Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Different Types of Shift Work on Blood Pressure and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Shift work (SW) encompasses 20% of the European workforce. Moreover, high blood pressure (BP) remains a leading cause of death globally. This review aimed to synthesize the magnitude of the potential impact of SW on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and hypertension (HTN). MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases were searched for epidemiological studies evaluating BP and/or HTN diagnosis among shift workers, compared with day workers. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed and the results were expressed as pooled mean differences or odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Forty-five studies were included, involving 117,252 workers. We found a significant increase in both SBD and DBP among permanent night workers (2.52 mmHg, 95% CI 0.75–4.29 and 1.76 mmHg, 95% CI 0.41–3.12, respectively). For rotational shift workers, both with and without night work, we found a significant increase but only for SBP (0.65 mmHg, 95% CI 0.07–1.22 and 1.28 mmHg, 95% CI 0.18–2.39, respectively). No differences were found for HTN. Our findings suggest that SW is associated with an increase of BP, mainly for permanent night workers and for SBP. This is of special interest given the large number of susceptible workers exposed over time.
Multivariate Time Series Analysis of Temperatures in the Archaeological Museum of L’Almoina (Valencia, Spain)

An earlier study carried out in 2010 at the archaeological site of L’Almoina (Valencia, Spain) found marked daily fluctuations of temperature, especially in summer. Such pronounced gradient is due to the design of the museum, which includes a skylight as a ceiling, covering part of the remains in the museum. In this study, it was found that the thermal conditions are not homogeneous and vary at different points of the museum and along the year. According to the European Standard EN10829, it is necessary to define a plan for long-term monitoring, elaboration and study of the microclimatic data, in order to preserve the artifacts. With the aforementioned goal of extending the study and offering a tool to monitor the microclimate, a new statistical methodology is proposed. For this propose, during one year (October 2019–October 2020), a set of 27 data-loggers was installed, aimed at recording the temperature inside the museum. By applying principal component analysis and k-means, three different microclimates were established. In order to characterize the differences among the three zones, two statistical techniques were put forward. Firstly, Sparse Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (sPLS-DA) was applied to a set of 671 variables extracted from the time series. The second approach consisted of using a random forest algorithm, based on the same functions and variables employed by the first methodology. Both approaches allowed the identification of the main variables that best explain the differences between zones. According to the results, it is possible to establish a representative subset of sensors recommended for the long-term monitoring of temperatures at the museum. The statistical approach proposed here is very effective for discriminant time series analysis and for explaining the differences in microclimate when a net of sensors is installed in historical buildings or museums.
Virtual Experience of Perioperative Patients: Walking in the Patients’ Shoes Using Virtual Reality and Blended Learning

PURPOSE: This study examined the significance, nature, and structure of the virtual experience of perioperative patients as undergone by nursing students during their practical training through VR and blended learning. METHODS: Data were collected through a focus group interview (FGI) of 21 nursing student participants from November 2019 to December 2019 and analyzed through Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. RESULTS: Seven theme clusters were organized that described nursing students’ experiences. They are “placed in a passive position,” “facing the limits of communication,” “thinking of developing and improving competency as a nurse,” “recognizing the importance of interacting with their patients”, “learning vividly through experience”, “engaging in a new type of participatory learning”, and “designing nursing knowledge. ” CONCLUSION: Patient-centered care can be achieved in the nursing school curriculum through “patient experiences. ” Additionally, the feedback from research participants who have “become keenly aware of the need for patient experiences” shows that empathizing with the “patient experience” is an essential quality to acquire by prospective medical professionals before they are introduced to the nursing field. We suggest future studies that expand on nursing students’ patient experience in various teaching methods and curriculums.
The Association between the Five-Minute Apgar Score and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes among Children Aged 8−66 Months in Australia

This study aimed to evaluate the association of the five-minute Apgar score and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children by taking the entire range of Apgar scores into account. Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH) and Mothers and their Children’s Health (MatCH) study were linked with Australian state-based Perinatal Data Collections (PDCs) for 809 children aged 8−66 months old. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the association between the five-minute Apgar scores and neurodevelopmental outcomes, using STATA software V.15. Of the 809 children, 614 (75.3%) had a five-minute Apgar score of 9, and 130 (16.1%) had an Apgar score of 10. Approximately 1.9% and 6.2% had Apgar scores of 0−6 and 7−8, respectively. Sixty-nine (8.5%) of children had a neurodevelopmental delay. Children with an Apgar score of 0−6 (AOR = 5.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 27.8) and 7−8 (AOR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 14.1) had greater odds of gross-motor neurodevelopment delay compared to children with an Apgar score of 10. Further, when continuously modelled, the five-minute Apgar score was inversely associated with neurodevelopmental delay (AOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.93). Five-minute Apgar score was independently and inversely associated with a neurodevelopmental delay, and the risks were higher even within an Apgar score of 7−8. Hence, the Apgar score may need to be taken into account when evaluating neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.
Thieno[2,3-b]Pyridine Derivative Targets Epithelial, Mesenchymal and Hybrid CD15s+ Breast Cancer Cells

