Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A large-scale experiment on New Year’s resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals

Despite the popularity of New Year’s resolutions, current knowledge about them is limited. We investigated what resolutions people make when they are free to formulate them, whether different resolutions reach differing success rates, and whether it is possible to increase the likelihood of a resolution’s success by administering information and exercises on effective goal setting. Participants (N = 1066) from the general public were randomized into three groups: active control, some support, and extended support. The most popular resolutions regarded physical health, weight loss, and eating habits. At a one-year follow-up, 55% of responders considered themselves successful in sustaining their resolutions. Participants with approach-oriented goals were significantly more successful than those with avoidance-oriented goals (58.9% vs. 47.1%). The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the other two. This study reveals that New Year’s resolutions can have lasting effects, even at a one-year follow-up.
COVID-19 pandemic fear, life satisfaction and mental health at the initial stage of the pandemic in the largest cities in Poland

ABSTRACT The study investigated whether the level of life satisfaction and general mental health was associated with COVID-19 worries at the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. A cross-sectional observational study using an online questionnaire was conducted between 19 March and 27 April 2020, i.e. at the beginning of the epidemic in Poland. The study participants were residents of Poland over the age of 18 years. A total of 412 completed responses were received. The majority of respondents were women (75%), 84% respondents were mentally healthy and did not have any diagnosis of mental illnesses. Sixty-eight percent respondents indicated that they had been worried about the COVID-19 pandemic for the average of 21.75 days (SD +-16), while the median period from the onset of epidemic in Poland (20 March) to the participation in the study was 11 days. The main domains of concern included: death of loved ones (75%), severe course of illness in loved ones (72%), healthcare failure (64%), consequences of the pandemic at an individual and social level (64% and 63%, respectively). There was a significant medium decrease in the level of happiness and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 epidemic (p <.001).
Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers for Early Detection and Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is highly metastatic, and it tends to be detected at advanced stages. Identifying and developing biomarkers for early detection of PC is crucial for a potentially curative treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are bilayer lipid membrane-structured nanovesicles found in various human bodily fluids, and they play important roles in tumor biogenesis and metastasis. Cancer-derived EVs are enriched with DNA, RNA, protein, and lipid, and they have emerged as attractive diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of PC. In this article, we provided an overview of the cell biology of EVs and their isolation and analysis, and their roles in cancer pathogenesis and progression. Multiplatform analyses of plasma-based exosomes for genomic DNA, micro RNA, mRNA, circular RNA, and protein for diagnosis of PC were critically reviewed. Numerous lines of evidence demonstrate that liquid biopsy with analysis of EV-based biomarkers has variable performance for diagnosis of PC. Future investigation is indicated to optimize the methodology for isolating and analyzing EVs and to identify the combination of EV-based biomarkers and other clinical datasets, with the goal of improving the predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of screening tests for early detection and diagnosis of PC.
Feasibility and estimated efficacy of blood flow restricted training in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled pilot study

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a blood flow restriction (BFR) training regimen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and to compare the effects of 4 weeks of BFR training with low-intensity strength training on muscle strength, muscle endurance, and joint pain in patients with RA. Method: In this non-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial, 18 women with RA aged 18–65 years performed low-intensity strength training for the lower limbs three times a week for 4 weeks, and were randomized to train with or without occlusion bands. The primary outcomes were registration of the recruitment process, compliance with training sessions, side effects, perceived pain, and a satisfaction survey. The secondary outcomes were changes in muscle strength, muscle endurance, and joint pain. Results: The findings of this pilot study included a challenging recruitment process, well tolerated training and test protocols, overall good patient satisfaction, no serious side effects, and high compliance. Both groups achieved significant improvements in knee extensor strength from baseline to follow-up, with a change of 11.5 kg [interquartile range (IQR) 9.8;13.0] in the intervention group and 8.4 kg (IQR 5.5;12.4) in the control group, and a significant between-group difference in favour of the intervention group (p = 0.0342). Conclusions: The feasibility results of this study indicated a challenging recruitment process, general satisfaction with the BFR and exercises, good compliance, and only expected non-serious side effects. BFR training may improve knee extensor strength in women with RA, compared low-intensity strength training without BFR.
A positive feedback loop between Flower and PI(4,5)P2 at periactive zones controls bulk endocytosis in Drosophila

Synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis is coupled to exocytosis to maintain SV pool size and thus neurotransmitter release. Intense stimulation induces activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE) to recapture large quantities of SV constituents in large endosomes from which SVs reform. How these consecutive processes are spatiotemporally coordinated remains unknown. Here, we show that Flower Ca2+ channel-dependent phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) compartmentalization governs control of these processes in Drosophila. Strong stimuli trigger PI(4,5)P2 microdomain formation at periactive zones. Upon exocytosis, Flower translocates from SVs to periactive zones, where it increases PI(4,5)P2 levels via Ca2+ influxes. Remarkably, PI(4,5)P2 directly enhances Flower channel activity, thereby establishing a positive feedback loop for PI(4,5)P2 microdomain compartmentalization. PI(4,5)P2 microdomains drive ADBE and SV reformation from bulk endosomes. PI(4,5)P2 further retrieves Flower to bulk endosomes, terminating endocytosis. We propose that the interplay between Flower and PI(4,5)P2 is the crucial spatiotemporal cue that couples exocytosis to ADBE and subsequent SV reformation.
Autologous stem cell transplantation is safe and effective for fit, older myeloma patients: exploratory results from the Myeloma XI trial

Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the standard of care for consolidation after induction therapy for eligible patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. In recent clinical trials comparing ASCT to delayed ASCT, patients aged over 65 were excluded. In real-world practice stem cell transplants are not restricted to those aged under 65 and clinicians decide on transplant eligibility based on a patient’s fitness rather than a strict age cut-off. Data from the UK NCRI Myeloma XI trial, a large phase III randomized controlled trial with pathways for transplant-eligible and -ineligible patients, were used in an exploratory analysis to examine the efficacy and toxicity of ASCT in older patients including an analysis using an age-matched population to compare outcomes for patients receiving similar induction therapy with or without ASCT. Older patients within the transplant-eligible pathway were less likely to undergo stem cell harvest at the end of induction than younger patients and of those patients undergoing ASCT there was a reduction in progression-free survival associated with increasing age. ASCT in older patients was well tolerated with no difference in morbidity or mortality between patients aged <65, 65-69 and 70-75 years. In an age-matched population of patients including those in both the transplant- eligible and -ineligible pathways there was a significant advantage associated with undergoing ASCT with increases in progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.41, P<0.0001) and overall survival (hazard ratio 0.51, P<0.0001), which persisted even after adjustment for baseline covariates including those related to frailty and response to induction. These findings support the use of ASCT for selected fit, older myeloma patients. EudraCT number, 2009-010956-93
Association between CRT(D)/ICD and renal insufficiency: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with or without a defibrillator (CRT(D)) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may reduce the risk of arrhythmia or heart failure‐specific mortality and improves the prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or dialysis. The aim of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis investigating the relationship between CRT(D)/ICD and renal insufficiency. Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Pubmed were systematically searched from inception to 29 October 2019. We included studies that report all‐cause mortality of patients with renal insufficiency who received CRT(D)/ICD therapy. Twenty‐six studies (n = 119,263) were included, exploring the relationship between CRT(D)/ICD and renal insufficiency from two aspects: (1) Compared with ICD‐only, CRT(D) was associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality in CKD patients (odds ratios (OR) = 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60 to 0.75). For non‐primary prevention (secondary prevention or both), the analysis revealed a lower risk of all‐cause mortality in the ICD group than in the no‐ICD group (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.55). (2) CKD increased all‐cause mortality in comparison with control group (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.85 to 2.44), and so did dialysis (OR = 2.53; 95% CI, 2.34 to 2.73). Furthermore, compared with CKD3 (eGFR: 30‐59 ml/min/1.73 m2), CKD4/5 (eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2) was observed to have a significantly higher risk of all‐cause mortality (OR = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.93 to 3.80). This review shows a clear association between CRT(D)/ICD and renal insufficiency in the aspect of all‐cause mortality, and may provide a reference for the clinical application of CRT(D)/ICD.
The multifaceted eukaryotic cap structure

The 5′ cap structure is added onto RNA polymerase II transcripts soon after initiation of transcription and modulates several post‐transcriptional regulatory events involved in RNA maturation. It is also required for stimulating translation initiation of many cytoplasmic mRNAs and serves to protect mRNAs from degradation. These functional properties of the cap are mediated by several cap binding proteins (CBPs) involved in nuclear and cytoplasmic gene expression steps. The role that CBPs play in gene regulation, as well as the biophysical nature by which they recognize the cap, is quite intricate. Differences in mechanisms of capping as well as nuances in cap recognition speak to the potential of targeting these processes for drug development. In this review, we focus on recent findings concerning the cap epitranscriptome, our understanding of cap binding by different CBPs, and explore therapeutic targeting of CBP‐cap interaction.
Hypergravity as a gravitational therapy mitigates the effects of knee osteoarthritis on the musculoskeletal system in a murine model

