Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining Gender Differences, Personality Traits, Academic Performance, and Motivation in Ukrainian and Polish Students of Physical Education: A Cross-Cultural Study

Background: This study examined the relationship of academic performance with the Big Five traits of personality, academic motivation, and gender in a cross-cultural context. Methods: Participants in the study were 424 university students of physical education (PE) departments from Poland (53%) and Ukraine (47%). Undergraduates completed a brief version of the International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP) to assess the Five-Factor model of personality, the Academic Motivations Scale (AMS), and grade point average (GPA). Results: Polish PE students scored higher in emotional stability and extroversion and had a higher GPA than Ukrainian PE undergraduates. Gender differences were found in both personality traits and academic motivation scales. Intrinsic motivation may predict academic performance. Conscientiousness and intellect emerged as mediators of the relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic performance and gender was found as a moderator in the relationship between conscientiousness and academic success. Conclusions: Women are more motivated regarding academic achievements than men. In addition to intrinsic motivation, the most important factors for academic grades are some personality traits, gender, and cultural differences. Openness and conscientiousness in men are mediators between intrinsic motivation and academic performance. The results of this study may be useful for PE academic teachers to improve the motivation of their students.
Costing analysis of a digital first-line treatment platform for patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis in Sweden

Osteoarthritis (OA) constitutes a major and increasing burden on patients, health care systems and the broader society. It is estimated that around a quarter of the adult population is affected by OA in the knee and hip and that the prevalence of OA will increase over the coming decades largely due to aging and adverse life-style factors. Prevention and effective care are critical to manage the challenges posed by OA. Digital technologies offer opportunities to deliver cost-effective care for chronic diseases, including for OA. We report the results of a costing analysis of a new digital platform for delivering first-line care including disease information and physiotherapy to patients with OA and compare this with an existing face-to-face model of treatment. Both models are in accordance with National Treatment Guidelines in Sweden. The results show that overall the digital model costs around 25% of the existing face-to-face model of care. Based on existing evidence on the effects of these models, our findings also suggest that the digital platform offers a cost-effective alternative to the existing model of OA care. Depending on the extent to which the digital model substitutes for the existing model of care, significant resources can be saved.
Molecular cloning, localization, and heterologous expression of bovine rom-1, a photoreceptor disc rim specific protein

Rom-1 is an integral membrane protein found in mammalian rod photoreceptor disc membranes. Much interest in rom-1 has been generated by its structural similarity to peripherin/rds, a protein implicated in a number of inherited retinal degenerative disorders. Defects in the ROM1 gene have also been associated with a digenic form of retinal degeneration, in which changes in the sequence of both rom-1 and peripherin/rds are necessary to produce the retinal degeneration phenotype. As an essential step in studying structure-function relationships of rom-1 in photoreceptor membranes, the cDNA encoding the bovine homolog of rom-1 was cloned and sequenced. The coding sequence was obtained from a cDNA library, while upstream and promoter sequences were obtained by inverse polymerase chain reaction. The sequence is 84% identical to human rom-1 and 32% identical to bovine peripherin/rds at the amino acid level. The predicted membrane topology of bovine rom1 and a number of short motifs found within the sequence indicate that bovine rom-1 is a member of the transmembrane 4 super family (TM4SF) group of proteins. Short segments of bovine rom-1 were expressed in E. coli as fusion proteins, which were then used as immunogens to generate monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to specific regions of bovine rom-1. The antibodies were used as probes to study the membrane topology, subcellular distribution and interaction of rom-1 with peripherin/rds. The results indicate that rom-1 and peripherin/rds are subunits of a membrane protein complex that is localized to the rim regions of photoreceptor outer segment disc membranes. In contrast to previous reports, rom-1 was detected in cone photoreceptors as well as rod photoreceptors. These results are discussed in terms of the role of rom-1 in disc structure and retinal degenerative diseases. Bovine rom-1 was heterologously expressed in COS-1 cells. The heterologously expressed protein was characterized using immunocytochemistry techniques.
Effects of Chitosan–Gentamicin Conjugate Supplement on Non-Specific Immunity, Aquaculture Water, Intestinal Histology and Microbiota of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

