Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Control, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Liztox® versus Botox® in Post-Stroke Upper Limb Spasticity

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection is a commonly used therapeutic intervention for upper limb spasticity in stroke patients. This study was designed as a randomized, active-drug-controlled, double-blind, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Liztox® in comparison to onabotulinum toxin A (Botox®) for individuals with post-stroke upper limb spasticity. The primary outcome was the alteration in wrist flexor muscle tone from the initial assessment to the fourth week, evaluated using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Secondary outcomes included MAS score changes for the wrist at weeks 8 and 12 from baseline; MAS score changes for finger and elbow flexors; and changes in the Disability Assessment Scale (DAS), Subject’s Global Assessment (SGA), the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), and Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) at weeks 4, 8, and 12 from baseline. The MAS score for wrist flexor spasticity decreased by −1.14 ± 0.59 in the Liztox® group and −1.22 ± 0.59 in the Botox® group from baseline to week 4. The difference [97.5% confidence interval (CI)] between the test and control groups was 0.08 [−∞, 0.26], confirming the non-inferiority of the test group compared to the control group. Furthermore, there were consistent improvements in the IGA, SGA, and CBS scores across all assessment intervals, with no statistically significant variances detected between the two groups. No safety-related concerns were reported during the study. In conclusion, Liztox® injection proved to be a secure and efficacious intervention for managing upper extremity spasticity in post-stroke patients.
Exploring the lived experiences of participants and facilitators of an online mindfulness program during COVID-19: a phenomenological study

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has placed incredible demands on healthcare workers (HCWs) and adversely impacted their well-being. Throughout the pandemic, organizations have sought to implement brief and flexible mental health interventions to better support employees. Few studies have explored HCWs’ lived experiences of participating in brief, online mindfulness programming during the pandemic using qualitative methodologies. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with HCWs and program facilitators (n = 13) who participated in an online, four-week, mindfulness-based intervention program. The goals of this study were to: (1) understand how participants experienced work during the pandemic; (2) understand how the rapid switch to online life impacted program delivery and how participants experienced the mindfulness program; and (3) describe the role of the mindfulness program in supporting participants’ mental health and well-being. We utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to elucidate participants’ and facilitators’ rich and meaningful lived experiences and identified patterns of experiences through a cross-case analysis. This resulted in four main themes: (1) changing environments; (2) snowball of emotions; (3) connection and disconnection; and (4) striving for resilience. Findings from this study highlight strategies for organizations to create and support wellness programs for HCWs in times of public health crises. These include improving social connection in virtual care settings, providing professional development and technology training for HCWs to adapt to rapid environmental changes, and recognizing the difference between emotions and emotional states in HCWs involved in mindfulness-based programs.
Daño mecánico por compresión en nardo (Polianthes tuberosa)* Mechanical damage due to compression in tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)

1Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos. Avenida Universidad Num. 1001. Cuernavaca, Morelos. C. P. 62209. 7771626383. (ijac96@yahoo.com.mx). 2Universidad Autonoma Chapingo-Departamento de Fitotecnia. 015959517682. (lozcol@gmail.com). Carretera Mexico-Texcoco, km 38.5. Chapingo, Estado de Mexico. C. P. 56230. 3Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro-Departamento de Horticultura. Calzada Antonio Narro 1923. Saltillo, Coahuila, C. P. 25315. (luisalonso_va@hotmail. com). §Autor para correspondencia: yoyaly@hotmail.com.
Factors Associated with Poor Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

Simple Summary Although quality of life (QOL) improves over time for most breast cancer survivors (BCSs), specific subgroup of BCSs may show persistently low or deteriorated QOL even after their treatment ends. Early identification of high-risk groups for QOL deterioration is crucial for quality cancer care. This study was conducted to identify subgroups of QOL change among 101 Korean BCSs, and to examine factors associated with subgroups that show poor QOL. During a 3-year observation, 22.6% of the participants showed consistently low or deteriorated QOL. Persistent symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and comorbidity were found to be significant risk factors of poor QOL in BCS. These findings are helpful to identify high-risk groups for QOL deterioration among BCSs. Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of quality of life (QOL) changes in breast cancer survivors (BCSs), and to determine factors associated with subgroups of consistently low or deteriorated QOL. We enrolled 101 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer in South Korea and asked them to complete a questionnaire at baseline (within 1 month of diagnosis), 1 year later (Year 1), 2 years later (Year 2), and 3 years later (Year 3). We assessed QOL using the global QOL subscale from the EORTC QLQ-C30. We defined low QOL as a global QOL score 10 points below the mean score of the general population. Based on low QOL as defined in this study, we identified subgroups of QOL changes over 3 years. We identified four subgroups of QOL changes: improved (47.4%), stable (30%), continuously low (8.8%), and deteriorated (13.8%), and considered the last two categories (22.6%) poor QOL. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that significant determinants of poor QOL were insomnia at Year 1, fatigue and anxiety at Year 2, and fatigue, depression, and comorbidity at Year 3. In conclusion, persistent symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and comorbidity are potential risk factors for poor QOL in BCSs.
The Impact of Obesity on Kidney Disease: Observational Cohort Study Analyzing 14,492 Kidney Biopsy Cases

