Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Looking beyond the mean: Are racial differences in beat‐to‐beat blood pressure variability among young men a harbinger for future cardiovascular risk?

Blood pressure (BP) is a leading modifiable risk factor for early death, with both higher resting and ambulatory BP being associated with a greater risk of mortality and cardiovascular outcomes (Yang et al., 2019). However, serial measurements of BP taken across multiple time scales (beat-to-beat, minutes, hours, days, months and years) demonstrate clearly that BP is not a static value but rather a continuous variable that can be influenced by diurnal, postural, environmental, emotional andphysical factors.Although thebest index for quantification of BP variability (e.g. standard deviation, coefficient of variation, average real variability, variation independent of the mean) remains to be established (Parati, Stergiou, Dolan, & Bilo, 2018), a growing number of studies have reported independent associations with subclinical organ damage and clinical endpoints, such as allcause mortality and cardiovascular events (Mena, Felix, Melgarejo, & Maestre, 2017; Stevens et al., 2016). In this issue of Experimental Physiology, Young et al. (2020) investigated racial differences in resting beat-to-beat BP variability in young healthy non-Hispanic Black versusWhite men. They found that Black men had greater BP variability despite similar time-averaged values of resting BP. These results were accompanied by larger variability in beat-to-beat total peripheral resistance in Black men, illustrated nicely by histogram plots showing a greater percentage of cardiac cycles with changes in BP and total peripheral resistance
Incidence and Risk Assessment for Atrial Fibrillation at 5 Years: Hypertensive Diabetic Cohort

(1) Background: The link between diabetes and hypertension is mutual and reciprocal, increasing the risks for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The main objective was to develop a prediction model for AF in a population with both diabetes and hypertension at five years of follow-up. (2) Methods: A multicenter and community-based cohort study was undertaken of 8237 hypertensive diabetic patients without AF between 1 January 2103 and 31 December 2017. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to identify predictors AF and to stratify risk scores by quartiles. (3) Results: AF incidence was 10.5/1000 people/years (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.5–11.5), higher in men. The independent prognostic factors identified: age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.07 95% CI 1.05–1.09, p < 0.001), weight (HR 1.03 95% CI 1.02–1.04, p < 0.001), CHA2DS2VASc score (HR 1.57 95% CI 1.16–2.13, p = 0.003) and female gender (HR 0.55 95% CI 0.37–0.82, p = 0.004). Q4 (highest-risk group for AF) had the highest AF incidence, stroke and mortality, and the smallest number needed to screen to detect one case of AF. (4) Conclusions: Risk-based screening for AF should be used in high cardiovascular risk patients as the hypertensive diabetics, for treatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk, and monitoring AF detection.
Biomechanical Reconstruction of the Carboniferous Seed Fern Lyginopteris oldhamia: Implications for Growth Form Reconstruction and Habit

The mechanical architecture of the Carboniferous seed fern Lyginopteris oldhamia is investigated from development stages including naturally decorticated stems. The growth form shows a relatively long semi‐self‐supporting phase of growth, with prolonged retention of the primary outer “dictyoxylon” cortex contributing significantly during early and mature growth. The outer cortex is retained on the stem despite significant secondary vascular growth via radial and tangential expansion and proliferation of interstitial parenchyma and longitudinal division of the radial bands of fibers. In the final stages of development, the outer “mechanical dictyoxylon” cortex is sloughed from the stem after periderm development in the inner cortex. Loss of the outer cortex results in a decrease in calculated bending stiffness. Calculations of mechanical stem properties based on the overall development indicate for a climber a comparatively stiff mechanical architecture that is comparable with certain types of extant lianas. Mechanisms that allow L. oldhamia to retain and then shed the outer cortex show developmental and mechanical strategies analogous to those of extant climbing plants. The study indicates that relatively sophisticated climbing stem architectures had already evolved by the Late Carboniferous.
Revisiting and expanding the meta-analysis of variation: The log coefficient of variation ratio, lnCVR

Meta-analyses are frequently used to quantify the difference in the average values of two groups (e.g., control and experimental treatment groups), but examine the difference in the variability (variance) of two groups. For such comparisons, the two relatively new effect size statistics, namely the log-transformed ‘variability ratio’ (the ratio of two standard deviations; lnVR) and the log-transformed ‘CV ratio’ (the ratio of two coefficients of variation; lnCVR) are useful. In practice, lnCVR may be of most use because a treatment may affect the mean and the variance simultaneously. We review current, and propose new, estimators for lnCVR and lnVR. We also present methods for use when the two groups are dependent (e.g., for cross-over and pre-test-post-test designs). A simulation study evaluated the performance of these estimators and we make recommendations about which estimators one should use to minimise bias. We also present two worked examples that illustrate the importance of accounting for the dependence of the two groups. We found that the degree to which dependence is accounted for in the sampling variance estimates can impact heterogeneity parameters such as τ2 (i.e., the between-study variance) and I2 (i.e., the proportion of the total variability due to between-study variance), and even the overall effect, and in turn qualitative interpretations. Meta-analytic comparison of the variability between two groups enables us to ask completely new questions and to gain fresh insights from existing datasets. We encourage researchers to take advantage of these convenient new effect size measures for the meta-analysis of variation.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Fruhstorferiola tonkinensis (Orthoptera: Catantopidae)

