Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute Floatation-REST Improves Perceived Recovery After a High-Intensity Resistance Exercise Stress in Trained Men

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether a 1-h floatation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy (floatation-REST) session could augment recovery from high-intensity resistance exercise (6 × 10 back squats, 2-min rest) known to induce significant metabolic, adrenergic, and mechanical stress. Methods Eleven healthy resistance-trained males (age, 22.5 ± 2.3 yr; height, 176.4 ± 6.0 cm; weight, 85.7 ± 6.2 kg; back squat one-repetition maximum, 153.1 ± 20.1 kg; strength-to-weight ratio, 1.8 ± 0.2) completed the within-subject, crossover controlled study design. Participants completed two exercise testing blocks separated by a 2-wk washout. In one block, the high-intensity resistance exercise protocol was followed by a 1-h floatation-REST session, whereas recovery in the alternate block consisted of a passive sensory-stimulating control. Markers of metabolic stress, neuroendocrine signaling, structural damage, inflammation, and perceptions of soreness, mood state, and fatigue were assessed over a 48-h recovery window. Results Floatation-REST significantly attenuated muscle soreness across recovery (P = 0.035) with greatest treatment difference immediately after the intervention (P = 0.002, effect size (ES) = 1.3). Significant differences in norepinephrine (P = 0.028, ES = 0.81) and testosterone (P = 0.028, ES = 0.81) immediately after treatment revealed the modification of neuroendocrine signaling pathways, which were accompanied by greater improvements in mood disturbance (P = 0.029, ES = 0.81) and fatigue (P = 0.001, ES = 1.04). Conclusions Because no adverse effects and significant and meaningful benefits were observed, floatation-REST may prove a valuable intervention for managing soreness and enhancing performance readiness after exercise.
Effects of Exercise Training on PPARβ/δ Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Rats with Spontaneous Hypertension

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to identify the relationship and mechanism between skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) and spontaneous hypertension. Methods Rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): spontaneous hypertensive rats exercise group (SHR-E), spontaneous hypertensive rats sedentary group (SHR-S), Wistar-Kyoto control rats exercise group (WKY-E), and Wistar-Kyoto control rats sedentary group (WKY-S). Although the sedentary groups were placed on the treadmill without moving during the training sessions, the exercise groups were forced to run on a treadmill for 8 wk, 1 h·d−1, 5 d·wk−1. After training, the density and area of gastrocnemius microvessels were observed. PPARβ/δ, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD-2), and nitric oxide synthase in gastrocnemius were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Results Except the sixth week of age, the systolic blood pressure of SHR-S was significantly higher than that of WKY-S at all time periods. Exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in SHR rats. Compared with the SHR-S group, the WKY-S group had significantly higher PPARβ/δ protein level and density of skeletal muscle microvessels. Eight weeks of exercise increased the PPARβ/δ, SOD-2, VEGFA, and microvessel density and area in the skeletal muscle of SHR. Conclusions Exercise training promoted PPARβ/δ mRNA and protein-level expression of PPARβ/δ, SOD-2 and VEGFA in skeletal muscle, thus increasing the density and area of skeletal muscle blood vessels. These regulations contribute to the reduction of peripheral vascular resistance. This may be a potential mechanism of exercise to reduce blood pressure.
Delayed Dopamine Dysfunction and Motor Deficits in Female Parkinson Model Mice

This study analyzed gender differences in the progressive dopamine (DA) deficiency phenotype in the MitoPark (MP) mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with progressive loss of DA release and reuptake in midbrain DA pathways. We found that the progressive loss of these DA presynaptic parameters begins significantly earlier in male than female MP mice. This was correlated with behavioral gender differences of both forced and spontaneous motor behavior. The degeneration of the nigrostriatal DA system in MP mice is earlier and more marked than that of the mesolimbic DA system, with male MP mice again being more strongly affected than female MP mice. After ovariectomy, DA presynaptic and behavioral changes in female mice become very similar to those of male animals. Our results suggest that estrogen, either directly or indirectly, is neuroprotective in the midbrain DA system. Our results are compatible with epidemiological data on incidence and symptom progression in PD, showing that men are more strongly affected than women at early ages.
Agl24 is an ancient archaeal homolog of the eukaryotic N-glycan chitobiose synthesis enzymes

