Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung function changes over 8 years and testosterone markers in both sexes: UK Biobank

Higher levels of testosterone have been associated with better lung function in cross-sectional population-based studies. The role of testosterone in lung function in women and in lung function decline in men or women is unclear. We studied 5114 men and 5467 women in the UK Biobank with high-quality spirometry at baseline (2006–2010) and 8.4 years later. We studied cross-sectional associations of total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), free androgen index (FAI) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC using linear regression and associations of baseline markers with lung function decline using linear mixed-effects regression. Men with higher levels of TT had higher FEV1 (27.56 mL per interquartile range increase TT, 95% CI 5.43–49.68) and FVC (48.06 mL, 95% CI 22.07–74.06) at baseline. Higher cFT levels were associated with higher FEV1 and FVC among physically active men only. In women, higher FAI and cFT levels were associated with lower lung function at baseline and higher levels of TT, cFT and FAI were associated with slightly attenuated FEV1 and FVC decline. Higher levels of SHBG were associated with better lung function in both sexes but slightly accelerated decline in men. In this population-based sample, higher levels of TT were associated with better lung function in men and higher levels of cFT with better lung function in physically active men. A small attenuation of lung function decline with higher levels of TT, cFT and FAI was seen in women only. Higher levels of testosterone are associated with better lung function in men, especially if physically active, but not in women. A small attenuation of lung function decline with higher testosterone levels is seen in women only. https://bit.ly/382d0xT
Pharmacological targeting of mitochondrial function and reactive oxygen species production prevents colon 26 cancer-induced cardiorespiratory muscle weakness

Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized by profound cardiac and diaphragm muscle wasting, which increase the risk of morbidity in cancer patients due to failure of the cardiorespiratory system. In this regard, muscle relies greatly on mitochondria to meet energy requirements for contraction and mitochondrial dysfunction can result in muscle weakness and fatigue. In addition, mitochondria are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which can stimulate increased rates of muscle protein degradation. Therefore, it has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction may be an underlying factor that contributes to the pathology of cancer cachexia. To determine if pharmacologically targeting mitochondrial dysfunction via treatment with the mitochondria-targeting peptide SS-31 would prevent cardiorespiratory muscle dysfunction, colon 26 (C26) adenocarcinoma tumor-bearing mice were administered either saline or SS-31 daily (3 mg/kg/day) following inoculation. C26 mice treated with saline demonstrated greater ROS production and mitochondrial uncoupling compared to C26 mice receiving SS-31 in both the heart and diaphragm muscle. In addition, saline-treated C26 mice exhibited a decline in left ventricular function which was significantly rescued in C26 mice treated with SS-31. In the diaphragm, muscle fiber cross-sectional area of C26 mice treated with saline was significantly reduced and force production was impaired compared to C26, SS-31-treated animals. Finally, ventilatory deficits were also attenuated in C26 mice treated with SS-31, compared to saline treatment. These data demonstrate that C26 tumors promote severe cardiac and respiratory myopathy, and that prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction is sufficient to preclude cancer cachexia-induced cardiorespiratory dysfunction.
Proteome and Microbiome Mapping of Human Gingival Tissue in Health and Disease

