Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional assessment of brain development in fetuses that subsequently deliver very preterm: An MRI pilot study

Abstract Objectives To evaluate changes occurring in the fetal brain prior to very preterm delivery using MRI T2* relaxometry, an indirect assessment of tissue perfusion. Method Fetuses that subsequently delivered spontaneously <32 weeks gestation and a control cohort were identified from pre‐existing datasets. Participants had undergone a 3T MRI assessment including T2* relaxometry of the fetal brain using a 2D multi‐slice gradient echo single shot echo planar imaging sequence. T2* maps were generated, supratentorial brain tissue was manually segmented and mean T2* values were generated. Groups were compared using quadratic regression. Results Twenty five fetuses that subsequently delivered <32 weeks and 67 that delivered at term were included. Mean gestation at MRI was 24.5 weeks (SD 3.3) and 25.4 weeks (SD 3.1) and gestation at delivery 25.5 weeks (SD 3.4) and 39.7 weeks (SD 1.2) in the preterm and term cohorts respectively. Brain mean T2* values were significantly lower in fetuses that subsequently delivered before 32 weeks gestation (p < 0.001). Conclusion Alterations in brain maturation appear to occur prior to preterm delivery. Further work is required to explore these associations, but these findings suggest a potential window for therapeutic neuroprotective agents in fetuses at high risk of preterm delivery in the future.
MicroRNA-1 Deficiency Is a Primary Etiological Factor Disrupting Cardiac Contractility and Electrophysiological Homeostasis

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA-1 (miR1), encoded by the genes miR1-1 and miR1-2, is the most abundant microRNA in the heart and plays a critical role in heart development and physiology. Dysregulation of miR1 has been associated with various heart diseases, where a significant reduction (>75%) in miR1 expression has been observed in patient hearts with atrial fibrillation or acute myocardial infarction. However, it remains uncertain whether miR1-deficiency acts as a primary etiological factor of cardiac remodeling. METHODS: miR1-1 or miR1-2 knockout mice were crossbred to produce 75%-miR1-knockdown (75%KD; miR1-1+/−:miR1-2−/− or miR1-1−/−:miR1-2+/−) mice. Cardiac pathology of 75%KD cardiomyocytes/hearts was investigated by ECG, patch clamping, optical mapping, transcriptomic, and proteomic assays. RESULTS: In adult 75%KD hearts, the overall miR1 expression was reduced to ≈25% of the normal wild-type level. These adult 75%KD hearts displayed decreased ejection fraction and fractional shortening, prolonged QRS and QT intervals, and high susceptibility to arrhythmias. Adult 75%KD cardiomyocytes exhibited prolonged action potentials with impaired repolarization and excitation-contraction coupling. Comparatively, 75%KD cardiomyocytes showcased reduced Na+ current and transient outward potassium current, coupled with elevated L-type Ca2+ current, as opposed to wild-type cells. RNA sequencing and proteomics assays indicated negative regulation of cardiac muscle contraction and ion channel activities, along with a positive enrichment of smooth muscle contraction genes in 75%KD cardiomyocytes/hearts. miR1 deficiency led to dysregulation of a wide gene network, with miR1’s RNA interference–direct targets influencing many indirectly regulated genes. Furthermore, after 6 weeks of bi-weekly intravenous tail-vein injection of miR1 mimics, the ejection fraction and fractional shortening of 75%KD hearts showed significant improvement but remained susceptible to arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: miR1 deficiency acts as a primary etiological factor in inducing cardiac remodeling via disrupting heart regulatory homeostasis. Achieving stable and appropriate microRNA expression levels in the heart is critical for effective microRNA-based therapy in cardiovascular diseases.
The effect of time of day on Special Judo Fitness Test in active judokas: Evaluation in terms of chronotype

