Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vasodilatory effects of cannabidiol in human pulmonary and rat small mesenteric arteries: modification by hypertension and the potential pharmacological opportunities

Objective: Cannabidiol (CBD) has been suggested as a potential antihypertensive drug. The aim of our study was to investigate its vasodilatory effect in isolated human pulmonary arteries (hPAs) and rat small mesenteric arteries (sMAs). Methods: Vascular effects of CBD were examined in hPAs obtained from patients during resection of lung carcinoma and sMAs isolated from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR); 11-deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA-salt) hypertensive rats or their appropriate normotensive controls using organ bath and wire myography, respectively. Results: CBD induced almost full concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in hPAs and rat sMAs. In hPAs, it was insensitive to antagonists of CB1 (AM251) and CB2 (AM630) receptors but it was reduced by endothelium denudation, cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin and nimesulide), antagonists of prostanoid EP4 (L161982), IP (Cay10441), vanilloid TRPV1 (capsazepine) receptors and was less potent under KCl-induced tone and calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) inhibitors (iberiotoxin, UCL1684 and TRAM-34) and in hypertensive, overweight and hypercholesteremic patients. The time-dependent effect of CBD was sensitive to the PPARγ receptor antagonist GW9662. In rats, the CBD potency was enhanced in DOCA-salt and attenuated in SHR. The CBD-induced relaxation was inhibited in SHR and DOCA-salt by AM251 and only in DOCA-salt by AM630 and endothelium denudation. Conclusion: The CBD-induced relaxation in hPAs that was reduced in hypertensive, obese and hypercholesteremic patients was endothelium-dependent and mediated via KCa and IP, EP4, TRPV1 receptors. The CBD effect in rats was CB1-sensitive and dependent on the hypertension model. Thus, modification of CBD-mediated responses in disease should be considered when CBD is used for therapeutic purposes.
Poor outcomes for double‐hit lymphoma patients treated with curative‐intent second‐line immunochemotherapy following failure of intensive front‐line immunochemotherapy

While patients with double‐hit lymphoma (DHL) are now frequently treated with intensive front‐line immunochemotherapy, outcomes for those who fail these regimens and subsequently receive curative‐intent second‐line immunochemotherapy are unknown. We identified 55 such patients who achieved an overall/complete response rate of 29%/11%, median progression‐free/overall survival (PFS/OS) of 2/5·1 months and one‐year PFS/OS of 10/19% following the start of second‐line therapy. These outcomes may serve as a standard against which future second‐line treatment strategies for relapsed/refractory DHL can be measured and justify investigation of non‐cytotoxic therapies in the second‐line setting for these patients.
Different features of real-world objects are represented in a dependent manner in long-term memory.

In the present study, we examined how real-world objects are represented in long-term memory. Two contrasting views exist with regard to this question: one argues that real-world objects are represented as a set of independent features, and the other argues that they form bound integrate representations. In 5 experiments, we tested the different predictions of each view, namely whether the different features of real-world items are remembered and forgotten independently from each other, in a feature-based manner, or conversely are stored and lost in an object-based manner, with all features depending upon each other. Across various stimuli, learning tasks (incidental or explicit), experimental setups (within- or between-subjects design), feature-dimensions, and encoding times, we consistently found that information is forgotten in an object-based manner. When an object ceases to be fully remembered, all of its features are lost, instead of only some of the object's features being lost whereas other features are still remembered. Furthermore, we found support for a strong form of dependency among the different features, namely a hierarchical structure. We conclude that visual long-term memory is object-based, challenging previous findings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
The Problems in Professional Competence of Teachers in Teaching English Subject at Vocational High Schools