Protein N-glycosylation is a post-translational modification found in organisms of all domains of life. The crenarchaeal N-glycosylation begins with the synthesis of a lipid-linked chitobiose core structure, identical to that in Eukaryotes, although the enzyme catalyzing this reaction remains unknown. Here, we report the identification of a thermostable archaeal β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, named archaeal glycosylation enzyme 24 (Agl24), responsible for the synthesis of the N-glycan chitobiose core. Biochemical characterization confirmed its function as an inverting β-D-GlcNAc-(1→4)-α-D-GlcNAc-diphosphodolichol glycosyltransferase. Substitution of a conserved histidine residue, found also in the eukaryotic and bacterial homologs, demonstrated its functional importance for Agl24. Furthermore, bioinformatics and structural modeling revealed similarities of Agl24 to the eukaryotic Alg14/13 and a distant relation to the bacterial MurG, which are catalyzing the same or a similar reaction, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of Alg14/13 homologs indicates that they are ancient in Eukaryotes, either as a lateral transfer or inherited through eukaryogenesis.
MGUS and clonal hematopoiesis show unrelated clinical and biological trajectories in an older population cohort

Abstract Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and clonal hematopoiesis (CH) are 2 preclinical clonal expansions of hematopoietic cells whose prevalence rises with age, reaching almost 10% in people of aged 70 years and older. The increased risk of myeloid malignancies in patients with myeloma is well defined, and the study of the association between CH and MGUS could help explain this phenomenon. Here, we analyzed a fully clinically annotated dataset of 777 older subjects (median age, 91 years) previously screened for prevalence of CH. The prevalence of MGUS and CH was 9.6% and 17.3%, respectively. We detected CH in 9.7% of the patients with MGUS and MGUS in 5.5% of the patients with CH. We did not find a significant correlation between the presence of MGUS and CH. Furthermore, the 2 conditions showed a differential association with clinical and laboratory covariates, suggesting that MGUS and CH may represent age-associated unrelated clonal drifts of hematopoietic cells. Confirmatory studies are needed to assess the relevance of CH in plasma cell disorders. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT03907553.
New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae)

Seven Ircinia growth forms were collected from three sites in the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro, Panama; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; and the Florida Keys, United States of America). Previous research used an integrative taxonomic framework to delimit species boundaries among these growth forms. Here, we present descriptions for these species, six of which are new to science (Ircinia lowi sp. nov., Ircinia bocatorensis sp. nov., Ircinia radix sp. nov., Ircinia laeviconulosa sp. nov., Ircinia vansoesti sp. nov., Ircinia rutzleri sp. nov.) in addition to one species conferre (Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923).
Modulation of RNA stability regulates gene expression in two opposite ways: through buffering of RNA levels upon global perturbations and by supporting adapted differential expression

Abstract The steady state levels of RNAs, often referred to as expression levels, result from a well-balanced combination of RNA transcription and decay. Alterations in RNA levels will therefore result from tight regulation of transcription rates, decay rates or both. Here, we explore the role of RNA stability in achieving balanced gene expression and present genome-wide RNA stabilities in Drosophila melanogaster male and female cells as well as male cells depleted of proteins essential for dosage compensation. We identify two distinct RNA-stability mediated responses involved in regulation of gene expression. The first of these responds to acute and global changes in transcription and thus counteracts potentially harmful gene mis-expression by shifting the RNA stability in the direction opposite to the transcriptional change. The second response enhances inter-individual differential gene expression by adjusting the RNA stability in the same direction as a transcriptional change. Both mechanisms are global, act on housekeeping as well as non-housekeeping genes and were observed in both flies and mammals. Additionally, we show that, in contrast to mammals, modulation of RNA stability does not detectably contribute to dosage compensation of the sex-chromosomes in D. melanogaster.
Electrostrictive and Piezoelectric Effects in Relaxor Ferroelectrics: Historical Background