ABSTRACT The present cross-sectional study aims to examine the effect of time of day on the judo-specific performance in judokas, considering their chronotypes. Twenty-four male judokas participated in the study where the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was administered, and on it, they were divided into morning-type (MT:12-judokas) and evening-type groups (ET:12-judokas). Afterwards, the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) was applied to both groups at three different times (morning: 09:00 h, afternoon: 13:00 h and evening: 17:00 h) with body temperature measured before and after every SJFT performance. As a result, the Group*Test Time interaction significantly affected overall throwing performance during SJFT [F(2,44) = 29.437, p = 0.001, η2p: . 572]. Furthermore, a significant time effect was found for the SJFT index [F(2,44) = 5.118, p = 0.010, η2p: . 189] and for the Group*Test Time interaction with the mean value of the index [F(2,44) = 24.424, p < 0.001, η2p: . 526]. Furthermore, body temperature had a significant time effect [F(2,44) = 301.454, p < 0.001, η2p: . 932] and the Group*Test Time interaction [F(2,44) = 5.802, p = 0.006, η2p: . 209]. In conclusion, coaches and exercise experts should consider judo athletes’ chronotype when planning special training programs to improve judo-specific anaerobic capacity. Furthermore, to minimize the impact of time of day and chronotype on athletes’ performance in competitions, it is recommended that MT athletes develop their judo-specific anaerobic capacity in the evening hours, when their performance is lower, while ET athletes should do so in the morning hours when their performance is lower via randori training.
Mud volcanoes in onshore Sicily: a short overview

A short overview on Sicilian mud volcanoes is given. A total of 8 sites are presently known and studied in Sicily, mainly located in central–southern Sicily (Caltanissetta basin). All of these are of small dimension and sometimes associated to water pools. Methane is the main emitted gaseous phase, with the exception of the Paternò site, dominated by CO2 due to its proximity to Mt. Etna. Emitted waters are of the chloride–sulphate–alkaline type, due to the dominance of NaCl as the main dissolved salt. Sicilian mud volcanoes represent a potential threat for humans but, at the same time, they are threatened by anthropic activities. The main risks are related to the damages produced by paroxysmal events, while their survival is threatened by illegal discharge of wastes, consumption of rural land and agricultural activities.
Ligand-assisted phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils using common crop plants

A field study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of Zn phytoextraction by Nicotiana tabacum and Zea mays from a soil that had been artificially con¬ taminated by different amounts of ZnS04 (0, 50, 150, 350, 750 and 1550 mg kg'1 soil) ten years prior to the present cropping. Increased NaN03-extractable Zn in soil translated well into shoot concentra¬ tions (dry matter) in plants. Zn uptake by Z. mays increased linearly with in¬ creasing NaN03-extractable Zn in soil, while for N. tabacum the increase could be described by a Langmuir isotherm. While Z. mays showed no significant de¬ crease in biomass production up to the highest contamination level in soil, N. tabacum responded with a reduction of plant growth of about 50% compared with control plants at the highest Zn concentrations in soil. Maximum removal of Zn was 13 kg ha"1 y"1 with Z. mays and 11 kg ha"1 y"1 with Nicotiana tabacum. Bioaccumulation coefficients (expressed as Zn concentration in plant / soluble Zn concentration in soil) was higher in N. tabacum than in Z. mays. Bioaccu¬ mulation slightly increased with decreasing soluble metal concentration in soil, i.e. Zn uptake of both plants was more efficient at lower than at higher soil metal concentrations. Only small amounts of Zn were translocated into the seeds of N. tabacum and cobs of Z. mays. Therefore, corn cobs of Z. mays could be safely used for fod¬ der and the seeds of N. tabacum, which are rich in oil, for industrial purposes, eg in the paint industry.
Global epidemiology, risk factors, and histological types of ovarian cancers in Trinidad