This research was intended to investigate the problems in professional competence faced by the English teachers of vocational high schools in Gowa, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This research applied descriptive qualitative method. The data were collected by using three instruments: questionnaire, interview and observation checklist. The participants were two experienced English teachers, two inexperienced English teachers, and eight students. The professional competence indicators are adapted from the Regulation of the Minister of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia No. 16/2007. The results of this research reveal that the teachers' problems dealing with professional competence in teaching English at vocational high schools include (a) problem in mastering the materials, (b) problems in mastering the curriculum, (c) problem in developing materials creatively, (d) difficulties in developing the teacher professionalism continuously, (e) problems in using the information technology and (f) problems of classroom management. K ey w or d s : professional competence, experienced English teachers, inexperienced English teacher.
Knowledge gains and intent to change practice patterns after the Leveraging Existing Abilities in Dementia (LEAD)™ Training Program

Few investigations have examined dementia training programs for rehabilitation professionals. To address this, the Leveraging Existing Abilities in Dementia (LEAD) program was developed and examined with a pilot study. LEAD addressed dementia knowledge; the Strength-Based Approach; strategies for communication, recognizing behaviors, and learning techniques; and documentation. Participants completed pre-program, post-program, and three-month follow-up questionnaires assessing confidence, practice patterns, and dementia knowledge. Confidence and use of treatment strategies increased through the three-month follow-up and dementia knowledge significantly increased following training. LEAD positively impacted rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge, confidence, and use of evidence-based treatment strategies. Implications of LEAD and future research are discussed.
Association of HLA Genotype With T-Cell Activation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and HIV/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Women.

BACKGROUND Global immune activation and HLA alleles are each associated with the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus . METHODS We evaluated the relationship between 44 HLA class I and 28 class II alleles and percentages of activated CD8 (CD8+CD38+DR+) and CD4 (CD4+CD38+DR+) T cells in 586 women who were naive to highly active antiretroviral therapy. We used linear generalized estimating equation regression models, adjusting for race/ethnicity, age, HIV load, and hepatitis C virus infection and controlling for multiplicity using a false discovery rate threshold of 0.10. RESULTS Ten HLA alleles were associated with CD8 and/or CD4 T-cell activation. Lower percentages of activated CD8 and/or CD4 T cells were associated with protective alleles B*57:03 (CD8 T cells, -6.6% [P = .002]; CD4 T cells, -2.7% [P = .007]), C*18:01 (CD8 T cells, -6.6%; P < .0008) and DRB1*13:01 (CD4 T cells, -2.7%; P < .0004), and higher percentages were found with B*18:01 (CD8 T cells, 6.2%; P < .0003), a detrimental allele. Other alleles/allele groups associated with activation included C*12:03, group DQA1*01:00, DQB1*03:01, DQB1*03:02, DQB1*06:02, and DQB1*06:03. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that a person's HLA type may play a role in modulating T-cell activation independent of viral load and sheds light on the relationship between HLA, T-cell activation, immune control, and HIV pathogenesis.
Stress, Savoring, and Coping: The Role of Savoring in Psychological Adjustment Following a Stressful Life Event.

There is increasing research on the role of savoring positive emotional experience in the context of stress. As such, we need a better understanding of how savoring and coping relate to each other and to psychological adjustment outcomes following a stressful life event. In particular, this study seeks to understand whether savoring is better conceptualized as a coping resource or a coping response. Three hundred people who experienced a highly stressful event in the past year completed measures of impact of event, savoring, coping, positive emotions, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction. Results of bivariate correlations showed that savoring is positively correlated with positive coping (i.e., mastery and meaning-based coping) and socially-supported coping (i.e., using emotional and instrumental support) and negatively correlated with negative coping (i.e., self-judgement and avoidance coping). The results of path analyses support a model that positions savoring as a coping response that relates to other coping responses and indirectly relates to better psychological adjustment through positive emotions (when psychological adjustment is conceptualized as depression or life satisfaction but not anxiety). Findings provide preliminary support for conceptualizing savoring as a coping response; future research should consider measuring savoring as a coping response to further our understanding of savoring following a stressful life event.
International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research