Efforts to map gingival tissue proteomes and microbiomes have been hampered by lack of sufficient tissue extraction methods. The pressure cycling technology (PCT) is an emerging platform for reproducible tissue homogenisation and improved sequence retrieval coverage. Therefore, we employed PCT to characterise the proteome and microbiome profiles in healthy and diseased gingival tissue. Healthy and diseased contralateral gingival tissue samples (total n = 10) were collected from five systemically healthy individuals (51.6 ± 4.3 years) with generalised chronic periodontitis. The tissues were then lysed and digested using a Barocycler, proteins were prepared and submitted for mass spectrometric analysis and microbiome DNA for 16S rRNA profiling analysis. Overall, 1,366 human proteins were quantified (false discovery rate 0.22%), of which 69 proteins were differentially expressed (≥2 peptides and p < 0.05, 62 up, 7 down) in periodontally diseased sites, compared to healthy sites. These were primarily extracellular or vesicle-associated proteins, with functions in molecular transport. On the microbiome level, 362 species-level operational taxonomic units were identified. Of those, 14 predominant species accounted for >80% of the total relative abundance, whereas 11 proved to be significantly different between healthy and diseased sites. Among them, Treponema sp. HMT253 and Fusobacterium naviforme and were associated with disease sites and strongly interacted (r > 0.7) with 30 and 6 up-regulated proteins, respectively. Healthy-site associated strains Streptococcus vestibularis, Veillonella dispar, Selenomonas sp. HMT478 and Leptotrichia sp. HMT417 showed strong negative interactions (r < −0.7) with 31, 21, 9, and 18 up-regulated proteins, respectively. In contrast the down-regulated proteins did not show strong interactions with the regulated bacteria. The present study identified the proteomic and intra-tissue microbiome profile of human gingiva by employing a PCT-assisted workflow. This is the first report demonstrating the feasibility to analyse full proteome profiles of gingival tissues in both healthy and disease sites, while deciphering the tissue site-specific microbiome signatures.
The Psychological and Social Impact of Covid-19: New Perspectives of Well-Being

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has had significant psychological and social effects on the population. Research has highlighted the impact on psychological well-being of the most exposed groups, including children, college students, and health workers, who are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of distress. The social distance and the security measures have affected the relationship among people and their perception of empathy toward others. From this perspective, telepsychology and technological devices assume important roles to decrease the negative effects of the pandemic. These tools present benefits that could improve psychological treatment of patients online, such as the possibility to meet from home or from the workplace, saving money and time and maintaining the relationship between therapists and patients. The aim of this paper is to show empirical data from recent studies on the effect of the pandemic and reflect on possible interventions based on technological tools.
The plant pathogen enzyme AldC is a long-chain aliphatic aldehyde dehydrogenase

Aldehyde dehydrogenases are versatile enzymes that serve a range of biochemical functions. Although traditionally considered metabolic housekeeping enzymes because of their ability to detoxify reactive aldehydes, like those generated from lipid peroxidation damage, the contributions of these enzymes to other biological processes are widespread. For example, the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae strain PtoDC3000 uses an indole-3-acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to synthesize the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid to elude host responses. Here we investigate the biochemical function of AldC from PtoDC3000. Analysis of the substrate profile of AldC suggests that this enzyme functions as a long-chain aliphatic aldehyde dehydrogenase. The 2.5 Å resolution X-ray crystal of the AldC C291A mutant in a dead-end complex with octanal and NAD+ reveals an apolar binding site primed for aliphatic aldehyde substrate recognition. Functional characterization of site-directed mutants targeting the substrate- and NAD(H)-binding sites identifies key residues in the active site for ligand interactions, including those in the “aromatic box” that define the aldehyde-binding site. Overall, this study provides molecular insight for understanding the evolution of the prokaryotic aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily and their diversity of function.
DPP4 Inhibition in Human Kidney Proximal Tubular Cells - Renoprotection in Diabetic Nephropathy?

