Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive treatment of microvascular angina in overweight women – a randomized controlled pilot trial

Aims Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) carries a poor cardiovascular prognosis and may explain angina in women without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, no evidence-based treatment for CMD exists. We investigated whether reducing cardiovascular risk factors improves symptoms and microvascular function in women with non-endothelial dependent CMD and no obstructive CAD. Methods We randomized 62 women aged 40–75, with body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2, angina ≥monthly, and coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) ≤2.5 to a 24-week intervention comprising low energy diet, exercise training, and optimized treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes or to control. Patients were assessed before randomization and after 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were CFVR assessed by transthoracic Doppler stress-echocardiography and angina burden by Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Secondary outcomes were exercise capacity, body composition, glycemic control, myocardial function, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results Fifty-six participants (90%) completed the study. Median (IQR) age was 65.2 (57.1;70.7) years, BMI was 30.1 (28.4;32.7) kg/m2. The intervention resulted in relevant improvement in angina symptoms (9-21-point increase on SAQ-scales (all p<0.01)) but had no effect on CFVR (p = 0.468). Mean (CI) weight loss was 9.6 (7.80;11.48) kg, (p<0.0001). There was a significant mean (CI) decrease in depression symptoms = 1.16 (0.22;2.12), triglycerides = 0.52 (0.25;0.78) mmol/L, total cholesterol = 0.55 (0.12;0.98) mmol/L, and HbA1c in diabetics = 27.1 (1.60;52.6) mmol/mol but no effect on other secondary outcomes. Conclusion A major weight loss and intensified risk factor control resulted in significantly improved angina burden but no improvement of coronary microvascular function among women with microvascular angina.
An Improved Oil Palm Genome Assembly as a Valuable Resource for Crop Improvement and Comparative Genomics in the Arecoideae Subfamily

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the most traded crop among the economically important palm species. Here, we report an extended version genome of E. guineensis that is 1.2 Gb in length, an improvement of the physical genome coverage to 79% from the previous 43%. The improvement was made by assigning an additional 1968 originally unplaced scaffolds that were available publicly into the physical genome. By integrating three ultra-dense linkage maps and using them to place genomic scaffolds, the 16 pseudomolecules were extended. As we show, the improved genome has enhanced the mapping resolution for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and permitted further identification of candidate genes/protein-coding regions (CDSs) and any non-coding RNA that may be associated with them for further studies. We then employed the new physical map in a comparative genomics study against two other agriculturally and economically important palm species—date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.)—confirming the high level of conserved synteny among these palm species. We also used the improved oil palm genome assembly version as a palm genome reference to extend the date palm physical map. The improved genome of oil palm will enable molecular breeding approaches to expedite crop improvement, especially in the largest subfamily of Arecoideae, which consists of 107 species belonging to Arecaceae.
Burnout and associated factors among Greek substance use disorder treatment providers during economic crisis

Abstract Crisis and austerity in Greece could have influenced the risk of burnout among substance use disorder treatment providers. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among Greek substance use disorder treatment providers during economic crisis. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016. In particular, employees at the substance use treatment program of Athens (n = 180), a branch of the Greek Organization against Drugs were invited to participate. Almost all participants reported medical supplies shortages related to the economic crisis. Increasing job demands, staff reduction and limited job autonomy were independent risk factors for burnout. These factors are crisis-related. In conclusion, we found high rates of burnout among substance abuse treatment personnel in Greece. These respondents are a bellwether of the effects of economic crisis. Economic crisis can produce a profound negative effect on health care.
Physiological demands of running at 2-hour marathon race pace.