This study examines the effects of fiscal deficits on economic growth of the Nigerian economy. The study explore the trend of fiscal deficits over the three decades and showcase its implications on output growth and other macroeconomic indicators. While the issue of fiscal balance remain a prime macroeconomic objective of the Nigerian economy, fiscal deficit has serious implications on the economic and social welfare of a given economy. The study adopts the VAR technique and Johansen cointegration test to determine the possible existence of longrun relationship and other impacts among the variables. Estimated result from the Johansen cointegration test indicates two cointegrating relations between the variables as revealed by both the trace statistics and the maximum eigen value, while the error term is found to be negative and significant indicating a moderate convergence to the long-run equilibrium. It is established by the trend analysis that fiscal deficit adversely affects output growth rates and this situation has been prominent in the domestic economy from the last three decades. Other empirical results show evidence in favour of the negative effect of deficits on economic growth within the sample period. This result is consistent with the epistemological approach of neo-classical theory which established that deficit has growth-retarding effects on the economy. There is need for appropriate accountability in the public sector such that all spending are justified, and government activities are directed in accordance with the principles of equity and efficiency.
A Driven Tagged Particle in Asymmetric Exclusion Processes

We consider the asymmetric exclusion process with a driven tagged particle on Z which has different jump rates from other particles and show that the tagged particle can have a ballistic behavior when the non-tagged particles have non-nearest-neighbor jump rates. We show the existence of some non-trivial invariant measures for the environment process viewed from the tagged particle. Our arguments are based on coupling, the martingale approach, and analyzing currents through fixed bonds.
Amelioration of insulin resistance using the additive effect of ferulic acid and resveratrol on vesicle trafficking for skeletal muscle glucose metabolism

Dysregulation of vesicle trafficking in muscle is one of the factors responsible for the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR). Ferulic acid (FER) and resveratrol (RSV) are known to have hypoglycemic property. In this study, differentiated L6 myotubes were induced with palmitate as a model of IR. Chemical ablation of muscle vesicles was used to investigate how FER and RSV influence glucose utilization. Results showed that both FER and RSV elicit glucose uptake and promote glycogen synthesis in insulin‐resistant muscle cells. Mechanistic studies further showed that FER markedly enhances the transferrin receptor‐containing endosomal compartment activities via phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/atypical protein kinase C‐dependent pathway, while RSV facilitates glucose transporter storage vesicles (GSV) trafficking via an exercise‐like effect of conventional protein kinase C/5′‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) modulation. Therefore, these two phenolic compounds promoted glucose transport through two separate routes, and they had an additive effect on the increase of glucose uptake in insulin‐resistant muscle cells. These findings provide a basis for the understanding of the antidiabetic potential of RSV and FER combination.
Four decades of socio-economic inequality and secular change in the physical growth of Guatemalans

Abstract Objective: To investigate changes in socio-economic inequalities in growth in height, weight, BMI and grip strength in children born during 1955–1993 in Guatemala, a period of marked socio-economic-political change. Design: We modelled longitudinal data on height, weight, BMI and hand grip strength using Super-Imposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR). Internal Z-scores summarising growth size, timing and intensity (peak growth velocity, e.g. cm/year) were created to investigate inequalities by socio-economic position (SEP; measured by school attended). Interactions of SEP with date of birth were investigated to capture secular changes in inequalities. Setting: Urban and peri-urban schools in the region of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Participants: Participants were 40 484 children and adolescents aged 3–19 years of Ladino and Maya ancestry (nobservations 157 067). Results: The difference in height (SITAR size) between lowest and highest SEP decreased from −2·0 (95 % CI −2·2, −1·9) sd to −1·4 (95 % CI −1·5, −1·3) sd in males, and from −2·0 (95 % CI −2·1, −1·9) sd to −1·2 (95 % CI −1·3, −1·2) sd in females over the study period. Inequalities also reduced for weight, BMI and grip strength, due to greater secular increases in lowest-SEP groups. The puberty period was earlier and shorter in higher-SEP individuals (earlier SITAR timing and higher SITAR intensity). All SEP groups showed increases in BMI intensity over time. Conclusions: Inequality narrowed between the 1960s and 1990s. The lowest-SEP groups were still >1 sd shorter than the highest. Risks remain for reduced human capital and poorer population health for urban Guatemalans.
Viruses Infecting the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Rhizoctonia solani