Novel diabetic drugs that target the incretin system e.g dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors have pleiotropic effects other than inhibiting the cleavage of glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1). As DPP4 is located at the brush border of the kidney proximal tubular cells (PTC), we hypothesise that it is involved in the processing of luminal peptides influencing the kidney tubulointerstitium in diabetes. Using HK2 cells (human kidney proximal tubular cell line) in order to study the GLP-1 independent effects of DPP4 inhibition on the PTC cells were exposed to high glucose conditions, high mobility protein 1(HMGB1) and meprin beta. Relevant markers like DPP4, fibronectin, collagen IV, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), activator protein 1(AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB ) were measured. We show that linagliptin (DPP4 inhibitor) interferes with the activation of TGFβ and downstream reduction in fibronectin but not collagen IV expression. Linagliptin reduced HMGB1 but not high glucose induced NF-κB binding. Linagliptin also reduced high glucose induced AP-1 binding. Meprin beta peptides induce AP-1 binding and this was unchanged with linagliptin. Our data provides new insight into the GLP-1 independent role of DPP4 inhibition in kidney PTC exposed to stimuli relevant in diabetic renal complications. Identifying the functionally relevant renal substrates of DPP4 will help us understand and anticipate long term effects on the kidney in patients with diabetes.
The Regulatory Function of CCR9+ Dendritic Cells in Inflammation and Autoimmunity

Chemokine receptor CCR9 is a G protein–coupled receptor and expressed on several types of immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), CD4+ T cells, and B cells. CCR9 drives the migration of immune cells to gradients of its cognate ligand CCL25. The chemokine CCL25 is mostly produced by gut and thymic epithelial cells. Gut- and thymic-homing DCs are known to express CCR9, and these cells are predominantly localized in the gut lining and thymus. CCR9+ DCs are implicated in regulating inflammation, food allergy, alloimmunity, and autoimmunity. Differential interaction of CCR9+ DCs with lymphoid and myeloid cells in the thymus, secondary lymphoid tissues, and mucosal sites offer crucial insights to immune regulation. In this review, we examine the phenotypes, distributions, and interactions of CCR9+ DCs with other immune cells, elucidating their functions and role in inflammation and autoimmunity.
Effects of Volatile Oil Extracted from Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus on Amino Acid Neurotransmitters and its Receptor Expression in Brain of the Model Rats with Sleep Deprivation Recovery

Objective:To observe the effects of volatile oil extracted from Alpinia oxyphylla fructus(VOA) on amino acid neurotransmitters glutamic acid(Glu),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) and its receptor expression in the brain of the model rats with the rapid eye movement(REM) sleep deprivation recovery.Method:Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: blank control,sleep deprivation recovery,positive control group,sleep deprivation recovery+high and low-dose VOA treatment.After two weeks of administration,model were established with REM sleep deprivation(SD) induced by maded-self multiple platform method(MMPM). Six hours later,the levels of amino acid neurotransmitters Glu and GABA were detected in cortex and hypothalamus of the model rats by HPLC.Using immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative analysis of a retrovirus-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor(GABAAR) α1 and γ2 subunit expression were detected in cortical and hippocampal parts of the model rats.What's more,after intervention of VOA,those indicators were studied too.Result: Compared to blank control group,model group rat's content of Glu showed a considerable upper,while GABA showed a considerable down,GABAARα1 and γ2 subunit immunochemistry absorbance accumulated were lower significantly(P0.01) in cortex and hippocampus,and GABAARα1,γ2 mRNA expression showed lower significantly(P0.01) in cortex.While those indicators tended to the normal range after the treatment of VOA(P0.01,P0.05). Conclusion: REM sleep deprivation recovery could regulate amino acid neurotransmitters and make expression of GABAAR α1 and γ2 subunit markedly down in cerebral cortex and hippocampus.VOA can regulate amino acid neurotransmitters to normal state trend,and upward adjusting GABAAR α1 and γ2 subunit expression in the rat brain.This may be one of the mechanisms for VOA's affect of nourishing the brain and improving intelligence.
Pre-service teachers' intention to use learning management system: an integration of UTAUT and TAM

