Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations between Multimorbidity and Physical Performance in Older Chinese Adults

Background: Evidence on the association between physical performance and multimorbidity is scarce in Asia. This study aimed to identify multimorbidity patterns and their association with physical performance among older Chinese adults. Methods: Individuals aged ≥60 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011–2015 (N = 10,112) were included. Physical performance was measured by maximum grip strength (kg) and average gait speed (m/s) categorized as fast (>0.8 m/s), median (>0.6–0.8 m/s), and slow (≤0.6 m/s). Multimorbidity patterns were explored using exploratory factor analysis. Generalized estimating equation was conducted. Results: Four multimorbidity patterns were identified: cardio–metabolic, respiratory, mental–sensory, and visceral–arthritic. An increased number of chronic conditions was associated with decreased normalized grip strength (NGS). Additionally, the highest quartile of factor scores for cardio–metabolic (β = −0.06; 95% Confidence interval (CI) = −0.07, −0.05), respiratory (β = −0.03; 95% CI = −0.05, −0.02), mental–sensory (β = −0.04; 95% CI = −0.05, −0.03), and visceral–arthritic (β = −0.04; 95% CI = −0.05, −0.02) patterns were associated with lower NGS compared with the lowest quartile. Participants with ≥4 chronic conditions were 2.06 times more likely to have a slow gait speed. Furthermore, the odds ratios for the highest quartile of factor scores of four patterns with slow gait speed compared with the lowest quartile ranged from 1.26–2.01. Conclusion: Multimorbidity was related to worse physical performance, and multimorbidity patterns were differentially associated with physical performance. A shift of focus from single conditions to the requirements of a complex multimorbid population was needed for research, clinical guidelines, and health-care services. Grip strength and gait speed could be targeted to routinely measure clinical performance among older adults with multimorbidity, especially mental–sensory disorders, in clinical settings.
Profiles Combining Muscle Atrophy and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Are Associated with Prognosis of Patients with Stage IV Gastric Cancer

We aimed to investigate the impact of muscle atrophy and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a sub-clinical biomarker of inflammation and nutrition, on the prognosis of patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer. We retrospectively enrolled 109 patients with stage IV gastric cancer (median age 69 years; female/male 22%/78%; median observational period 261 days). Independent factors and profiles for overall survival (OS) were determined by Cox regression analysis and decision-tree analysis, respectively. OS was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The prevalence of muscle atrophy was 82.6% and the median NLR was 3.15. In Cox regression analysis, none of factors were identified as an independent factor for survival. The decision-tree analysis revealed that the most favorable prognostic profile was non-muscle atrophy (OS rate 36.8%). The most unfavorable prognostic profile was the combination of muscle atrophy and high NLR (OS rate 19.6%). The OS rate was significantly lower in patients with muscle atrophy and high NLR than in patients with non-muscle atrophy (1-year survival rate 28.5% vs. 54.7%; log-rank test p = 0.0014). In conclusion, “muscle atrophy and high NLR” was a prognostic profile for patients with stage IV gastric cancer. Thus, the assessment of muscle mass, subclinical inflammation, and malnutrition may be important for the management of patients with stage IV gastric cancer.
Nutrient, non-nutrient and sensory profile of peeled and unpeeled dika (Irvingia gabonensis) fruit juice.