The cosmopolitan fungus Rhizoctonia solani has a wide host range and is the causal agent of numerous crop diseases, leading to significant economic losses. To date, no cultivars showing complete resistance to R. solani have been identified and it is imperative to develop a strategy to control the spread of the disease. Fungal viruses, or mycoviruses, are widespread in all major groups of fungi and next-generation sequencing (NGS) is currently the most efficient approach for their identification. An increasing number of novel mycoviruses are being reported, including double-stranded (ds) RNA, circular single-stranded (ss) DNA, negative sense (−)ssRNA, and positive sense (+)ssRNA viruses. The majority of mycovirus infections are cryptic with no obvious symptoms on the hosts; however, some mycoviruses may alter fungal host pathogenicity resulting in hypervirulence or hypovirulence and are therefore potential biological control agents that could be used to combat fungal diseases. R. solani harbors a range of dsRNA and ssRNA viruses, either belonging to established families, such as Endornaviridae, Tymoviridae, Partitiviridae, and Narnaviridae, or unclassified, and some of them have been associated with hypervirulence or hypovirulence. Here we discuss in depth the molecular features of known viruses infecting R. solani and their potential as biological control agents.
Skeletal muscle alterations in tachycardia-induced heart failure are linked to deficient natriuretic peptide signalling and are attenuated by RAS-/NEP-inhibition

Background Heart failure induced cachexia is highly prevalent. Insights into disease progression are lacking. Methods Early state of left ventricular dysfunction (ELVD) and symptomatic systolic heart failure (HF) were both induced in rabbits by tachypacing. Tissue of limb muscle (LM) was subjected to histologic assessment. For unbiased characterisation of early and late myopathy, a proteomic approach followed by computational pathway-analyses was performed and combined with pathway-focused gene expression analyses. Specimen of thoracic diaphragm (TD) served as control for inactivity-induced skeletal muscle alterations. In a subsequent study, inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-system and neprilysin (RAS-/NEP) was compared to placebo. Results HF was accompanied by loss of protein content (8.7±0.4% vs. 7.0±0.5%, mean±SEM, control vs. HF, p<0.01) and a slow-to-fast fibre type switch, establishing hallmarks of cachexia. In ELVD, the enzymatic set-up of LM and TD shifted to a catabolic state. A disturbed malate-aspartate shuttle went well with increased enzymes of glycolysis, forming the enzymatic basis for enforced anoxic energy regeneration. The histological findings and the pathway analysis of metabolic results drew the picture of suppressed PGC-1α signalling, linked to the natriuretic peptide system. In HF, natriuretic peptide signalling was desensitised, as confirmed by an increase in the ratio of serum BNP to tissue cGMP (57.0±18.6pg/ml/nM/ml vs. 165.8±16.76pg/ml/nM/ml, p<0.05) and a reduced expression of natriuretic peptide receptor-A. In HF, combined RAS-/NEP-inhibition prevented from loss in protein content (8.7±0.3% vs. 6.0±0.6% vs. 8.3±0.9%, Baseline vs. HF-Placebo vs. HF-RAS/NEP, p<0.05 Baseline vs. HF-Placebo, p = 0.7 Baseline vs. HF-RAS/NEP). Conclusions Tachypacing-induced heart failure entails a generalised myopathy, preceding systolic dysfunction. The characterisation of “pre-cachectic” state and its progression is feasible. Early enzymatic alterations of LM depict a catabolic state, rendering LM prone to futile substrate metabolism. A combined RAS-/NEP-inhibition ameliorates cardiac-induced myopathy independent of systolic function, which could be linked to stabilised natriuretic peptide/cGMP/PGC-1α signalling.
Distinct chromophore–protein environments enable asymmetric activation of a bacteriophytochrome-activated diguanylate cyclase