Insights into the effects of osteoarthritis (OA) and physical interventions on the musculoskeletal system are limited. Our goal was to analyze musculoskeletal changes in OA mice and test the efficacy of 8-week exposure to hypergravity, as a replacement of physical activity. 16-week-old male (C57BL/6J) mice allocated to sham control and OA groups not centrifuged (Ctrl 1g and OA 1g, respectively) or centrifuged at 2g acceleration (Ctrl 2g and OA 2g). OA 1g displayed decreased trabecular bone in the proximal tibia metaphysis and increased osteoclastic activity and local TNFα gene expression, all entirely prevented by 2g gravitational therapy. However, while cortical bone of tibia midshaft was preserved in OA 1g (vs. ctrl), it is thinner in OA 2g (vs. OA 1g). In the hind limb, OA at 1g increased fibers with lipid droplets by 48% in the tibialis anterior, a fact fully prevented by 2g. In Ctrl, 2g increased soleus, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius masses. In the soleus of both Ctrl and OA, 2g induced larger fibers and a switch from type-II to type-I fiber. Catabolic (myostatin and its receptor activin RIIb and visfatine) and anabolic (FNDC5) genes dramatically increased in Ctrl 2g and OA 2g (p<0.01 vs 1g). Nevertheless, the overexpression of FNDC5 (and follistatine) was smaller in OA 2g than in Ctrl 2g. Thus, hypergravity in OA mice produced positive effects for trabecular bone and muscle typology, similar to resistance exercises, but negative effects for cortical bone.
Studies of the Plasma Related Oxygen Contamination of Gallium Nitride Grown by Remote Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition

Nitrogen and ammonia plasma containment tubes of quartz and fused alumina (Al2O3) are evaluated in terms of the oxygen contamination contributed during gallium nitride film growth by RPE-CVD. In-situ gas and plasma monitoring, and material characterisation (UV–Vis transmission measurements, X-ray diffraction and SIMS) were used to determine the contaminant chemistries for the plasmas maintained in these containment tubes. Oxygen contamination using a quartz tube is shown to be unavoidable. Al2O3 based tubes used with an ammonia plasma also supply unacceptably high levels of oxygen for GaN growth. However, we show that alumina containment tubes may be conditioned in a nitrogen plasma, so that an aluminium nitride protective layer limits the oxygen contamination.
Frequency and genotype distribution of high risk human papillomavirus in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a dismal disease exhibiting striking geographical differences in its incidence. It is multifactorial in origin. Among infectious agents, human papillomavirus (HPV) was introduced as a possible causative agent in the development of ESCC in 1982. Subsequent studies using various methods have confirmed the presence of HPV in ESCC. We aimed to determine the frequency of HPV in ESCC in northwest Pakistan which is part of high risk belt for this disease. METHODOLOGY This study was conducted on two hundred and forty-three (243) diagnosed cases of ESSC at two tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan, from 2011 to 2016. DNA was extracted from all specimens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to check the quality of DNA using β-globin primers and frequency and genotypes of HPV using HPV general primers and type-specific primers respectively. HPV and its genotypes were confirmed through the sequencing of a few selected cases. RESULTS Two hundred and three (203) tissue specimens had adequate DNA and were further analyzed. HPV positivity with general primers alone was 15.7% (32/203). Using HPV general primers and type-specific primers (HPV 16 or HPV 18), the overall positivity of HPV was 31% (63/203). For type-specific primers, frequency of HPV types 16 and 18 was 20.19% (41) and 7.8% (16) respectively where 6 cases were positive for both HPV 16 and 18. CONCLUSIONS The overall high prevalence of HPV indicates it as a possible risk factor for ESSC.
Association of Hyperparathyroidism and Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background Concomitant papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and hyperparathyroidism (HPT) have been reported in several studies. Our study aimed to investigate the incidence of concomitant PTC in HPT patients upon preoperative diagnosis and present a clinical opinion on detecting thyroid malignancy in case of parathyroidectomy. Methods Patients who underwent parathyroidectomy between January 2009 and December 2019 in two medical centers were included. Of the 279 participants 154 were diagnosed as primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and 125 as secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). The incidence of concomitant PTC and its clinical characteristics were compared with 98 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and were diagnosed with classical PTC during the same period. Results Concurrent PTC was detected in 14 patients (9.1%) with pHPT and in nine patients (7.2%) with sHPT. Ten (71.4%) and seven (77.8%) PTCs were microcarcinomas in the pHPT and sHPT cases respectively. In the pHPT patients, vitamin D was lower in the pHPT+PTC group (13.0±3.7 ng/mL) than in the pHPT-only group (18.5±10.4 ng/mL; P=0.01). Vitamin D levels were also lower in the sHPT+PTC group (12.3±5.6 ng/mL) than in the sHPT-only group (18.0±10.2 ng/mL; P=0.12). In the concomitant PTC group, lymph node ratio was higher than in the classical PTC group (P=0.00). Conclusion A high prevalence of concomitant PTC was seen in patients with pHPT and sHPT. Those concomitant PTCs were mostly microcarcinomas and had more aggressive features, suggesting that efforts should be made to detect concomitant malignancies in the preoperative parathyroidectomy evaluation.
Evaluation of indications for amniocentesis in cases of normal fetal ultrasound results.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to analyze indications for amniocentesis in cases of patients with normal fetal ultrasound results between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks of gestation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The results of first-trimester screening tests performed between 2014 and 2018 on 6,863 patients of the Prenatal Testing Outpatient Clinic at the Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland, were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were a singleton pregnancy and normal results of fetal ultrasound between 11+0- and 13+6-weeks' gestation. Depending on the calculated risk of fetal trisomy 21, the patients were divided into three groups (group A = RS > 1:300, group B = RS 1:300 - 1:999, group C = RS ≤ 1:1000). Subsequently, values such as PAPP-A and fβ-hCG protein levels and maternal age were analyzed for each of the groups. RESULTS The patients, 6,310 (91.94%) met the inclusion criteria. A high risk of fetal trisomy 21 was identified for 514 women (8.15%). Group B had 733 (11.62%) and group C 5,063 (80.23%) patients. In group A, an fβ-hCG level of ≥ 2.000 MoM was shown for 50.97% of the women. A PAPP-A level ranging from 0.001 to 0.499 MoM was observed for 38.72% of group A patients. The mean maternal age in groups A, B and C was 36.45, 36.08 and 31.64 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the first-trimester, patients with normal ultrasound results obtained during prenatal screening tests, the main cause of an increased risk of trisomy 21 was elevated PAPP-A and fβ-hCG concentrations. According to this paper's authors, in these cases extension of diagnosis to include other gestational complications, e.g. preeclampsia, should be considered.
Exploring the after-hours social experiences of youth with disabilities in residential immersive life skills programs: a photo elicitation study

