Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory bariatric surgery

As obesity rates continue to increase worldwide, metabolic and bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly utilized as a treatment option. Weight loss surgery is the most effective method for sustained weight loss in patients with class 2 and 3 obesity. Using a decision analysis model and mortality statistics, Patterson et al found that surgical treatment of morbid obesity increased absolute life expectancy by 2.4 years over medical treatment. A meta-analysis showed that metabolic and bariatric surgery patients had an overall excess weight loss of 61% and were cured of diabetes mellitus, hypertension (HTN), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 77%, 62%, and 86% of cases, respectively. Because of technical advancements, dedication to continuous quality improvement efforts by national surgical societies, favorable outcomes, and low rates of complications, metabolic and bariatric surgeries and procedures have increased significantly in the last decade. From 2011 to 2018, there has been a nearly 59% increase in the number of procedures performed in the United States (Fig. 1). Globally, nearly 580,000 individuals undergo bariatric surgery annually. Although more people are gaining access to bariatric surgery, still only 1.24% of patients who qualify for surgery by body mass index (BMI) criteria in the United States actually undergo weight reduction surgery. Therefore, there remains significant progress to be made in the surgical treatment of obesity.
Recent Advances on Thermal Management of Flexible Inorganic Electronics

Flexible inorganic electronic devices (FIEDs) consisting of functional inorganic components on a soft polymer substrate have enabled many novel applications such as epidermal electronics and wearable electronics, which cannot be realized through conventional rigid electronics. The low thermal dissipation capacity of the soft polymer substrate of FIEDs demands proper thermal management to reduce the undesired thermal influences. The biointegrated applications of FIEDs pose even more stringent requirements on thermal management due to the sensitive nature of biological tissues to temperature. In this review, we take microscale inorganic light-emitting diodes (μ-ILEDs) as an example of functional components to summarize the recent advances on thermal management of FIEDs including thermal analysis, thermo-mechanical analysis and thermal designs of FIEDs with and without biological tissues. These results are very helpful to understand the underlying heat transfer mechanism and provide design guidelines to optimize FIEDs in practical applications.
Validating the Turkish version of the Weinstein noise sensitivity scale:effects of age, sex, and education level

Background/aim Subjective noise sensitivity (SNS) is not only one of the most important predictors of perceived noise annoyance for the subjects exposed to the noise, but also strongly related with some psychological conditions and poor health perception of the subjects. Weinstein’s Noise Sensitivity Scale (WNSS) is widely used for measuring of SNS. Materials and methods In this study we adapted WNSS to Turkish (Tr-WNSS) and evaluated its psychometric properties and effect of age, sex and education level on SNS. Results The study included 105 males and 105 female subjects between 18 and 55 years of age. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that Tr-WNSS was a reliable, valid, and invariant scale for the Turkish population, and not affected by sex, age and education level.
A Matter of the Heart: Daytime Relationship Functioning and Overnight Heart Rate in Young Dating Couples.

BACKGROUND Although past longitudinal research demonstrates that romantic partners affect one another's health outcomes, considerably less is known about how romantic experiences "get under the skin" in everyday life. PURPOSE The current study investigated whether young couples' naturally occurring feelings of closeness to and annoyance with each other during waking hours were associated with their overnight cardiovascular activity. METHODS Participants were 63 heterosexual young adult dating couples (Mage = 23.07). Using ecological momentary assessments, couples reported their hourly feelings of closeness to and annoyance with their partners across 1 day; subsequent overnight heart rate was captured through wearable electrocardiogram biosensors. Actor-partner interdependence models tested whether individuals' overnight heart rate varied as a function of (a) their own daytime feelings of closeness and annoyance (actor effects) and (b) their partner's daytime feelings of closeness and annoyance (partner effects) while controlling for daytime heart rate. RESULTS Although young adults' feelings of romantic closeness and annoyance were unrelated to their own overnight heart rate (i.e., no actor effects), gender-specific partner effects emerged. Young men's nocturnal heart rate was uniquely predicted by their female partner's daytime relationship feelings. When women felt closer to their partners during the day, men exhibited lower overnight heart rate. When women felt more annoyed with their partners during the day, men exhibited heightened overnight heart rate. CONCLUSIONS The findings illustrate gender-specific links between couple functioning and physiological arousal in the everyday lives of young dating couples, implicating physiological sensitivity to partner experiences as one potential pathway through which relationships affect health.
Exogenous NAD+ Stimulates MUC2 Expression in LS 174T Goblet Cells via the PLC-Delta/PTGES/PKC-Delta/ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway

Background: MUC2, a major component of the mucus layer in the intestine, is associated with antimicrobial activity and gut immune system function. Currently, mucin is mainly known for its critical function in defense against toxic molecules and pathogens. In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effects of exogenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) on the expression of MUC2 in LS 174T goblet cells. Methods: Genes related to MUC2 synthesis were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). To analyze the gene expression profiles of NAD+-treated LS 174T goblet cells, RNA sequencing was performed. MUC2 expression in the cells and secreted MUC2 were measured by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and ELISA, respectively. Results: NAD+ significantly stimulated MUC2 expression at mRNA and protein levels and increased the secretion of MUC2. Through RNA sequencing, we found that the expression of genes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism increased in NAD+-treated cells compared with the negative control cells. NAD+ treatment increased phospholipase C (PLC)-δ and prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) expression, which was inhibited by the appropriate inhibitors. Among the protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, PKC-δ was involved in the increase in MUC2 expression. In addition, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) transcript levels were higher in NAD+-treated cells than in the negative control cells, and the enhanced levels of phosphorylated CREB augmented MUC2 expression. Conclusions: Exogenous NAD+ increases MUC2 expression by stimulating the PLC-δ/PTGES/PKC-δ/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.
Surface Morphology Analysis of Metallic Structures Formed on Flexible Textile Composite Substrates

This paper compares methods for measuring selected morphological features on the surface of thin metallic layers applied to flexible textile substrates. The methods were tested on a silver layer with a thickness of several hundred nanometers, which was applied to a textile composite with the trade name Cordura. Measurements were carried out at the micro scale using both optical coherent tomography (OCT) and the traditional contact method of using a profilometer. Measurements at the micro-scale proved the superiority of the OCT method over the contact method. The method of contactless measurement employs a dedicated algorithm for three-dimensional surface image analysis and does not affect the delicate surface structure of the measured layer in any way. Assessment of the surface profile of textile substrates and the thin films created on them, is important when estimating the contact angle, wetting behavior, or mechanical durability of the created metallic structure that can be used as the electrodes or elements of wearable electronics or textronics systems.
Molecular investigation of infection sources and transmission chains of brucellosis in Zhejiang, China

ABSTRACT In the present study, a total of 7793 samples from 5 different types of hosts were collected and tested, with a seroprevalence of 2.4% (184/7793). Although the seroprevalence of human and animal brucellosis is relatively low, numbers of human brucellosis cases reported have increased continuously from 2004 to 2018. A total of 118 Brucella strains containing 4 biotypes were obtained, including Brucella melitensis bv.1 (n = 8) and bv.3 (n = 106), Brucella abortus bv.3 (n = 3) and bv.7 (n = 1). Twenty-one shared MLVA-16 genotypes, each composed of 2 to 19 strains obtained from different hosts, suggest the occurrence of a brucellosis outbreak epidemic with multiple source points and laboratory infection events. Moreover, 30 shared MLVA-16 genotypes were observed among 59.6% (68/114) B. melitensis isolates from Zhejiang and strains from other 21 different provinces, especially northern provinces, China. The analysis highlighted the imported nature of the strains from all over the northern provinces with a dominant part from the developed areas of animal husbandry. These data revealed a potential transmission pattern of brucellosis in this region, due to introduced infected sheep leading to a brucellosis outbreak epidemic, and eventually causing multiple laboratory infection events. It is urgent to strengthen the inspection and quarantine of the introduced animals.
A complex IRES at the 5'-UTR of a viral mRNA assembles a functional 48S complex via an uAUG intermediate

Taking control of the cellular apparatus for protein production is a requirement for virus progression. To ensure this control, diverse strategies of cellular mimicry and/or ribosome hijacking have evolved. The initiation stage of translation is especially targeted as it involves multiple steps and the engagement of numerous initiation factors. The use of structured RNA sequences, called Internal Ribosomal Entry Sites (IRES), in viral RNAs is a widespread strategy for the exploitation of eukaryotic initiation. Using a combination of electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) and reconstituted translation initiation assays with native components, we characterized how a novel IRES at the 5'-UTR of a viral RNA assembles a functional initiation complex via an uAUG intermediate. The IRES features a novel extended, multi-domain architecture, that circles the 40S head. The structures and accompanying functional data illustrate the importance of 5'-UTR regions in translation regulation and underline the relevance of the untapped diversity of viral IRESs.
A mixed method study protocol on contributing factors of depression among adults inmates in a local prison Malaysia

