMSE of 3.73°. The obtained results exceed the other solutions by at least 0.27 and 7° in case of F1 score and angle RMSE, respectively. Finally, the needle is detected in a single frame averagely in 21.6 ms on a modern PC.
Isometric exercise and inter-individual response differences on resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Purpose Isometric exercise (IE) has been shown to reduce resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. However, no one to date has determined whether true inter-individual response differences (IIRD) versus random variability exist with respect to IE and resting SBP and DBP in adults ≥18 years of age. The purpose of the current study was to address this gap. Methods and materials Using the meta-analytic approach, randomised controlled trials from a recent meta-analysis that examined the effects of IE on resting SBP and DBP were included. Change outcome standard deviations for SBP and DBP from IE and control groups were used to calculate true IIRD from each study. The inverse variance heterogeneity (IVhet) model was used to pool results. Results Pooled changes for true IIRD in SBP (16 studies, 411 participants) were 3.3 mmHg (95% confidence interval, −3.1 to 5.6 mmHg) while tau ( was 4.2. For DBP, true IIRD (16 studies, 411 participants) were 2.3 mmHg (95% confidence interval, −0.7 to 3.3 mmHg) while tau ( was 2.2. The 95% prediction interval for true IIRD in a future study was −5.8 to 7.4 mmHg for SBP and −2.7 to 4.2 mmHg for DBP. The percent chance, i.e. probability, of a clinically meaningful difference of 2 mmHg was 68% for SBP and 75% for DBP, both of which were only considered as ‘possibly clinically important’. Conclusion While IE reduces resting SBP and DBP in adults, the results of the current study suggest that random variability versus true IIRD account for any potential differences as a result of IE on changes in resting SBP and DBP in adults. Thus, a search for potential moderators and mediators, including potential genetic interactions associated with IE, may not be warranted.
Effect of extrusion technology on hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) oil cake: Polyphenol profile and biological activities.

Effects of extrusion with varying barrel temperature, moisture content, and screw speed on hempseed oil cake were studied for the first time. Extrusion at lower moisture (30%) and higher screw speed (300 rpm) significantly increased the proportion of free polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenylpropionamide content, and α -glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. Full factorial design confirmed the three-way interactions among all extrusion parameters for all chemical assays with the bound phenolic fraction, total flavonoid content, and DPPH inhibition activity of the free phenolic fraction. HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis tentatively identified 26 phenylpropionamides, and the contents of N-trans-caffeoyltyramine (66.26 µg/g) and total phenylpropionamides (85.77 µg/g) were significantly increased after extrusion at the lower moisture and higher screw speed extrusion conditions. The higher α -glucosidase inhibition activity at higher screw speed could be due to the N-trans-caffeoyltyramine (r = 0.99, p < 0.01), while the AChE inhibition activity appeared to be influenced more by the cannabisins A-C, M (r > 0.8, p < 0.01). PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Hempseed oil cake is a byproduct of oil extraction, with high protein and high fiber contents. The results of this research could be used directly in food industry to improve the nutritional and commercial value of hempseed oil cake by extrusion technology.
Seed imbibition: a critical period for successful germination

Imbibition, the uptake of water by the dry seed, involves absorption of water by cell wall and protoplasmic macromolecules, i.e., proteins and polysaccharides, wherein water molecules are "held" by electrostatic forces such as hydrogen bonds. The movement of water into the seed is due to diffusion and capillary action with water moving from a region of higher to lower water potential. Of the three components of seed water potential, i.e., osmotic potential, matric potential, and turgor pressure, it is the matric potential of cell walls and their contents which is primarily responsible for imbibition. Permeability of the testa, or seed coat, is a major factor controlling the rate of water uptake. Although necessary, imbibition is a period of peril: rapid uptake of water may cause imibibitional injury, cold temperatures may cause chilling injury, anaerobic conditions may lead to accumulation of toxic chemicals, and leaching of cellular constituents into the soil may stimulate microbial attack. Low vigor legume seeds with permeable seed coats are especially susceptible to imbibitional injury. The imbibition period offers opportunity as well as hazard. Seeds may be primed for increased vigor by imbibing and then drying back. High membrane permeability during early imbibition may facilitate insertion of germination-promoting and anti-pathogen chemicals into seed tissues. This review covers: The physical process of imbibition, the seed coat as a protection against imbibitional injury, membrances during imbibition relative to seed vigor, leachates as indicators of vigor, and use of the imbibition period to improve vigor.
The Role of GIP Receptor in the CNS for the Pathogenesis of Obesity