The adhesion of cancer cells to vascular endothelium is a critical process in hematogenous metastasis and might be similar to the recruitment of leukocytes at the site of inflammation. It is mediated by E-selectin and its ligands, of which the most stereospecific is a glycoconjugate sialyl Lewis x (CD15s), which may be expressed as an oligosaccharide branch of the CD44 glycoprotein, as well as a self-contained glycosphingolipid. It is also known that increased sialylation of glycoconjugates is a feature of malignant cells. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of a novel thieno[2,3-b]pyridine, compound 1, in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBCs) upon CD15s and CD44 expression in different cell subpopulations using flow cytometry. CD15s expression was compared between mesenchymal-like cancer stem cells (CSC, CD44+CD24−), epithelial cells without CD44 (CD44−CD24+ and CD44−CD24−), and CD44+CD24+ cells that exhibit mesenchymal and epithelial features. In addition, expression of CD44 in CD15s+CSC and CD15s−CSC was determined. Compound 1 significantly decreased the percentage of CD15s+CSC, CD15s+CD44+CD24+, and CD15s+CD44− subpopulations, as well as the expression of CD15s in CD44+CD24+ and CD44− cells, and therefore shows potential as a treatment for TNBC.
Effect of Natural Aging on Oak Wood Fire Resistance

The paper deals with the assessment of the age of oak wood (0, 10, 40, 80 and 120 years) on its fire resistance. Chemical composition of wood (extractives, cellulose, holocellulose, lignin) was determined by wet chemistry methods and elementary analysis was performed according to ISO standards. From the fire-technical properties, the flame ignition and the spontaneous ignition temperature (including calculated activation energy) and mass burning rate were evaluated. The lignin content does not change, the content of extractives and cellulose is higher and the content of holocellulose decreases with the higher age of wood. The elementary analysis shows the lowest proportion content of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphor and the highest content of carbon in the oldest wood. Values of flame ignition and spontaneous ignition temperature for individual samples were very similar. The activation energy ranged from 42.4 kJ·mol−1 (120-year-old) to 50.7 kJ·mol−1 (40-year-old), and the burning rate varied from 0.2992%·s−1 (80-year-old) to 0.4965%·s−1 (10-year-old). The difference among the values of spontaneous ignition activation energy is clear evidence of higher resistance to initiation of older wood (40- and 80-year-old) in comparison with the younger oak wood (0- and 10-year-old). The oldest sample is the least thermally resistant due to the different chemical composition compared to the younger wood.
Synthesis of Highly-Dispersed Graphene Oxide Nanoribbons–Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes–Graphene Oxide (GNFG) Complex and Its Application in Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Cementitious Composites

In this study, a graphene oxide nanoribbons–functionalized carbon nanotubes–graphene oxide (GNFG) complex was hydrothermally synthesized as a nanomaterial for reinforcing cementitious composites, using a modified Hummers’ method. Three types of components existed in the GNFG: Type I, the functionalized carbon nanotubes–graphene oxide nanoribbons (FCNTs–GNR); and types II and III are graphene oxide (GO) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs), respectively, which exist independently. The dispersivity of GNFG and its effects on the mechanical properties, hydration process, and microstructures of cement pastes were evaluated, and the results were compared with those using cement pastes incorporating other typical carbon nanomaterials. The results demonstrated that dispersion of GNFG in aqueous solutions was superior to that of the CNTs, FCNTs, and GO/FCNTs mixture. Furthermore, the highly-dispersed GNFG (0.05 wt.%) improved the mechanical properties of the cement paste after 28 days of hydration and promoted the hydration of cement compared to CNTs, GO, and GO/FCNTs mixture (0.05 wt.%). The results in this study validated the feasibility of using GNFG with enhanced dispersion as a new nano-reinforcing agent for various cementitious systems.
Role of Non-Invasive Respiratory Supports in COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Failure Patients with Do Not Intubate Orders