The requirements of running a 2 hour marathon have been extensively debated but the actual physiological demands of running at ~21.1 km/h have never been reported. We therefore conducted laboratory-based physiological evaluations and measured running economy (O2 cost) while running outdoors at ~21.1 km/h, in world-class distance runners as part of Nike's 'Breaking 2' marathon project. On separate days, 16 male distance runners (age, 29 ± 4 years; height, 1.72 ± 0.04 m; mass, 58.9 ± 3.3 kg) completed an incremental treadmill test for the assessment of V̇O2peak, O2 cost of submaximal running, lactate threshold and lactate turn-point, and a track test during which they ran continuously at 21.1 km/h. The laboratory-determined V̇O2peak was 71.0 ± 5.7 ml/kg/min with lactate threshold and lactate turn-point occurring at 18.9 ± 0.4 and 20.2 ± 0.6 km/h, corresponding to 83 ± 5 % and 92 ± 3 % V̇O2peak, respectively. Seven athletes were able to attain a steady-state V̇O2 when running outdoors at 21.1 km/h. The mean O2 cost for these athletes was 191 ± 19 ml/kg/km such that running at 21.1 km/h required an absolute V̇O2 of ~4.0 L/min and represented 94 ± 3 % V̇O2peak. We report novel data on the O2 cost of running outdoors at 21.1 km/h, which enables better modelling of possible marathon performances by elite athletes. Using the value for O2 cost measured in this study, a sub-2 hour marathon would require a 59 kg runner to sustain a V̇O2 of approximately 4.0 L/min or 67 ml/kg/min.
Processed potatoes intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine prospective cohort studies

Abstract The current cohort study shows the inconsistent association between potato consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of published prospective cohort studies to quantitatively estimate this association. We searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library up to September 2019 for all published articles. Seven of the articles reported nine cohort studies with 383,211 participants, with 23,189 T2DM cases that met the inclusion criteria and were included for our analysis. The results of random effects model pooled relative risk (RR) showed an association between potato intake and the risk of T2DM (pooled RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02–1.26, p > 0.01). In the subgroup analysis, French fries, long-term follow-up, large sample size, and high-quality studies were associated with an increased T2DM risk. Further, a linear dose-response analysis indicated that 100 g/day increment of total potato (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08) and French fries (RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07–1.14) consumption may increase the risk of T2DM by 5% and 10%, respectively. Our meta-analysis showed that potato consumption, especially French fries consumption, was associated with increased T2DM risk.
A model mimicking catabolic inflammatory disease; a controlled randomized study in humans

Objective Inflammatory disease is catabolic and associated with insulin resistance, increased energy expenditure, lipolysis and muscle protein loss. The main contributors to these metabolic adaptations are inflammation, malnutrition and immobilisation. Controlled experimental models incorporating these central elements of hospitalisation are lacking. The aim of this study was to validate such a human experimental model. Methods In a randomized crossover design, six healthy young men underwent; (i) overnight fast (CTR), or (ii) exposure to systemic lipopolysaccharide (1 ng/kg) combined with 36-hour fast and bed rest (CAT). The difference in insulin sensitivity between CAT and CTR was the main outcome, determined by a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp. Palmitate, glucose, urea, phenylalanine and tyrosine tracers were infused to estimate metabolic shifts during interventions. Indirect calorimetry was used to estimate energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. Results Insulin sensitivity was 41% lower in CAT than in CTR (M-value, mg/kg/min): 4.3 ± 0.2 vs 7.3 ± 1.3, p<0.05. The median (min max) palmitate flux (μmol/min) was higher during CAT than in CTR (257.0 (161.7 365.4) vs 131.6 (92.3 189.4), p = 0.004), and protein kinetics did not differ between interventions. C-reactive peptide (mg/L) was elevated in CAT compared with CTR (30.57 ± 4.08 vs 1.03 ± 0.19, p<0.001). Energy expenditure increased by 6% during CAT compared with CTR (1869 ± 94 vs 1756 ± 58, p = 0.04), CAT having higher lipid oxidation rates (p = 0.01) and lower glucose oxidation rates (p = 0.03). Lipopolysaccharide caused varying abdominal discomfort 2 hours post-injection, which had disappeared the following day. Conclusion We found that combined systemic inflammation, fasting and bed rest induced marked insulin resistance and increased energy expenditure and lipolysis, rendering this controlled experimental model suitable for anti-catabolic intervention studies, mimicking clinical conditions.
Sustained TNF-α stimulation leads to transcriptional memory that greatly enhances signal sensitivity and robustness

