Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative proteomic analysis of the effects of dietary deprivation of methionine and cystine on A549 xenograft and A549 xenograft‐bearing mouse

Methionine (Met) and cystine (CySS) are key sulfur donors in cell metabolism and are important nutrients for sustaining tumor growth; however, the molecular effects associated with their deprivation remain to be characterized. Here, we applied a xenograft mouse model to assess the impact of their deprivation on A549 xenografts and the xenograft‐bearing animal. Results show that Met and CySS deprivation inhibits A549 growth in vitro, not in vivo. Deprivation was detrimental to the xenograft‐bearing mouse, as demonstrated by weight loss and renal dysfunction. Differentially expressed proteins in A549 xenograft and mouse kidneys were characterized using quantitative proteomics. Functional annotation and protein–protein interaction network analysis revealed the enriched signaling pathways, including focal adhesion (Fn1) in the A549 xenograft, and xenobiotic metabolism (Cyp2e1) and glutathione metabolism (Ggt1) in the mouse kidney. Met and CySS deprivation inhibits the migratory and invasive properties of cancer cells, as evidenced by reduced expression of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker N‐cadherin in A549 cells in vitro. Moreover, IGFBP1 protein expression was inhibited in both A549 xenograft and mouse kidneys. This study provides the first insights into changes within the proteome profile and biological processes upon Met and CySS deprivation in a A549 xenograft mouse model.
Diagnosis of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia After Presentation to Neuro-Ophthalmology

Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is a medical emergency that can initially present with neuro-ophthalmologic signs. Early recognition is crucial, and immediate treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) can be life-saving. The goal of this study was to describe patients who first presented to neuro-ophthalmology and were subsequently diagnosed with APML. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients seen at a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology centre. Patients with an unknown diagnosis of APML at presentation who subsequently went on to receive this diagnosis were included. Clinical characteristics, neuro-ophthalmologic findings, and outcome were retrieved. Results: A total of 3 patients (2 women and 1 men) with a mean age of 30.7 (range 24–33) years were included in the study. Neuro-ophthalmologic diagnoses at presentation were severe hemorrhagic papilledema related to dural venous sinus thrombosis, hemorrhagic bilateral optic disc edema, and left homonymous hemianopia related to an occipital lobe hemorrhage. At diagnosis, the average hemoglobin was 83.7g/L (range 78–104), and the platelet count was 39.3 × 109/L (range 15–77). All patients were treated with ATRA and ATO. One patient developed papilledema and sixth nerve palsies related to this treatment, which resolved with acetazolamide. Clinical follow-up ranged from 6 to 12 months, and all patients were in clinical remission about systemic APML. Conclusion: Neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms may be the first manifestations of APML, and a complete blood count is an essential test in patients presenting with optic disc edema, especially if hemorrhagic.
SNAP participation and the health and health care utilisation of low-income adults and children

Abstract Objective: This article examined whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) produced changes to adult and child health and health care utilisation during a period of economic recession. Design: Instrumental variables analysis relying on variation in state SNAP policies to isolate exogenous variation in household SNAP participation. Setting: Nationally representative data on child and adult health from the 2008 to 2013 National Health Interview Survey. Participants: Participants were 92 237 adults and 45 469 children who were either eligible for SNAP based on household income and state eligibility rules or were low income but not eligible for SNAP benefits. Results: For adults, SNAP participation increased the probability of reporting very good or excellent health, and for both adults and children, reduced needing but having to go without dental care or eyeglasses. The size of these benefits was especially pronounced for children. However, SNAP participation increased the probability of needing but not being able to afford prescription medicine, and increased psychological distress for adults and behavioural problems for children under age 10. Conclusions: SNAP’s benefits for adult health and improved access to dental and vision care for adults and children suggest benefits from the program’s expansions during the current COVID-induced crisis. Predicted negative effects of SNAP participation suggest the need for attention to program and benefit structure to avoid harm and the need for continued research to explore the causal effects of program participation.
Temperature predicts the rate of molecular evolution in Australian Eugongylinae skinks