The current gold-standard treatment for COVID-19-related hypoxemic respiratory failure is invasive mechanical ventilation. However, do not intubate orders (DNI), prevent the use of this treatment in some cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate if non-invasive ventilatory supports can provide a good therapeutic alternative to invasive ventilation in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and a DNI. Data were collected from four centres in three European countries. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection were included. We emulated a hypothetical target trial in which outcomes were compared in patients with a DNI order treated exclusively by non-invasive respiratory support with patients who could be intubated if necessary. We set up a propensity score and an inverse probability of treatment weighting to remove confounding by indication. Four-hundred patients were included: 270 were eligible for intubation and 130 had a DNI order. The adjusted risk ratio for death among patients eligible for intubation was 0.81 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.42). The median length of stay in acute care for survivors was similar between groups (18 (10–31) vs. (19 (13–23.5); p = 0.76). The use of non-invasive respiratory support is a good compromise for patients with severe COVID-19 and a do not intubate order.
Preemptive Duloxetine Relieves Postoperative Pain and Lowers Wound Temperature in Centrally Sensitized Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether preemptive duloxetine in patients with central sensitization (CS) is effective for acute postoperative pain control and wound healing following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). (2) Methods: CS was defined as a score of 40 points or higher on the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) survey. Thirty-nine patients with CS were randomly assigned to either the duloxetine group (n = 19) or the placebo group (n = 20). The duloxetine group took duloxetine 30 mg once a day, while the placebo group took the placebo medication once a day. A pain visual analog scale (VAS) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), wound complications, the temperature of the surgical site, and adverse events were investigated. Skin temperature was measured at the center of the patella using a portable digital thermometer. (3) Results: The duloxetine group reported significantly lower pain VAS scores during follow-up periods up to 6 weeks after surgery (all p < 0.05). BPI interference also showed significantly superior results in the duloxetine group after surgery (all p < 0.05). Although there was no difference in the rate of wound complications between the two groups (p > 0.05), the duloxetine group showed significantly lower wound temperature than the placebo group during the follow-up period (all p < 0.05). (4) Conclusion: In this study, preemptive duloxetine effectively reduced pain and lowered wound temperature following TKA in CS patients.
Loss of HCN2 in Dorsal Hippocampus of Young Adult Mice Induces Specific Apoptosis of the CA1 Pyramidal Neuron Layer

Neurons inevitably rely on a proper repertoire and distribution of membrane-bound ion-conducting channels. Among these proteins, the family of hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels possesses unique properties giving rise to the corresponding Ih-current that contributes to various aspects of neural signaling. In mammals, four genes (hcn1-4) encode subunits of HCN channels. These subunits can assemble as hetero- or homotetrameric ion-conducting channels. In order to elaborate on the specific role of the HCN2 subunit in shaping electrical properties of neurons, we applied an Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated, RNAi-based knock-down strategy of hcn2 gene expression both in vitro and in vivo. Electrophysiological measurements showed that HCN2 subunit knock-down resulted in specific yet anticipated changes in Ih-current properties in primary hippocampal neurons and, in addition, corroborated that the HCN2 subunit participates in postsynaptic signal integration. To further address the role of the HCN2 subunit in vivo, we injected recombinant (r)AAVs into the dorsal hippocampus of young adult male mice. Behavioral and biochemical analyses were conducted to assess the contribution of HCN2-containing channels in shaping hippocampal network properties. Surprisingly, knock-down of hcn2 expression resulted in a severe degeneration of the CA1 pyramidal cell layer, which did not occur in mice injected with control rAAV constructs. This finding might pinpoint to a vital and yet unknown contribution of HCN2 channels in establishing or maintaining the proper function of CA1 pyramidal neurons of the dorsal hippocampus.
Fine-Tuning the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway Intensity by Sex and Genotype-Load: Sex-Dependent Homozygotic Threshold for Somatic Growth but Feminization of Anxious Phenotype in Middle-Aged PDK1 K465E Knock-In and Heterozygous Mice

According to the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), phenotypic differences among disorders may be explained by variations in the nature and degree of neural circuitry disruptions and/or dysfunctions modulated by several biological and environmental factors. We recently demonstrated the in vivo behavioral translation of tweaking the PI3K/Akt signaling, an essential pathway for regulating cellular processes and physiology, and its modulation through aging. Here we describe, for the first time, the in vivo behavioral impact of the sex and genetic-load tweaking this pathway. The anxiety-like phenotypes of 61 mature (11–14-month-old) male and female PDK1 K465E knock-in, heterozygous, and WT mice were studied. Forced (open-field) anxiogenic environmental conditions were sensitive to detect sex and genetic-load differences at middle age. Despite similar neophobia and horizontal activity among the six groups, females exhibited faster ethograms than males, with increased thigmotaxis, increased wall and bizarre rearing. Genotype-load unveiled increased anxiety in males, resembling female performances. The performance of mutants in naturalistic conditions (marble test) was normal. Homozygotic-load was needed for reduced somatic growth only in males. Factor interactions indicated the complex interplay in the elicitation of different negative valence system’s items and the fine-tuning of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway intensity by genotype-load and sex.
Curcuma longa L. Water Extract Improves Dexamethasone-Induced Sarcopenia by Modulating the Muscle-Related Gene and Oxidative Stress in Mice