Abstract Fruhstorferiola tonkinensis belongs to the group of Catantopidae, which is the largest group in Acridoidae. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Fruhstorferiola tonkinensis is 15,637 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 1 A + T-rich region. The gene order and arrangement are identical to other Acridoidae species. Most PCGs (except for the ATP6) start with the typical ATN codons, while most stop codons are TAA, TAG. The combined dataset of 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs from 17 grasshoppers (including 15 Catantopidae species and 2 outgroups) is used to construct phylogenetic tree and analyse phylogenetic relationship of Catantopidae.
New Zealand radiation therapists’ perceptions of peer group supervision as a tool to reduce burnout symptoms in the clinical setting

Research indicates that radiation therapists (RTs) are at risk of burnout and that there is a lack of evidence on effective coping strategies for managing work‐related stressors within this workforce. Peer group supervision (PGS) is a useful tool in assisting staff to manage stress in the clinical setting, improve reflective practice and provide support. The aim of this research was to investigate New Zealand (NZ) RTs’ perceptions of participating in PGS.
Effects of hunger on mood and affect reactivity to monetary reward in women with obesity – A pilot study

Worldwide, nearly 3 million people die every year because of being overweight or obese. Although obesity is a metabolic disease, behavioral aspects are important in its etiology. Hunger changes the rewarding potential of food in normal-weight controls. In obesity, impairments related to reward processing are present, but it is not clear whether these are due to mental disorders more common among this population. Therefore, in this pilot study, we aimed at investigating whether fasting influence mood reactivity to reward in people with obesity. Women with obesity (n = 11, all mentally healthy) and normal weight controls (n = 17) were compared on a computerized monetary reward task (the wheel of fortune), using self-reports of mood and affect (e.g., PANAS and mood evaluation during the task) as dependent variables. This task was done in 2 satiety conditions, during fasting and after eating. Partially, in line with our expectation of a reduced affect and mood reactivity to monetary reward in participants with obesity accentuated by fasting, our results indicated a significant within-group difference across time (before and after the task), with monetary gains significantly improving positive affect in healthy controls (p>0.001), but not in individuals with obesity (p = 0.32). There were no significant between-group differences in positive affect before (p = 0.328) and after (p = 0.70) the task. In addition, women with obesity, compared to controls, reported more negative affect in general (p < 0.05) and less mood reactivity during the task in response to risky gains (p < 0.001) than healthy controls. The latter was independent of the level of satiety. These preliminary results suggest an impairment in mood reactivity to monetary reward in women with obesity which is not connected to the fasting state. Increasing the reinforcing potential of rewards other than food in obesity may be one target of intervention in order to verify if that could reduce overeating.
Prognosis factors of advanced gastric cancer according to sex and age.

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer has a relatively high prevalence and is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. However, the prognosis for gastric cancer remains poor, especially in the advanced stages, despite many improvements in diagnosis and treatment. AIM To evaluate the outcomes regarding advanced gastric cancer development according to sex and age. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 2005 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer between 2002 and 2007 at a single Korean centre. Prognosis and risk factors for nodal involvement were evaluated according to sex and age. RESULTS In this retrospective cohort study, we examined the cases of 2005 patients [sex, 1384 men (69%), 621 women (31%)] with advanced gastric cancer. The patients' age range was 22-87 years (mean age: 57.7 ± 12.3 years), with approximately 53.3% of the patients being ≤ 60 years old. Based on a Cox proportional hazards model, overall survival was independently predicted by older age, larger tumour size, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, deeper tumour invasion, moderately-to-poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, and signet ring cell carcinoma. The same model revealed that relapse-free survival was independently predicted by advanced age, larger tumour size, lymphovascular invasion, deeper tumour invasion, poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, and signet ring cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION Among patients with advanced gastric cancer, older age independently predicted poor overall survival and relapse-free survival. However, there were no significant sex-based differences in relapse-free and overall survival.
Tolerance of perennial pasture grass seedlings to pre- and post-emergent grass herbicides

