Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tele-Yoga for the Management of Cervical Dystonia: A Safety and Feasibility Trial

Background: Cervical dystonia impacts quality of life and activities of daily living. Botulinum toxin injections, the standard treatment, are not effective for all and often include bouts of recurring symptoms between injections. There is a need for supplementary treatments such as yoga, which has been shown to be beneficial for individuals with chronic neck pain and movement disorders. However, individuals with cervical dystonia experience barriers impeding access to in-person yoga. Thus, alternative delivery methods that can optimize access while maintaining safety must be investigated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and safety of a synchronous one-on-one tele-yoga intervention for individuals with cervical dystonia. Methods: Individuals with cervical dystonia were enrolled in a single group pilot feasibility study consisting of a 6-weeks tele-yoga intervention bookended by two assessment sessions, ending with a 6-weeks follow-up period and associated final assessment session. The live one-on-one tele-yoga intervention consisted of breathing, postures, and relaxation and was delivered for 30 min twice weekly. Primary outcomes included adherence, adverse events, technological challenges, and usability. Secondary outcomes included enjoyment, yoga status at follow-up, clinically relevant questionnaires, and functional measures. Results: Of the fifteen individuals enrolled, one did not complete the follow-up assessment. Intervention adherence was 93%. No significant adverse events related to the intervention occurred. Manageable technological challenges occurred. Mean usability and enjoyment were high. Conclusions: The implementation of a one-on-one tele-yoga intervention for individuals with cervical dystonia is safe and feasible thus, efficacy trials should be initiated. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov/ct2/show/NCT04348669, NCT04348669
Induction of Filopodia During Cytomegalovirus Entry Into Human Iris Stromal Cells

Many viruses exploit thin projections of filopodia for cell entry and cell-to-cell spread. Using primary cultures of human iris stromal (HIS) cells derived from human eye donors, we report a significant increase in filopodia formation during human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Using confocal microscopy, we observed a large number of virions being frequently associated along the filopodia prior to cell infection. Depolymerization of actin filaments resulted in a significant inhibition of HCMV entry into HIS cell. Our results further revealed that the transient expression of HCMV envelope glycoprotein B (gB) triggers the induction of the filopodial system. Since gB is known to bind the diverse chains of heparan sulfate (HS), a comparative study was performed to evaluate the gB-mediated filopodial induction in cells expressing either wild-type HS and/or 3-O sulfated HS (3-OS HS). We found that cells co-expressing HCMV gB together with the 3-O sulfotranseferase-3 (3-OST-3) enzyme had a much higher and robust filopodia induction compared to cells co-expressing gB with wild-type HS. The above results were further verified by pre-treating HIS cells with anti-3-OS HS (G2) peptide and/or heparinase-I before challenging with HCMV infection, which resulted in a significant loss in the filopodial counts as well as decreased viral infectivity. Taken together, our findings highlight that HCMV entry into HIS cells actively modulates the actin cytoskeleton via coordinated actions possibly between gB and the 3-OS HS receptor to influence viral infectivity.
Effect of Methyl Jasmonate Treatment on Primary and Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Capacity of the Substrate and Hydroponically Grown Chinese Chives

Hydroponic culture has become a commercial planting model for leafy vegetables, herbs, and other plants with medicinal value. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is involved in primary and secondary plant metabolism; moreover, it regulates plant bioactive compounds and enhances the nutritional and medicinal value of plants. We performed targeted metabolomic analysis of the primary and secondary metabolites in substrate-grown and hydroponic Chinese chive leaves sprayed with MeJA (0, 300, 500, and 800 μM). Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), UPLC tandem mass spectrometry, and chemometric tools, and analyzed the antioxidant activity of these plants. We identified the biomarkers of amino acids (serine, proline, lysine, and arginine) and phenolic compounds (4-coumaric acid and protocatechuic acid) using chemometric tools to distinguish between substrate-grown and hydroponic Chinese chives treated with MeJA. MeJA (500 μM) treatment significantly increased the total sugar and amino acid (essential and non-essential amino acids and sulfur-containing amino acids) contents of hydroponically grown Chinese chives. However, the changes in total sugar and amino acid contents in Chinese chive grown in substrates showed the opposite trend. The organic acid content of hydroponically grown Chinese chives treated with MeJA decreased significantly, whereas that of substrate-grown plants treated with 300 μM MeJA increased significantly. Further, MeJA treatment significantly increased the phenolic content of substrate-grown Chinese chives. Treatment with 800 μM MeJA significantly increased the carotenoid content of substrate-grown Chinese chives and the phenolic content of hydroponic Chinese chives. In addition, the 500 μM MeJA treatment significantly increased the antioxidant activity of Chinese chives in both substrate-grown and hydroponic cultures, and promoted the accumulation of nutrients and bioactive substances. This treatment also improved the flavor quality of these plants and their nutritional and medicinal value. Thus, the results suggested that MeJA-treated plants could be used as value-added horticultural products.
Assessing the Role of Ependymal and Vascular Cells as Sources of Extracellular Cues Regulating the Mouse Ventricular-Subventricular Zone Neurogenic Niche