Electrostrictive effects in complex-perovskite “relaxor” ferroelectrics (FEs) exhibit superior performance in comparison with the simple-perovskite normal FEs, such as giant electrostriction in its paraelectric phase and high electromechanical coupling in its FE phase. As one of the discoverers, the author will deliver the historical background of these epoch-making phenomena and the development strategy of how we considered performance improvement. Though both discoveries were actually originated from a sort of “serendipity” (lucky & accidental occurrence! ), some of the key factors have been embedded in the research base: 1) interrelation between complex perovskite structure and ferroelectricity; 2) anharmonicity in relaxor FEs; and 3) microdomain contribution in relaxor FEs. In the last part of this article, the author introduces a bit different “mesoscopic” approach, “fractal analysis of microdomain configuration” in conjunction with the “domain engineering” concept, to distinguish the electromechanical coupling among the normal and relaxor FEs for remaining the future research seeds.
Discontinuation of Inhaled Corticosteroids from Triple Therapy in COPD: Effects on Major Outcomes in Real World Clinical Practice

Abstract Recent reports provide evidence-based guidelines for the withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in COPD, but data on patients treated with ICS-based triple therapy are sparse and contradictory. We assessed the effect of ICS discontinuation on the incidence of severe exacerbation and pneumonia in a real-world population of patients with COPD who initiated triple therapy. We identified a cohort of patients with COPD treated with LAMA-LABA-ICS triple therapy during 2002–2018, age 50 or older, from the UK’s CPRD database. Subjects who discontinued ICS were matched 1:1 on time-conditional propensity scores to those continuing ICS and followed for one year. Hazard ratios (HR) of severe exacerbation and pneumonia were estimated using Cox regression. The cohort included 42,667 patients who discontinued ICS matched to 42,667 who continued ICS treatment. The hazard ratio of a severe exacerbation with ICS discontinuation relative to ICS continuation was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78–0.95), while for severe pneumonia it was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.88–1.05). The incidence of severe exacerbation after ICS discontinuation was numerically higher than after continuation among patients with two or more exacerbations in the prior year (HR 1.09; 95% CI: 0.94–1.26) and among those with FEV1 <30% predicted (HR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.04–1.59). This large real-world study in the clinical setting of COPD treatment suggests that certain patients on triple therapy can be safely withdrawn from ICS and remain on bronchodilator therapy. As residual confounding cannot be ruled out, ICS discontinuation is not warranted for patients with multiple exacerbations and with very severe airway obstruction.
High pulse pressure predicts primary arteriovenous fistula failure within 1 year

Background: The arteriovenous fistula is the preferred access route for hemodialysis, although its high primary failure rate remains a clinical challenge. Multiple studies have attempted to determine the risk factors for primary arteriovenous fistula failure; however, none have identified pulse pressure as a potential predictive marker. High pulse pressure is a surrogate poor arterial compliance endpoint and leads to inferior cardiovascular outcomes. Our aim was to determine whether elevated pulse pressure indicates poor arteriovenous fistula maturation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 274 patients who underwent an arteriovenous fistula index operation between September 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019. Demographic, clinical data, and operative parameters were collected and analyzed. The maximum follow-up period was 365 days. Arteriovenous fistula failure was defined as the inability to achieve functional use during the follow-up period. We identified risk factors for arteriovenous fistula failure by performing a multivariate logistic regression analysis using backward elimination procedures. Results: A total of 274 patients were included in the study. The patients’ average age was 61.3 ± 14.0 years, approximately half of the patients (n = 161, 58.8%) were male, and the majority had hypertension. At the end of the follow-up period, 68 (24.8%) had arteriovenous fistula failure. The proportion of patients with pulse pressure values of >60 mmHg was significantly higher in the failure group than in the maturation group (66.0% vs 80.9%; p = 0.021). A PP value of >60 mmHg (odds ratio = 2.25; 95% confidence interval = 1.14–4.42; p = 0.019) and coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction (odds ratio = 1.97; 95% confidence interval = 1.01–3.84; p = 0.045) were found to be independent risk factors for primary arteriovenous fistula failure. Conclusions: High pulse pressure is an independent risk factor for primary arteriovenous fistula failure.
A metatranscriptomic approach to explore longitudinal tissue specimens from non‐healing diabetes related foot ulcers