Temperature differences over time and space have been hypothesized to cause variation in the rate of molecular evolution of species, but empirical evidence is mixed. To further test this hypothesis, we utilized a large exon‐capture sequence data of Australian Eugongylinae skinks, exemplifying a radiation of temperature‐sensitive ectotherms spanning a large latitudinal gradient. The association between temperature (and other species traits) and long‐term substitution rate was assessed based on 1268 sequenced exons of 44 species pairs from the Eugongylinae subfamily using regression analyses. Temperature is the strongest, positively correlated predictor of variation in substitution rate across the Australian Eugongylinae. It explains 45% of variation in synonymous substitution rate, and 11% after controlling for all the other factors. Synonymous substitution rate is also negatively associated with body size, with a 6% variation explained by body size after controlling for the effects of temperature. Other factors are not associated with synonymous substitution rate after controlling for temperature. Overall, this study points to temperature as a strong predictor of the molecular evolution rate in the Eugongylinae subfamily, and demonstrates the power of large‐scale exonic data to identify correlates of the rate of molecular evolution.
Updating changes in human gut microbial communities associated with Clostridioides difficile infection

ABSTRACT Clostridioides difficile is the causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, a worldwide public health problem. Different factors can promote the progression of C. difficile infection (CDI), mainly altered intestinal microbiota composition. Microbial species belonging to different domains (i.e., bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes, and even viruses) are synergistically and antagonistically associated with CDI. This review was aimed at updating changes regarding CDI-related human microbiota composition using recent data and an integral approach that included the different microorganism domains. The three domains of life contribute to intestinal microbiota homeostasis at different levels in which relationships among microorganisms could explain the wide range of clinical manifestations. A holistic understanding of intestinal ecosystem functioning will facilitate identifying new predictive factors for infection and developing better treatment and new diagnostic tools, thereby reducing this disease’s morbidity and mortality.
Age at Menopause in Relationship to Lipid Changes and Subclinical Carotid Disease Across 20 Years: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

Background Younger age at final menstrual period (FMP) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease events. This paper evaluated whether older age at FMP is associated with more favorable patterns of lipid changes during the menopause transition and whether these changes are associated with less subclinical carotid disease in the postmenopausal years. Methods and Results Lipids and lipoproteins were measured repeatedly among 1554 premenopausal women who had a natural menopause during follow‐up years (median=18.8 years); a subset of 890 women also had measures of carotid intima media thickness, adventitial diameter, and plaque. Women who had an older FMP age had less adverse changes in cholesterol from 1 to 3 years after FMP, and in triglycerides from FMP to 3 years after FMP, but they had more adverse changes in ApoB and Apo A1 from 3 years before to 1 year after the FMP. Increasing cholesterol and ApoB from 1 to 3 years after FMP were associated with greater intima media thickness and adventitial diameter, and the greater likelihood of a plaque score >2 the older the age at FMP. Conclusions Despite the epidemiological literature showing early age at FMP is associated with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease events, older age at FMP had inconsistent associations with less adverse lipid changes in midlife, which did not translate into less risk for subclinical carotid disease and in some cases more risk. These findings are restricted to women who experience FMP in the normative age range for the menopausal transition.
Genetic liability for insomnia and asthma risk

BACKGROUND Evidence from observational studies suggested that insomnia is associated with an increased risk of asthma. Nevertheless, whether the association is causal is unknown because observational studies are susceptible to residual confounders and reverse causality. METHODS According to published genome-wide association studies (GWASs), we obtained 149 insomnia-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which were used as instrumental variables in our study. The GWASs summary data on adult asthma was obtained from Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) (53,598 cases and 409335 controls). The random-effects inverse variance-weighted method was applied to estimate the causality between insomnia and asthma. To further evaluate the directional pleiotropy, the weighted median and MR-Egger regression methods were implemented. RESULTS The results of MR analysis indicated that genetic liability to insomnia was associated with significantly higher odds of adult asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 1.0881; 95% CI 1.0837-1.0925, p < 0.0001]. The association remained in multivariable MR analysis with adjustment for depression, smoking, and education, which are genetically correlated with insomnia. Moreover, the results of the weighted median and MR-Egger regression methods suggested that there was no evidence of directional pleiotropy (p = 0.2400). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that liability to insomnia is probably causally associated with a modest increased risk of adult asthma. Further work is needed to elucidate the potential mechanisms.
Relationship Between Anticipatory Grief and Communication Avoidance in Chinese Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer

Background Anticipatory grief (AG) and its relationship with communication avoidance in Chinese caregivers of patients with advanced cancer have not been previously examined. An association between AG and communication avoidance could provide important insights to Chinese caregivers worthwhile to be investigated. Objectives The aims of this study were to evaluate AG and communication avoidance with patients among Chinese caregivers of patients with advanced cancer and to identify their relationship. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer practicing at an academic cancer hospital. The participants completed the Anticipatory Grief Scale (AGS) and the Caregivers’ Communication With Patients About Illness and Death scale. Results Of the 256 participants, the mean age was 49.10 (SD, 12.87) years, and 63.28% of participants were female. The mean AGS score was 88.05 (SD, 18.42). The AGS subscales in descending order of scores were feeling of loss, sadness, decreased ability to function at usual tasks, anxiety, anger, guilt, and irritability. The mean Caregivers’ Communication With Patients About Illness and Death score was 3.60 (SD, 1.13). In the multiple linear regression, AG severity was significantly, positively correlated with communication avoidance. Old age, low education level, religious belief, low income, and living with the patient, spouse, parents, and child implied severe AG. Conclusions Chinese caregivers of patients with advanced cancer reported a high AG and poor communication with patients about illness and death. Less communication was related to more severe AG. Implications for Practice Healthcare professionals should pay attention to AG severity and communication of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer to explore the suitable clinical intervention.
The dynamics of memory for United States presidents in younger and older adults

ABSTRACT Serial position effects are often observed within the free recall of unassociated words but also when recalling items from a semantic category like U.S. presidents. We investigated the dynamics of recall for U.S. presidents in younger and older adults to examine potential age-related differences in the organisation of retrieval from semantic long-term memory. Older adults recalled more presidents than younger adults and also demonstrated dual serial position effects such that, in addition to overall serial position effects, primacy (e.g., Eisenhower) and recency presidents (e.g., Obama) within older adults’ lifetime were better recalled than presidents from the middle of their lives (e.g., Ford). Additionally, participants initiated recall with the most distinct presidents (highly familiar or memorable presidents like Washington, Obama, Trump), and conditional-response probabilities revealed that presidents from similar eras were recalled in close proximity, indicating that the retrieval of distinct presidents can facilitate memory for presidents from a similar era. Collectively, we demonstrate the potential interplay of the mechanisms that influence the organisation of retrieval such that distinctiveness and temporal contiguity effects may simultaneously impact recall. Specifically, semantic and temporal-contextual associations can drive semantic autobiographical memory and people likely organise retrieval from long-term memory according to familiarity and distinctiveness.
Coping Strategies for Stress and Self-Efficacy in Patients With Cancer and Their Spouses

Background Cancer is one of the most important diseases of the present century worldwide. Patients and their spouses can find more difficulty accepting the diagnosis of cancer than its phases of treatment. Both the physical health and mental health of the patient and spouse are important in the process of recovery from cancer and its treatment. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between coping strategies for stress and self-efficacy in patients with cancer and that of their spouses. Methods In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 91 patients and their 91 spouses completed the Endler and Parker Coping Inventory, the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale, and a demographic information questionnaire. Results The problem-oriented coping style was used more than the other strategies by patients with cancer and their spouses. The least used coping style by patients and their spouses was the avoidance style. The self-efficacy of patients and their spouses was above average. Self-efficacy was directly and moderately correlated with problem-oriented coping style (P < .001) and inversely and moderately correlated with emotion-oriented coping style (P < .001). Conclusions Adoption of strategies like training and consulting may enhance the problem-focused coping style and reduce emotion-focused coping style and therefore lead to increased self-efficacy in patients and their spouses. Implications for Practice Healthcare providers’, especially nurses’, knowledge and sensitivity about the coping strategies of patients with cancer and their spouses may help providers select more effective interventions for improving patients’ and their spouses’ effective coping styles and self-efficacy.
Tensor‐structured decomposition improves systems serology analysis