Transcriptional memory allows certain genes to respond to previously experienced signals more robustly. However, whether and how the key proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α mediates transcriptional memory are poorly understood. Using HEK293F cells as a model system, we report that sustained TNF-α stimulation induces transcriptional memory dependent on TET enzymes. The hypomethylated status of transcriptional regulatory regions can be inherited, facilitating NF-κB binding and more robust subsequent activation. A high initial methylation level and CpG density around κB sites are correlated with the functional potential of transcriptional memory modules. Interestingly, the CALCB gene, encoding the proven migraine therapeutic target CGRP, exhibits the best transcriptional memory. A neighboring primate-specific endogenous retrovirus stimulates more rapid, more strong, and at least 100-fold more sensitive CALCB induction in subsequent TNF-α stimulation. Our study reveals that TNF-α-mediated transcriptional memory is governed by active DNA demethylation and greatly sensitizes memory genes to much lower doses of inflammatory cues.
A novel Sporothrix brasiliensis genomic variant in Midwestern Brazil: evidence for an older and wider sporotrichosis epidemic

ABSTRACT Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous infection caused by fungi from the genus Sporothrix. It is transmitted by inoculation of infective particles found in plant-contaminated material or diseased animals, characterizing the classic sapronotic and emerging zoonotic transmission, respectively. Since 1998, southeastern Brazil has experienced a zoonotic sporotrichosis epidemic caused by S. brasiliensis, centred in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Our observation of feline sporotrichosis cases in Brasília (Midwestern Brazil), around 900 km away from Rio de Janeiro, led us to question whether the epidemic caused by S. brasiliensis has spread from the epicentre in Rio de Janeiro, emerged independently in the two locations, or if the disease has been present and unrecognized in Midwestern Brazil. A retrospective analysis of 91 human and 4 animal cases from Brasília, ranging from 1993 to 2018, suggests the occurrence of both sapronotic and zoonotic transmission. Molecular typing of the calmodulin locus identified S. schenckii as the agent in two animals and all seven human patients from which we were able to recover clinical isolates. In two other animals, the disease was caused by S. brasiliensis. Whole-genome sequence typing of seven Sporothrix spp. strains from Brasília and Rio de Janeiro suggests that S. brasiliensis isolates from Brasília are genetically distinct from those obtained at the epicentre of the outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, both in phylogenomic and population genomic analyses. The two S. brasiliensis populations seem to have separated between 2.2 and 3.1 million years ago, indicating independent outbreaks or that the zoonotic S. brasiliensis outbreak might have started earlier and be more widespread in South America than previously recognized.
Neottialges (Caloenectes) vulturis (Dubinin, 1956) (Acari: Hypoderatidae) from the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Italy: first record in Europe, redescription and pathological changes in the host

Deutonymphs of the astigmatan mite Neottialges (Caloenectes) vulturis (Dubinin, 1956) comb. n. (Astigmata: Hypoderatidae) were found during the anatomo-histopathological study of a Eurasian griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, found dead in Central Italy. After skinning, numerous cystic formations were visible in the subcutaneous tissue of the vulture, each containing a parasitic mite. Microscopically, subcutaneous tissue showed large areas of severe granulomatous inflammation. To our knowledge, this is the first record of this poorly known hypoderatid mite in Europe, about five thousand kilometers west from the type locality in Kirghizstan. The deutonymphal stage of N. (C.) vulturis is redescribed following modern standards of taxonomic description for astigmatan mites. This mite, previously unassigned to a subgenus, is now placed in the subgenus Caloenectes Fain, 1966.
Controlling system based on neural networks with reinforcement learning for robotic manipulator