Cellular mechanisms and/or microbiological interactions which contribute to chronic diabetes related foot ulcers (DRFUs) were explored using serially collected tissue specimens from chronic DRFUs and control healthy foot skin. Total RNA was isolated for next‐generation sequencing. We found differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched hallmark gene ontology biological processes upregulated in chronic DRFUs which primarily functioned in the host immune response including: (i) Inflammatory response; (ii) TNF signalling via NFKB; (iii) IL6 JAK‐STAT3 signalling; (iv) IL2 STAT5 signalling and (v) Reactive oxygen species. A temporal analysis identified RN7SL1 signal recognition protein and IGHG4 immunoglobulin protein coding genes as being the most upregulated genes after the onset of treatment. Testing relative temporal changes between healing and non‐healing DRFUs identified progressive upregulation in healed wounds of CXCR5 and MS4A1 (CD20), both canonical markers of lymphocytes (follicular B cells/follicular T helper cells and B cells, respectively). Collectively, our RNA‐seq data provides insights into chronic DRFU pathogenesis.
The influence of shifting perspective on episodic and semantic details during autobiographical memory recall

ABSTRACT Shifting to a novel visual perspective during retrieval influences autobiographical memories (AM) and can lead to persistent changes in memories. Adopting an observer-like compared to an own eyes perspective reduces episodic information during AM recall, but less is known regarding how viewpoint influences semantic information. In the current study, we investigated how shifting from an own eyes to an observer-like perspective during narrative recall of AMs influences episodic and semantic information. Shifting perspective reduced the number of episodic details associated with emotions and thoughts, and also led to similar reductions in personal semantics. We replicated prior research showing that shifting perspective reduces emotional intensity in subsequent memories, but these subjective changes were not coupled with objective changes in a narrative recall. Our findings suggest that shifting perspective influences the interplay between episodic and semantic information during proximate recall and subjective changes when memories are later recalled.
Seatbelt use among bus passengers in Ghana: observed versus self-reported measures

Abstract Many road traffic injuries in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are to bus passengers. We sought to determine the availability, functionality, and observed vs. self-reported use of seatbelts in large intercity buses in Ghana. We observed seatbelt use for 1,184 passengers in 35 large intercity buses. We interviewed a separate group of 633 bus passengers. All buses observed had seatbelts and most (92.6%) were functional. A little over a fifth (21.6%) of passengers were observed to wear seatbelts. However, 34.5% of passengers in the self-reported survey indicated always wearing seatbelts when riding in buses. Passengers on 5 buses out of the 35 observed where the driver verbally prompted them to wear seatbelts were more likely (57.8%) to wear seatbelts than on the other buses (15.3%, p = 0.001). Comparing the self-reported survey with observations, passengers tended to overinflate seatbelt use by a factor of 1.6. This study provides useful information for efforts to increase and monitor seatbelt use among large intercity bus passengers in LMICs. Supplemental data for this article is available online at
Age and Sex Differences in Balance Outcomes among Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at Risk of Falls