This paper aims to develop and test a research model to explore the factors that influence pre-service teachers’ intention to use learning management system (LMS). ,A cross-section study was conducted. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. The total number of participants was 361 pre-service teachers. Partial least square structural equation model was used to analyze the data. ,The findings of this study found that the research model explained approximately 43% of the variance in behavioral intention. Also, the findings revealed that attitude and social influence had an effect on behavioral intention to use technology, but the facilitating condition had no effect on behavior intention to use technology. Finally, performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence had an effect on attitude while facilitating condition had no effect on attitude. ,In technology acceptance research, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and technology acceptance model (TAM) have been broadly designed and empirically tested to elucidate the determinants that impact users’ intention to operate technology in the developed world. However, research on the validation of TAM and UTAUT to explain the determinants that influence preservice teachers’ intention to use a LMS in developing countries is insufficient. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the efficacy of the integrated model of TAM and UTAUT to explain preservice teachers’ intention to use technology and explore the influential determinants that explain preservice teachers’ intention to use LMS.
RELATEDNESS OF THE ERICOID ENDOPHYTES SCYTALIDIUM VACCINII AND HYMENOSCYPHUS ERICAE INFERRED FROM ANALYSIS OF RIBOSOMAL DNA

Phenotypic similarities between the root endophytes Scytalidium vaccinii, a hyphomycete, and Hymenoscyphus ericae, an ascomycete, led to speculation that S. vaccinii might be the anamorph of H. ericae. To test this hypothesis, we used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify portions of the ribosomal DNA from the ex-type cultures of each species and from cultures of several endophytes putatively identified as Scytalidium or H. ericae based on colonial and morphological similarities. An initial restriction fragment analysis of the amplified rDNA separated the H. ericae isolates from England from the ex-type culture of S. vaccinii and most isolates tentatively identified as H. ericae from North America. However, restriction mapping of the amplified fragment revealed that the apparent differences were an artifact resulting from the presence of one or two insertions in the small and large subunit ribosomal RNA genes of the North American isolates. Sequencing of homologous regions of the small subunit and the 5' internal transcribed spacer indicated that sequence divergence between pairs of isolates identified as Scytalidium and H. ericae was low, ranging from 1.2-3.5%, as compared to divergence of up to 24% with H. monotropae, another ericoid endophyte. Although there was variation among the isolates, molecular and morphological evidence suggests that S. vaccinii and H. ericae are anamorph and teleomorph states of a single taxon.
Attentional Bias for Imperfect Pictures in Perfectionism: An Eye-Movement Study

Background Although dot-probe paradigms have been widely used in previous studies to investigate the attentional bias of perfectionists, the exact characteristics of this bias are still unclear. Methods In this study, eye-tracking technology was used to compare the attentional patterns of high perfectionists (HP) and low perfectionists (LP). The HP and LP groups (n = 39 vs 34) completed a visual attention task in which they observed perfect vs imperfect picture pairs, during which their eye movements (EMs) were recorded automatically using an EM tracking system. Results Both the HP and LP groups showed an overall attentional bias toward imperfect pictures, as indicated by the criteria of initial visual attention orientation and attentional maintenance. There were no significant differences between the HP and LP groups during the early and middle phases of attention: both groups exhibited a longer total fixation duration on imperfect pictures than on perfect pictures. However, during the late phase of attention, the participants in the HP group diverted their attention away from the imperfect pictures and began to pay more attention to the perfect pictures. By contrast, the participants in the LP group consistently exhibited longer fixation times for imperfect pictures than the HP group during the entire duration of the stimulus. Conclusion These findings indicate that the participants in the HP group tended to avoid imperfect stimuli during the late phase of attention; this may indicate that avoidance plays an important role in maintaining perfectionism. This study also shows that eye-tracking is a useful methodology for measuring the attentional biases of perfectionists.
BRCA1 and PALB2 in a Messy Breakup

Mutations in the BRCA1 gene cause an extremely high lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer, but the exact mechanism by which the BRCA1 protein acts to prevent cancer onset remains unclear. In this edition of Cancer Research, Park and colleagues describe a new mouse model featuring a single amino acid substitution in the coiled-coil motif of BRCA1. This change prevents BRCA1 from interacting with PALB2 (partner and localizer of BRCA2), causing rapid cancer onset and a loss of blood cells similar to Fanconi anemia. See related article by Park et al., p. 4172
Effect of Tactile Imitation Guidance on Imitation and Emotional Availability. A Case Report of a Mother and Her Child With Congenital Deafblindness