BACKGROUND Many underutilized wild fruits offer potential novel sources of macro- and micro-nutrients, as well as health-promoting antioxidants and phytochemicals. However, these benefits are not fully harnessed due to limited information on their composition. Dika fruit is one of such underutilized wild fruits. This study was carried out to analyze juice samples processed from dika fruit for nutrient and non-nutrient contents, as well as for their sensory attributes. METHODS Fruits harvested from rural communities in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria were washed and divided into two portions. The skin of one portion was peeled off and sliced into small pieces (2 cm) (PDJ), while the other portion was sliced (2 cm) with the peel (UPDJ). Each portion was liquefied with a high-speed Kenwood kitchen blender, filtered through a clean muslin cloth and evaluated for proximate, mineral, vitamin, phytochemical and anti-nutrient contents. A 9-point hedonic scale was used to evaluate the sensory properties of the juices. The data were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Science, version 21 and significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS The UPDJ had significantly (p < 0.05) higher carbohydrate (15.75%), protein (4.72%), fat (2.65%) and ash (0.47%) contents than PDJ. No significant difference existed in both vitamin and mineral contents of the two samples except for zinc, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the PDJ. Phytochemicals and anti-nutrients were significantly (p < 0.05) more numerous in the UPDJ than PDJ. The PDJ was rated higher than the UPDJ in all sensory attributes. CONCLUSIONS The juice samples contain appreciable amounts of carbohydrate, vitamin C, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides. The anti-nutrients were within acceptable levels. Dika fruit is locally available and could be incorporated into meals to promote good health.
Identification and functional characterization of a novel surfactant protein A2 mutation (p.N207Y) in a Chinese family with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious disorder with a high mortality rate worldwide. It is characterized by irreversible scarring of the lung parenchyma resulting from excessive collagen production by proliferating fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. Previous studies have revealed that mutations in surfactant protein‐related genes and telomerase complex genes are crucial underlying genetic factors.
Considering “the more” of patients suffering from alcohol use disorders. An illustration of acute nursing care from a lifeworld-led perspective

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this study is to illustrate a theoretical value framework for humanisation of healthcare, a lifeworld-led care that has the potential to support nurses in acute medical units in addressing and meeting both challenges and care needs expressed by patients suffering from alcohol use disorders. Providing care to these patients means working with a very divergent and complex group of patients. When hospitalised in an acute medical unit, nurses are often these patients' first encounter, which gives a unique opportunity to initiate and establish a successful care alliance. Method The present study is a qualitative study based on an amplified secondary analysis of 25 pre-conducted interviews. Following a hermeneutic approach, the analysis was structured in accordance with the conceptual value framework for humanisation of care, drawing on the recognition of the patients' lifeworld as an aspect of importance. Findings The study showed that while there were examples of humanising care guided by the patients’ lifeworld present, there were also situations of care that were dehumanising. Conclusion: When letting the patients’ perspective of well-being be the centre of care, the patients’ experience of meaningfulness and sincerity within the provided care was nurtured, and they felt more humanly met.
HA stabilization promotes replication and transmission of swine H1N1 gamma influenza viruses in ferrets

Pandemic influenza A viruses can emerge from swine, an intermediate host that supports adaptation of human-preferred receptor-binding specificity by the hemagglutinin (HA) surface antigen. Other HA traits necessary for pandemic potential are poorly understood. For swine influenza viruses isolated in 2009–2016, gamma-clade viruses had less stable HA proteins (activation pH 5.5–5.9) than pandemic clade (pH 5.0–5.5). Gamma-clade viruses replicated to higher levels in mammalian cells than pandemic clade. In ferrets, a model for human adaptation, a relatively stable HA protein (pH 5.5–5.6) was necessary for efficient replication and airborne transmission. The overall airborne transmission frequency in ferrets for four isolates tested was 42%, and isolate G15 airborne transmitted 100% after selection of a variant with a stabilized HA. The results suggest swine influenza viruses containing both a stabilized HA and alpha-2,6 receptor binding in tandem pose greater pandemic risk. Increasing evidence supports adding HA stability to pre-pandemic risk assessment algorithms.
Experimental assessment of the effects of shade on an intertidal kelp: Do phytoplankton blooms inhibit growth of open coast macroalgae?