Dexamethasone (DEX) promotes proteolysis, which causes muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is connected to sarcopenia. We evaluated the effect of Curcuma longa L. water extract (CLW) on DEX-induced muscle atrophy. ICR mice were divided into three groups (eight mice per group) to investigate the capability of CLW in inhibiting muscle atrophy. The control group (Ex-CON) was administered distilled water (DW) by gavage and subjected to exercise; the muscle atrophy group (Ex-DEX) was administered DW by gavage, an injection of DEX (1 mg/kg body weight/day) intraperitoneally (IP), and subjected to exercise; and the treatment group (Ex-CLW) was administered CLW (1 g/kg body weight/day) by gavage, DEX IP injection, and subjected to exercise. Following the injection of DEX, the expression levels of myostatin, MuRF-1, and Atrogin-1 were increased. However, these expression levels were decreased in the Ex-CLW group, thereby leading to the conclusion that CLW inhibits muscle atrophy. ROS (that was overproduced by DEX) decreased antioxidant enzyme activity and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which led to muscle atrophy. When CLW was ingested, the antioxidant enzyme activities increased while the MDA levels decreased. These findings suggest that CLW could serve as a natural product for the prevention of muscle atrophy by modulating muscle atrophy-related genes and increasing antioxidant potential.
Multiphoton Imaging of Ca2+ Instability in Acute Myocardial Slices from a RyR2R2474S Murine Model of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) is a familial stress-induced arrhythmia syndrome, mostly caused by mutations in Ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel in cardiomyocytes. Pathogenetic mutations lead to gain of function in the channel, causing arrhythmias by promoting diastolic spontaneous Ca2+ release (SCR) from the SR and delayed afterdepolarizations. While the study of Ca2+ dynamics in single cells from murine CPVT models has increased our understanding of the disease pathogenesis, questions remain on the mechanisms triggering the lethal arrhythmias at tissue level. Here, we combined subcellular analysis of Ca2+ signals in isolated cardiomyocytes and in acute thick ventricular slices of RyR2R2474S knock-in mice, electrically paced at different rates (1–5 Hz), to identify arrhythmogenic Ca2+ dynamics, from the sub- to the multicellular perspective. In both models, RyR2R2474S cardiomyocytes had increased propensity to develop SCR upon adrenergic stimulation, which manifested, in the slices, with Ca2+ alternans and synchronous Ca2+ release events in neighboring cardiomyocytes. Analysis of Ca2+ dynamics in multiple cells in the tissue suggests that SCRs beget SCRs in contiguous cells, overcoming the protective electrotonic myocardial coupling, and potentially generating arrhythmia triggering foci. We suggest that intercellular interactions may underscore arrhythmic propensity in CPVT hearts with ‘leaky’ RyR2.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Northern versus Liquid Hybridization Assays for mRNAs, Small RNAs, and miRNAs Using a Non-Radiolabeled Approach

Northern blotting (NB), a gold standard for RNA detection, has lost its charm due to its hands-on nature, need for good quality RNA, and radioactivity. With the emergence of the field of microRNAs (miRNAs), the necessity for sensitive and quantitative NBs has again emerged. Here, we developed highly sensitive yet non-radiolabeled, fast, economical NB, and liquid hybridization (LH) assays without radioactivity or specialized reagents like locked nucleic acid (LNA)- or digoxigenin-labeled probes for mRNAs/small RNAs, especially miRNAs using biotinylated probes. An improvised means of hybridizing oligo probes along with efficient transfer, cross-linking, and signal enhancement techniques was employed. Important caveats of each assay were elaborated upon, especially issues related to probe biotinylation, use of exonuclease, and bioimagers not reported earlier. We demonstrate that, while the NBs were sensitive for mRNAs and small RNAs, our LH protocol could efficiently detect these and miRNAs using less than 10–100 times the total amount of RNA, a sensitivity comparable to radiolabeled probes. Compared to NBs, LH was a faster, more sensitive, and specific approach for mRNA/small RNA/miRNA detection. A comparison of present work with six seminal studies is presented along with detailed protocols for easy reproducibility. Overall, our study provides effective platforms to study large and small RNAs in a sensitive, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
A Perspective on Modelling Metallic Magnetic Nanoparticles in Biomedicine: From Monometals to Nanoalloys and Ligand-Protected Particles

The focus of this review is on the physical and magnetic properties that are related to the efficiency of monometallic magnetic nanoparticles used in biomedical applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia, and how to model these by theoretical methods, where the discussion is based on the example of cobalt nanoparticles. Different simulation systems (cluster, extended slab, and nanoparticle models) are critically appraised for their efficacy in the determination of reactivity, magnetic behaviour, and ligand-induced modifications of relevant properties. Simulations of the effects of nanoscale alloying with other metallic phases are also briefly reviewed.