Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strength and Speed Profiles Based on Age and Sex Differences in Young Basketball Players

Team sports are in continuous evolution, and physical performance is acquiring greater importance in the game. The assessment of physical fitness is the most reliable method for knowing if the athlete’s physical fitness is appropriate. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to identify profiles of physical-physiological demands with different specific tests of physical fitness related to the maximum strength of the lower body and speed. Moreover, some differences based on the sex and age of the players were identified. One hundred and forty-nine basketball players were analyzed (men n = 103 vs. women n = 46, weight: 74.74 ± 11.65 kg vs. 56.89 ± 3.71 kg, height: 184.66 ± 11.67 vs. 164 ± 4 and BMI: 21.7 ± 0.83 vs. 21.6 ± 0.90). The players performed an Abalakov test, a multi-jump test, and a repeat sprint ability test. Each player was equipped with a WIMU PRO device, and photoelectric cells were used. A MANOVA was performed to discover the differences between ages, and a t-test was used regarding sex. The results showed significant differences based on age and sex in variables related to time and Player Load/min (p < 0.001). The variables related to steps (contact, step, flight) also showed significant differences as a function of age (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.05). The multi-jump test showed differences based on age (p < 0.05 except in between jumps), but not on sex. These results confirm the importance of working together on lower body strength and speed skills. In addition, the planning of the work on these abilities must be individualized and according to the characteristics of the athlete.
Combined In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Propose a Putative Adverse Outcome Pathway for Acute Lung Inflammation Induced by Nanoparticles: A Study on Carbon Dots

With the growth of nanotechnologies, concerns raised regarding the potential adverse effects of nanoparticles (NPs), especially on the respiratory tract. Adverse outcome pathways (AOP) have become recently the subject of intensive studies in order to get a better understanding of the mechanisms of NP toxicity, and hence hopefully predict the health risks associated with NP exposure. Herein, we propose a putative AOP for the lung toxicity of NPs using emerging nanomaterials called carbon dots (CDs), and in vivo and in vitro experimental approaches. We first investigated the effect of a single administration of CDs on mouse airways. We showed that CDs induce an acute lung inflammation and identified airway macrophages as target cells of CDs. Then, we studied the cellular responses induced by CDs in an in vitro model of macrophages. We observed that CDs are internalized by these cells (molecular initial event) and induce a series of key events, including loss of lysosomal integrity and mitochondrial disruption (organelle responses), as well as oxidative stress, inflammasome activation, inflammatory cytokine upregulation and macrophage death (cellular responses). All these effects triggering lung inflammation as tissular response may lead to acute lung injury.
Investigation of a Correction Procedure for Surface IrregularityEffects Based on Scatter Peak Intensities in the Field Analysis ofGeological and Archaeological Rock Samples by Portable X-ray FluorescenceSpectrometry

Discrepancies arise in the analysis by portable XRF of geological and archaeological rock samples that have irregular shaped surfaces, because the instrument is calibrated for the quantitative analysis of flat samples. A simple correction procedure was investigated to overcome these discrepancies in which the measured intensity is normalised by the ratio of the scatter peak intensity from a compositionally similar flat reference sample to the scatter peak intensity measured from the sample itself. The scatter peak data were obtained from the 55 Fe, 109 Cd and 241 Am sources incorporated in the instrument used for this investigation. Under controlled conditions, this correction has proved to be successful in compensating for effective air gaps of up to 3 mm in the analysis of the K lines of higher atomic number elements (Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba) and up to 1 mm for the Fe K line. Low energy K lines are affected by air attenuation in the air gap, which is not accounted for in this simple model. The scatter peak from the 55 Fe source is preferred for the correction because its intensity is least dependent on sample composition, but the 109 Cd scatter peak can be used instead with more careful matching of the composition of the flat sample used to derive the reference scatter peak intensity. Apart from additional air attenuation, the principle limitations to the application of this method to larger air gaps were ( i ) the change in scatter angle and, therefore, relative scatter intensity as the air gap is increased and ( ii ) the increasing contribution from scatter in air, particularly to the measured 55 Fe scatter peak at larger air gaps between sample and analyser.
Kinetics of Isothermal Adsorption on Energetically Heterogeneous Solid Surfaces: A New Theoretical Description Based on the Statistical Rate Theory of Interfacial Transport