The tolerance of 5 perennial grasses during the seedling stage to pre- and post-emergent grass herbicides was examined in 3 glasshouse experiments. The perennial grass species screened were phalaris, (Phalaris aquatica L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), wallaby grass [Austrodanthonia richardsonii (Cashm.) H.P. Linder], perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were included as non-target species and annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) and oats (Avena spp.) as representatives of typical weed species. Herbicides evaluated were fluazifop-p, tralkoxydim, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl + pyrazoline, sethoxydim, flamprop-m-methyl, quizalofop-p-ethyl, clethodim, simazine, imazethapyr, propyzamide, carbetamide, clodinafop-propargyl + cloquintocet-mexyl, propaquizafop, atrazine, trifluralin, triallate, pendimethalin, metribuzin, trifluralin + oryzalin, cyanazine, chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron. Herbicide phytotoxicity was assessed 15 and 30 days after post-emergent herbicide application using the European Weed Research Committee (EWRC) visual score of leaf damage (1 indicating no effect, 9 indicating all plants dead) and plant herbage yield depression relative to the unsprayed control. Plant responses to pre-emergent herbicides were assessed 45 days after sowing. Most herbicides were highly phytotoxic (EWRC score 4–9) to the perennial grass seedlings. However, atrazine, flamprop-m-methyl, imazethapyr, fenoxaprop-ethyl, and triallate caused less severe phytotoxicity (EWRC score 1–4) in phalaris, fescue, cocksfoot and perennial ryegrass from which they could be expected to recover, with yield reductions of between 0 and 45%, 30 days after spraying. Simazine caused yield losses of 20–50% in fescue, phalaris and perennial ryegrass which may be acceptable in swards with high weed burdens. Wallaby grass showed tolerance to flamprop-m-methyl, carbetamide, propyzamide and imazethapyr. Subterranean clover was tolerant of most herbicides with yield losses less than 20% except for the post-emergent herbicides simazine and atrazine, and the pre-emergent herbicides triasulfuron, metribuzin, cyanazine and chlorsulfuron where yield suppression was between 50 and 99%.
Responsiveness and clinically meaningful changes for the Persian versions of the multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 and the modified fatigue impact scale following balance and gait rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Background and Purpose: The Multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 (MSWS-12) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) are two popular outcome measures applied widely for assessing self-perceived walking ability and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The present study aimed to examine responsiveness and clinically meaningful changes for the Persian versions of the MSWS-12 and the MFIS following balance and gait rehabilitation in PwMS. Methods: Fifty-eight PwMS completed the Persian versions of the MSWS-12 and the MFIS before and after 4 weeks of balance and gait rehabilitation. Also, a 7-point global rating scale as an external criterion of change was completed at the post-intervention evaluation. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and the correlation analysis were used to assess the responsiveness. In addition, the minimally clinically important change (MCIC) was measured to determine clinically meaningful changes following rehabilitation. Results: The AUC values for the Persian MSWS-12 and MFIS were 0.74 and 0.73, respectively. There were good to excellent correlations between the global rating scale of change and the Persian MSWS-12 (Gamma = 0.77) also MFIS (Gamma = 0.80) change scores (p = .001). Moreover, the MCICs of 7.5 and 4 points were obtained for the Persian MSWS-12 and MFIS, respectively. Conclusion: The Persian versions of the MSWS-12 and the MFIS were responsive outcome measures for monitoring changes in walking and fatigue after balance and gait rehabilitation in PwMS. The calculation of MCIC values would enhance the interpretation of changes in clinical and research settings.
Histomorphometric Analysis of Pre- and Post-Denosumab–Treated Giant Cell Tumor of Bone

Context. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody against RANK ligand. Its administration in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) cases results in elimination of giant cells and new bone formation. Neoplastic stromal cells of GCTB harbor mutation of histone 3.3 and have pre-osteoblastic properties and thus express SATB2. Objectives. To (1) analyze histological changes in post-denosumab–treated GCTB, (2) analyze expression of H3.3G34W and SATB2 in pre- and post-denosumab–treated samples, and (3) to discuss why changes occur in the expression of not only H3.3G34W but also SATB2. Materials and Methods. Hematoxylin and eosin slides of 19 cases of denosumab-treated GCTB were reviewed. Immunohistochemical stains H3.3G34W and SATB2 were performed. The number of positive mononuclear cells were counted and graded. Results. Complete absence of osteoclast-like giant cells (OCLGCs) was noted in most cases along with a fibro-osseous component merging with peripheral shell of reactive bone. Irregular trabeculae of woven bone and osteoid with focal osteoblastic rimming was seen. Spindle cells were arranged predominantly in fascicular pattern. Morphometric analysis of H3.3G34W showed a mean of 68.8% positive stromal cells in pretreatment and a mean of 26.9% positive stromal cells in posttreated specimens with a statistically significant P value (.001). Mean percentage of SATB2-positive stromal cells in the pre- and posttreatment specimens was 36.46% and 20.8%, respectively. Conclusions. Our study validates that denosumab treatment results in marked reduction of OCLGCs with increased osteoblastic activity. Decreased expression of H3.3G34W in posttreatment may be a result of decreased antigenicity of neoplastic mononuclear cells. No significant change in SATB2 expression was noted.
Ecological and Systematic Wood Anatomy of Alstonia (Apocynaceae)