Background The obesity epidemic is associated with the emergence of new kidney diseases including obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) and metabolic syndrome-associated disorders. However, the effects of obesity on prevalence and outcome of biopsy-proven kidney disease are not well known. Methods We analyzed 14,492 kidney biopsies in 18 hospitals from 1979 to 2018 in Korea. Obesity was defined as a body mass index value of ≥ 30 kg/m2. Results The most common disease was IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in both obese and non-obese participants (33.7% vs. 38.9%). Obesity was associated with a higher risk of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and hypertensive nephropathy (HT-N) (odds ratio [OR], 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.17; OR, 1.96, 95% CI, 1.21–3.19) and a lower risk of IgAN (OR, 0.74, 95% CI, 0.62–0.88). During the median follow up of 93.1 ± 88.7 months, obesity increased the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in patients with IgAN (relative risk [RR], 1.49, 95% CI, 1.01–2.20) and lupus nephritis (LN) (RR, 3.43, 95% CI, 1.36–8.67). Of 947 obese individuals, ORG was detected in 298 (31.5%), and 230 participants had other kidney diseases, most commonly, IgAN (40.9%) followed by diabetic nephropathy (15.2%). Participants with ORG, when combined with other renal diseases, showed higher risks for developing ESKD compared to those with ORG alone (RR, 2.48, 95% CI, 1.09–5.64). Conclusion Obesity is associated with an increased risk of FSGS and HT-N, and also increase the ESKD risk in IgAN and LN patients. ORG in obese participants may have favorable renal outcomes if it occurs alone without any other renal disease.
Topic Familiarity Effects on Performance in Speaking Assessment Tasks

Speaking assessment is believed to be difficult in its expansion and execution. Thus, it is a challenge for teachers in preparing students for speaking tests. This study’s purpose was to identify whether topic familiarity affects speaking performance among students who were preparing to sit for the high-stakes Malaysian University English Test speaking test. The study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the speaking assessment measures and, subsequently, to examine the speaking tests’ item difficulty measures differences according to topic familiarity level. Data were collected from 40 non-native speakers of English among Malaysian Form Six pre-university students who were preparing for their MUET test. The researcher conducted two practice speaking tests, which used retired papers of the MUET CEFR-aligned speaking tests, to the 40 participants who were grouped into 10 speaking test groups. The practice speaking tests were video and audio-recorded. Topic familiarity was measured using self-report questionnaires. In the second phase, each of the seven appointed raters scored all 40 students’ responses in two speaking tests consisting of two speaking tasks assessed across four criteria: task fulfillment, language, communicative ability, and group discussion. Many-facet Rasch measurement results revealed significant differences translating to significant influence of topic familiarity on speaking performance. The present study’s results not only confirmed the significance of topic familiarity in the preparation for speaking assessments, but also highlighted the need for formal teaching on potential topic themes that are commonly encountered in such assessments, particularly those that are at the post-secondary level. These findings imply importance in designing speaking tests taking into account test-taker topic familiarity.
Impact of heat stress on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and feed efficiency in dairy cows: a meta-analysis.

Heat stress compromises dairy production by decreasing feed intake, and milk yield, and may alter milk composition and feed efficiency. However, little information is available for evaluating such effects across different levels of heat stress and cows enrolled in heat stress studies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of heat stress on dry matter intake (DMI), energy-corrected milk (ECM), milk composition, and feed efficiency (kg ECM/kg DMI) and to investigate the relationship between such effects and heat stress intervention and animal characteristics by using meta-analytical approaches. Data from 31 studies (34 trials) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used foranalysis. Results showed that heat stress decreased DMI, ECM, and milk protein concentration, but did not alter milk fat concentration or feed efficiency. Meta-regression confirmed that such reduction in DMI and ECM was significantly associated with increasing temperature humidity index (THI). Over the period of heat stress, for each unit increase in THI, DMI and ECM decreased by 4.13% and 3.25% in mid-lactation cows, respectively. Regression models further revealed that a strong interaction between THI and lactation stage existed, which partially explained the large heterogeneity in effect size of DMI and ECM. Results indicated a need for more research on the relationship between the effect of heat stress and animal characteristics. This study calls for implementation of mitigation strategies in heat-stressed herds due to the substantial decrease in productivity.
Probabilistic Risk of Nitrates to Human Health Via Drinking Water: A Case Study of Water Supply for Dandan Station and its Quarters in Mosul, Iraq