Starting from the fundamental equations of the statistical rate theory of interfacial transport (SRTIT), a set of three equations has been developed, resulting in a new description of the kinetics of localized gas adsorption/desorption on energetically heterogeneous solid surfaces. For the Langmuir model of adsorption, these equations take the following form: dθt/dt = 2kTχc(ec)Kgs[Kpeec/kT − 1/(Kp)e-ec/kT], θt(ec,T) = χ(e)[{exp((e − ec)/kT)}/{1 + exp((e − ec)kT)}] de, and χc(ec) = χ(e)[{(1/kT) exp((e − ec)/kT)}/{[1 + exp((e − ec)/kT)]2}] de, where θt is the average surface coverage, t is time, T and k are the absolute temperature and Boltzmann constant, respectively, p is the nonequilibrium pressure in the experiment, Kgs is an expression depending on the conditions at which the experiment is carried out, K is a temperature-dependent constant, and χ(e) is the normalized differential distribution of the number of adsorption sites at various values of the adsorption energy e. Two adsorption energy distri.
Digestive n-6 Lipid Oxidation, a Key Trigger of Vascular Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis in the Western Diet: Protective Effects of Apple Polyphenols.

SCOPE A main risk factor of atherosclerosis is a Western diet (WD) rich in n-6 PUFA sensitive to oxidation. Their oxidation can be initiated by heme iron of red meat leading to the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a cytotoxic aldehyde. An increased 4-HNE production is implicated in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. By contrast, a diet rich in proanthocyanidins reduces oxidative stress and arterial diseases. This study evaluates the effects of a WD on vascular integrity in ApoE-/- mice and the protective capacity of apple extract and puree rich in antioxidant proanthocyanidins. METHODS AND RESULTS ApoE-/- mice were fed during 12 weeks with a WD with or without n-6 PUFA. Moreover, two WD + n-6 PUFA groups were supplemented with apple puree or phenolic extract. We report an increase in digestive 4-HNE production associated with a rise in plasmatic 4-HNE and oxLDL concentrations. Oxidizable n-6 PUFA consumption was associated with a worsened endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Interestingly, supplementations with apple polyphenol extract or puree prevented these impairments while reducing oxidative stress. CONCLUSION n-6 lipid oxidation during digestion may be a key factor of vascular impairments. Nevertheless, an antioxidant strategy could limit 4-HNE formation during digestion and thus durably protect vascular function. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Electron Accumulation in Nanostructured TiO2 (Anatase) Electrodes

If both the technological and commercial potential of nanostructured metal oxide electrodes are to be fully realized, it will be important to understand the effects of electrolyte composition on the extent of electron accumulation and the nature of charge compensation at different applied potentials. Having studied the potential dependent optical absorption spectroscopy of nanostructured TiO2 (anatase) electrodes in different electrolytes, we concluded that the extent and nature of charge accumulation and compensation depends on whether the potential applied corresponds to weak ( 40 mC cm-2) accumulation conditions, on whether the electrolyte is prepared using a protic or aprotic solvent, and on whether the ions present in the electrolyte are capable of being intercalated or not.
OCT4 induces embryonic pluripotency via STAT3 signaling and metabolic mechanisms