Background: Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women in the world and Trinidad and Tobago is ranked 18th in the world with respect to the rate of occurrence. About 68% cases are diagnosed at a late stage, resulting in low survival rates. Since there is very scanty literature available on the epidemiology of ovarian cancer in the Caribbean region, this study was undertaken to assess the most common risk factors, presenting symptoms and common histological varieties in Trinidad. Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was designed, and all the 23 diagnosed ovarian cancer cases registered during 2015–2017 were considered. Information on sociodemographics, presenting symptoms, and histological type of cancers were collected after getting the ethical approval. Of the total 23 cases, 17 cases were included in this study after ensuring completeness of data as detailed analysis of patient data was done using Microsoft Excel. Results: The common risk factors identified were previous pregnancies, previous surgeries, and irregularities in the menstrual cycle. The commonest histological variety was granulosa tumors and the most common associated symptoms were irregular menses and abdominal pain in premenstrual women, and abdominal distention in postmenopausal women. Conclusions: It would greatly enhance the detection rate if screening and testing for the CA-125 gene were a mandatory practice, for any patient found with more than three risk factors. The public health authorities should identify the modifiable risk factors and implement cancer reduction and health promotion activities to reduce the mortality related to ovarian cancers.
Utility of pathologist panels for achieving consensus in NASH histologic scoring in clinical trials: Data from a phase 3 study

Background: Liver histopathologic assessment is the accepted surrogate endpoint in NASH trials; however, the scoring of NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) histologic parameters is limited by intraobserver and interobserver variability. We designed a consensus panel approach to minimize variability when using this scoring system. We assessed agreement between readers, estimated linear weighted kappas between 2 panels, compared them with published pairwise kappa estimates, and addressed how agreement or disagreement might impact the precision and validity of the surrogate efficacy endpoint in NASH trials. Methods: Two panels, each comprising 3 liver fellowship-trained pathologists who underwent NASH histology training, independently evaluated scanned whole slide images, scoring fibrosis, inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, and steatosis from baseline and month 18 biopsies for 100 patients from the precirrhotic NASH study REGENERATE. The consensus score for each parameter was defined as agreement by ≥2 pathologists. If consensus was not reached, all 3 pathologists read the slide jointly to achieve a consensus score. Results: Between the 2 panels, the consensus was 97%–99% for steatosis, 91%–93% for fibrosis, 88%–92% for hepatocyte ballooning, and 84%–91% for inflammation. Linear weighted kappa scores between panels were similar to published NASH CRN values. Conclusions: A panel of 3 trained pathologists independently scoring 4 NASH CRN histology parameters produced high consensus rates. Interpanel kappa values were comparable to NASH CRN metrics, supporting the accuracy and reproducibility of this method. The high concordance for fibrosis scoring was reassuring, as fibrosis is predictive of liver-specific outcomes and all-cause mortality.
Variations in occlusal and space characteristics in a series of 6-18-year olds, in Ilala District, Tanzania.

: This study was carried out in Ilala District, Tanzania as part of a major oral health survey. The aim of the study was to investigate the variation in different occlusal and space characteristics among children and adolescents in different age group. A total of 698 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were examined clinically. The subjects were categorized into three age groups, 6-9 years with early mixed dentition, 10-14 years with late mixed dentition and 15-18 years with permanent dentition. The examiners were calibrated before the survey and the agreement was satisfactory. Anteroposterior relationships of the dental arches were measured according to Angle's classification. Other occlusal and space variables included overjet, overbite, openbite, crossbite, crowding, spacing, and separate determination of diastema mediale. Most of the subjects in different age groups, 93-96%, had Angle's Class I molar occlusion. Large overjet (> 5 mm) occurred in 3-5% of the subjects. Deep bite (> 5 mm) was observed in about 2% of the children in all age groups. Anterior open bite was the most prevalent occlusal anomaly in all age groups, noted in 9-13% of the subjects. Transversal occlusal anomalies were rare. More than 33% of the subjects had spacing while less than 10% had crowding of the dentition. These results indicate that using the present criteria, most 6- to 18-year olds in Ilala district have optimal sagittal occlusion and a lot of spacing. The most common occlusal anomaly was anterior openbite.
The changing patterns in grasslands and soil fertility along the Eastern Eurasian Steppe Transect across China-Mongolia-Russia.