Background: The primary objective of this study was to assess the nitrate ion concentration in drinking water and determine the potential health risks associated with nitrate contamination for humans. Methods: A total of 100 water samples were collected from ten sites, including the Dandan water supply station and adjacent residential neighborhoods on the right side of Mosul city between September 2021 and February 2022. Results: The results of the study revealed that the concentration of nitrate ions ranged between (0.95-3.614 mg/L). Based on the study’s results, all of the analyzed water samples fell within the international drinking water quality standards set by the World Health Organization. The concentrations of nitrate ions corresponded to low values of both chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ or QI), which ranged from 0.05162 to 0.18164 mg/kg/day and 0.03226 to 0.11357, respectively. Consequently, the hazard index (HI) for this study remained within safe limits for drinking water. The study also revealed that infants and individuals within the age group of 21 and older were the most susceptible to potential nitrate-related health risks, while the age group of 16 to 18 exhibited the lowest susceptibility to such risks. Conclusion: The study recommends the use of examined water for drinking due to its safe and healthy nitrate ion concentration. It further suggests the continuation of periodic assessments of drinking water supply stations to ensure ongoing consumer safety, as no potential health risks, including cancerous and non-cancerous risks, were identified.
EEG spectral and microstate analysis originating residual inhibition of tinnitus induced by tailor-made notched music training

Tailor-made notched music training (TMNMT) is a promising therapy for tinnitus. Residual inhibition (RI) is one of the few interventions that can temporarily inhibit tinnitus, which is a useful technique that can be applied to tinnitus research and explore tinnitus mechanisms. In this study, RI effect of TMNMT in tinnitus was investigated mainly using behavioral tests, EEG spectral and microstate analysis. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate RI effect of TMNMT. A total of 44 participants with tinnitus were divided into TMNMT group (22 participants; ECnm, NMnm, RInm represent that EEG recordings with eyes closed stimuli-pre, stimuli-ing, stimuli-post by TMNMT music, respectively) and Placebo control group (22 participants; ECpb, PBpb, RIpb represent that EEG recordings with eyes closed stimuli-pre, stimuli-ing, stimuli-post by Placebo music, respectively) in a single-blind manner. Behavioral tests, EEG spectral analysis (covering delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma frequency bands) and microstate analysis (involving four microstate classes, A to D) were employed to evaluate RI effect of TMNMT. The results of the study showed that TMNMT had a stronger inhibition ability and longer inhibition time according to the behavioral tests compared to Placebo. Spectral analysis showed that RI effect of TMNMT increased significantly the power spectral density (PSD) of delta, theta bands and decreased significantly the PSD of alpha2 band, and microstate analysis showed that RI effect of TMNMT had shorter duration (microstate B, microstate C), higher Occurrence (microstate A, microstate C, microstate D), Coverage (microstate A) and transition probabilities (microstate A to microstate B, microstate A to microstate D and microstate D to microstate A). Meanwhile, RI effect of Placebo decreased significantly the PSD of alpha2 band, and microstate analysis showed that RI effect of Placebo had shorter duration (microstate C, microstate D), higher occurrence (microstate B, microstate C), lower coverage (microstate C, microstate D), higher transition probabilities (microstate A to microstate B, microstate B to microstate A). It was also found that the intensity of tinnitus symptoms was significant positively correlated with the duration of microstate B in five subgroups (ECnm, NMnm, RInm, ECpb, PBpb). Our study provided valuable experimental evidence and practical applications for the effectiveness of TMNMT as a novel music therapy for tinnitus. The observed stronger residual inhibition (RI) ability of TMNMT supported its potential applications in tinnitus treatment. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of EEG microstates serve as novel functional and trait markers of synchronous brain activity that contribute to a deep understanding of the neural mechanism underlying TMNMT treatment for tinnitus.
Age-Related Alternative Splicing: Driver or Passenger in the Aging Process?