Introduction: Due to its advantages, such as high flexibility and the ability to move heavy pieces with high torques and forces, the robotic arm, also named manipulator robot, is the most used industrial robot. Purpose: We improve the controlling quality of a manipulator robot with seven degrees of freedom in the V-REP program's environment using the reinforcement learning method based on deep neural networks. Methods: Estimate the action signal's policy by building a numerical algorithm using deep neural networks. The action-network sends the action's signal to the robotic manipulator, and the critic-network performs a numerical function approximation to calculate the value function (Q-value). Results: We create a model of the robot and the environment using the reinforcement-learning library in MATLAB and connecting the output signals (the action's signal) to a simulated robot in V-REP program. Train the robot to reach an object in its workspace after interacting with the environment and calculating the reward of such interaction. The model of the observations was done using three vision sensors. Based on the proposed deep learning method, a model of an agent representing the robotic manipulator was built using four layers neural network for the actor with four layers neural network for the critic. The agent's model representing the robotic manipulator was trained for several hours until the robot started to reach the object in its workspace in an acceptable way. The main advantage over supervised learning control is allowing our robot to perform actions and train at the same moment, giving the robot the ability to reach an object in its workspace in a continuous space action. Practical relevance: The results obtained are used to control the behavior of the movement of the manipulator without the need to construct kinematic models, which reduce the mathematical complexity of the calculation and provide a universal solution.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY OF PC/CNT COMPOSITES

The effect of different toughening strategies on the mechanical properties of multi walled carbon nanotube/polycarbonate composites (MWNT/PC) for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding was studied from the mechanical and fracture tests. The effect of processing (injection or compression molding) and manufacturing (annealing) conditions in the mechanical properties was analyzed. The stiffness of MWNT/PC composites grew as function of nanotube quantity. Besides, the impact resistance of PC composites showed the tough-tobrittle transition with a 2 wt. % CNT. The combination of CBT addition and annealing improved the flexural parameters and modified the fracture parameters. Morphology analysis of MWCNT/PC composites was realized and related with their mechanical properties and fracture behavior.
THE IMPACT OF CO2 FERTILIZATION ON THE GLOBAL TERRESTRIAL CARBON CYCLE AND INTERANNUAL CHANGES IN CO2 STUDIED THROUGH A CARBON CYCLE DATA ASSIMILATION SYSTEM

1 QUEST, Dept of Earth Science, University of Bristol, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK; Tomomichi.Kato@bristol.ac. uk 2 Research Institution for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 3173-25 Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokoahama 236-0001, Japan ABSTRACT Based on precise ground measurement of atmospheric CO2 concentration and satellite remote sensing, it is claimed that terrestrial vegetation has increased their activities gradually, and their significance is becoming larger in interannual and seasonal changes of atmospheric CO2 during the last several decades. Among many possible causes, the fertilization effect of CO2 rising on photosynthesis is known to be one of the most possible factors, which could be induced by enhanced terrestrial ecosystem productivity, affecting those atmospheric CO2 changes. This study compares two different model simulations, which are calculated by the Carbon Cycle Data Assimilation System (CCDAS) using constant CO2 concentration and transient CO2 concentration respectively. The result of the CO2 fertilization is a large enhancement of net ecosystem productivity in forests and large decrease of that in tundra and savanna. Difference in global averaged net ecosystem productivity among the two results fluctuate largely. However, there is only little difference in the long-term trend of the growth rate and the amplitude of CO2 seasonality among them. These indicate that CO2 fertilization has affected ecosystem carbon fluxes largely, but did not impact interannual changes in the atmospheric CO2 concentration seasonality.
Homo-FRET detection in wide-?eld,steady-state microscopy, with mCherry as labeling fluorophore

HomoFRET is a method in fluorescence microscopy to measure protein clustering in cells by calculating the anisotropy. In this research Homo-FRET is done with steadystate wide-field microscopy. The mCherry fluorophore is used as labeling fluorophore instead of the common mGFP, because it follows from literature that autofluorescence of cells in red spectrum is lower then in the green part of the spectrum. The method obtained anisotropy values with an error of 5%. The main problem of measuring HomoFRET with steady state microscopy turns out to be the camera registration. A depth dependence in registration is possible.
Annexin-2, pentraxin-3, and osteopontin expressions in the endometrium of women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss during the implantation window