Benthic primary producer abundance and satellite‐derived chlorophyll concentrations are strongly negatively correlated along the Oregon and Northern California coast, suggesting an antagonistic interaction. Direct field observations of interannual and among‐site changes in abundance of low intertidal macrophytes also suggest a negative interaction. Several years (2001–2006) of quantification of surf‐zone chlorophyll concentrations and light reaching the intertidal benthos suggested that severe light attenuation from dense phytoplankton blooms is an important mechanism underlying this inverse phytoplankton‐macrophyte relationship. From early June to September of 2004 we quantified the response of the intertidal kelp Saccharina sessile to experimentally manipulated light regimes that mimicked the attenuation during blooms. Shading frames were installed in the low intertidal zone to manipulate the light levels available to the benthos at two sites of contrasting long‐term differences in average phytoplankton abundance. Treatments included shaded and unshaded plots that were 0.25 m2 in area. Although the magnitude of the effect was context‐dependent, shading strongly decreased growth rates and abundance of S. sessile. These results are comparable to results in estuarine studies that have demonstrated adverse effects on benthic macrophytes as a result of eutrophication and subsequent light limitation and are the first demonstration of phytoplankton‐induced light limitation for energetic open coasts. In these systems where annual benthic production can exceed the pelagic production and where perennial macrophytes such as kelp and surf grasses are important habitat modifiers, large‐scale reduction of macrophytes via phytoplankton shading could lead to profound modifications of coastal ecosystem dynamics.
Cortical layer 6 control of sensory responses in higher‐order thalamus

Thalamic activity is regulated by corticothalamic feedback from layers 5B and 6. To selectively study the importance of the layer 6 corticothalamic (L6 CT) projection, a transgenic mouse line was used in which layer 6 cells projecting to posterior medial thalamus (POm) were targeted for expression of channelrhodopsin‐2. Repetitive optogenetic stimulation of this sub‐type of L6 cells caused a rapid adaptation in POm spiking output, but had little effect on the spiking activity in the other cortical layers. L6 photoactivation increased POm spiking to the first, but not to subsequent whisker deflections in a 4 Hz train. A sub‐population of L6 CT cells that can cause an initial increase in POm activity, that is not sustained with repetitive stimulation, could indicate that this L6 projection does not modulate ongoing sensory processing, but rather serves to briefly increase POm activity in specific behavioural contexts.
Early chronotype with advanced activity rhythms and dim light melatonin onset in a rural population

Studying communities at different stages of urbanisation and industrialisation can teach us how timing and intensity of light affect the circadian clock under real‐life conditions. We have previously described a strong tendency towards morningness in the Baependi Heart Study, located in a small rural town in Brazil. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this morningness tendency is associated with early circadian phase based on objective measurements (as determined by dim light melatonin onset, DLMO, and activity) and light exposure. We also analysed how well the previously collected chronotype questionnaire data were able to predict these DLMO values. The average DLMO observed in 73 participants (40 female) was 20:03 ± 01:21, SD, with an earlier average onset in men (19:38 ± 01:16) than in women (20:24 ± 01:21; P ≤ .01). However, men presented larger phase angle between DLMO and sleep onset time as measured by actigraphy (4.11 hours vs 3.16 hours; P ≤ .01). Correlational analysis indicated associations between light exposure, activity rhythms and DLMO, such that early DLMO was observed in participants with higher exposure to light, higher activity and earlier light exposure. The strongest significant predictor of DLMO was morningness‐eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) (beta=−0.35, P ≤ .05), followed by age (beta = −0.47, P ≤ .01). Sex, light exposure and variables derived from the Munich chronotype questionnaire were not significant predictors. Our observations demonstrate that both early sleep patterns and earlier circadian phase have been retained in this small rural town in spite of availability of electrification, in contrast to metropolitan postindustrial areas.
Effects of temperature change on demersal fishes in the California Current: a bioenergetics approach

Diverse fish assemblages should feature a range of biological and ecological responses to temperature change. Using preliminary bioenergetics models, I simulated growth and maturation of three California Current groundfish (yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus), sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria), and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)) at fixed temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 11 °C. I examined three response variables (size at age 1 (W1), age at 50% maturity (τ50%), and total prey consumption (C)). Yelloweye rockfish responded most strongly for W1, which increased 496% as temperature increased from 5 °C to 11 °C. Spiny dogfish τ50% was highly sensitive, declining from >48 years at 5 °C to <13 years at 11 °C. Age-specific C was most responsive in yelloweye rockfish, increasing by more than fivefold over the range of temperatures, although sablefish likely have greater community-wide impact because their trophic level and absolute feeding rates are higher. Regime shifts, temperature anomalies, or global cl.
MicroRNA alterations in neuropathologic cognitive disorders with an emphasis on dementia: Lessons from animal models