Alternative splicing changes are closely linked to aging, though it remains unclear if they are drivers or effects. As organisms age, splicing patterns change, varying gene isoform levels and functions. These changes may contribute to aging alterations rather than just reflect declining RNA quality control. Three main splicing types—intron retention, cassette exons, and cryptic exons—play key roles in age-related complexity. These events modify protein domains and increase nonsense-mediated decay, shifting protein isoform levels and functions. This may potentially drive aging or serve as a biomarker. Fluctuations in splicing factor expression also occur with aging. Somatic mutations in splicing genes can also promote aging and age-related disease. The interplay between splicing and aging has major implications for aging biology, though differentiating correlation and causation remains challenging. Declaring a splicing factor or event as a driver requires comprehensive evaluation of the associated molecular and physiological changes. A greater understanding of how RNA splicing machinery and downstream targets are impacted by aging is essential to conclusively establish the role of splicing in driving aging, representing a promising area with key implications for understanding aging, developing novel therapeutical options, and ultimately leading to an increase in the healthy human lifespan.
Impacts of food-based enrichment on behaviour and physiology of male greater rheas (Rhea Americana, Rheidae, Aves)

Distress can be defined as a biological response of an individual to long-term threats to its homeostasis and it should be avoided from an animal welfare perspective. High levels of stress hormones and the expression of abnormal behaviours are responses normally observed in distressed animals. Captive environments can provoke distress, especially when inappropriate stimuli are provided to the animals. The concomitant use of behavioural and non-invasive hormonal measures is a means to evaluate captive animal welfare. Environmental enrichment is a tool that can reduce distress and minimize the expression of abnormal behaviour in captive animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate greater rheas’ responses (behavioral and hormonal) to food-based enrichment. Three birds from the Belo Horizonte Zoo, Brazil were studied. The study was divided into three phases (baseline, enrichment and post-enrichment): fruits scattered around the birds’ enclosure were used as enrichment. Behaviour and faecal sampling were undertaken in all phases of the study. Abnormal behaviours and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) levels showed significant reduction during the environmental enrichment phase, and a significative positive correlation between GCM production and abnormal pacing was observed. From the results of this study, we conclude that the use of food as environmental enrichment should be encouraged because of its positive effects on animal welfare. Besides, studies with larger groups of greater rheas, with individuals of both sexes, should also be encouraged to evaluate if the results found in this pilot study are consistent and can be generalized to the species.
Deep subsurface temperatures in the Roer Valley Graben and the Peelblock, the Netherlands - new results

Abstract The deep subsurface temperature data of the Roer Valley Graben have been re-analysed and combined with new temperature data from hydrocarbon exploration wells. The results show that the deep subsurface temperature distribution in the Roer Valley Graben is essentially the same as in the relatively stable high bordering the Roer Valley Graben to the southwest. Thus, the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Roer Valley Graben, which is characterized by uplift and denudation during the Late Eocene and subsidence due to rifting starting from Late Oligocene, has hardly affected the temperatures in the graben, which is probably due to the slow subsidence and sedimentation rates. In contrast to what is suggested on previously published temperature maps, the Roer Valley Graben is probably not a relatively cold area in the Netherlands.
LED-RFF: LTE DMRS-Based Channel Robust Radio Frequency Fingerprint Identification Scheme

In physical-layer security schemes, radio frequency fingerprint (RFF) identification is vulnerable to the channel variations, and the identification of the long term evolution (LTE) mobile devices deserves further investigation. In this paper, we propose an RFF extraction method based on the LTE demodulation reference signal (DMRS) processing which can mitigate the channel impairments during the RFF extraction process. First, we analyze the impacts of RFF and the multipath channel on the DMRS in the LTE physical uplink shared channel and take the flexible time-frequency resource block allocations into account. Then, we propose an RFF extraction method based on the wavelet decomposition and reconstruction of the DMRS signals. It is found that the in-phase/quadrature (IQ) direct current offset and the frequency-dependent IQ imbalance mainly affect high-frequency components of the frequency domain DMRS signals, while the power amplifier memory nonlinearity and the channel effects mainly influence the low-frequency components. By removing the low-frequency components of the frequency domain DMRS signals, the proposed method is robust to the channel impairments. Finally, the simulation and experimental results show that our method can effectively reduce the channel impacts and retain the device RFF. The effectiveness of this method is verified via different classification tasks. The classification accuracy can reach 98.5% and 93.9% in the stationary and mobile scenarios, respectively. Meanwhile, by combining the training sets collected in the static and the moving scenarios together in the training process, the model can achieve better classification performance.