This paper analyses the adaptation and change in species along the north-south Eastern Eurasian Steppe Transect across China – Mongolia – Russia and considers the implications for climate change and management. The plant community diversity, above-ground biomass, N:P ratios of community and of dominant species, soil N (nitrogen), soil P (phosphorus) and AP (available phosphorus) contents were studied along a 1400 km north-south transect. The main findings were: (1) the community diversity and productivity decreased with the increase in latitude and a significant negative correlation was found between the many plant characteristics and latitude (P < 0.05) – decreasing diversity, biomass and N:P ratios; (2) soil AP content was lowest in Inner Mongolia, whereas no significant change in soil total P with latitude was found in China-Mongolia-Russia transect, a significant positive correlation was detected between the soil nutrient (N and AP) and latitude (P<0.05); (3) a significant positive correlation was evident between plant community P content and soil AP content (P<0.01), but a negative correlation was found between community N:P ratio and soil AP content (P<0.05). The soil AP content can be used as a soil properties indicator to reflect the plant communities P content and N: P ratio. It is suggested that greater human activities in Inner Mongolia may be an important factor affecting soil AP content, community N:P and plant growth.
Interplay of EXO70 and MLO proteins modulates trichome cell wall composition and susceptibility to powdery mildew

Abstract Exocyst component of 70-kDa (EXO70) proteins are constituents of the exocyst complex implicated in vesicle tethering during exocytosis. MILDEW RESISTANCE LOCUS O (MLO) proteins are plant-specific calcium channels and some MLO isoforms enable fungal powdery mildew pathogenesis. We here detected an unexpected phenotypic overlap of Arabidopsis thaliana exo70H4 and mlo2 mlo6 mlo12 triple mutant plants regarding the biogenesis of leaf trichome secondary cell walls. Biochemical and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses corroborated deficiencies in the composition of trichome cell walls in these mutants. Transgenic lines expressing fluorophore-tagged EXO70H4 and MLO exhibited extensive colocalization of these proteins. Furthermore, mCherry-EXO70H4 mislocalized in trichomes of the mlo triple mutant and, vice versa, MLO6-GFP mislocalized in trichomes of the exo70H4 mutant. Expression of GFP-marked PMR4 callose synthase, a known cargo of EXO70H4-dependent exocytosis, revealed reduced cell wall delivery of GFP-PMR4 in trichomes of mlo triple mutant plants. In vivo protein–protein interaction assays in plant and yeast cells uncovered isoform-preferential interactions between EXO70.2 subfamily members and MLO proteins. Finally, exo70H4 and mlo6 mutants, when combined, showed synergistically enhanced resistance to powdery mildew attack. Taken together, our data point to an isoform-specific interplay of EXO70 and MLO proteins in the modulation of trichome cell wall biogenesis and powdery mildew susceptibility.
Nimbacinus dicksoni, a plesiomorphic thylacine (Marsupialia: Thylacinidae) from Tertiary deposits of Queensland and the Northern Territory

A new Tertiary thylacinid, Nimbacinus dicksoni, shows features unique to the Thylacinidae, while retaining many other features that are plesiomorphic within the group. Nimbacinus dicksoni expands the diversity of the family to two genera and three species and extends its history to the Late Oligocene or Early Miocene. Nimbacinus dicksoni provides support for the monophyly of a group combining the Thylacinidae and Dasyuridae but suggests that these two families diverged before the Late Oligocene. D Nimbacinus dicksoni, Marsupialia, Thylacinidae, Riversleigh, Oligocene, Miocene.
Potential of Adelaide, Cradock and Middelburg, South Africa, for out-of-season onion production using different planting materials and planting dates