Mental health is a global public health concern. Living in institutions, including imprisonment, make the inmates susceptible to depression. The objective of this research is to determine and explore the contributing factors of depression among adult prison inmates in a Malaysian local prison. The study utilizes the explanatory sequential mixed method approach. In the first phase, the quantitative hypothesis will be used to address the association between depression and biological, psychological, and social factors among the respondents. It will use a validated questionnaire from approximately 456 inmates using random sampling which was constructed based on the Biopsychosocial theory. The level of depression will be measured using the Center for Epidemiology Study Depression Scale (CES-D). In the second phase, in-depth interviews will be steered among depressed inmates recognized through purposive sampling. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses will be used in quantitative statistics, meanwhile, the qualitative phase encompass a series of in-depth interviews where it will be discontinued once the saturation point is attained. The content of the interviews will be recorded and transcribe verbatim using thematic analysis. It is anticipated this study will enlighten the causative factors of depression and will gratify a novel modality to reduce depression.
Effects of an Acute Pilates Program under Hypoxic Conditions on Vascular Endothelial Function in Pilates Participants: A Randomized Crossover Trial

This study aimed to compare the effects of an acute Pilates program under hypoxic vs. normoxic conditions on the metabolic, cardiac, and vascular functions of the participants. Ten healthy female Pilates experts completed a 50-min tubing Pilates program under normoxic conditions (N trial) and under 3000 m (inspired oxygen fraction = 14.5%) hypobaric hypoxia conditions (H trial) after a 30-min exposure in the respective environments on different days. Blood pressure, branchial ankle pulse wave velocity, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the branchial artery were measured before and after the exercise. Metabolic parameters and cardiac function were assessed every minute during the exercise. Both trials showed a significant increase in FMD; however, the increase in FMD was significantly higher after the H trial than that after the N trial. Furthermore, FMD before exercise was significantly higher in the H trial than in the N trial. In terms of metabolic parameters, minute ventilation, carbon dioxide excretion, respiratory exchange ratio, and carbohydrate oxidation were significantly higher but fat oxidation was lower during the H trial than during the N trial. In terms of cardiac function, heart rate was significantly increased during the H trial than during the N trial. Our results suggested that, compared to that under normoxic conditions, Pilates exercise under hypoxic conditions led to greater metabolic and cardiac responses and also elicited an additive effect on vascular endothelial function.
The Predictive Capacity of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) Score in Burn Patients.

Advances in burn care continues to improve survival rates and patient outcomes. There are several burn prognostic tools used to predict mortality and outcomes, however, none include patient comorbidities. We used the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score, as a surrogate measure for comorbidities, and evaluated its role in predicting mortality and outcomes in adult burn patients undergoing surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed on data collected from a single United States burn center, which was comprised of 183 patients. We evaluated American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score as an independent predictor of mortality and outcomes including intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, mechanical ventilator days, and complications. We compared the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score to other prognostic models which included the revised Baux score, Belgian Outcome in Burn Injury, and the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index. Our results demonstrated that the revised Baux and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status scores could be used to determine the mortality risk in adult burn patients. The revised Baux was the best predictor of mortality, intensive care unit length of stay, and mechanical ventilator days, while the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index was the best predictor of total length of stay.
Trends in Treatment and Survival of Gallbladder Cancer in the Netherlands; Identifying Gaps and Opportunities from a Nation-Wide Cohort

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is rare in Western populations and data about treatment and outcomes are scarce. This study aims to analyze survival and identify opportunities for improvement using population-based data from a low-incidence country. GBC patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2016 with GBC were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients were grouped according to time period (2005–2009/2010–2016) and disease stage. Trends in treatment and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. In total 1834 patients were included: 661 (36%) patients with resected, 278 (15%) with non-resected non-metastatic, and 895 (49%) with metastatic GBC. Use of radical versus simple cholecystectomy (12% vs. 26%, p < 0.001) in early (pT1b/T2) GBC increased. More patients with metastatic GBC received chemotherapy (11% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). OS improved from 4.8 months (2005–2009) to 6.1 months (2010–2016) (p = 0.012). Median OS increased over time (2005–2009 vs. 2010–2016) in resected (19.4 to 26.8 months, p = 0.038) and metastatic (2.3 vs. 3.4 months, p = 0.001) GBC but not in unresected, non-metastatic GBC. In early GBC, patients with radical cholecystectomy had a median OS of 76.7 compared to 18.4 months for simple cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). Palliative chemotherapy showed superior (p < 0.001) survival in metastatic (7.3 versus 2.1 months) and non-resected non-metastatic (7.7 versus 3.5 months) GBC. In conclusion, survival of GBC remains poor. Radical surgery and palliative chemotherapy appear to improve prognosis but remain under-utilized.
Grain Yields and Nitrogen Use Efficiencies in Different Types of Stay-Green Maize in Response to Nitrogen Fertilizer