Significance We used single-cell whole-genome transcriptional profiling and protein quantification to investigate the role of OCT4 in establishing pluripotency in the murine embryo. Surprisingly, most pluripotency-associated factors are induced normally in OCT4 null early blastocysts, apart from members of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Coincidentally, certain trophectoderm markers are induced but not Cdx2, which was previously implicated to repress Pou5f1 in vitro. This ectopic gene activation suggests a role for OCT4 in maintaining chromatin in a pluripotency-compatible state, likely via UTF1, a known OCT4 target. At implantation, OCT4 null inner cell masses morphologically resemble trophectoderm but exhibit molecular differences linking metabolic and physical stress responses to loss of OCT4. These effects correlate with reduced STAT3 signaling and consequent reduction of oxidative respiration. OCT4 is a fundamental component of the molecular circuitry governing pluripotency in vivo and in vitro. To determine how OCT4 establishes and protects the pluripotent lineage in the embryo, we used comparative single-cell transcriptomics and quantitative immunofluorescence on control and OCT4 null blastocyst inner cell masses at two developmental stages. Surprisingly, activation of most pluripotency-associated transcription factors in the early mouse embryo occurs independently of OCT4, with the exception of the JAK/STAT signaling machinery. Concurrently, OCT4 null inner cell masses ectopically activate a subset of trophectoderm-associated genes. Inspection of metabolic pathways implicates the regulation of rate-limiting glycolytic enzymes by OCT4, consistent with a role in sustaining glycolysis. Furthermore, up-regulation of the lysosomal pathway was specifically detected in OCT4 null embryos. This finding implicates a requirement for OCT4 in the production of normal trophectoderm. Collectively, our findings uncover regulation of cellular metabolism and biophysical properties as mechanisms by which OCT4 instructs pluripotency.
Assessment of efficacy of mutagenesis of gamma-irradiation in plant height and days to maturity through expression analysis in rice

Introduction of semi-dwarfism and early maturity in rice cultivars is important to achieve improved plant architecture, lodging resistance and high yield. Gamma rays induced mutations are routinely used to achieve these traits. We report the development of a semi-dwarf, early maturing and high-yielding mutant of rice cultivar ‘Improved White Ponni’, a popular cosmopolitan variety in south India preferred for its superior grain quality traits. Through gamma rays induced mutagenesis, several mutants were developed and subjected to selection up to six generations (M6) until the superior mutants were stabilized. In the M6 generation, significant reduction in days to flowering (up to 11.81% reduction) and plant height (up to 40% reduction) combined with an increase in single plant yield (up to 45.73% increase) was observed in the mutant population. The cooking quality traits viz., linear elongation ratio, breadthwise expansion ratio, gel consistency and gelatinization temperature of the mutants were similar to the parent variety Improved White Ponni. The genetic characterization with SSR markers showed variability between the semi-dwarf-early mutants and the Improved White Ponni. Gibberellin responsiveness study and quantitative real-time PCR showed a faulty gibberellin pathway and epistatic control between the genes such as OsKOL4 and OsBRD2 causing semi-dwarfism in a mutant. These mutants have potential as new rice varieties and can be used as new sources of semi-dwarfism and earliness for improving high grain quality rice varieties.
The Cellular Electrophysiological Properties Underlying Multiplexed Coding in Purkinje Cells

Neuronal firing patterns are crucial to underpin circuit level behaviors. In cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), both spike rates and pauses are used for behavioral coding, but the cellular mechanisms causing code transitions remain unknown. We use a well-validated PC model to explore the coding strategy that individual PCs use to process parallel fiber (PF) inputs. We find increasing input intensity shifts PCs from linear rate-coders to burst-pause timing-coders by triggering localized dendritic spikes. We validate dendritic spike properties with experimental data, elucidate spiking mechanisms, and predict spiking thresholds with and without inhibition. Both linear and burst-pause computations use individual branches as computational units, which challenges the traditional view of PCs as linear point neurons. Dendritic spike thresholds can be regulated by voltage state, compartmentalized channel modulation, between-branch interaction and synaptic inhibition to expand the dynamic range of linear computation or burst-pause computation. In addition, co-activated PF inputs between branches can modify somatic maximum spike rates and pause durations to make them carry analog signals. Our results provide new insights into the strategies used by individual neurons to expand their capacity of information processing. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Understanding how neurons process information is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Purkinje cells (PCs) were traditionally regarded as linear point neurons. We used computational modeling to unveil their electrophysiological properties underlying the multiplexed coding strategy that is observed during behaviors. We demonstrate that increasing input intensity triggers localized dendritic spikes, shifting PCs from linear rate-coders to burst-pause timing-coders. Both coding strategies work at the level of individual dendritic branches. Our work suggests that PCs have the ability to implement branch-specific multiplexed coding at the cellular level, thereby increasing the capacity of cerebellar coding and learning.
α‐ketoglutarate delays age‐related fertility decline in mammals