When the aquaculture water environment deteriorates or the temperature rises, shrimp are susceptible to viral or bacterial infections, causing a large number of deaths. This study comprehensively evaluated the effects of the oral administration of a chitosan–gentamicin conjugate (CS-GT) after Litopenaeus vannamei were infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, through nonspecific immunity parameter detection, intestinal morphology observation, and the assessment of microbial flora diversification by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the oral administration of CS-GT significantly increased total hemocyte counts and reduced hemocyte apoptosis in shrimp (p < 0.05). The parameters (including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and phenoloxidase) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The integrity of the intestinal epithelial cells and basement membrane were enhanced, which correspondingly alleviated intestinal injury. In terms of the microbiome, the abundances of Vibrio (Gram-negative bacteria and food-borne pathogens) in the water and gut were significantly reduced. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the abundances of Vibrio both in the water and gut were negatively correlated with CS-GT dosage. In conclusion, the oral administration of CS-GT can improve the immunity of shrimp against pathogenic bacteria and significantly reduce the relative abundances of Vibrio in aquaculture water and the gut of Litopenaeus vannamei.
Might SARS‐CoV‐2 Have Arisen via Serial Passage through an Animal Host or Cell Culture?

Despite claims from prominent scientists that SARS‐CoV‐2 indubitably emerged naturally, the etiology of this novel coronavirus remains a pressing and open question: Without knowing the true nature of a disease, it is impossible for clinicians to appropriately shape their care, for policy‐makers to correctly gauge the nature and extent of the threat, and for the public to appropriately modify their behavior. Unless the intermediate host necessary for completing a natural zoonotic jump is identified, the dual‐use gain‐of‐function research practice of viral serial passage should be considered a viable route by which the novel coronavirus arose. The practice of serial passage mimics a natural zoonotic jump, and offers explanations for SARS‐CoV‐2's distinctive spike‐protein region and its unexpectedly high affinity for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2), as well as the notable polybasic furin cleavage site within it. Additional molecular clues raise further questions, all of which warrant full investigation into the novel coronavirus's origins and a re‐examination of the risks and rewards of dual‐use gain‐of‐function research.
Parental Caregiving and Employment among Midlife Women in Japan

In this paper, we examine how parental caregiving affects women’s employment in Japan. Drawing on the 2005–2014 Longitudinal Survey of Middle-Aged and Elderly Persons, we estimate logistic regression models for the employment status of middle-aged women in various types of employment as a function of caregiving intensity to examine when and in what context caregivers’ employment may be at risk for Japanese women. The results showed that working women who began providing 5 or more hours of care per week were significantly more likely to leave their jobs than non-caregiving women; those who began providing fewer than 5 hours of care per week did not show this likelihood. Among women in regular employment, those who began to provide 5 or more hours of care per week and those who provided care in the previous year were more likely to stop working or change jobs than their non-caregiving counterparts.
Suppression of cGMP-Dependent Photoreceptor Cytotoxicity With Mycophenolate Is Neuroprotective in Murine Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Purpose To determine the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on retinal degeneration on two mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa. Methods Intraperitoneal injections of MMF were administered daily in rd10 and c57 mice starting at postoperative day 12 (P12) and rd1 mice starting at P8. The effect of MMF was assessed with optical coherence tomography, immunohistochemistry, electroretinography, and OptoMotry. Whole retinal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and mycophenolic acid levels were quantified with mass spectrometry. Photoreceptor cGMP cytotoxicity was evaluated with cell counts of cGMP immunostaining. Results MMF treatment significantly delays the onset of retinal degeneration and cGMP-dependent photoreceptor cytotoxicity in rd10 and rd1 mice, albeit a more modest effect in the latter. In rd10 mice, treatment with MMF showed robust preservation of the photoreceptors up to P22 with associated suppression of cGMP immunostaining and microglial activation; The neuroprotective effect diminished after P22, but outer retinal thickness was still significantly thicker by P35 and OptoMotry response was significantly better up to P60. Whereas cGMP immunostaining of the photoreceptors were present in rd10 and rd1 mice, hyperphysiological whole retinal cGMP levels were observed only in rd1 mice. Conclusions Early treatment with MMF confers potent neuroprotection in two animal models of RP by suppressing the cGMP-dependent common pathway for photoreceptor cell death. The neuroprotective effect of MMF on cGMP-dependent cytotoxicity occurs independently of the presence of hyperphysiological whole retinal cGMP levels. Thus our data suggest that MMF may be an important new class of neuroprotective agent that could be useful in the treatment of patients with RP.
Lysosomal Storage Disease-Associated Neuropathy: Targeting Stable Nucleic Acid Lipid Particle (SNALP)-Formulated siRNAs to the Brain as a Therapeutic Approach

