Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intimate Partner Violence and Body Shame: An Examination of the Associations Between Abuse Components and Body-Focused Processes

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a stigmatizing, interpersonal violation with elements that confer risk for body shame. This study examined the role of body-focused processes (i.e., self-objectification and body surveillance) in the development of body shame within a sample of 61 primarily African American women, exposed to moderate to severe IPV. Severity of sexual coercion, physical assault, and psychological abuse were significantly associated with increased body shame and self-objectification. Mediation analyses revealed that self-objectification was a unique mediator of the relationship between psychological abuse, physical assault, sexual coercion, and body shame. Implications for women’s health care experiences are discussed.
Comparative Chromosome Painting in Two Brazilian Stork Species with Different Diploid Numbers

Despite the variation observed in the diploid chromosome number of storks (Ciconiiformes, Ciconiidae), from 2n = 52 to 2n = 78, most reports have relied solely on analyses by conventional staining. As most species have similar macrochromosomes, some authors propose that karyotype evolution involves mainly fusions between microchromosomes, which are highly variable in species with different diploid numbers. In order to verify this hypothesis, in this study, the karyotypes of 2 species of storks from South America with different diploid numbers, the jabiru (Jabiru mycteria, 2n = 56) and the maguary stork (Ciconia maguary, 2n = 72), were analyzed by chromosome painting using whole chromosome probes from the macrochromosomes of Gallus gallus (GGA) and Leucopternis albicollis (LAL). The results revealed that J. mycteria and C. maguary share synteny within chromosome pairs 1-9 and Z. The syntenies to the macrochromosomes of G. gallus are conserved, except for GGA4, which is homologous to 2 different pairs, as in most species of birds. A fusion of GGA8 and GGA9 was observed in both species. Additionally, chromosomes corresponding to GGA4p and GGA6 are fused to other segments that did not hybridize to any of the macrochromosome probes used, suggesting that these segments correspond to microchromosomes. Hence, our data corroborate the proposed hypothesis that karyotype evolution is based on fusions involving microchromosomes. In view of the morphological constancy of the macrochromosome pairs in most Ciconiidae, we propose a putative ancestral karyotype for the family, including the GGA8/GGA9 fusion, and a diploid number of 2n = 78. The use of probes for microchromosome pairs should be the next step in identifying other synapomorphies that may help to clarify the phylogeny of this family.
Carbohydrate and sodium intake and physical activity interact with genetic risk scores of four genetic variants mainly related to lipid metabolism to modulate metabolic syndrome risk in Korean middle-aged adults

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The present study explored genetic risk scores (GRS) of genetic variants that influence the MetS and the effect of interactions between GRS and nutrient intake on MetS risk. The genetic variants that influence MetS risk were selected by genome-wide association study after adjusting for age, sex, area of residence and BMI in 8840 middle-aged adults. GRS were calculated by summing the risk alleles of the selected SNP and divided into low (0–1), medium (2–3) and high (4–7) risk groups, and the relationships between the MetS and GRS were determined by logistic regression after adjusting covariates involved in MetS risk. We also analysed the interaction between GRS and lifestyles. Four genetic variants (APOA5_rs651821, EFCAB4B_rs4766165, ZNF259_rs2160669 and APOBEC1_rs10845640) were selected because they increased MetS risk after adjusting for covariates. Individuals with medium-GRS and high-GRS alleles had a higher MetS risk by 1·48- and 2·23-fold, respectively, compared with those with low-GRS after adjusting for covariates. The increase in MetS risk was mainly related to serum TAG and HDL-cholesterol concentrations. The GRS had an interaction with carbohydrate (CHO) and Na intakes and daily physical activities for MetS risk. In conclusion, Asian middle-aged adults with high-GRS alleles were at increased MetS risk mainly due to dyslipidaemia. High daily physical activity (≥1 h moderate activity per d) reduced the MetS risk but a low-CHO diet (<65 % of total energy intake) increased the risk in carriers with high-GRS alleles. Low Na intake (<1·6 g Na intake/4 MJ) did not decrease its risk.
LINC00461 affects the survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA-942

The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of human miR-942 in the sunitinib-resistance of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A sunitinib-resistant OS-RC-2 cell line was established by continuous exposure to increasing concentrations of sunitinib for ~12 weeks. The expression levels of four miRNAs were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR. miR-942 mimics were transfected into OS-RC-2 cells and RNA sequencing was performed on the miR-942- and negative control-transfected cells. Downregulated genes, including those of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs, were identified. The target genes of miR-942 were predicted, followed by protein-protein interaction network construction and functional enrichment analyses of miR-942 target genes. In addition, RCC RNA-seq and miRNA-seq data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The contributions of lncRNA and/or mRNAs to survival prediction were assessed and a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network consisting of miR-942, lncRNA and mRNAs was constructed. The expression levels of LINC00461, miR-942, spalt-like transcription factor 1 (SALL1), methionyl aminopeptidase 1 (METAP1) and DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 1 (DCAF11) were verified using RT-qPCR. The role of LINC00461 in cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The expression level of miR-942 was significantly increased in sunitinib-resistant cells. A total of seven lncRNAs and 155 mRNAs were predicted as target genes of miR-942 in the miR-942 mimic-treated samples, compared with the mimic control-treated group. These potential target genes were significantly associated with ‘protein binding’, ‘TNF-β signaling pathway’, ‘negative transcriptional regulation’ and ‘RNA binding’. Through the integrated analysis of RNA-sequencing and TCGA data, an miR-942-related ceRNA network, which was predicted to significantly affect the survival of patients with RCC, was constructed. The expression levels of lncRNA LINC00461 and the genes SALL1, METAP1, and DCAF11 were further verified. The viability of OS-RC-2 cells was decreased following co-transfection with miR-942 mimics and LINC00641 siRNA, and was comparable to that of wild type OS-RC-2 cells (P>0.05). Therefore, lncRNA LINC00461 may act as an miR-942 ceRNA, and affect the survival of patients with RCC by regulating the expression of SALL1, METAP1 and DCAF11.
Asthma pharmacotherapy: an update on leukotriene treatments

ABSTRACT Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways with a large heterogeneity of clinical phenotypes. There has been increasing interest regarding the role of cysteinyl leukotriene (LT) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) in asthma treatment. Areas covered: This review summarized the data (published in PubMed during 1984–2019) regarding LTRA treatment in asthma and LTs-related airway inflammation mechanisms. Involvement of LTs C4/D4/E4 has been demonstrated in the several aspects of airway inflammation and remodeling. Novel pathways related to LTE4, the most potent mediator, and its respective receptors have recently been studied. Antagonists against cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLTR) type 1, including montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast, have been widely prescribed in clinical practices; however, some clinical trials have shown insignificant responses to LTRAs in adult asthmatics, while some phenotypes of adult asthma showed more favorable responses to LTRAs including aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, elderly asthma, asthma associated with smoking, obesity and allergic rhinitis. Expert opinion: Further investigations are needed to understand the role of LTs in airway inflammation and remodeling of the asthmatic airways. There is a lack of biomarkers to predict responsiveness to LTRA, especially in adult asthmatics. Besides CysLTR1 antagonists, targets aiming other LT pathways should be considered.
Mamo decodes hierarchical temporal gradients into terminal neuronal fate

Temporal patterning is a seminal method of expanding neuronal diversity. Here we unravel a mechanism decoding neural stem cell temporal gene expression and transforming it into discrete neuronal fates. This mechanism is characterized by hierarchical gene expression. First, Drosophila neuroblasts express opposing temporal gradients of RNA-binding proteins, Imp and Syp. These proteins promote or inhibit chinmo translation, yielding a descending neuronal gradient. Together, first and second-layer temporal factors define a temporal expression window of BTB-zinc finger nuclear protein, Mamo. The precise temporal induction of Mamo is achieved via both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Finally, Mamo is essential for the temporally defined, terminal identity of α’/β’ mushroom body neurons and identity maintenance. We describe a straightforward paradigm of temporal fate specification where diverse neuronal fates are defined via integrating multiple layers of gene regulation. The neurodevelopmental roles of orthologous/related mammalian genes suggest a fundamental conservation of this mechanism in brain development.
Reversibly Photoswitchable Fluorescent Diarylethenes Resistant against Photobleaching in Aqueous Solutions.

Low photostability in aqueous solutions is the main drawback of synthetic photochromic dyes, which limits their switching performance and utility in biology, medicine and life sciences. Even the most promising photochromes - reversibly photoswitchable diarylethenes (DAEs) with fluorescent "closed" forms - were known to undergo only several tens (typically 20-30) switching cycles in aqueous solutions. In this work, we introduce water-soluble and highly photostable 1,2-[bis-(2-ethyl/isobutyl-1-benzothiophene-1,1-dioxide-6-phenyl-3-yl)]perfluorocyclopentenes decorated with four -CONHC(CH2R)3 residues capped with 12 carboxylic acid groups (R = CH2CO2H or O(CH2)2CO2H). Under irradiation with UV- (365 nm) and visible light (470 nm), they provide several hundred (the "rapid" DAEs with isobutyl groups - up to thousand) full switching cycles in aqueous solutions without exclusion of air oxygen (outperforming the photoswitchable and fluorescent protein Dreiklang). The new branching approach based on secondary carboxamides with N-tert-alkyl residues decorated with polar groups may serve as a blueprint for the design of highly fatigue-resistant and reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent probes applicable in life sciences as aqueous solutions.
Unaltered low nerve growth factor and high brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in plasma from patients with fibromyalgia after a 15-week progressive resistance exercise.

BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia includes central and peripheral factors. Neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are involved in peripheral and central nervous system development of pain and hyperalgesia. Few studies have examined circulating nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in fibromyalgia or have investigated whether exercise interventions affect the levels of these peptides. OBJECTIVES To compare plasma levels of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in fibromyalgia and in healthy controls, to investigate correlations between levels of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and cytokines and clinical variables, and to investigate the effect of exercise on these levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 75 women with fibromyalgia participated in blood tests at baseline and after the 15-week intervention, and 25 healthy controls participated at baseline. Patients were randomized to a 15-week progressive resistance exercise intervention or a relaxation intervention. RESULTS Brain-derived neurotrophic factor level was significantly higher (p<0.001) and nerve growth factor level was significantly lower (p<0.001) in fibromyalgia than in healthy controls. Neither resistance exercise nor relaxation interventions affected the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or nerve growth factor. No significant correlations were found between brain-derived neurotrophic factor or nerve growth factor plasma levels in fibromyalgia and cytokine levels or clinical variables. CONCLUSION Changes in circulating nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels may affect nociception/pain in fibromyalgia. Clinical improvements were achieved following the exercise intervention, but the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor were not normalized.
Comparisons of laboratory‐based methods to calculate jump height and improvements to the field‐based flight‐time method

Laboratory methods that are required to calculate highly precise jump heights during experimental research have never been sufficiently compared and examined. Our first aim was to compare jumping outcome measures of the same jump, using four different methods (double integration from force plate data, rigid‐body modeling from motion capture data, marker‐based video tracking, and a hybrid method), separately for countermovement and squat jumps. Additionally, laboratory methods are often unsuitable for field use due to equipment or time restrictions. Therefore, our second aim was to improve an additional field‐based method (flight‐time method), by combining this method with an anthropometrically scaled constant. Motion capture and ground reaction forces were used to calculate jump height of twenty‐four participants who performed five maximal countermovement jumps and five maximal squat jumps. Within‐participant mean and standard deviation of jump height, flight distance, heel‐lift, and take‐off velocity were compared for each of the four methods. All four methods calculated countermovement jump height with low variability and are suitable for research applications. The double integration method had significant errors in squat jump height due to integration drift, and all other methods had low variability and are therefore suitable for research applications. Rigid‐body modeling was unable to determine the position of the center of mass at take‐off in both jumping movements and should not be used to calculate heel‐lift or flight distance. The flight‐time method was greatly improved with the addition of an anthropometrically scaled heel‐lift constant, enabling this method to estimate jump height and subsequently estimate power output in the field.
A novel deep learning architecture outperforming ‘off-the-shelf’ transfer learning and feature-based methods in the automated assessment of mammographic breast density

Potentially suspicious breast neoplasms could be masked by high tissue density, thus increasing the probability of a false-negative diagnosis. Furthermore, differentiating breast tissue type enables patient pre-screening stratification and risk assessment. In this study, we propose and evaluate advanced machine learning methodologies aiming at an objective and reliable method for breast density scoring from routine mammographic images. The proposed image analysis pipeline incorporates texture [Gabor filters and local binary pattern (LBP)] and gradient-based features [histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) as well as speeded-up robust features (SURF)]. Additionally, transfer learning approaches with ImageNet trained weights were also used for comparison, as well as a convolutional neural network (CNN). The proposed CNN model was fully trained on two open mammography datasets and was found to be the optimal performing methodology (AUC up to 87.3%). Thus, the findings of this study indicate that automated density scoring in mammograms can aid clinical diagnosis by introducing artificial intelligence-powered decision-support systems and contribute to the ‘democratization’ of healthcare by overcoming limitations, such as the geographic location of patients or the lack of expert radiologists.
Molecular Carcinogenesis

Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Department of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah—Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida Department of Hematology and Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
Developing Predictors of Long-Term Adherence to Exercise Among Older Veterans and Spouses

Behavior change theory was used to explore predictors of long-term adherence (≥2 years) to exercise. A retrospective analysis of data from participants (N = 97) who reached a 6-month follow-up, which served as the baseline, was evaluated for completion of yearly follow-up surveys. Variables examined at baseline, which included age, race, gender, body mass index (BMI), and self-report of comorbidities, symptoms, physical function, and a Barriers Specific Self-Efficacy Scale, were examined with significance set at p < . 05. Lower BMI (29.1 ± 5.1 vs. 31.6 ± 6.5, p = .047) and higher self-efficacy to overcome environmental barriers (p = .016) and social isolation (p = .05) were associated with long-term adherence. Self-efficacy to overcome environmental and social barriers, such as inclement weather, access to exercise site, and opportunities for group-based exercise, should be addressed to promote long-term adherence to exercise among older adults.
Vulnerability and Stressors for Burnout Within a Population of Hospital Nurses: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Background The multitude of negative consequences of nurse burnout calls for interventions to protect the well-being of the individual nurses, patients, and hospital organizations. However, much is still to be discovered about the development of this complex psychological syndrome. Purpose This study aimed to describe the development of nurse burnout for a population of Flemish hospital nurses while considering vulnerability and situational stressors as indicated by the vulnerability-stress model. Methods Ten registered nurses were enlisted for semistructured interviews through purposive sampling. All selected nurses were currently suffering from burnout, showed a burnout risk, or had gone through a burnout in the past. A descriptive thematic analysis was performed with themes inductively emerging from the data. Results Four main themes emerged: “being passionate about doing well or being good,” “teamwork,” “manager,” and “work and personal circumstances. ” More specifically, it was the discrepancy between the first individual vulnerability factor and the three situational stressors that led to feelings of stress and burnout. Conclusions The essence of the development of nurse burnout was found in the discrepancy between individual vulnerability and situational stressors. Therefore, we recommend burnout prevention to target both factors.
The impacts of actual and perceived nicotine administration on insula functional connectivity with the anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens

Background: Changes in resting state functional connectivity between the insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex as well as between the insula and nucleus accumbens have been linked to nicotine withdrawal and/or administration. However, because many of nicotine’s effects in humans appear to depend, at least in part, on the belief that nicotine has been administered, the relative contribution of nicotine’s pharmacological actions to such effects requires clarification. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of perceived and actual nicotine administration on neural responses. Methods: Twenty-six smokers were randomly assigned to receive either a nicotine inhaler (4 mg deliverable) or a nicotine-free inhaler across two sessions. Inhaler content instructions (told nicotine vs told nicotine-free) differed across sessions. Resting state functional connectivity between sub-regions of the insula and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens was measured using magnetic resonance imaging before and after inhaler administration. Results: Both actual and perceived nicotine administration independently altered resting state functional connectivity between the anterior insula and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, with actual administration being associated with decreased resting state functional connectivity, and perceived administration with increased resting state functional connectivity. Actual nicotine administration also contralaterally reduced resting state functional connectivity between the anterior insula and nucleus accumbens, while reductions in resting state functional connectivity between the mid-insula and right nucleus accumbens were observed when nicotine was administered unexpectedly. Changes in resting state functional connectivity associated with actual or perceived nicotine administration were unrelated to changes in subjective withdrawal and craving. Changes in withdrawal and craving were however independently associated with resting state functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and insula. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of considering non-pharmacological factors when examining drug mechanisms of action.