Systems serology provides a broad view of humoral immunity by profiling both the antigen‐binding and Fc properties of antibodies. These studies contain structured biophysical profiling across disease‐relevant antigen targets, alongside additional measurements made for single antigens or in an antigen‐generic manner. Identifying patterns in these measurements helps guide vaccine and therapeutic antibody development, improve our understanding of diseases, and discover conserved regulatory mechanisms. Here, we report that coupled matrix–tensor factorization (CMTF) can reduce these data into consistent patterns by recognizing the intrinsic structure of these data. We use measurements from two previous studies of HIV‐ and SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected subjects as examples. CMTF outperforms standard methods like principal components analysis in the extent of data reduction while maintaining equivalent prediction of immune functional responses and disease status. Under CMTF, model interpretation improves through effective data reduction, separation of the Fc and antigen‐binding effects, and recognition of consistent patterns across individual measurements. Data reduction also helps make prediction models more replicable. Therefore, we propose that CMTF is an effective general strategy for data exploration in systems serology.
Predictors of depression, anxiety and stress among remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on work and home life, changing all daily routines of remote workers. It is extremely important to figure out some changes in home and work life that may affect the mental health of remote workers more. OBJECTIVES The first aim of the study was to investigate the predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-time remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second aim was to explore sex differences regarding work and homelife during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS The sample consisted of 459 participants who have been working from home for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey used included questions relating to sociodemographic characteristics, changes in work and home life, Depression Anxiety Stress Questionnaire-Short Form, Jenkins Sleep Scale, and Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. RESULTS Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 17.9%, 19.6%, and 19.6%of the study participants, respectively. Poor sleep quality, trouble focusing at work, being female, workplace loneliness, low levels of control over working hours, and low levels of physical activity were predictors of depression. Poor sleep quality, increased workload, and being female were predictors of anxiety. Poor sleep quality, trouble focusing at work, being female, financial concern, and workplace loneliness were predictors of stress. It was observed a higher increase in both housework and working hours during the COVID-19 pandemic in women. CONCLUSION Determining the variables that can affect the mental health of remote workers is highly important for timely psychological intervention.
Prediction of the trabecular iris angle after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation

The TIA after ICL surgery can be accurately predicted from the predicted postoperative anterior chamber depth and other preoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography parameters. Purpose: To create an equation for predicting the trabecular iris angle (TIA) and to verify its accuracy after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation. Setting: Nagoya Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan. Design: Retrospective evaluation of a screening approach. Methods: 174 eyes (174 patients) that underwent ICL implantation were included. Patients were randomly assigned to the prediction equation group (116 eyes) or verification group (58 eyes). Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) (CASIA2 TOMEY) was performed before and 3 months after ICL surgery. For the prediction group, a prediction equation was created with the preoperative AS-OCT parameters and ICL size as independent variables and the postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) as the dependent variable. Then, by applying the predicted post-ACD and preoperative AS-OCT parameters as independent variables and TIA after ICL surgery as the dependent variable, a prediction equation was created to predict the postoperative TIA (post-TIA) after ICL surgery. Each prediction equation was created using stepwise multiple regression analysis, and its accuracy was verified by a Bland-Altman plot in the verification group. Results: The explanatory variables (standardized partial regression coefficient) selected in the post-TIA prediction equation were post-ACD (0.629), TIA750 (0.563), iris curvature (0.353), pupil diameter (−0.281), iris area (−0.249), and trabecular iris space area 250 (−0.171) (R2 = 0.646) (n = 116). There were no clinically significant systematic errors between measured and predictive post-TIA values in the verification group (n = 58). The mean absolute prediction error was 3.43 ± 2.22 degrees. Conclusions: Post-TIA was accurately predicted from the predicted post-ACD and other preoperative AS-OCT parameters.
Effects of a blood flow restriction exercise under different pressures on testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor levels

Objective To investigate the changes in serum growth hormone (GH), testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) during low-intensity resistance exercise under different cuff pressures. Methods We performed a single-blind, cross-over design study. Twenty-five healthy young men performed three exercise protocols as follows: 1) no blood flow restriction exercise (control group), 2) resistance exercise at 40% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) (low group), and 3) resistance exercise at 70% of AOP (high group). Blood lactate, GH, testosterone, and IGF-1 levels were measured at four time points. Results There were no differences in the indices before exercise. The blood flow restriction exercise under different pressures had different effects on each index and there was an interactive effect. GH levels were significantly higher in the high group than in the other groups after exercise. Immediately after exercise, IGF-1 and testosterone levels were significantly higher in the high group than in the other groups. At 15 minutes after exercise, testosterone levels were significantly higher in the high group than in the other groups. Conclusions Low-intensity resistance exercise combined with blood flow restriction effectively increases GH, IGF-1, and testosterone levels in young men. Increasing the cuff pressure results in greater levels of hormone secretion.