The fecundity reduction with aging is referred as the reproductive aging which comes earlier than that of chronological aging. Since humans have postponed their childbearing age, to prolong the reproductive age becomes urgent agenda for reproductive biologists. In the current study, we examined the potential associations of α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) and reproductive aging in mammals including mice, swine, and humans. There is a clear tendency of reduced α‐KG level with aging in the follicle fluids of human. To explore the mechanisms, mice were selected as the convenient animal model. It is observed that a long term of α‐KG administration preserves the ovarian function, the quality and quantity of oocytes as well as the telomere maintaining system in mice. α‐KG suppresses ATP synthase and alterations of the energy metabolism trigger the nutritional sensors to down‐regulate mTOR pathway. These events not only benefit the general aging process but also maintain ovarian function and delay the reproductive decline. Considering the safety of the α‐KG as a naturally occurring molecule in energy metabolism, its utility in reproduction of large mammals including humans deserves further investigation.
Preoperative cognitive–behavioral therapy for reducing pain catastrophizing and improving pain outcomes after total knee replacement: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce preoperative pain catastrophizing and may improve postsurgical pain outcomes. We hypothesized that CBT would reduce pain catastrophizing more than no-CBT controls and result in improved pain outcomes. Methods The study was a randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty between January 2013 and March 2020. In phase 1, the change in pain catastrophizing scores (PCS) among 4-week or 8-week telehealth, 4-week in person and no-CBT sessions was compared in 80 patients with a PCS >16. In phase 2, the proportion of subjects that achieved a 3-month decrease in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) pain subscale >4 following 4-week telehealth CBT with no-CBT controls were compared in 80 subjects. Results In phase 1, 4-week telehealth CBT had the highest completion rate 17/20 (85%), demonstrated an adjusted median reduction in PCS of −9 (95% CI −1 to −14, p<0.01) compared with no-CBT and was non-inferior to 8-week telehealth CBT at a margin of 2 (p=0.02). In phase 2, 29 of 35 (83%) in the 4-week telehealth CBT and 26 of 33 (79%) subjects in the no-CBT demonstrated a decrease in the WOMAC pain subscale >4 at 3 months, difference 4% (95% CI −18% to 26%, p=0.48), despite a median decrease in the PCS for the 4-week CBT and no-CBT group of −6 (−10 to −2, p=0.02). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that CBT interventions delivered prior to surgery in person or via telehealth can reduced PCS scores; however, this reduction did not lead to improved 3-month pain outcomes. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 01772329, registration date 21 January 2013).
Electrical Properties of Membrane Phospholipids in Langmuir Monolayers