Neurogenesis persists in selected regions of the adult mouse brain; among them, the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) of the lateral ventricles represents a major experimental paradigm due to its conspicuous neurogenic output. Postnatal V-SVZ neurogenesis is maintained by a resident population of neural stem cells (NSCs). Although V-SVZ NSCs are largely quiescent, they can be activated to enter the cell cycle, self-renew and generate progeny that gives rise to olfactory bulb interneurons. These adult-born neurons integrate into existing circuits to modify cognitive functions in response to external stimuli, but cells shed by V-SVZ NSCs can also reach injured brain regions, suggesting a latent regenerative potential. The V-SVZ is endowed with a specialized microenvironment, which is essential to maintain the proliferative and neurogenic potential of NSCs, and to preserve the NSC pool from exhaustion by finely tuning their quiescent and active states. Intercellular communication is paramount to the stem cell niche properties of the V-SVZ, and several extracellular signals acting in the niche milieu have been identified. An important part of these signals comes from non-neural cell types, such as local vascular cells, ependymal and glial cells. Understanding the crosstalk between NSCs and other niche components may aid therapeutic approaches for neuropathological conditions, since neurodevelopmental disorders, age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases have been associated with dysfunctional neurogenic niches. Here, we review recent advances in the study of the complex interactions between V-SVZ NSCs and their cellular niche. We focus on the extracellular cues produced by ependymal and vascular cells that regulate NSC behavior in the mouse postnatal V-SVZ, and discuss the potential implication of these molecular signals in pathological conditions.
Predicting Severity of Huntington's Disease With Wearable Sensors

The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) is the primary clinical assessment tool for rating motor function in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). However, the UHDRS and similar rating scales (e.g., UPDRS) are both subjective and limited to in-office assessments that must be administered by a trained and experienced rater. An objective, automated method of quantifying disease severity would facilitate superior patient care and could be used to better track severity over time. We conducted the present study to evaluate the feasibility of using wearable sensors, coupled with machine learning algorithms, to rate motor function in patients with HD. Fourteen participants with symptomatic HD and 14 healthy controls participated in the study. Each participant wore five adhesive biometric sensors applied to the trunk and each limb while completing brief walking, sitting, and standing tasks during a single office visit. A two-stage machine learning method was employed to classify participants by HD status and to predict UHDRS motor subscores. Linear discriminant analysis correctly classified all participants' HD status except for one control subject with abnormal gait (96.4% accuracy, 92.9% sensitivity, and 100% specificity in leave-one-out cross-validation). Two regression models accurately predicted individual UHDRS subscores for gait, and dystonia within a 10% margin of error. Our regression models also predicted a composite UHDRS score–a sum of left and right arm rigidity, total chorea, total dystonia, bradykinesia, gait, and tandem gait subscores–with an average error below 15%. Machine learning classifiers trained on brief in-office datasets discriminated between controls and participants with HD, and could accurately predict selected motor UHDRS subscores. Our results could enable the future use of biosensors for objective HD assessment in the clinic or remotely and could inform future studies for the use of this technology as a potential endpoint in clinical trials.
Social Security Satisfaction and People’s Subjective Wellbeing in China: The Serial Mediation Effect of Social Fairness and Social Trust

Objective To test the relationship between social security satisfaction, social fairness, social trust, and people’s subjective wellbeing (SWB) in China and the serial mediation effect in this study. Methods We utilized the data (N = 7,978) from Chinese Social Survey (CSS) in 2017 and 2019, involving 31 provinces across the country. There were 5,398 samples in 2017CSS and 2,580 samples in 2019CSS selected by the research objectives. There were 4,269 women and 3,709 men with the average age of participants being 43 (SD = 14.41). Results The results showed that the actual status of social security satisfaction, social fairness and trust, and SWB were greater than the theoretical status overall. Social security satisfaction [β = 0.454, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.377, 0.423)], social fairness [β = 0.065, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (−0.039, 0.124)], and social trust [β = 0.108, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.237, 0.397)] positively influenced people’s SWB, respectively. Social fairness had a positive effect on social trust (β = 0.298, p < 0.001). Social fairness and social trust partly mediated the relationship between social security satisfaction and SWB, respectively. Social security satisfaction indirectly influenced SWB through the serial effect of social fairness and social trust. The total effect of SWB explained is 47% in the serial mediation model. Conclusion Satisfactory social security is likely to cause a high level of people’s SWB, social fairness, and social trust. It is beneficial to form a virtuous circle in society. Allowing people to obtain satisfactory social security is conducive to social equity, promoting social trust, and improving people’s SWB.
Evaluating Proton Dose and Associated Range Uncertainty Using Daily Cone-Beam CT

Purpose This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the range uncertainties that arise from daily cone-beam CT (CBCT) images for proton dose calculation compared to CT using a measurement-based technique. Methods For head and thorax phantoms, wedge-shaped intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment plans were created such that the gradient of the wedge intersected and was measured with a 2D ion chamber array. The measured 2D dose distributions were compared with 2D dose planes extracted from the dose distributions using the IMPT plan calculated on CT and CBCT. Treatment plans of a thymoma cancer patient treated with breath-hold (BH) IMPT were recalculated on 28 CBCTs and 9 CTs, and the resulting dose distributions were compared. Results The range uncertainties for the head phantom were determined to be 1.2% with CBCT, compared to 0.5% for CT, whereas the range uncertainties for the thorax phantom were 2.1% with CBCT, compared to 0.8% for CT. The doses calculated on CBCT and CT were similar with similar anatomy changes. For the thymoma patient, the primary source of anatomy change was the BH uncertainty, which could be up to 8 mm in the superior–inferior (SI) direction. Conclusion We developed a measurement-based range uncertainty evaluation method with high sensitivity and used it to validate the accuracy of CBCT-based range and dose calculation. Our study demonstrated that the CBCT-based dose calculation could be used for daily dose validation in selected proton patients.
The Development and Validation of a Nomogram Incorporating Clinical, Pathological, and Therapeutic Features to Predict Overall Survival in Patients With Penile Cancer: A SEER-Based Study

Objective This study aimed to investigate the prognostic factors of penile cancer and establish a comprehensive predictive model for clinical application. Methods A total of 581 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program (2000–2018) were used to develop the prognostic model. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify independent prognostic factors to develop the nomogram. The performance of this model was validated internally by a cohort with 143 patients from the SEER database and validated externally by a cohort with 70 patients from the West China Hospital, Sichuan University (2010–2020). Results Age, marital status, size of the primary lesion, primary tumor (T), regional lymph nodes status, distant metastasis (M), and the surgery of regional lymph node (LND) were the independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and were incorporated in the prognostic model. The prognostic nomogram showed a good risk stratification ability for OS in the development cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort. Conclusion This study incorporates the clinical, pathological, and therapeutic features comprehensively to develop a novel and clinically effective prognostic model for patients with penile cancer.
Exposure of Larvae to Sublethal Thiacloprid Delays Bee Development and Affects Transcriptional Responses of Newly Emerged Honey Bees

Understanding the cause of honey bee (Apis mellifera) population decline has attracted immense attention worldwide in recent years. Exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides is considered one of the most probable factors due to the physiological and behavioral damage they cause to honey bees. However, the influence of thiacloprid, a relatively less toxic cyanogen-substituted form of neonicotinoid, on honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) development is not well studied. The toxicity of sublethal thiacloprid to larvae, pupae, and emerging honey bees was assessed under laboratory conditions. We found that thiacloprid reduced the survival rate of larvae and pupae, and delayed the development of bees which led to lower bodyweight and size. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed genes involved in metabolism and immunity though RNA-sequencing of newly-emerged adult bees. GO enrichment analysis identified genes involved in metabolism, catalytic activity, and transporter activity. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that thiacloprid induced up-regulation of genes related to glutathione metabolism and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Overall, our results suggest that chronic sublethal thiacloprid can affect honey bee colonies by reducing survival and delaying bee development.
Breakouts—A Radiological Sign of Poor Prognosis in Patients With Brain Metastases

Purpose Brain metastases (BM) can present a displacing or infiltrating growth pattern, independent of the primary tumor type. Previous studies have shown that tumor cell infiltration at the macro-metastasis/brain parenchyma interface (MMPI) is correlated with poor outcome. Therefore, a pre-therapeutic, non-invasive detection tool for potential metastatic cell infiltration at the MMPI would be desirable to help identify patients who may benefit from a more aggressive local treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to identify specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns at the MMPI in patients with BM and to correlate these patterns with patient outcome. Patients and Methods In this retrospective analysis of a prospective BM registry, we categorized preoperative MR images of 261 patients with BM according to a prespecified analysis system, which consisted of four MRI contrast enhancement (CE) patterns: two with apparently regularly shaped borders (termed “rim-enhancing” and “spherical”) and two with irregular delineation (termed “breakout” and “diffuse”). The primary outcome parameter was overall survival (OS). Additionally analyzed prognostic parameters were the Karnofsky Performance Index, tumor size, edema formation, extent of resection, and RPA class. Results OS of patients with a breakout pattern was significantly worse than OS of all other groups. Conclusion Our data show that BM with a breakout pattern have a highly aggressive clinical course. Patients with such a pattern potentially require a more aggressive local and systemic treatment strategy.
Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges: Overview and Opportunities

Nanosponges are solid cross-linked polymeric nano-sized porous structures. This broad concept involves, among others, metal organic frameworks and hydrogels. The focus of this manuscript is on cyclodextrin-based nanosponges. Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligomers of glucose derived from starch. The combined external hydrophilicity with the internal hydrophobic surface constitute a unique “microenvironment”, that confers cyclodextrins the peculiar ability to form inclusion host‒guest complexes with many hydrophobic substances. These complexes may impart beneficial modifications of the properties of guest molecules such as solubility enhancement and stabilization of labile guests. These properties complemented with the possibility of using different crosslinkers and high polymeric surface, make these sponges highly suitable for a large range of applications. Despite that, in the last 2 decades, cyclodextrin-based nanosponges have been developed for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, taking advantage of the nontoxicity of cyclodextrins towards humans. This paper provides a critical and timely compilation of the contributions involving cyclodextrins nanosponges for those areas, but also paves the way for other important applications, including water and soil remediation and catalysis. Graphical Abstract
A Minimalist Model of Salt-Marsh Vegetation Dynamics Driven by Species Competition and Dispersal

We present a new bidimensional, spatially-explicit ecological model describing the dynamics of halophytic vegetation in tidal saline wetlands. Existing vegetation models employ relatively simple deterministic or stochastic mechanisms, and are driven by local environmental conditions. In the proposed model, in contrast, vegetation dynamics depend not only on the marsh local habitat, but also on spatially-explicit mechanisms of dispersal and competition among multiple interacting species. The role of habitat quality, here determined by the local elevation relative to the mean sea level as a proxy for environmental conditions, is mathematically modeled by a logistic function that represents the fundamental (theoretical) niche of each halophytic species. Hence, the model does not artificially impose any constraints to the ability of a species to colonize elevated areas where it is usually not observed: such limitations naturally arise through competition with fitter species across marsh topographic gradients. We qualitatively test our model against field data based on a suitable assemblage of focus species, and perform a sensitivity analysis aimed at determining how dynamic equilibria in vegetation distributions are affected by changes in model input parameters. Results indicate that the model is robust and can predict realistic vegetation distributions and species-richness patterns. More importantly, the model is also able to effectively reproduce the outcomes of classical ecological experiments, wherein a species is transplanted to an area outside its realized niche. A direct comparison shows that previous models not accounting for dispersal and interspecific competitions are unable to reproduce such dynamics. Our model can be easily integrated into virtually any existing morphodynamic model, thereby strengthening our ability to simulate the coupled biotic and abiotic evolution of salt marshes under changing climate forcings.
Effect of Resistance Training Methods and Intensity on the Adolescent Swimmer's Performance: A Systematic Review

Background Resistance training has been widely used in various sports and improves competition performance, especially in swimming. Swimming performance is highly dependent on muscle strength, especially short distances. For adolescent athletes, the existing literature has bound to prove that resistance training is undoubtedly bound to improve swimmers' performance. Objectives This study adopts a systematic literature review to (1) examine the effects of resistance training on the performance of adolescent swimmers, and (2) summarize their training methods and intensity. Methods The literature search was undertaken in five international databases: the SCOUPS, PubMed, EBSCOhost (SPORTDiscus), CNKL, Web of Science. The searches covered documents in English and Chinese published until 30th December 2020. Electronic databases using various keywords related to “strength training” and “adolescent swimmers” were searched. Sixteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria where the data was then systematically reviewed using the PRISMA guideline. Furthermore, the physical therapy evidence database (PEDro) scale was used to measure each study's scientific rigor. Results This review found that to improve the swimming performance of adolescents, two types of resistance training were used, specifically in water and on land, where both types of training can improve swimming performance. In addition, training with two types of resistance machines were better in the water than with one equipment. Resistance training can improve the swimming performance of adolescent swimmers at 50 m, 100 m, 200 m and 400 m distances. However, most studies only focused on the swimming performance at 50 m and 100 m lengths. A low-intensity, high-speed resistance training programme is recommended for adolescent swimmers to obtain the best training results. Conclusion Water or land resistance training can improve the swimming performance. Given that both types of exercises have their strengths and weaknesses, combining these methods may enhance the swimmers' performance. In addition, despite the starting and turning phases consuming up to one-third of the total swimming time for short distances, literature in this area is limited. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero, identifier: CRD42021231510.