Cognitive dysfunction is a state of losing or having difficulties in remembering, learning, focusing, or making decisions that impact individual healthy life. Small single‐stranded and nonprotein coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) participate actively in regulatory processes, incorporate cognitive signaling pathways, and intensely affect cognitive evolution. miRNAs exert their modification activities through translational or transcriptional processes. Reportedly, cognitive impairment and dementia are rising, especially in developing countries. Herein we provided a brief review of original studies addressing miRNA changes in the most common neurological diseases with a focus on dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It must be noted that an increase in the level of certain miRNAs but a decrease in other ones deteriorate cognitive performance. The current review revealed that induction of miR‐214‐3p, miR‐302, miR‐21, miR‐ 200b/c, miR‐207, miR‐132, miR‐188‐3p and 5p, and miR‐873 improved cognitive impairment in various cognitive tasks. On the other hand, intentionally lowering the level of miR‐34a, miR‐124, miR‐574, and miR‐191a enhanced cognitive function and memory. Synaptic dysfunction is a core cause of cognitive dysfunction; miRNA‐34, miRNA‐34‐c, miRNA‐124, miRNA‐188‐5p, miRNA‐210‐5p, miRNA‐335‐3p, and miRNA‐134 strongly influence synaptic‐related mechanisms. The downregulation of miRNA‐132 aggregates both amyloid and tau in tauopathy. Concerning the massive burden of neurological diseases worldwide, the future challenge is the translation of animal model knowledge into the detection of pathophysiological stages of neurocognitive disorders and designing efficient therapeutic strategies. While the delivery procedure of agomir or antagomir miRNAs into the brain is invasive and only applied in animal studies, finding a safe and specific delivery route is a priority.
Purification et caractérisation de deux phosphatases acides du tubercule de taro (Xanthosoma sp.) et leur rôle dans la conservation post-récolte

Deux formes de phosphatases acides (EC 3.1.3.2) ont ete purifiees a partir d’extrait enzymatique brut du tubercule de taro Xanthosoma sp. variete « atoumbou orono » ; une variete de taro tres cultivee et consommee dans les regions Sud et Sud-est de la Cote d’Ivoire. Ces deux phosphatases (PI et PII) de pH optimums respectifs de 5,4 et 5,8 montrent chacune en electrophorese sur gel de polyacrylamide en conditions natives, une seule bande proteique apres purification. En electrophorese sur gel de polyacrylamide en presence de SDS (SDS-PAGE), PI et PII montrent chacune une bande respectivement de poids moleculaires de 25000 et 22000 Da. En filtration sur gel, les deux phosphatases acides PI et PII ont des poids moleculaires estimes respectivement a 30000 et 25000 Da. Ces deux phosphatases acides sont inhibees par les ions Hg2+ et Mo7+ et les produits chimiques comme le DTNB (Dithionitrobenzoate), le pCMB (acide para-Chloromercuribenzoique) et l’EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetate). Elles sont par contre activees par les ions Mg2+ et Ca2+. Les constantes de Michaelis (KM) sont de 0,72 et 0,30 mM respectivement pour PI et PII avec le substrat pNPP (para-Nitrophenyl phosphate). Ces deux phosphatases hydrolysent egalement a des degres divers d’autres substrats naturels phosphoryles tels que le glucose-1-phosphate, le galactose-1-phosphate, le glucose-6-phosphate et le NADP. PI hydrolyse l’ATP alors que PII ne l’hydrolyse pas. Les deux phosphatases acides hydrolysent le pyrophosphate, mais PI l’hydrolyse mieux [KM= 0,61 mM et efficacite catalytique (Vmax/KM = 213)], ce qui suggere que le pyrophosphate serait l’un des substrats physiologiques de cette phosphatase acide au cours des phenomenes metaboliques intervenant lors de la conservation post-recolte du tubercule de taro.
The influence of packing structure and interparticle forces on ultrasound transmission in granular media