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) (also known as gastric inhibitory polypeptide) is a hormone produced in the upper gut and secreted to the circulation in response to the ingestion of foods, especially fatty foods. Growing evidence supports the physiological and pharmacological relevance of GIP in obesity. In an obesity setting, inhibition of endogenous GIP or its receptor leads to decreased energy intake, increased energy expenditure, or both, eventually causing weight loss. Further, supraphysiological dosing of exogenous long-lasting GIP agonists alters energy balance and has a marked antiobesity effect. This remarkable yet paradoxical antiobesity effect is suggested to occur primarily via the brain. The brain is capable of regulating both energy intake and expenditure and plays a critical role in human obesity. In addition, the GIP receptor is widely distributed throughout the brain, including areas responsible for energy homeostasis. Recent studies have uncovered previously underappreciated roles of the GIP receptor in the brain in the context of obesity. This article highlights how the GIP receptor expressed by the brain impacts obesity-related pathogenesis.
Characterisation and Classification of Soils in Relation to Different Parent Rocks and Land Forms

Morphology, physicochemical and chemical characteristics of six typical pedons formed on sandstone, basalt and alluvium, representing different landforms in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh were studied. Good physiography -soil relationship has been established. Soils at higher elevations are less developed and have low pH. CaCO3, clay content, CEC and exchangeable cations than the soils in lower elevations. Differences in soil development are due to differences in parent material, vegetation and elevation. The soils have been classified taxonomically as Vertisols, Inceptisols and Entisols.
Sex differences and shifts in body composition, physical activity, and total energy expenditure across a 3‐month expedition

An energetically demanding environment like a wilderness expedition can lead to potent stressors on human physiology and homeostatic balance causing shifts in energy expenditure and body composition. These shifts likely have consequences on overall health and performance and may potentially differ by sex. It is therefore critical to understand the potential differential body composition and energy expenditure changes in response to a novel and challenging environment in both males and female bodies.
Temporal Trends in Opioid Prescribing Practices in Children, Adolescents, and Younger Adults in the US From 2006 to 2018.

Importance Prescription opioids are involved in more than half of opioid overdoses among younger persons. Understanding opioid prescribing practices is essential for developing appropriate interventions for this population. Objective To examine temporal trends in opioid prescribing practices in children, adolescents, and younger adults in the US from 2006 to 2018. Design, Setting, and Participants A population-based, cross-sectional analysis of opioid prescription data was conducted from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2018. Longitudinal data on retail pharmacy-dispensed opioids for patients younger than 25 years were used in the analysis. Data analysis was performed from December 26, 2019, to July 8, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Opioid dispensing rate, mean amount of opioid dispensed in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day (individuals aged 15-24 years) or MME per kilogram per day (age <15 years), duration of prescription (mean, short [≤3 days], and long [≥30 days] duration), high-dosage prescriptions, and extended-release or long-acting (ER/LA) formulation prescriptions. Outcomes were calculated for age groups: 0 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19, and 20 to 24 years. Joinpoint regression was used to examine opioid prescribing trends. Results From 2006 to 2018, the opioid dispensing rate for patients younger than 25 years decreased from 14.28 to 6.45, with an annual decrease of 15.15% (95% CI, -17.26% to -12.99%) from 2013 to 2018. The mean amount of opioids dispensed and rates of short-duration and high-dosage prescriptions decreased for all age groups older than 5 years, with the largest decreases in individuals aged 15 to 24 years. Mean duration per prescription increased initially for all ages, but then decreased for individuals aged 10 years or older. The duration remained longer than 5 days across all ages. The rate of long-duration prescriptions increased for all age groups younger than 15 years and initially increased, but then decreased after 2014 for individuals aged 15 to 24 years. For children aged 0 to 5 years dispensed an opioid, annual increases from 2011 to 2014 were noted for the mean amount of opioids dispensed (annual percent change [APC], 10.58%; 95% CI, 1.77% to 20.16%) and rates of long-duration (APC, 30.42%; 95% CI, 14.13% to 49.03%), high-dosage (APC, 31.27%; 95% CI, 16.81% to 47.53%), and ER/LA formulation (APC, 27.86%; 95% CI, 12.04% to 45.91%) prescriptions, although the mean amount dispensed and rate of high-dosage prescriptions decreased from 2014 to 2018. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that opioid dispensing rates decreased for patients younger than 25 years, with decreasing rates of high-dosage and long-duration prescriptions for adolescents and younger adults. However, opioids remain readily dispensed, and possible high-risk prescribing practices appear to be common, especially in younger children.