Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Omega‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Lipid Metabolism in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and NAFLD

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3‐PUFAs) have been reported to ameliorate the progression of NAFLD in experimental studies; however, clinical trials have yielded contradictory results. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of n‐3‐PUFA administration on lipid metabolism and the progression of NAFLD in patients with metabolic syndrome. Sixty patients with metabolic syndrome and NAFLD were randomized in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial (3.6 g/day n‐3‐PUFA vs. placebo). During the 1‐year follow‐up, the patients underwent periodic clinical and laboratory examinations, liver stiffness measurements, magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the liver, and plasma lipidomic analyses. After 12 months of n‐3‐PUFA administration, a significant decrease in serum GGT activity was recorded compared with the placebo group (2.03 ± 2.8 vs. 1.43 ± 1.6; P < 0.05). Although no significant changes in anthropometric parameters were recorded, a significant correlation between the reduction of liver fat after 12 months of treatment—and weight reduction—was observed; furthermore, this effect was clearly potentiated by n‐3‐PUFA treatment (P < 0.005). In addition, n‐3‐PUFA treatment resulted in substantial changes in the plasma lipidome, with n‐3‐PUFA‐enriched triacylglycerols and phospholipids being the most expressed lipid signatures. Conclusion: Twelve months of n‐3‐PUFA treatment of patients with NAFLD patients was associated with a significant decrease in GGT activity, the liver fat reduction in those who reduced their weight, and beneficial changes in the plasma lipid profile.
STIM1-dependent peripheral coupling governs the contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells

Peripheral coupling between the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and plasma membrane (PM) forms signaling complexes that regulate the membrane potential and contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The mechanisms responsible for these membrane interactions are poorly understood. In many cells, STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1), a single-transmembrane-domain protein that resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), transiently moves to ER-PM junctions in response to depletion of ER Ca2+ stores and initiates store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Fully differentiated VSMCs express STIM1 but exhibit only marginal SOCE activity. We hypothesized that STIM1 is constitutively active in contractile VSMCs and maintains peripheral coupling. In support of this concept, we found that the number and size of SR-PM interacting sites were decreased, and SR-dependent Ca2+-signaling processes were disrupted in freshly isolated cerebral artery SMCs from tamoxifen-inducible, SMC-specific STIM1-knockout (Stim1-smKO) mice. VSMCs from Stim1-smKO mice also exhibited a reduction in nanoscale colocalization between Ca2+-release sites on the SR and Ca2+-activated ion channels on the PM, accompanied by diminished channel activity. Stim1-smKO mice were hypotensive, and resistance arteries isolated from them displayed blunted contractility. These data suggest that STIM1 – independent of SR Ca2+ store depletion – is critically important for stable peripheral coupling in contractile VSMCs.
The multiscale dynamics of beat-to-beat blood pressure fluctuation mediated the relationship between frailty and arterial stiffness in older adults.

BACKGROUND Beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) is an important cardiovascular output and regulated by neurophysiologic elements over multiple temporal scales. The multiscale dynamics of beat-to-beat BP fluctuation can be characterized by "BP complexity" and has been linked to age-related adverse health outcomes. We here aimed to examine whether BP complexity mediates the association between arterial stiffness and frailty. METHOD This cross-sectional study was completed between January and October 2021. A total of 350 older adults completed assessments for frailty, arterial stiffness ((i.e., average brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity), and beat-to-beat finger BP. The complexity of beat-to-beat systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP series were measured using multiscale entropy. The relationships between frailty, BP complexity and arterial stiffness were examined using ANOVA and linear regression models. The effects of BP complexity on the association between arterial stiffness and frailty were examined using mediation analyses. RESULTS Compared to non-frail, pre-frail and frail groups had significantly elevated lower SBP and DBP complexity (F>11, p<0.001), and greater arterial stiffness (F=16, p<0.001). Greater arterial stiffness was associated with lower BP complexity (β<-0.42, p<0.001). SBP and DBP complexity mediated the association between arterial stiffness and frailty (indirect effects>0.28), account for at least 47% of its total effects on frailty (Mediated proportion: SBP: 50%, DBP: 47%). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the association between BP complexity and frailty in older adults, and BP complexity mediates the association between arterial stiffness and frailty, suggesting that this metric would serve as a marker to help characterize important functions in older adults.
Moxibustion for diarrhea in COVID-19

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease that is often accompanied by diarrhea, patients with symptoms such as diarrhea are more likely to develop severe pneumonia, while diarrhea is the most prominent among atypical symptoms. The incidence of diarrhea in COVID-19 patients is 2.0% to 49.5%. Moxibustion has been proven to have a therapeutic effect on diarrhea; however, there is no high-quality evidence on moxibustion for diarrhea in COVID-19 patients. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for the treatment of diarrhea in patients with COVID-19. Methods: Randomized controlled trials from December 2019 to December 2021 will be included without restrictions on language or publication date. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and VIP database will be searched. Two researchers will independently select studies, extract data and evaluate study quality. Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials will be used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. Statistical analyses will be performed using the Review Manager V.5. 3 and stata 14.0. Results: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence for whether moxibustion therapy is beneficial to the treatment of diarrhea in COVID-19. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. This review would be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentations. Prospero registration number: CRD42022302933.
Increased Adiposity and Low Height-for-age in Early Childhood are Associated with Later Metabolic Risk in American Indian Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND Growth abnormalities in childhood have been related to later cardiometabolic risk, but little is known about these associations in populations at high risk of type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations of patterns of growth, including weight and height at ages 1-59 months, with cardiometabolic risk factors at ages 5-16 years. METHODS We linked anthropometric data collected at ages 1-59 months to cardiometabolic data obtained from a longitudinal study in a southwestern American Indian population at high risk of diabetes. Analyses included 701 children with ≥ 1 follow-up examination at ages 5-16 years. We derived age and sex-specific z-scores of weight-for-height (WHZ) and height-for-age (HAZ) at ages 1-59 months. We selected the highest observed WHZ and the lowest HAZ at ages 1-59 months and analyzed associations of z-scores and categories of WHZ and HAZ with cardiometabolic outcomes at ages 5-16 years. We used linear mixed-effects models to account for repeated measures. RESULTS Overweight/obesity (WHZ > 2) at ages 1-59 months was significantly associated with increased BMI, fasting and 2-h post-load plasma glucose, fasting and 2-h insulin, triglycerides, SBP, DPB, and decreased HDL cholesterol at ages 5-16 years relative to normal weight (WHZ ≤ 1). For example, at ages 5-9 years, 2-h glucose was 10.4 mg/dl higher (95% CI:5.6,15.3), and fasting insulin was 4.29 μU/mL higher (95% CI:2.96,5.71). Associations were attenuated and no longer significant when adjusted for concurrent BMI. Low height-for-age (HAZ←2) at ages 1-59 months was associated with 5.37 mg/dL lower HDL (95% CI:2.57,8.17), and 27.5 μU/mL higher 2-h insulin (95% CI:3.41,57.6) at ages 10-16 years relative to HAZ ≥ 0. CONCLUSION In this American Indian population, findings suggest a strong contribution of overweight/obesity in early childhood to cardiometabolic risk in later childhood and adolescence, mediated through persistent overweight/obesity into later ages. Findings also suggest potential adverse effects of low height-for-age, which require confirmation.
Killip-Kimball classification in octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome: An 11-year experience.

Objective: The objective of the study is to validate the use of the Killip-Kimball classification (KC) as a predictor of outcomes in an octogenarian cohort with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a catheterization procedure for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was performed. ACS was defined as per the American Heart Association guidelines, and included ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI and Unstable Angina. We determined factors associated with the KC upon admission to the emergency room. Likewise, we compared in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and other outcomes dividing the patients by KC. Results: A total of 133 patients with a mean age of 83 years were analyzed and assigned a KC from 1 to 4 according to clinical presentation. Each group included 86, 9, 23, and 15 patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 12%, 5% in KC-I, 11% in KC-II, 22% in KC-III, and 40% in KC-IV with a significant difference between classes (p = 0.002). In addition, we found higher KC groups to be associated with acute kidney injury during the hospitalization (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Despite a strong reduction in mortality for elderly patients with ACS in recent decades, patients presenting with ACS and higher KC have a high mortality rate, as described in younger cohorts. KC remains a reliable prognostic tool, with applicability in octogenarian patients.
Assessing the Quality of Patient Information for Vestibular Schwannoma on the Open Source Video Sharing Platform YouTube

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Background: Patients frequently use the internet to gain information and make decisions about their health conditions. This work aims to assess the quality of information about Vestibular Schwannoma on a popular video sharing platform, YouTube (Alphabet Inc.). Objectives: To assess quality of the most popular vestibular schwannoma videos using recognized scoring systems and whether video quality metrics correlated with video popularity based on metadata analysis. Setting: Public domain. Study Design: Cross-sectional Study Methods: The YouTube website was systematically searched on separate days with a formal search strategy to identify videos relevant to vestibular schwannoma. Each video was viewed and scored by three independent assessors, using scores for quality and disease specific accuracy. Popularity metrics were analyzed and compared to video quality. Patient surveys were conducted to further assess their perspectives of the included videos. Results: A total of 23 YouTube videos were included. In terms of Essential and Ideal Video Completeness Criteria, the mean scores ranged from 4.8 to 5.0 (out of 12), indicating moderate video quality. The average DISCERN score ranged from 30.0 to 36.7, indicating lower reliability. The mean JAMA scores ranged from 1.96 to 2.48, indicating average quality. Based on metrics including DISCERN and JAMA instruments, the information in the YouTube videos were of low to average quality and reliability. Rater scoring was reliable. Viewer engagement correlated poorly with video quality except for JAMA metrics. Conclusion: Video quality on YouTube with respect to Vestibular Schwannoma is of low to average quality. Viewer engagement and popularity correlated poorly with video quality. Clinicians should direct their patients to high quality videos and should consider uploading their own high-quality videos.
Exercise duration: Independent effects on acute physiologic responses and the need for an individualized prescription

An individualization of exercise prescription is implemented mainly in terms of intensity but not for duration. To survey the need for an individualized exercise duration prescription, we investigated acute physiologic responses during constant‐load exercise of maximal duration (tmax) and determined so‐called duration thresholds. Differences between absolute (min) and relative terms (% tmax) of exercise duration were analyzed. Healthy young and trained male and female participants (n = 11) performed an incremental exercise test and one tmax constant‐load exercise test at a target intensity of 10% of maximal power output below the second lactate turn point (LTP2). Blood lactate, heart rate, and spirometric data were measured during all tests. tmax was markedly different across subjects (69.6 ± 14.8 min; range: 40–90 min). However, distinct duration phases separated by duration thresholds (DTh) were found in most measured variables. These duration thresholds (except DTh1) were significantly related to tmax (DTh2: r2 = 0.90, p < 0.0001; DTh3: r2 = 0.98, p < 0.0001) and showed substantial interindividual differences if expressed in absolute terms (DTh2: 24.8 ± 6.0 min; DTh3: 47.4 ± 10.6 min) but not in relative terms (DTh2: 35.4 ± 2.7% tmax; DTh3: 67.9 ± 2.4% tmax). Our data showed that (1) maximal duration was individually different despite the same relative intensity, (2) duration thresholds that were related to tmax could be determined in most measured variables, and (3) duration thresholds were comparable between subjects if expressed in relative terms. We therefore conclude that duration needs to be concerned as an independent variable of exercise prescription.
Seroprevalence of dengue, Zika, chikungunya and Ross River viruses across the Solomon Islands

Across the Pacific, and including in the Solomon Islands, outbreaks of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are increasing in frequency, scale and impact. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne disease have the potential to overwhelm the health systems of small island nations. This study mapped the seroprevalence of dengue, Zika, chikungunya and Ross River viruses in 5 study sites in the Solomon Islands. Serum samples from 1,021 participants were analysed by ELISA. Overall, 56% of participants were flavivirus-seropositive for dengue (28%), Zika (1%) or both flaviviruses (27%); and 53% of participants were alphavirus-seropositive for chikungunya (3%), Ross River virus (31%) or both alphaviruses (18%). Seroprevalence for both flaviviruses and alphaviruses varied by village and age of the participant. The most prevalent arboviruses in the Solomon Islands were dengue and Ross River virus. The high seroprevalence of dengue suggests that herd immunity may be a driver of dengue outbreak dynamics in the Solomon Islands. Despite being undetected prior to this survey, serology results suggest that Ross River virus transmission is endemic. There is a real need to increase the diagnostic capacities for each of the arboviruses to support effective case management and to provide timely information to inform vector control efforts and other outbreak mitigation interventions.
Improving phosphate use efficiency in the aquatic crop watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

Abstract Watercress is a nutrient-dense leafy green crop, traditionally grown in aquatic outdoor systems and increasingly seen as well-suited for indoor hydroponic systems. However, there is concern that this crop has a detrimental impact on the environment through direct phosphate additions causing environmental pollution. Phosphate-based fertilisers are supplied to enhance crop yield, but their use may contribute to eutrophication of waterways downstream of traditional watercress farms. One option is to develop a more phosphate use efficient (PUE) crop. This review identifies the key traits for this aquatic crop (the ideotype), for future selection, marker development and breeding. Traits identified as important for PUE are (i) increased root surface area through prolific root branching and adventitious root formation, (ii) aerenchyma formation and root hair growth. Functional genomic traits for improved PUE are (iii) efficacious phosphate remobilisation and scavenging strategies and (iv) the use of alternative metabolic pathways. Key genomic targets for this aquatic crop are identified as: PHT phosphate transporter genes, global transcriptional regulators such as those of the SPX family and genes involved in galactolipid and sulfolipid biosynthesis such as MGD2/3, PECP1, PSR2, PLDζ1/2 and SQD2. Breeding for enhanced PUE in watercress will be accelerated by improved molecular genetic resources such as a full reference genome sequence that is currently in development.
Acculturation and depressive symptoms among older Chinese immigrants in the United States: the roles of positive and negative social interactions

Abstract Objectives: Immigration is a stressful experience. Social interactions with family members and friends play an important role in the health and well-being of immigrant older adults. This study examined the association between different domains of acculturation and depressive symptoms among older Chinese immigrants in the United States and investigated the roles of positive and negative interactions with family and friends in such associations. Method: We used data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a population-based survey of community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area (N = 3,158). Depressive symptoms were measured by the PHQ-9. Acculturation, positive and negative social interactions with partner/family/friends were all measured by standard scales. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between acculturation and the probability of having depressive symptoms. Results: Results showed that only social acculturation was correlated with a higher likelihood of having depressive symptoms after controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables. Results also demonstrated that ‘high positive & high negative’, as well as ‘high positive & low negative’ social interactions had significant moderating effects on the association between media acculturation and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that although older Chinese immigrants in the United States with high levels of social acculturation are vulnerable to depressive symptoms, high positive social interactions with partner/family/friends buffer the relationship between media acculturation and depressive symptoms. Community services can help with social acculturation and more positive interactions from partner/family/friends to alleviate depressive symptoms among older Chinese immigrants.
Ergonomic Requirements for the Design of Ship Bridges

The pertinent standards and type-approval regulations for shipboard navigational equipment and bridge layout take into account human-machine interaction problems only to a limited degree and are primarily oriented towards technical aspects. As a consequence, ergonomic design requirements should be defined and integrated into international standards. To get there task analyses, structured questionnaires and interviews were carried out as well as analyses of existing design recommendations and guidelines in other applications than marine scope. About 652 ergonomic criteria could be determined representing the areas bridge layout, work environment, workstation layout, alarms, input devices, information displays, and interactive control. For practical application the determined ergonomic requirements have been stored and structured as ergonomic criteria in a complex and flexible data base in context with an adequate data model. A computer-based Design Support and Evaluation 5jxtem using the database has been developed and a first version has been realized. This system can serve as a supporting tool for the design of ship bridges in accordance to ergonomic principles as well as an ergonomic evaluation tool for the design process. The system consists, therefore, of two main components. The design support component could serve as an infonuation tool for the designer of the bridge. Figure 1 shows a criterion mask with the criteria navigator on the left hand side presenting the different levels of the criteria shucture, highlighting the lowest criteria category chosen. With the criteria navigator the user can navigate through the different levels of the structure. The selected criterion appears on the right hand side in the information window. Additional details describing the criterion are available, if the designer needs explanations. Criterion details are commenf~ with descriptions of the criterion’s meaning, instructions for specific measuring techniques, references presenting relevant literature with sources of the criterion, and examples, e.g., with drawings as shown in figure 1. Items may be printed on request and a search procedure for specific terms can lead to relevant criteria. The evaluation component could serve as a testing method for the ergonomic design of the bridge equipment and the bridge layout. For an actual evaluation procedure the desired criteria can be selected and rated on a scale according to its conformity with the system attribute. Figure 2 shows the prototype of the evaluation mask with the criteria navigator on the left hand side. The different levels of the criteria structure are presented with the highlighted category of the criterion which should be rated. This criterion appears in the upper light presentation space on the right hand side of the mask. Figure 1: Example mask for the Design Support ccnnponent
Tomato SlCER1–1 catalyzes the synthesis of wax alkanes, increasing drought tolerance and fruit storability

Abstract Very-long-chain (VLC) alkanes are the main wax compounds of tomato fruits and leaves. ECERIFERUM1 (CER1) and ECERIFERUM3 (CER3) are the two key genes involved in VLC alkane biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, CER1 and CER3 homologs have not been investigated in tomato, and their exact biological functions remain unknown. We analyzed the wax profiles of tomato leaves and fruits at different growth stages and characterized the tomato CER1 and CER3 homologs. VLC alkanes were the predominant wax compounds in both leaves and fruits at all developmental stages. We identified five CER1 homologs and two CER3 homologs in tomato, which were designated SlCER1–1 to SlCER1–5 and SlCER3–1 and SlCER3–2, respectively. The genes exhibited tissue- and organ-specific expression patterns and were induced by abiotic stresses. SlCER1–1 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is also the main site of wax biosynthesis. Silencing SlCER1–1 in tomato significantly reduced the amounts of n-alkanes and branched alkanes, whereas its overexpression in Arabidopsis had the opposite effect. Under drought stress, both n-alkanes and branched alkanes increased significantly in wild-type but not SlCER1–1 RNAi tomato plants. Furthermore, SlCER1–1 silencing also increased the cuticular permeability of leaves and fruits. In conclusion, SlCER1–1 is involved in wax alkane biosynthesis in tomato and plays an important role in drought tolerance and fruit storability.