Sensing of red and far-red light by bacteriophytochromes involves intricate interactions between their bilin chromophore and the protein environment. The light-triggered rearrangements of the cofactor configuration and eventually the protein conformation enable bacteriophytochromes to interact with various protein effector domains for biological modulation of diverse physiological functions. Excitation of the holoproteins by red or far-red light promotes the photoconversion to their far-red light–absorbing Pfr state or the red light-absorbing Pr state, respectively. Because prototypical bacteriophytochromes have a parallel dimer architecture, it is generally assumed that symmetric activation with two Pfr state protomers constitutes the signaling-active species. However, the bacteriophytochrome from Idiomarina species A28L (IsPadC) has recently been reported to enable long-range signal transduction also in asymmetric dimers containing only one Pfr protomer. By combining crystallography, hydrogen–deuterium exchange coupled to MS, and vibrational spectroscopy, we show here that Pfr of IsPadC is in equilibrium with an intermediate “Pfr-like” state that combines features of Pfr and Meta-R states observed in other bacteriophytochromes. We also show that structural rearrangements in the N-terminal segment (NTS) can stabilize this Pfr-like state and that the PHY-tongue conformation of IsPadC is partially uncoupled from the initial changes in the NTS. This uncoupling enables structural asymmetry of the overall homodimeric assembly and allows signal transduction to the covalently linked physiological diguanylate cyclase output module in which asymmetry might play a role in the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The functional differences to other phytochrome systems identified here highlight opportunities for using additional red-light sensors in artificial sensor–effector systems.
Structural neuroimaging of the altered brain stemming from pediatric and adolescent hearing loss—Scientific and clinical challenges

There has been a spurt in structural neuroimaging studies of the effect of hearing loss on the brain. Specifically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technologies provide an opportunity to quantify changes in gray and white matter structures at the macroscopic scale. To date, there have been 32 MRI and 23 DTI studies that have analyzed structural differences accruing from pre‐ or peri‐lingual pediatric hearing loss with congenital or early onset etiology and postlingual hearing loss in pre‐to‐late adolescence. Additionally, there have been 15 prospective clinical structural neuroimaging studies of children and adolescents being evaluated for cochlear implants. The results of the 70 studies are summarized in two figures and three tables. Plastic changes in the brain are seen to be multifocal rather than diffuse, that is, differences are consistent across regions implicated in the hearing, speech and language networks regardless of modes of communication and amplification. Structures in that play an important role in cognition are affected to a lesser extent. A limitation of these studies is the emphasis on volumetric measures and on homogeneous groups of subjects with hearing loss. It is suggested that additional measures of morphometry and connectivity could contribute to a greater understanding of the effect of hearing loss on the brain. Then an interpretation of the observed macroscopic structural differences is given. This is followed by discussion of how structural imaging can be combined with functional imaging to provide biomarkers for longitudinal tracking of amplification.
Impact of mechanical ventilation on the daily costs of ICU care: a systematic review and meta regression

Abstract The impact of mechanical ventilation on the daily costs of intensive care unit (ICU) care is largely unknown. We thus conducted a systematic search for studies measuring the daily costs of ICU stays for general populations of adults (age ≥18 years) and the added costs of mechanical ventilation. The relative increase in the daily costs was estimated using random effects meta regression. The results of the analyses were applied to a recent study calculating the excess length-of-stay associated with ICU-acquired (ventilator-associated) pneumonia, a major complication of mechanical ventilation. The search identified five eligible studies including a total of 54 766 patients and ~238 037 patient days in the ICU. Overall, mechanical ventilation was associated with a 25.8% (95% CI 4.7%–51.2%) increase in the daily costs of ICU care. A combination of these estimates with standardised unit costs results in approximate daily costs of a single ventilated ICU day of €1654 and €1580 in France and Germany, respectively. Mechanical ventilation is a major driver of ICU costs and should be taken into account when measuring the financial burden of adverse events in ICU settings.