Experimental surface pressure (π) and electric surface potential (ΔV) isotherms were measured for membrane lipids, including the following phosphatidylcholines (PCs)—1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC); 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC); 1,2-diarachidoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DAPC); and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). In addition, other phospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamines (represented by 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE)) and sphingolipids (represented by N-(hexadecanoyl)-sphing-4-enine-1-phosphocholine (SM)) were also studied. The experimental apparent dipole moments (μAexp) of the abovementioned lipids were determined using the Helmholtz equation. The particular contributions to the apparent dipole moments of the investigated molecules connected with their polar (μ⊥p) and apolar parts (μ⊥a) were theoretically calculated for geometrically optimized systems. Using a three-layer capacitor model, introducing the group’s apparent dipole moments (calculated herein) and adopting values from other papers to account for the reorientation of water molecules (μ⊥w/εw), as well as the for the local dielectric permittivity in the vicinity of the polar (εp) and apolar (εa) groups, the apparent dipole moments of the investigated molecules were calculated (μAcalc). Since the comparison of the two values (experimental and calculated) resulted in large discrepancies, we developed a new methodology that correlates the results from density functional theory (DFT) molecular modeling with experimentally determined values using multiple linear regression. From the fitted model, the following contributions to the apparent dipole moments were determined: μ⊥w/εw=−1.8±1.4 D; εp=10.2±7.0 and εa=0.95±0.52). Local dielectric permittivity in the vicinity of apolar groups (εa) is much lower compared to that in the vicinity of polar moieties (εp), which is in line with the tendency observed by other authors studying simple molecules with small polar groups. A much higher value for the contributions from the reorientation of water molecules (μ⊥w/εw) has been interpreted as resulting from bulky and strongly hydrated polar groups of phospholipids.
Prenatal and Postnatal Nutrition Influence Pancreatic and Intestinal Carbohydrase Activities of Ruminants

Simple Summary Developmental programming is the concept that external influences that occur pre-conception, during gestation, or during early postnatal life can have long-term consequences for offspring growth, metabolism, and health. In ruminant livestock species, maternal diet is an important component influencing long-term programming of gastrointestinal function. Pancreatic and small intestinal digestive enzymes play an important role in postruminal digestion, primarily of carbohydrates and protein. This review will highlight current information regarding developmental programming of carbohydrases in response to dietary factors. Understanding how diet influences enzyme activity during early prenatal and postnatal life could lead to the development of dietary strategies to optimize offspring growth and development by increasing digestive efficiency of ruminant livestock species. Abstract In ruminant livestock species, nutrition can play an important role in the long-term programming of gastrointestinal function. Pancreatic and small intestinal digestive enzymes are important for postruminal digestion of carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrases have been shown to respond to changes in the level of feed intake and the dietary inclusion of specific nutrients, including arginine, butyrate, folic acid, fructose, and leucine. Understanding how diet influences enzyme development and activity during prenatal and postnatal life could lead to the development of dietary strategies to optimize offspring growth and development to increase digestive efficiency of ruminant livestock species. More research is needed to understand how changes in fetal or neonatal carbohydrase activities in response to nutrition influence long-term growth performance and efficiency in ruminant livestock species to optimize nutritional strategies.
Volatile constituents of Vietnamese pummelo, orange, tangerine and lime peel oils

The compositions of Vietnamese pummelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck), orange (C. sinensis Osbeck), tangerine (C. reticulata Blanco var. tangerine) and lime (C. limonia Osbeck) peel oil samples have been investigated by GC and GC–MS. The essential oils were extracted by the cold-pressing method. Hydrocarbons, followed by aldehydes and alcohols, were the most abundant compounds in all four kinds of samples. Their percentages, respectively, were >98.7%, >97.6%, >98.6% and >95.4% in hydrocarbons; >0.3%, 0.4%, >0.3% and 1.1% in total aldehydes; 0.2%, 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.7% in alcohols. In Vietnamese pummelo oil, γ-terpinene was not detected, while terpinolene was detected in small amounts and nootkatone only at a level of <0.05%. Orange oil composition was comparable to that of other sweet orange oils. δ-3-Carene was detected at a level of 0.1%. Tangerine oil is easily distinguished from other citrus oils by its content of various aliphatic aldehydes. Lime oil presented a very different composition from the other oils studied. Its limonene content was substantially lower than that of pummelo, orange and tangerine oils, whereas γ-terpinene, β-pinene and α-pinene occurred in higher proportions, moreover, the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon fraction of this oil is qualitatively more complex and quantitatively more abundant than in the other oils. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.