Abstract Purpose This study explored the meaning of the after-hours social experiences of youth with disabilities in a residential life skills program. After-hours experiences occur outside of formal program hours, primarily in the evenings. Method Five youth with cerebral palsy (three females) participated in an exploratory photo elicitation study while attending one of two residential immersive life skills programs. Following an auto-driven photo elicitation method, youth took photos of their choosing and then were interviewed about photos they elected to share. Interview data were analyzed thematically. Results Themes illustrated meaningful social experiences and their benefits. Two themes described the after-hours social experiences of most importance to youth: learning about strengths from working together, and having meaningful individual and group conversations. Three themes reflected benefits reported by youth: learning about differences among people, gaining new perspectives and new knowledge about oneself, and developing friendships and a sense of “family. ” Conclusions The findings illuminate the benefits of after-hours social experiences for youth who may have had little opportunity previously to informally interact with other youth with disabilities. The findings highlight the importance of the immersive, group nature of a residential, away-from-home youth transition program, particularly the value added by the after-hours program component. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The findings support the value of an over-night residential aspect for life skills programs for youth with disabilities. Residential immersive life skills programs provide opportunities for youth to discuss common experiences and shared challenges, leading to the formation of social bonds. Residential immersive life skills programs provide opportunities for youth to interact with peers in the absence of adults, and to make choices about how to use their personal time. It is important to intentionally design transition programs to provide opportunities for after-hours social experiences, including working together and socializing.
Constant Light in Critical Postnatal Days Affects Circadian Rhythms in Locomotion and Gene Expression in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Retina, and Pineal Gland Later in Life

The circadian clock regulates bodily rhythms by time cues that result from the integration of genetically encoded endogenous rhythms with external cycles, most potently with the light/dark cycle. Chronic exposure to constant light in adulthood disrupts circadian system function and can induce behavioral and physiological arrhythmicity with potential clinical consequences. Since the developing nervous system is particularly vulnerable to experiences during the critical period, we hypothesized that early-life circadian disruption would negatively impact the development of the circadian clock and its adult function. Newborn rats were subjected to a constant light of 16 lux from the day of birth through until postnatal day 20, and then they were housed in conditions of L12 h (16 lux): D12 h (darkness). The circadian period was measured by locomotor activity rhythm at postnatal day 60, and the rhythmic expressions of clock genes and tissue-specific genes were detected in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, retinas, and pineal glands at postnatal days 30 and 90. Our data show that early postnatal exposure to constant light leads to a prolonged endogenous period of locomotor activity rhythm and affects the rhythmic gene expression in all studied brain structures later in life.