The stay-green leaf phenotype is typically associated with increased yields and improved stress resistance in maize breeding, due to higher nitrogen (N) nutrient levels that prolong greenness. The application of N fertilizer can regulate the N status of plants, and furthermore, impact the photosynthetic rates of leaves at the productive stage; however, N deficiencies and N excesses will reduce maize yields. Consequently, it is necessary to develop N fertilizer management strategies for different types of stay-green maize. For this study, the senescent cultivar Lianchuang 808 (LC808), moderate-stay-green cultivar Zhengdan 958 (ZD958), and over stay-green cultivar Denghai 685 (DH685) were selected as experimental models. Our results revealed that yields of ZD958 were slightly higher than DH685 and notably improved over than LC808. Compared with a non-stay-green cultivar LC808, ZD958 and DH685 still maintained higher chlorophyll contents and cell activities following the silking stage, while efficiently slowing the senescence rate. The supply of N fertilizer significantly prolonged leaf greenness and delayed senescence for ZD958 and DH685; however, the effect was not obvious for LC808. The stem remobilization efficiency of N was higher in the moderate-stay-green cultivar ZD958, in contrast to LC808, while the transfer of leaf N was lower than LC808, which guaranteed high leaf N levels, and that sufficient N was transferred to grains in ZD958. To obtain the highest yields, the optimal N fertilizer rates were 228.1 kg hm−2 for LC0808, 180 kg hm−2 for ZD958, and 203.8 kg hm−2 for DH685. In future, the selection of stay-green type crops might serve as an important agricultural strategy to reduce the quantity of N fertilizer and increase N efficiency.
Acetylation of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase and Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase Alters Hepatic Aromatic Amino Acid Metabolism in Weaned Piglets

Weaning significantly alters hepatic aromatic amino acid (AAA) metabolism and physiological functions. However, less is known about the regulating mechanism of hepatic AAA metabolism after weaning. A total of 200 21-day-old piglets (Duroc × Landrace) were assigned randomly to the control group and the weaning group. In this study, weaning significantly decreased the concentration of phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine in piglet livers (p < 0.05). Additionally, through the detection of liver AAA metabolites and metabolic enzyme activity, it was observed that hepatic tryptophan catabolism was enhanced, while that of phenylalanine was weakened (p < 0.05). Intriguingly, acetyl-proteome profiling of liver from weaned piglets showed that weaning exacerbated the acetylation of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and the deacetylation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Analysis of PAH and TDO acetylation in Chang liver cells showed that acetylation decreased the PAH activity, while deacetylation increased the TDO activity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, metabolites of AAAs and the acetylation statuses of PAH and TDO in primary hepatocytes from weaned piglets were consistent with the results in vivo. These findings indicated that weaning altered the PAH and TDO activity by affecting the acetylation state of the enzyme in piglets’’ livers. Lysine acetylation may be a potential regulatory mechanism for AAA metabolism in response to weaning.
Polyphosphate induces the proteolysis of ADP-bound fraction of initiator to inhibit DNA replication initiation upon stress in Escherichia coli

Abstract The decision whether to replicate DNA is crucial for cell survival, not only to proliferate in favorable conditions, but also to adopt to environmental changes. When a bacteria encounters stress, e.g. starvation, it launches the stringent response, to arrest cell proliferation and to promote survival. During the stringent response a vast amount of polymer composed of phosphate residues, i.e. inorganic polyphosphate (PolyP) is synthesized from ATP. Despite extensive research on PolyP, we still lack the full understanding of the PolyP role during stress. It is also elusive what is the mechanism of DNA replication initiation arrest in starved Escherichia coli cells. Here, we show that during stringent response PolyP activates Lon protease to degrade selectively the replication initiaton protein DnaA bound to ADP, but not ATP. In contrast to DnaA-ADP, the DnaA-ATP does not interact with PolyP, but binds to dnaA promoter to block dnaA transcription. The systems controlling the ratio of nucleotide states of DnaA continue to convert DnaA-ATP to DnaA-ADP, which is proteolysed by Lon, thereby resulting in the DNA replication initiation arrest. The uncovered regulatory mechanism interlocks the PolyP-dependent protease activation with the ATP/ADP cycle of dual-functioning protein essential for bacterial cell proliferation.