Significance Structure-property relations of granular materials are governed by the arrangement of particles and the chains of forces between them. These relations enable design of wave damping materials and nondestructive testing technologies. Wave transmission in granular materials has been extensively studied and demonstrates rich features: power-law velocity scaling, dispersion, and attenuation. However, the precise roles of particle arrangements and force chains on these features remain topics of continued research interest. Here, we employ X-ray measurements and analyses to show that velocity scaling and dispersion arise from both particle arrangements and force chains, while attenuation arises mainly from particle arrangements. Ultrasound propagation through externally stressed, disordered granular materials was experimentally and numerically investigated. Experiments employed piezoelectric transducers to excite and detect longitudinal ultrasound waves of various frequencies traveling through randomly packed sapphire spheres subjected to uniaxial compression. The experiments featured in situ X-ray tomography and diffraction measurements of contact fabric, particle kinematics, average per-particle stress tensors, and interparticle forces. The experimentally measured packing configuration and inferred interparticle forces at different sample stresses were used to construct spring networks characterized by Hessian and damping matrices. The ultrasound responses of these network were simulated to investigate the origins of wave velocity, acoustic paths, dispersion, and attenuation. Results revealed that both packing structure and interparticle force heterogeneity played an important role in controlling wave velocity and dispersion, while packing structure alone quantitatively explained most of the observed wave attenuation. This research provides insight into time- and frequency-domain features of wave propagation in randomly packed granular materials, shedding light on the fundamental mechanisms controlling wave velocities, dispersion, and attenuation in such systems.
Energetics and burrowing behaviour in the semifossorial degu Octodon degus (Rodentia: Octodontidae)

The energetics and burrowing behaviour of the semifossorial Octodon degus (Rodentia: Octodontidae) were investigated and compared with that of more specialized fossorial rodents. An open-flow respirometry system was used to record energy expenditure of single degus inside respirometers partially filled with soft (moist) or hard (dry) soil. In addition, digging behaviour was recorded in groups of three animals inside a large terrarium under controlled conditions of food, photoperiod and temperature. In the field, the digging activity of degus was monitored, along with seasonal variations in rainfall, content of soil moisture and soil hardness. Mass-specific metabolic rate during digging was found to be higher in animals burrowing in soft soils compared to hard soil. However, animals burrowing in soft soil removed more soil per min than animals in hard soil. Thus, gram per gram, excavating in hard soil was energetically more expensive. The digging cost of semifossorial degus tends to be either similar to or above those of similarly sized, but more fossorial, rodents. In the field, heightened digging activity coincided with the occurrence of rainfall, greater content of soil moisture and relatively soft soil conditions. Degus generally use their front feet and teeth to shear the soil; disposal of accumulated debris being carried out by moving their front and hind feet backwards. We also observed the establishment of digging chains when two or three individuals burrowed at the same site. As far as digging is concerned, the behaviour of degus is similar to that of other fossorial rodents, such as African bathyergids and the more closely related South American ctenomyids.
Genetic Variability and Character Association in Acacia catechu Willd

Twenty genotypes of Acacia catechu Willd. scattered over Jammu region in their natural range were studied for the pattern of genetic variation. Higher values of genotypic varianceand genotypic coefficient of variation as compared to environmental variance and environmental coefficient of variation in germination and growth characters, indicating that they are under genetic control. The heritability and expected genetic gain were also observed to be high for these characters, except germination per cent. The correlations between germination per cent, seedling height, collar diameter and biomass at phenotypic level were positive and significant. The families F4, F5, F12, F13, F14 and F15 exhibited good performance and are recommended for further genetic improvement program in this species. The positive relationship between dbh of the CPT and the important parameters of the progeny, i.e, seed weight, germination per cent and seedling height can be utilized for meeting the interim seed requirement of the species as the seed collected from the trees with higher dbh is expectedto perform better at nursery stage