Out-of-season onion production is used to produce onions for the early market (April to September) when onion prices peak. No information with regard to this production method is available for the Eastern Cape. Field experiments were therefore conducted in Adelaide, Cradock and Middelburg (situated in the Fish River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa) to determine its viability in this area. The short-day onion cultivar ‘Z516’ was established with sets (bulbs 10–12 mm diameter) and seed on five planting dates (late January, mid February, late February, mid March and late March) in a randomised block with four replications. Marketable and unmarketable yields were recorded and percentage marketable yield of total yield calculated. Results indicated that seed is not suitable for out-of-season onion production. Sets produced the highest marketable yields and marketable yield percentage when planted in Adelaide in late February (39.68 t ha−1 [93%]), mid-March (62.60 t ha−1 [92%]) and late March (50.40 t ha−1 [89%]) and matured from April to September when onion prices peak. Cradock is marginal and Middelburg is unsuitable for out-of-season onion production because of low winter temperatures, especially from May to September.
Effects of low-level laser therapy on acupuncture points on knee pain and function in knee osteoarthritis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Knee osteoarthritis is a common and disabling disease. We aimed to examine the effect of low-level laser therapy in addition to routine physical therapy modalities (transcutaneous electrical stimulation, superficial heating modality of infrared, ultrasound, and exercise) on the functional status and pain in knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Patients with knee osteoarthritis (n=71) who underwent physical therapy (transcutaneous electrical stimulation, infrared, ultrasound, exercise therapy, and low-level laser therapy) were retrospectively screened. Patients who received low-level laser therapy on acupuncture points, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, infrared, ultrasound, and exercise were included in the low-level laser therapy (+) (n=35), and patients who received only transcutaneous electrical stimulation, ultrasound, infrared, and exercise were included in the low-level laser therapy (–) group (n=36). The Visual Analog Scale for activity pain, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and walking and stair climbing tests were used before and after treatment obtained from patient files. RESULTS: The post-treatment Visual Analog Scale activity score and walking and stair climbing test results were statistically significantly lower in the low-level laser therapy (+) group than in the low-level laser therapy (–) group. There was no significant difference in post-treatment Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale scores between the two groups. In both groups, the Visual Analog Scale activity, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and walking and stair climbing test scores statistically significantly decreased after treatment. CONCLUSION: Knee osteoarthritis increases with aging and creates significant functional limitations. low-level laser therapy with routine physiotherapy contributed to the improvement in the pain and functional status of the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Low-level laser therapy can be recommended in osteoarthritis treatment guidelines with the support of further studies, which is an easy-to-apply, effective, and reliable method.
Fidelity, adaptation and integration of whole-school health promotion within Dutch schools: a cross-sectional survey study

Abstract Implementing comprehensive health promotion programs in the school setting can be challenging, as schools can be considered complex adaptive systems. As a first step towards understanding what works in improving implementation for which schools and under which conditions, this study aimed to examine the degree of implementation of health promoting school (HPS) programs, in terms of five dimensions of fidelity (adherence, dose, participant responsiveness, quality of delivery and program differentiation), and the dimensions of adaptation and integration. The HPS Implementation Questionnaire was distributed among ± 2400 primary, secondary, secondary vocational and special needs schools in the Netherlands. Employees of 535 schools (22.3%) filled out the questionnaire. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests. The average degree of implementation was 2.55 (SD = 0.58, range = 0.68–3.90; scaled 0–4). The lowest scores were achieved for participant responsiveness and adherence, and the highest for integration and adaptation. Schools that identified as HPS reported significantly higher overall degree of implementation, adherence, dose, participant responsiveness, program differentiation and adaptation than schools that didn’t. Primary schools achieved a significantly higher degree of implementation, dose, participant responsiveness, quality of delivery and integration than other school types. In conclusion, many schools work on student health and well-being to some extent, but the vast majority have much room for improvement. Higher implementation scores for schools that identified as HPS underline the value of HPS programs. A broader perspective on health and more insight into conditions for effectiveness and implementation in secondary and secondary vocational schools are needed.