More than two thirds of Lysosomal Storage Diseases (LSDs) present central nervous system involvement. Nevertheless, only one of the currently approved therapies has an impact on neuropathology. Therefore, alternative approaches are under development, either addressing the underlying enzymatic defect or its downstream consequences. Also under study is the possibility to block substrate accumulation upstream, by promoting a decrease of its synthesis. This concept is known as substrate reduction therapy and may be triggered by several molecules, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). siRNAs promote RNA interference, a naturally occurring sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism, and may target virtually any gene of interest, inhibiting its expression. Still, naked siRNAs have limited cellular uptake, low biological stability, and unfavorable pharmacokinetics. Thus, their translation into clinics requires proper delivery methods. One promising platform is a special class of liposomes called stable nucleic acid lipid particles (SNALPs), which are characterized by high cargo encapsulation efficiency and may be engineered to promote targeted delivery to specific receptors. Here, we review the concept of SNALPs, presenting a series of examples on their efficacy as siRNA nanodelivery systems. By doing so, we hope to unveil the therapeutic potential of these nanosystems for targeted brain delivery of siRNAs in LSDs.
Biochemische Charakterisierung des Transkriptionsrepressors CopR und Evolution des CopR-Operators

Bakterien leben in Umgebungen sich standig andernder Bedingungen. Um sich an wechselnde Umweltverhaltnisse anpassen zu konnen, wurde eine Vielzahl von Regulationsmechanismen entwickelt. Diese fuhren meist zur Aktivierung und/ oder Repression von Genen. Dabei wird die prokaryotische Genexpression durch die Regulation der Transkriptionsinitiation entscheidend beeinflust. Die Initiation der Transkription bei Prokaryoten wird durch eine Vielzahl von Protein-Protein- und Protein-DNA-Interaktionen zwischen der RNA-Polymerase, der Promotor-DNA und Aktivator- und Repressor- Proteinen reguliert (Hochschild & Dove, 1998). Das E. coli-Genom enthalt mehr als 300 Gene, die Proteine kodieren, die durch die Bindung an Promotoren die Transkription regulieren (Perez-Rueda & Collado-Vides, 2000). Die meisten dieser Proteine sind sequenzspezifische DNA-Bindungsproteine. Einige von ihnen regulieren die Transkription vieler Gene, wohingegen andere lediglich ein oder zwei Gene kontrollieren. Sieben Transkriptionsfaktoren (CRP, FNR, IHF, Fis, ArcA, NarL und Lrp) regulieren die Transkription von 50 % aller Gene in E. coli (Martinez-Antonio & Collado-Vides 2003). Auf der Basis von Sequenzanalysen konnen bakterielle Transkriptionsfaktoren unterschiedlichen Familien zugeordnet werden. Am besten charakterisiert sind die LacI-, AraC-, LysR-, CRP- und OmpR-Transkriptionsregulatoren. Die Strukturen vieler dieser Proteinesind bereits aufgeklart worden (Huffman & Brennan, 2002).
Risk factors for severe illness in hospitalized Covid-19 patients at a regional hospital