Abstract No previous research has examined age and sex differences in balance outcomes in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at risk of falls. A secondary analysis of baseline data from an ongoing trial of fall prevention in COPD was conducted. Age and sex differences were analyzed for the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Balance Evaluation System Test (BEST test) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). Overall, 223 individuals with COPD were included. Females had higher balance impairments than males [BBS: mean (SD) = 47 (8) vs. 49 (6) points; BEST test: 73 (16) vs. 80 (16) points], and a lower confidence to perform functional activities [ABC = 66 (21) vs. 77 (19)]. Compared to a younger age (50–65 years) group, age >65 years was moderately associated with poor balance control [BBS (r = − 0.37), BEST test (r = − 0.33)] and weakly with the ABC scale (r = − 0.13). After controlling for the effect of balance risk factors, age, baseline dyspnea index (BDI), and the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) explained 38% of the variability in the BBS; age, sex, BDI, and 6-MWT explained 40% of the variability in the BEST test; And BDI and the 6-MWT explained 44% of the variability in the ABC scale. This study highlights age and sex differences in balance outcomes among individuals with COPD at risk of falls. Recognition of these differences has implications for pulmonary rehabilitation and fall prevention in COPD, particularly among females and older adults.
HIV, STI and renal function testing frequency and STI history among current users of self-funded HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, a cross-sectional study, Germany, 2018 and 2019

Introduction Users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) require periodic testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and renal function. Before PrEP was made free of charge through statutory health insurance in late 2019, PrEP users in Germany had to pay for testing themselves. Aim We investigated self-reported HIV, STI and renal function testing frequencies among self-funded PrEP users in Germany, factors associated with infrequent testing, and STI diagnoses. Methods A cross-sectional anonymous online survey in 2018 and 2019 recruited current PrEP users via dating apps for men who have sex with men (MSM), a PrEP community website, anonymous testing sites and friends. We used descriptive methods and logistic regression for analysis. Results We recruited 4,848 current PrEP users. Median age was 37 years (interquartile range (IQR): 30–45), 88.7% identified as male, and respectively 26.3%, 20.9% and 29.2% were tested less frequently for HIV, STI and renal function than recommended. Participants with lower STI testing frequency were significantly less likely to report STI diagnoses during PrEP use, especially among those with many partners and inconsistent condom use. Factors most strongly associated with infrequent testing included not getting tested before starting PrEP, using PrEP from informal sources and on-demand/intermittent PrEP use. Discussion In a setting of self-funded PrEP, many users obtained medical tests less frequently than recommended, which can lead to missed diagnoses. Barriers to testing should be addressed to enable proper medical supervision. The suitability of testing frequencies to PrEP users with less frequent risk exposures needs to be evaluated.
Evaluation of growth, puberty, osteoporosis, and the response to long‐term bisphosphonate therapy in four patients with osteoporosis‐pseudoglioma syndrome

Osteoporosis‐pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG; MIM #259770) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited disease, characterized by early‐onset osteoporosis and congenital blindness, caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the LRP5 gene. Beneficial effects of bisphosphonate treatment in patients with OPPG are well known, while follow‐up data on growth and pubertal parameters are limited. This article provides clinical follow‐up data and long‐term bisphosphonate treatment results in four OPPG patients from three unrelated families, ranging between 2.5 and 7 years of age at presentation. Clinical diagnosis was molecularly confirmed in all patients, with four different germline biallelic LRP5 mutations including a novel nonsense variant c.3517C>T (p.(Gln1173*)) in two siblings with marked phenotypic variability. Anthropometric and pubertal data and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were evaluated retrospectively. Early puberty was observed in two patients. The bisphosphonate treatment duration of patients varied around 4–7 years and improvement in BMD z‐scores with bisphosphonate treatment was demonstrated in all patients (z‐score changes were +5.6, +4.0, +1.0, and +1.3). Although further research is needed to identify the possible association between early puberty and OPPG, all OPPG patients should be followed up with detailed endocrinological evaluation regarding pubertal status.