Interaction between parents and children with congenital deafblindness (CDB) is easily hampered due to dual sensory loss. This case report examines imitation and emotional availability in interaction between a mother and her 3-year-old child with CDB first in unguided play and then in three play sessions with tactile imitation guidance. The video recorded play sessions were analyzed for frequency, length, and modality of imitation. Emotional Availability Scales were used to code the emotional quality of interaction. The results showed that before the guidance the mother imitated the child mainly vocally. After the guidance, the use of tactility in imitations increased. Imitation exchanges lasted longest in the last session. The emotional availability between the mother and the child was higher after the guidance. Further research is needed to confirm the positive outcomes of this case study.
Viewing Meaningful Work Through the Lens of Time

Authors have paid considerable attention to how to define the meaningful work construct. This has led to providing comprehensive definitions in the light of different theoretical frameworks that reflect a degree of contestation within the field. Several of them have proposed definitions linked to the individuals’ pervasive sense of the value of their work. Others have offered descriptions centered on their temporal, episodic nature and emphasizing the individual’s occasional work experience. These definitions reflected a potential temporal condition as well as the variety of time perspectives underpinning the authors’ conceptualizations of the construct. This paper conducted a broad literature review to analyze works that have adopted a temporal framework or supported a time-based definition of the construct. The analysis indicates two different conceptualizations of the construct: as a permanent/steady mindset and as a changeable/episodic experience. As a reflective paper, the present contribution develops an overall framework for views and theories on meaningful work. It reports a critical review on the matter to elevate understanding of meaningful work for further research and applied implications in work and organizational studies.
Microchiropteran bats : global status survey and conservation action plan

Bats make up a quarter of all mammals, and almost half of the species can be considered threatened or near threatened at a global level. This publication offers the results of the first comprehensive review to identify the conservation priorities for the 834 species of Microchiroptera. Rather than give an account of each of these species, this volume aims to be used as a basis for the development of more local or regional action plans, or actions for particular groups of bat species, by taxon or by habitat.
(Re)considering the Concept of Literature Review Reproducibility

Literature reviews play a key role in academic research by describing, understanding, explaining, and testing the constructs and theories within a particular topic area. In recent years, various commentaries, debates, and editorials in the information systems (IS) field’s top journals have highlighted the importance of a trustworthy literature review process, including detailed discussions on systematicity and transparency. Although the reproducibility of a literature review has also been noted as important, it remains less recognized because of several terminology-related issues. This ambiguity could result in misunderstandings regarding the degree of trust that should be placed in a literature review’s process. In this research essay, we seek to clarify what makes a literature review reproducible, how it is distinct from related concepts, and when achieving it is desirable and feasible. We propose a series of clarifications and remedies to assist scholars within and outside the IS field in the preparation of stand-alone reviews.
IT Identity: A Measure and Empirical Investigation of its Utility to IS Research

Because use is the critical link between information technology (IT) investments and organizational performance, IS researchers have focused attention on the post-adoption phase—after organizational IT are installed and used by employees in their work. To that end, recent theoretical work introduced IT identity—representing the strength of individuals’ self-identification with an IT—as a means to explain richer, post-adoption, IT use behaviors. Utilizing multiple methods and surveys, and focused on use of two different technologies, this study develops theory-based measures to establish IT identity’s utility for expanding the understanding of post-adoption use. Results show IT identity predicts different IT use behaviors and richer forms of use. Further, IT identity maintains its predictive validity when embedded in a model with other predictors. Given the importance of such value-creating behaviors in today’s multi-functional-platform based IT environments, our findings suggest future research consider IT identity an instrumental part of models seeking to explain IT use in post-adoption contexts.