Background The Covid-19 pandemic threatens to overwhelm scarce clinical resources. Risk factors for severe illness must be identified to make efficient resource allocations. Objective To evaluate risk factors for severe illness. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Setting Single-institution. Participants First 117 consecutive patients hospitalized for Covid-19 from March 1 to April 12, 2020. Exposure None. Main outcomes and measures Intensive care unit admission or death. Results In-hospital mortality was 24.8% and average total length of stay was 11.82 days (95% CI: 10.01 to 13.63 days). 30.8% of patients required intensive care unit admission and 29.1% required mechanical ventilation. Multivariate regression identified the amount of supplemental oxygen required at admission (OR: 1.208, 95% CI: 1.011–1.443, p = .037), sputum production (OR: 6.734, 95% CI: 1.630–27.812, p = .008), insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (OR: 11.873, 95% CI: 2.218–63.555, p = .004) and chronic kidney disease (OR: 4.793, 95% CI: 1.528–15.037, p = .007) as significant risk factors for intensive care unit admission or death. Of the 48 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit or died, this occurred within 3 days of arrival in 42%, within 6 days in 71%, and within 9 days in 88% of patients. Conclusions At our regional medical center, patients with Covid-19 had an average length of stay just under 12 days, required ICU care in 31% of cases, and had a 25% mortality rate. Patients with increased sputum production and higher supplemental oxygen requirements at admission, and insulin dependent diabetes or chronic kidney disease may be at increased risk for severe illness. A model for predicting intensive care unit admission or death with excellent discrimination was created that may aid in treatment decisions and resource allocation. Early identification of patients at increased risk for severe illness may lead to improved outcomes in patients hospitalized with Covid-19.
Hydration-Induced Structural Changes in the Solid State of Protein: A SAXS/WAXS Study on Lysozyme