Aim: Failed expression of endometrial receptivity molecules and genes during the implantation window may lead to idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (IRPL). The aim of this study was to investigate annexin-2 (ANXA-2), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and osteopontin (OPN) expressions in the endometrium of women with IRPL. Methods: A total of 34 women with IRPL and 34 age-matched healthy women were recruited in this case control study. Serum samples were collected in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and endometrial biopsies were harvested in the window of implantation days. The expressions of ANXA-2, PTX-3, and OPN in the endometrial biopsies according to localizations were examined by immunohistochemistry. The H-score method was used to evaluate the intensity of endometrial ANXA-2, PTX-3, and OPN immune-reactivity. Results: The mean PTX-3 score was significantly higher in the epithelial endometrium of women with IRPL compared with control cases (2.47 (0.56) vs 1.44 (0.50), P<0.001). Both luminal and glandular epithelial and stromal components of the endometrium showed increased staining for PTX-3 in women with IRPL. The increase of PTX-3 expression in the epithelial endometrium correlated with the decrease of serum progesterone level (P=0.016). When ANXA-2 and OPN expressions in the epithelial endometrium of IRPL samples were compared with the age-matched control subjects, although there was lower expression, no statistically significant difference was observed (1.97 (0.71) vs 2.21 (0.59), P=0.145 and 1.97 (0.79) vs 2.12 (0.68), P=0.418). Conclusion: PTX-3 expression increases in the epithelial and stromal endometrium of women with IRPL during the implantation window. As the serum progesterone level decreases, endometrial PTX-3 expression increases in glandular and luminal epithelium in women with IRPL. Endometrial PTX-3 may be a potential molecular target for IRPL.
METHODS AND MEANS OF DISTRIBUTED STORAGE SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION

One of key methods to increase the efficiency of computing resources utilization in supercomputer centers is to link them into a distributed network. For user jobs and data to be able to migrate in a supercomputer center network, there should be a distributed storage system providing a single file space for all centers. The paper considers the existing methods and means of implementing distributed storage systems and analyzes their applicability to a supercomputer center network. It states the requirements to a distributed storage sys-tem for different aspects of its development and use: data and its metadata storage, user job life cycle support, and data security. Additionally, the paper defines possible options and techniques of implementing stated requirements into a distributed storage system of supercomputer center network.
Plasma diagnostics focused on new magnetron sputtering devices for thin film deposition

Le but principal de ce travail est l'etude de nouveaux procedes de pulverisation cathodique magnetron pour le depot de couches minces : procedes de type IPVD (Ionised Physical vapour Deposition) ou les particules metalliques pulverisees sous forme d'atomes neutres depuis la cathode sont ensuite ionisees - soit par un plasma micro-onde situe entre la cathode magnetron et le substrat, soit par un plasma magnetise ge��nere par des pulses de haute puissance. Le reacteur IPVD micro-onde est constitue d'une cathode magnetron alimente en courant continu et de deux antennes micro-onde perpendiculaires a l'axe cathode-substrat. Une analyse du plasma resolue spatialement a ete effectuee principalement par spectroscopie optique d'absorption pour determiner les densites d'atome metallique neutre et ionise ainsi que leur temperature. Une attention particuliere est portee a l'estimation et au role de la temperature du gaz. Dans le dispositif PVD haute puissance pulsee, les particules pulverisees sont ionisees dans le plasma magnetise qu'elles peuvent ensuite quitter pour atteindre le substrat. Des diagnostics resolus en temps sont alors necessaires pour en suivre l'evolution. La dynamique du plasma, l'evolution de sa composition et la transition particulierement rapide vers un regime stable d'auto-pulverisation sont detailles. Dans le meme temps, les processus d'ionisation et de transport sont etudies. Un chapitre de la these porte sur un diagnostic original de determination simultanee des densites d'atomes d'azote et d'oxygene par titrage avec NO dans des post-decharges N2-O2. Ce diagnostic est interessant pour l'etude des procedes en melange reactif.