Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post-exertional increase in first-phase ejection fraction in recreational marathon runners

Objectives Running a marathon has been equivocally associated with acute changes in cardiac performance. First-phase ejection fraction is a novel integrated echocardiographic measure of left ventricular contractility and systo-diastolic coupling which has never been studied in the context of physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess first-phase ejection fraction following recreational marathon running along with standard echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function. Design and participants: Runners (n = 25, 17 males), age (mean ± standard deviation) 39 ± 9 years, were assessed before and immediately after a marathon race which was completed in 4 h, 10 min ± 47 min. Main outcome measures Central hemodynamics were estimated with applanation tonometry; cardiac performance was assessed using standard M-mode two-dimensional Doppler, tissue-doppler imaging and speckle-tracking echocardiography. First-phase ejection fraction was calculated as the percentage change in left ventricular volume from end-diastole to the time of peak aortic blood flow. Results Conventional indices of systolic function and cardiac performance were similar pre- and post-race while aortic systolic blood pressure decreased by 9 ± 8 mmHg (P < 0.001) and first-phase ejection fraction increased by approximately 48% from 16.3 ± 3.9% to 22.9 ± 2.5% (P < 0.001). The ratio of left ventricular transmitral Doppler early velocity (E) to tissue-doppler imaging early annular velocity (e′) increased from 5.1 ± 1.8 to 6.2 ± 1.3 (P < 0.01). Conclusion In recreational marathon runners, there is a marked increase in first-phase ejection fraction after the race despite no other significant change in cardiac performance or conventional measure of systolic function. More detailed physiological studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of this increase.
Conformable self-assembling amyloid protein coatings with genetically programmable functionality

Amyloid protein coatings exhibit substrate independence, resistance to harsh conditions, and programmable functionalities. Functional coating materials have found broad technological applications in diverse fields. Despite recent advances, few coating materials simultaneously achieve robustness and substrate independence while still retaining the capacity for genetically encodable functionalities. Here, we report Escherichia coli biofilm-inspired protein nanofiber coatings that simultaneously exhibit substrate independence, resistance to organic solvents, and programmable functionalities. The intrinsic surface adherence of CsgA amyloid proteins, along with a benign solution-based fabrication approach, facilitates forming nanofiber coatings on virtually any surface with varied compositions, sizes, shapes, and structures. In addition, the typical amyloid structures endow the nanofiber coatings with outstanding robustness. On the basis of their genetically engineerable functionality, our nanofiber coatings can also seamlessly participate in functionalization processes, including gold enhancement, diverse protein conjugations, and DNA binding, thus enabling a variety of proof-of-concept applications, including electronic devices, enzyme immobilization, and microfluidic bacterial sensors. We envision that our coatings can drive advances in electronics, biocatalysis, particle engineering, and biomedicine.
Pancreatic stent is the best tool to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in high-risk patients: Is the result from recent network meta-analysis valid?

With great interest, we have read the recent network meta-analysis by Njei et al [1] comparing the effectiveness of endoscopic and pharmacological interventions in terms of the prevention of postERCP pancreatitis (PEP). We applaud the authors for their work to answer this clinically relevant question by performing network meta-analysis, which is a very intricate type of analysis to compare multiple interventions in the setting of paucity of head-to-head clinical trials. This study shows pancreatic stent to be the most effective intervention for highrisk patients followed by Ringer’s lactate in combination with rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, by looking at data presented in their manuscript and thorough review of articles included for analysis, we have some concerns. First of all, the authors stated that they only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with high-risk patients. While that is true of all the studies evaluating the role of the pancreatic stent as shown in Fig. 5 of network meta-analysis [1], it’s not true for studies evaluating rectal NSAIDs and Ringer’s lactate. All the studies using Ringer’s lactate except Mok et al 2017 shown in Fig. 4 of the manuscript [1] do not seem to be limited to high-risk patients only. In addition, studies using rectal NSAIDs shown in Fig. 3 of the manuscript [1] have the following issues: 1) No studies except for Elmunzer et al 2012 and Murray et al 2003 mention that only high-risk patients were included, on contrary, some of them mention including average to high-risk patients; 2) A closer look at those studies shows that the number of patients with PEP mentioned in Fig. 3 of the study [1] are in fact numbers of patients with only moderate to severe pancreatitis, instead of the number of PEP in high-risk patients; 4) We can’t identify a way to isolate the number of high-risk patients and the incidence of PEP from the study articles themselves. We also noticed an error in the number of patients included in the analysis not meeting inclusion criteria, in ▶Table 1 and ▶Table 2. The patients in RCTs by Sotoudehmanesh et al 2007 and Otsuka et al 2012 were stratified as average risk in previous network meta-analysis by Akbar et al published in 2013 [2] in contrast to current network meta-analysis by Njei et al [1]. Thus, as per the authors’ inclusion criteria ideally, only 15 studies would have data on PEP incidence in high-risk patients instead of the 29 studies that the authors incorporated for this analysis. Finally, we speculate that the data were included in the network metaanalysis to arrive at a conclusion. If that is true, it might affect overall results of the study, and if not, it might at least affect the validity of this analysis.
Stress as a challenge in promoting mental health among dementia caregivers

BACKGROUND: Caregiver stress is harmful to the health of both caregivers and people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The present study was conducted to assess stress and its predictors of people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias' caregivers. METHODS: The present descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2017–June 2018 in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected by interviewing 99 caregivers had at least 6 months of experience caring for a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, through questionnaires developed by the researcher. A convenience sample (easy access) of caregivers was recruited from calling the home of formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's patient, that have registered in educational hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and psychiatrists' office both paid caregivers (formal) and unpaid caregivers (family). All caregivers provided informed consent. The type and severity of the relationship between the dependent (stress) and independent variable were assessed using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients, the independent t-test, and the multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The caregivers' mean stress score was 25.4 ± 10.9 (range: 4–54). About 80% of the caregivers were female. Age and stress score was correlated (P = 0.004), the mean stress score was significantly higher in female caregivers (P = 0.04), informal caregivers (P < 0.001), and significantly lower in the caregivers with previous experience of caring for Alzheimer's patients (P = 0.02) or those introduced by service companies (P = 0.005). Variables including the family relationship with the patient (P = 0.01), kind of caregiving (P = 0.03), and previous experience of caring for Alzheimer's patients (P = 0.04) were stronger predictors of the stress score. CONCLUSION: Stress is a challenge in promoting mental health among dementia caregivers. Providing social support with an emphasis on physical, mental, and social health is mandatory, especially for female and family caregivers, to promote stress management, mental health in this group, and enable optimal and purposeful care.
Kappa-/beta-carrageenans from Australian red algae of the Acrotylaceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)

A. Chiovitti, G.T. Kraft, A. Bacic, D.J. Craik, and M. -L. Liao. 2007. Kappa-/beta-carrageenans from Australian red algae of the Acrotylaceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta). Phycologia 47: 35–40. DOI: 10.2216/07-10.1 The extracellular polysaccharides of five species of the family Acrotylaceae Schmitz [Acrotylus australis J. Agardh, Amphiplexia hymenocladioides J. Agardh, Antrocentrum nigrescens (Harvey) Kraft & Min-Thein, Hennedya crispa Harvey, and Ranavalona duckerae Kraft] were shown by compositional analyses, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to be kappa (κ)-/beta (β)-carrageenans in which the κ-carrageenan component is dominant. The uniform presence of κ-/β-carrageenans lends support to the placement of these taxa in the Acrotylaceae based on similarities of procarp structures and highly distinctive centripetally developing gonimoblasts. However, a growing body of 18S rDNA nucleotide-sequence data indicates probable polyphyly for the existing family and the relatively widespread occurrence of κ-/β-carrageenans among a number of families in the order Gigartinales. We regard these carrageenans most likely to represent a pleisiomorphic trait. One current member of the Acrotylaceae, Claviclonium ovatum (Lamouroux) Kraft & Min-Thein, is exceptional in producing a nearly idealized 6′-O-methylated iota (ι)-carrageenan rather than κ-/β-carrageenan. This is a feature more akin to the distinctive, highly methylated carrageenans of the Areschougiaceae, a family only distantly related to the Acrotylaceae in molecular trees and which exhibits a substantially different mode of carposporophyte development from members of that group.
Effects of Swimming Training on Immune Function of Growing Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

The effects of swimming exercise on immune function of growing rats fed a high-fat diet were studied. Thirty-four male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: CS (control diet sedentary group, n=8), CE (control diet exercised group, n=9), HS (high-fat diet sedentary group, n=8) and HE (high-fat diet exercised group, n=9). The high-fat diet was included 35% carbohydrate, 20% protein and 35% fat. AIN-76 was used as the control diet. In the exercised groups, the rats swam for 60 min day−1, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Mean blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were not significantly different between groups, and neither were mean soleus muscle mitochondrial citrate synthase activities. However, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p<0.05) and the glycogen content of the plantarius muscle were significantly lower in the HS group than in the CS group. The CD4+ T cell population of the spleen and the glycogen content of the plantarius muscle were significantly higher in the HE group than in the HS group (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). Interleukin-2 production following 5 µg/ml of conconavalin A (Con. A) stimulation tended to be higher in the HE group than in the other groups but the difference was not statistically significant. It is suggested that regular endurance exercise in growing rats fed a high-fat diet increases the CD4+ T cell subpopulation by stimulating interleukin-2 production.
Higher TNF-Alpha Production Detected in Colorectal Cancer Patients Monocytes

ABSTRACT Many studies have shown that TNF-α is critically involved in tumor promotion and progression. We examined the ability of monocytes from patients with colorectal cancer in different stages of the disease to produce TNF-α after stimulation and the involvement of JNK signal transduction pathway in TNF-α synthesis. Purification of monocytes was done by plastic adherence of PBMC. Monocytes were stimulated with LPS or C3bgp. The involvement of JNK MAP kinase in TNF-α secretion was evaluated by using selective JNK inhibitor SP600125. The quantity determination of TNF-α was performed by ELISA in culture supernatants on 24 h. Monocytes from patients produced significantly higher level of TNF-α in response to LPS stimulation in comparison with monocytes isolated from healthy donors (1926±690 pg/ml vs. 1465±771 pg/ml; p=0.034). Moreover, we observed that LPS-stimulated TNF-α production increased in stage-dependent manner; because monocytes from patients with advanced cancer secreted significantly more TNF-α than monocytes from patients in early stage of the disease (2298±127 pg/ml vs. 1687±780 pg/ml; p=0.041). Inhibition of JNK MAPK led to significant suppression of TNF-α production in both healthy individuals and patients with colorectal cancer. However, even after inhibition of JNK, monocytes from patients produced a greater quantity TNF-α, compared with monocytes from healthy donors. We conclude that monocytes from patients with colorectal cancer are prone to produce higher levels of TNF-α after stimulation and this production is disease stage dependent.
Epidemiology of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Though renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 2% of global cancer diagnoses and deaths, it has more than doubled in incidence in the developed world over the past half-century, and today is the ninth most common neoplasm in the United States (US). While North America and Western Europe have the highest disease burden (with the Belarus highest in incidence), Latin America, Asia and Africa are projected to see an increase in incidence as nation’s transition to a Western lifestyle. Most cases of RCC are discovered incidentally on imaging, and survival is highly dependent on the stage at diagnosis, with the metastatic disease having only a 12% 5-year survival rate. Two-thirds of RCC diagnoses are made in men, and the average age of diagnosis in the US is 64. Those with genetic predispositions, namely von Hippel-Lindau disease, tend to be diagnosed 20 years earlier. RCC has a greater incidence among Hispanics and Native Americans, and a lower survival rate among African Americans in the US. Modifiable risk factors for RCC include smoking, obesity, poorly-controlled hypertension, diet and alcohol, and occupational exposures. Prevention strategies aimed at improving survival and reducing disparities include addressing lifestyle factors and access to regular healthcare among underserved populations and in developing nations, as well as more rigorous imaging guidelines to detect RCC at an earlier stage. A stronger understanding of global RCC epidemiology can facilitate prevention efforts, especially in developing nations and underserved communities where disease burden is predicted to rise in the coming decades.
Extradural minipterional approach: Evolving indications of the minipterional craniotomy

Background: In this paper, we report a clinical series of skull base lesions operated on trough the MiniPT, extending its application to skull base lesions, either using the classical minipterional or a variant, we call extradural minipterional approach (MiniPTEx). Methods: We describe our surgical technique of operating on complex skull base lesions using a minipterional extradural approach. Anterior clinoidectomy, middle fossa peeling, transcavernous, and Kawase approaches were performed as needed. In total, we carried out 24 surgeries: three skull base tumors, 1 Moyamoya case, and 20 giant/complex intracranial aneurysms. All the patients present good neurological result (mRs < 3). Only two patients had paralysis of any cranial nerve and only one patient had a mild hemiparesis. Results: This surgery series there are 24 cases, 10 patients were treated with exclusive MiniPT. MiniPT extradural approach was made in 14 patients. Twelve were treated using pure MiniPTEx approach, 1 patient using transcavernous approach, and in 1 patient, the anterior clinoid was resected with the combination of a MiniPT, a medium fossa peeling, and the Kawase anterior petrosectomy for skull base surgery. Conclusion: We further advance the indications of the MiniPT by extending it to operate on the cranial base tumors or complex vascular lesions without additional morbidity. MiniPT approach may be safely associated with skull base techniques, including anterior and posterior clinoidectomies, peeling of the middle fossa, transcavernous approach, and anterior petrosectomy. The versatility of the MiniPT craniotomy and the feasibility of performing skull base surgery through the MiniPT technique have been demonstrated in this paper.
Suprabenthic gradients of swimming activity by cold-water gammaridean amphipod Crustacea over a muddy shelf in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence

From May to October 1961-62 and 1969, suprabenthic sampling above homologous, uniformly deep (119 m), cold (? = 0.8"C), and muddy grounds of Baie des Chaleurs, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, yielded 82 gammaridean amphipod species belonging to 27 families. Fifty-one species regarded as suprabenthic are grouped into 7 categories according to amplitude, intensity and regularity of their swimming behavior. The 14 Oedicerotidae account for 88 % of suprabenthic amphipods, whereas in the endobenthos the lysianassid Paratryphosites abyssi is dominant (53 %), the Oedicerotidae (3.3 %) being only the sixth most important family. True suprabenthic species typically swim to at least 3.7 m above the bottom. Permanent members of the suprabenthos, including large predatory species, a carrion feeder, and many detritivores, are thought to forage in the suprabenthic layer.
Bemisia tabaci Biotype Q Determined for the First Time on Poinsettia Crops in Finland and Sweden

We surveyed 13 Finnish and 13 Swedish poinsettia greenhouses in 2006 for Bemisia tabaci biotype Q (currently B. tabaci Mediterranean) and determined the biotype status of B. tabaci populations with PCR followed by an RFLP assay. We collected approximately 100 adult whiteflies from yellow sticky traps or from plants and stored them in 80% ethanol until DNA extraction. Total nucleic acids of two to five whiteflies per sample were extracted using FTA cards or a modified Chelex method. We showed that biotype Q was present in 10 out of 13 whitefly samples from Finnish poinsettia greenhouses and in 12 out of the 13 Swedish poinsettia greenhouses sampled. We also determined the whitefly biotypes from yellow sticky traps. The common occurrence of insecticide-resistance-prone biotype Q whiteflies on poinsettia imported into Finland and Sweden, both protected zones for B. tabaci, emphasizes the importance of preserving the quarantine status of the pest to prevent permanent establishment. Nonetheless, the increasing occurrence of a resistance-prone biotype on imported plant material will complicate preservation of the protected zone status if solely insecticides are used to control the pest.
Isolation of temperature-sensitive rhythm mutant in Neurospora crassa

Rhy-1, one mutant strain of Neurospora crassa which shows arrhythmicity at high temperature, has been isolated by DNA insertional mutagenesis. The phase, i.e., the time of the first maximum conidiaiton after transfer to continuous darkness, was delayed by several hours in comparison with that of the wild-type strain. Also, the germination of ascospores was seriously inhibited. The arrhythmicity which was observed at high temperatures may be due to a stoppage of the circadian clock.
Isozyme variability and biogeography of Nothofagus truncata (Fagaceae)

Abstract Leaf extracts of 1706 Nothofagus truncata trees from 30 provenances between the Bay of Plenty and south Westland were separated by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis and isozyme variation was analysed at 15 enzyme loci. Most loci were monomorphic or possessed low levels of polymorphism, but phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) was highly polymorphic with four common and widespread alleles occurring in characteristic frequencies in each of the species’ disjunct distribution ranges. Total genetic diversity was comparatively low (He = 0.054) and mostly accounted for by within-population variation (95.1%), presumably as a result of successive range contractions/expansions of forest vegetation during the glacial/interglacial cycles of the Pleistocene whereby less common alleles were lost by random genetic drift in small and fragmented populations. Genetic divergence between populations was highest in the northern North Island, probably because of the longer time of residence and comparative isolation of .
Foundations and Applications of Logotherapy to Improve Mental Health of Immigrant Populations in the Third Millennium

Although migration is a natural phenomenon, a number of special conditions of this third millennium result in a rising number of populations exposed, worldwide, to the impact of risk factors for mental health associated to immigration and asylum. In this scenario, the vulnerability to distress and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD is increased in these immigrant populations due to the severity of traumatic experiences while struggling in their attempts to reach their destinations but also a poor capacity of immigrant/host to handle the situation once there. The risk for psychological and mental health problems worse with time, failure of expectancies, lack of knowledge of resources or lack of support, among other difficulties. Here, we analyzed the foundations and applications of logotherapy on immigrant mental health problems, showing the benefits that ‘finding meaning and purpose in live’ can have in these populations. Thus, among the interventions that urge to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms among older adult immigrants, we propose three logotherapy techniques, namely, paradoxical intention, dereflection and Socratic dialogue. After development and adaptation to the specific scenarios (populations/ destinations) these logotherapy techniques can have a huge potential to become effective therapeutic strategies improving the mental health of the current immigrant populations facing misfortune in the Third Millennium (Figure 1).
Interpreting stable isotopes from macroinvertebrate foodwebs in saline wetlands

We compared stable‐isotope (δ13C and δ15N) and gut‐content analyses of macroinvertebrate foodwebs in saline wetlands of the Laramie Basin, Wyoming, USA. Standard assumptions of stable‐isotope fractionation between trophic levels (<1‰ for δ13C, mean of 3.4‰ for δ15N) suggested that zygopteran (damselfly) larvae consumed mainly amphipods. However, the guts of zygopterans contained no amphipods but rather a mix of chironomid larvae and zooplankton. In all wetlands the gut contents of zygopterans indicated that they were secondary consumers (trophic level 3), but enrichment of δ15N between zygopterans and their prey (Δδ15N) varied from 1 to 3.4‰ between wetlands. In other studies, such variation in Δδ15N has been interpreted to mean that food‐chain length differed between aquatic systems. We review alternative interpretations of variable 15N enrichment, namely, varying C:N ratios in food, differential enrichment between consumer species, and habitat‐specific variation of δ15N at the base of foodwebs. We also suggest that variation in the timing and rates of nitrogen cycling can affect measured Δδ15N both within and between foodwebs. For aquatic macroinvertebrates, we urge that stable isotopes be supplemented with independent observations to avoid incorrect conclusions about trophic pathways, trophic levels, and food‐chain lengths in different ecosystems.