The stability of biologically produced pharmaceuticals is the limiting factor to various applications, which can be improved by formulation in solid-state forms, mostly via lyophilization. Knowledge about the protein structure at the molecular level in the solid state and its transition upon rehydration is however scarce, and yet it most likely affects the physical and chemical stability of the biological drug. In this work, synchrotron small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) are used to characterize the structure of a model protein, lysozyme, in the solid state and its structural transition upon rehydration to the liquid state. The results show that the protein undergoes distortion upon drying to adopt structures that can continuously fill the space to remove the protein–air interface that may be formed upon dehydration. Above a hydration threshold of 35 wt %, the native structure of the protein is recovered. The evolution of SWAXS peaks as a function of water content in a broad range of concentrations is discussed in relation to the structural changes in the protein. The findings presented here can be used for the design and optimization of solid-state formulations of proteins with improved stability.
Naoluo Xintong capsule ameliorates apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND Naoluo Xintong (NLXT) capsuleis a newly developed drug recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) NLXT decoction, and has been widely used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in clinic. However, it is currently unknown whether it improve cerebral ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS The effect of NLXT on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was examined using Laser Doppler flower. The Terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated Nick end labeling (Tunel) assay was performed to determine the effects of NLXT on apoptosis. Subsequently, cerebral water content and TTC staining were measured to assess cerebral edema and infarct volume, respectively. The protein expression levels were analyzed with Immunofluorescence and western blot assays. RESULTS The results indicated that NLXT ameliorated MCAO-induced cerebral I/R injury by decreasing infract volume, inhibition of apoptosis, and upregulation rCBF. In addition, it decreased the expression of key protein involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress, including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and Caspase-12 at 24 h following reperfusion. This was accompanied reduced degradation level of TRPC6 and increased phosphorylation of cAMP/Ca2+ response elementbinding protein (p-CREB), and decreased calpain-specific αII-spectrin breakdown product (SBDP145) activity. Interestingly, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) activity abolished the effect of NLXT on CREB activity. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the results indicated that NLXT can improve I/R injury therapy by activating TRPC6/MEK/CREB signaling pathway to attenuate ER-stress related neuronal apoptosis.
Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching With Strengthening Exercises in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Who Have Inflexible Hamstrings: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) syndrome is closely associated with muscle tightness. However, studies regarding the effects of stretching exercises on PFP patients with inflexible hamstrings are scarce. The aim of the study was to compare the effects between static and dynamic hamstring stretching in patients with PFP who have inflexible hamstrings. Hypothesis: Compared with static hamstring stretching, dynamic hamstring stretching will improve the parameters of hamstring flexibility, knee muscle strength, muscle activation time, and clinical outcomes in this patient population. Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: A total of 46 patients (25, static stretching; 21, dynamic stretching) participated. Hamstring flexibility was assessed according to the popliteal angle during active knee extension. Muscle strength and muscle activation time were measured using an isokinetic device. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the anterior knee pain scale (AKPS). Results: There were no differences in hamstring flexibility and knee muscle strength of the affected knees between the groups (P > 0.05). Significantly improved muscle activation time and clinical outcomes of the affected knees were observed in the dynamic stretching group compared with the static stretching group (all Ps < 0.01 for hamstring, quadriceps, VAS, and AKPS). Conclusion: In patients with PFP who have inflexible hamstrings, dynamic hamstring stretching with strengthening exercises was superior for improving muscle activation time and clinical outcomes compared with static hamstring stretching with strengthening exercises. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians and therapists could implement dynamic hamstring stretching to improve function and reduce pain in patients with PFP who have inflexible hamstrings.
Evaluation of Caspase‐3 Activity During Apoptosis with Fluorescence Lifetime‐Based Cytometry Measurements and Phasor Analyses

Caspase‐3 is a well‐described protease with many roles that impact the fate of a cell. During apoptosis, caspase‐3 acts as an executioner caspase with important proteolytic functions that lead to the final stages of programmed cell death. Owing to this key role, caspase‐3 is exploited intracellularly as a target of control of apoptosis for therapeutic outcomes. Yet the activation of caspase‐3 during apoptosis is challenged by other roles and functions (e.g., paracrine signaling). This brief report presents a way to track caspase‐3 levels using a flow cytometer that measures excited state fluorescence lifetimes and a signal processing approach that leads to a graphical phasor‐based interpretation. An established Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) bioprobe was used for this test; the connected donor and acceptor fluorophore is cleavable by caspase‐3 during apoptosis induction. With the cell‐by‐cell decay kinetic data and phasor analyses we generate a caspase activation trajectory, which is used to interpret activation throughout apoptosis. When lifetime‐based cytometry is combined with a FRET bioprobe and phasor analyses, enzyme activation can be simplified and quantified with phase and modulation data. We envision extrapolating this approach to high content screening, and reinforce the power of phasor approaches with cytometric data. Analyses such as these can be used to cluster cells by their phase and modulation “lifetime fingerprint” when the intracellular fluorescent probe is utilized as a sensor of enzyme activity. © 2020 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Women’s Pornography Consumption, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Victimization

While research in recent years has investigated the influence of pornography consumption on sexually aggressive behavior, research on the relationship between pornography and experienced victimization is sparse. The current study sought to explore female sexual victimization and its relationship with pornography consumption and alcohol use at two universities (N = 483). Binary logistic regression analyses indicate that both pornography and alcohol consumption were unique predictors of self-reported victimization for college females and that the combined effect of pornography and alcohol dramatically increases the odds of victimization. Results are discussed in the context of pornography’s impact on the minimization of sexually aggressive acts in real life and campus rape culture.