The wood anatomy is described of three sections of the genus Alstonia: sections Alstonia, Monuraspermum, and Dissuraspermum. The wood anatomical characters support the infrageneric classification on the basis of macropmorphological and pollen morphological features (Sidiyasa 1998). Vessel frequency, mean tangential vessel diameter, LID ratio, ray frequency, presence or absence of laticifers, parenchyma distribution, fibre wall thickness, and fibre wall pitting are all, in various degrees, diagnostic to separate the light Alstonia timber group (= section Alstonia) from the heavy Alstonia group (including the other two sections studied). Sections Monuraspermum and Dissuraspermum can be separated on vessel frequency and mean tangential vessel diameter. Among the light Alstonia group, the swamp inhabiting species have lower multi seriate rays than the non-swamp species which presumably root in well-aerated soils. Vessel elements and fibres also tend to be shorter in material from swamps, but this difference is not statistically significant. This tendency is perhaps associated with the physiological drought induced by water-logged soils.
Mental Health, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease During COVID‐19 Pandemic

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) might be affected by compromised health care, lockdown restrictions, and global stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the general population. Therefore, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health, physical activities, and quality of life (QoL) of PD patients. Using telephone calls, we were able to reach and interview 38 of 50 PD patients who had recently completed comprehensive assessments in the movement disorders outpatient clinic, Ain Shams Univeristy Hospitals, Cairo (Table 1). They were assessed using 11 questions regarding their perception of impact of COVID-19 (supplementary document), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21), the short form of the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the PD questionnaire (PDQ39); and were compared with 20 ageand sex-matched controls who were recruited from volunteers and relatives of patients with other medical problems. We excluded patients and controls with medical comorbidities, that might affect mobility and relatives of PD patients and persons with more risk of anxiety/stress such as healthcareworkers as controls.
Genetic Relationships of Unisexual-Hybrid Fishes to Their Progenitors Using Lactate Dehydrogenase Isozymes as Gene Markers (Poeciliopsis, poeciliidae)

In the Rio Fuerte of northwestern Mexico, the viviparous fishes Poeciliopsis monacha and Poeciliopsis lucida have hybridized and produced three all-female "species": P. monacha-lucida, a diploid hybridogenetic form; P. 2 monacha-lucida and P. monacha-2 lucida, both triploid gynogenetic forms. Electrophoresis of eye-tissue extracts from these forms revealed genetic polymorphisms at a lactate dehydrogenase locus (LDH E) in both monacha and lucida. Two codominant alleles, medium E and the fast mutant E', provided three genotypes in monacha-EE, EE', and E'E'. Populations of lucida had, in addition to the medium E allele (electrophoretically equivalent to E in monacha), a slow mutant E'', providing three genotypes-EE", EE'', and E''E''. Crossing experiments demonstrated that the alleles are segregated randomly and autosomally inherited. These polymorphisms provide simple gene markers useful in testing the hybrid origin hypothesis for the unisexual fishes. Populations of monachalucida had three of four possible genotypes-E'E'', EE, and EE''. These genotypes provide evidence for multiple hybrid origins of the diploid unisexual. The two triploids, 2 monacha-lucida and monacha-2 lucida, had only two of many possible genotypes (EEE'' and EE''E'', respectively). These genotypes identified the progenitor contributions and genome dosages for the hybrids, thereby adding strong support for the hybrid origin hypothesis. Inheritance of these alleles in diploid and triploid unisexuals was consistent with previous interpretation of hybridogenetic and gynogenetic reproduction.
Hypoxia Increases β-Cell Death by Activating Pancreatic Stellate Cells within the Islet

Background Hypoxia can occur in pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated during hypoxia. Here we aimed to investigate whether PSCs within the islet are also activated in hypoxia, causing β-cell injury. Methods Islet and primary PSCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats, and cultured in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (1% O2). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as measured by immunostaining and Western blotting, was used as a marker of PSC activation. Conditioned media (hypoxia-CM) were obtained from PSCs cultured in hypoxia. Results Islets and PSCs cultured in hypoxia exhibited higher expressions of α-SMA than did those cultured in normoxia. Hypoxia increased the production of reactive oxygen species. The addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant, attenuated the hypoxia-induced PSC activation in islets and PSCs. Islets cultured in hypoxia-CM showed a decrease in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis. Conclusion PSCs within the islet are activated in hypoxia through oxidative stress and promote islet cell death, suggesting that hypoxia-induced PSC activation may contribute to β-cell loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus.