Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smart Cushion-Based Activity Recognition: Prompting Users to Maintain a Healthy Seated Posture

In the emerging wearable world, a plethora of smart devices are being designed to facilitate our daily life. More activities, such as student learning, desk office work, or driving are requiring human beings to spend a significant portion of their daily life sitting on a chair. As a result, there is increasing interest in the development of technologies that monitor and support seated users. The most iconic examples of this are the smart chair and the smart cushion. To prompt users to maintain healthy sitting posture and to encourage them to have a short break after prolonged sitting, several studies focus on the detection, monitoring, and analysis of sitting postures. The smart cushion, in particular, is a very promising device in this context because it is noninvasive and can be conveniently deployed on the seat or backrest, making an ordinary chair, sofa, or even a car seat suddenly smart. This article reviews our previous research studies and the results related to sitting posture recognition using the smart cushion. We will show that very diversified applications can be enabled, spanning medical applications (e.g., back pain or pressure ulcers avoidance) and even human communication (body language detection).
A large national outbreak of COVID-19 linked to air travel, Ireland, summer 2020

An outbreak of 59 cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originated with 13 cases linked by a 7 h, 17% occupancy flight into Ireland, summer 2020. The flight-associated attack rate was 9.8–17.8%. Spread to 46 non-flight cases occurred country-wide. Asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic transmission in-flight from a point source is implicated by 99% homology across the virus genome in five cases travelling from three different continents. Restriction of movement on arrival and robust contact tracing can limit propagation post-flight.
Circulating liver function markers and colorectal cancer risk: A prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank

Evidence links the liver to development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it remains unknown how liver function may influence CRC risk in the general population. We conducted a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank of 375 693 participants who provided blood samples in 2006 to 2010. Circulating levels of liver function markers (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], total bilirubin [TBIL], gamma glutamyltransferase [GGT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], total protein [TP] and albumin [ALB]) were measured. Incident cancer cases were identified through linkage to the national cancer registry up to 2019. Repeated biomarker measurements were available from a subset of 11 320 participants who were re‐assessed in 2012 to 2013. After a median follow‐up of 10.0 years, we documented 2662 cases of CRC. Circulating levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, GGT, TP and ALB at baseline were inversely associated with CRC risk (P < .01), with multivariable hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) comparing decile 10 vs 1 of 0.62 (0.51‐0.75), 0.63 (0.53‐0.75), 0.85 (0.72‐1.02), 0.74 (0.61‐0.89), 0.70 (0.59‐0.84) and 0.66 (0.55‐0.79), respectively. Strengthened associations were found after recalibration for repeated measurements. The associations appeared stronger for proximal colon cancer than distal colon cancer and rectal cancer, but consistent for early‐, mid‐ and late‐onset CRC. In a large cohort of general population, the UK Biobank, higher circulating levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, GGT, TP and ALB, largely within the normal range, were associated with a lower risk of CRC. The findings support a link between liver function and CRC, and may spur future research on the gut‐microbiota‐liver axis.
COVID‐19‐associated myositis may be dermatomyositis

REFERENCES 1. Cacciavillani M, Salvalaggio A, Briani C. Pure sensory neuralgic amyotrophy in COVID-19 infection. Muscle Nerve. 2020 Oct 1. https:// doi.org/10.1002/mus.27083. 2. Siepmann T, Kitzler HH, Lueck C. Neuralgic amyotrophy following infection with SARS-CoV-2. Muscle Nerve. 2020 Oct;62(4):E68-E70. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.27035. 3. Li YC, Bai WZ, Hashikawa T. The neuroinvasive potential of SARSCoV2 may play a role in the respiratory failure of COVID-19 patients. J Med Virol. 2020;92(6):552-555. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25728. 4. Koralnik IJ, Tyler KL. COVID-19: a global threat to the nervous system. Ann Neurol. 2020;88(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.25807. 5. Puelles VG, Lütgehetmann M, Lindenmeyer MT, et al. Multiorgan and renal tropism of SARS-CoV-2. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(6):590-592. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2011400. 6. Andries K, Pensaert MB. Immunofluorescence studies on the pathogenesis of hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus infection in pigs after oronasal inoculation. Am J Vet Res. 1980;41(9):1372-1378. 7. Ferrante MA, Wilbourn AJ. Lesion distribution among 281 patients with sporadic neuralgic amyotrophy. Muscle Nerve. 2017 Jun;55(6): 858-861. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.25422.
Phenylalanine Effects on Brain Function in Adult Phenylketonuria

Objective To evaluate the relationship between circulating phenylalanine and brain function as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms in adults with phenylketonuria. Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, early-treated patients with phenylketonuria older than 30 years and age- and sex-matched controls were included. Extensive neurologic evaluation, neuropsychological and behavioral testing, sensory and motor evoked potentials, and MRI were performed. CSF concentrations of neurodegenerative markers were evaluated in addition in a subset of 10 patients. Results Nineteen patients with phenylketonuria (median age 41 years) with different phenylalanine levels (median 873 μmol/L) entered the study. They showed higher prevalence of neurologic symptoms, cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, autonomic dysfunction, alterations in neurophysiologic measures, and atrophy in putamen and right thalamus compared to controls. In CSF, patients with phenylketonuria exhibited higher β-amyloid 1-42 (p = 0.003), total tau (p < 0.001), and phosphorylated tau (p = 0.032) levels compared to controls. Plasma phenylalanine levels highly correlated with the number of failed neuropsychological tests (r = 0.64, p = 0.003), neuropsychiatric symptoms (r = 0.73, p < 001), motor evoked potential latency (r = 0.48, p = 0.030), and parietal lobe atrophy. Conclusions Our study provides strong evidence for a correlation between phenylalanine levels and clinical, neuropsychological, neurophysiologic, biochemical, and imaging alterations in adult patients with phenylketonuria.
Antioxidant Responses of Phenolic Compounds and Immobilization of Copper in Imperata cylindrica, a Plant with Potential Use for Bioremediation of Cu Contaminated Environments

This work examined the capability of Imperata cylindrica to respond, tolerate and accumulate Cu when growing at high Cu concentration (300 mg kg−1 of substrate) at different times of exposure (2, 14 and 21 days). The Cu accumulation in plants was examined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and Cu localized by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. Additionally, the phenolic compound identifications and concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Our results showed that root biomass decreased significantly at high Cu levels, with a greater decrease at 21 days (39.8% less biomass in comparison to control). The root showed 328 mg Cu kg−1 dry weight at 21 days of exposure to Cu, being the tissue that accumulates most of the Cu. Lipid peroxidation was a clear indicator of Cu stress, principally in shoots. The exposure to Cu significantly increased the synthesis of phenolic compounds in shoots of plants exposed 21 days to Cu, where 5-caffeoylquinic acid reached the highest concentrations. Our results support that I. cylindrica is a Cu accumulator plant in root organs with a medium level of accumulation (between 200–600 mg Cu kg−1 biomass), which can tolerate the exposure to high Cu levels by means of increasing the synthesis of phenolic compound in shoots, suggesting a potential use as phytoremediation tool in Cu polluted environments.
Predicting experimental success: a retrospective case-control study using the rat intraluminal thread model of stroke

ABSTRACT The poor translational success rate of preclinical stroke research may partly be due to inaccurate modelling of the disease. We provide data on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) experiments, including detailed intraoperative monitoring to elaborate predictors indicating experimental success (ischemia without occurrence of confounding pathologies). The tMCAO monitoring data (bilateral cerebral blood flow, CBF; heart rate, HR; and mean arterial pressure, MAP) of 16 animals with an ‘ideal’ outcome (MCA-ischemia), and 48 animals with additional or other pathologies (subdural haematoma or subarachnoid haemorrhage), were checked for their prognostic performance (receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve, AUC). Animals showing a decrease in the contralateral CBF at the time of MCA occlusion suffered from unintended pathologies. Implementation of baseline MAP, in addition to baseline HR (AUC, 0.83, 95% c.i. 0.68 to 0.97), increased prognostic relevance (AUC, 0.89, 95% c.i. 0.79 to 0.98). Prediction performance improved when two additional predictors referring to differences in left and right CBF were considered (AUC, 1.00, 95% c.i. 1.0 to 1.0). Our data underline the importance of peri-interventional monitoring to verify a successful experimental performance in order to ensure a disease model as homogeneous as possible. Summary: An assessment of the importance of peri-interventional monitoring to verify a successful experimental performance in order to ensure a disease model that is as homogeneous as possible.
Effective refolding of a cysteine rich glycoside hydrolase family 19 recombinant chitinase from Streptomyces griseus by reverse dilution and affinity chromatography

Conventional refolding methods are associated with low yields due to misfolding and high aggregation rates or very dilute proteins. In this study, we describe the optimization of the conventional methods of reverse dilution and affinity chromatography for obtaining high yields of a cysteine rich recombinant glycoside hydrolase family 19 chitinase from Streptomyces griseus HUT6037 (SgChiC). SgChiC is a potential biocontrol agent and a reference enzyme in the study and development of chitinases for various applications. The overexpression of SgChiC was previously achieved by periplasmic localization from where it was extracted by osmotic shock and then purified by hydroxyapatite column chromatography. In the present study, the successful refolding and recovery of recombinant SgChiC (r-SgChiC) from inclusion bodies (IB) by reverse dilution and column chromatography methods is respectively described. Approximately 8 mg of r-SgChiC was obtained from each method with specific activities of 28 and 52 U/mg respectively. These yields are comparable to that obtained from a 1 L culture volume of the same protein isolated from the periplasmic space of E. coli BL21 (DE3) as described in previous studies. The higher yields obtained are attributed to the successful suppression of aggregation by a stepwise reduction of denaturant from high, to intermediate, and finally to low concentrations. These methods are straight forward, requiring the use of fewer refolding agents compared with previously described refolding methods. They can be applied to the refolding of other cysteine rich proteins expressed as inclusion bodies to obtain high yields of actively folded proteins. This is the first report on the recovery of actively folded SgChiC from inclusion bodies.
The Battle is On: Factors that Motivate People to Combat Anti-Vaccine Misinformation

ABSTRACT This study proposes a theory-driven model to concurrently examine the cognitive and emotional factors that motivate vaccine supporters to combat erroneous online anti-vaccination information. The model was tested using data from a web survey of 599 vaccination supporters in the United States. The vaccine supporters reported greater support for government regulation of misinformation when they perceived greater susceptibility among the general public to the influence of misinformation. Surprisingly, the perceived severity of the influence was inversely related to respondents’ intention to correct misinformation. In addition, perceived susceptibility to the influence of anti-vaccine misinformation and perceived severity of its influence on others induced negative emotions that included anticipated guilt and anger. The negative emotions in turn motivate vaccine supporters to attitudinally support government’s media restriction or behaviorally correct the online misinformation.
Roles for tubulin recruitment and self-organization by TOG domain arrays in Microtubule plus-end tracking and polymerase

The XMAP215/Stu2/Alp14 microtubule polymerases utilize Tumor Overexpressed Gene (TOG) domain arrays to accelerate microtubule plus-end polymerization. Structural studies suggest a microtubule polymerase model in which TOG arrays recruit four αβ-tubulins, forming large square assemblies; an array of TOG1 and TOG2 domains may then unfurl from the square state to polymerize two αβ-tubulins into protofilaments at microtubule ends. Here, we test this model using two biochemically characterized classes of fission yeast Alp14 mutants. Using in vitro reconstitution and in vivo live cell imaging, we show that αβ-tubulins recruited by TOG1 and TOG2 domains serve non-additive roles in microtubule plus-end tracking and polymerase activities. Alp14 mutants with inactivated square assembly interfaces have defects in processive plus-end tracking and poor microtubule polymerase, indicating a functional role for square assemblies in processive tracking. These studies provide functional insights into how TOG1 and TOG2 domain arrays recruit tubulins and promote polymerase at microtubule plus ends.
Experimental evidence for silica-enriched Earth’s lower mantle with ferrous iron dominant bridgmanite

Significance Iron-bearing bridgmanite is the most abundant mineral in the Earth’s interior. We overcome the experimental challenge of measuring iron-bearing materials by using Brillouin scattering techniques optimized for extreme pressure conditions in combination of diamond-anvil cell. By using such techniques, results of acoustic wave velocities in the pressure range of the entire mantle are reported here. Based on our results, we show that the greater part of the lower mantle is Fe2+-rich because the gradient of our model gives excellent fit to that of Preliminary Reference Earth Model for almost all the pressure range of the lower mantle with an Fe3+/ΣFe of 0.2. Our lower-mantle model also shows a distinctive Si-enriched composition with Mg/Si of 1.14 relative to the upper mantle. Determination of the chemical composition of the Earth’s mantle is of prime importance to understand the evolution, dynamics, and origin of the Earth. However, there is a lack of experimental data on sound velocity of iron-bearing Bridgmanite (Brd) under relevant high-pressure conditions of the whole mantle, which prevents constraints on the mineralogical model of the lower mantle. To uncover these issues, we have conducted sound-velocity measurement of iron-bearing Brd in a diamond-anvil cell (DAC) up to 124 GPa using Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. Here we show that the sound velocities of iron-bearing Brd throughout the whole pressure range of lower mantle exhibit an apparent linear reduction with the iron content. Our data fit remarkably with the seismic structure throughout the lower mantle with Fe2+-enriched Brd, indicating that the greater part of the lower mantle could be occupied by Fe2+-enriched Brd. Our lower-mantle model shows a distinctive Si-enriched composition with Mg/Si of 1.14 relative to the upper mantle (Mg/Si = 1.25), which implies that the mantle convection has been inefficient enough to chemically homogenize the Earth’s whole mantle.
Determinants of Guideline-Discordant Breast Cancer Care

Background: Evidence-based breast cancer treatment guidelines recommend the most appropriate course of therapy based on tumor characteristics and extent of disease. Evaluating the multilevel factors associated with guideline discordance is critical to identifying strategies to eliminate breast cancer survival disparities. Methods: We identified females diagnosed with a first primary, stage I–III breast cancer between the ages of 20–69 years of age from the population-based Seattle-Puget Sound Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Participants completed a survey about social support, utilization of patient support services, hypothesized barriers to care, and initiation of breast cancer treatment. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among 1,390 participants, 10% reported guideline-discordant care. In analyses adjusted for patient-level sociodemographic factors, individuals who did not have someone to go with them to appointments or drive them home (OR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.09–3.59) and those who had problems talking to their doctors or their staff (OR 2.03; 95% CI, 1.13–3.64) were more likely to be guideline discordant than those with social support or without such problems, respectively. Use of patient support services was associated with a 43% lower odds of guideline discordance (OR 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.88). Conclusions: Although guideline discordance in this cohort of early-stage breast cancer survivors diagnosed <70 years of age was low, instrumental social support, patient support services, and communication with doctors and their staff emerged as potential multilevel intervention targets for improving breast cancer care delivery. Impact: This study supports extending the reach of interventions designed to improve guideline concordance.
Is EAT-10 Useful to Assess Swallowing during the Chemo-Radiotherapy Phase in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer? A Pilot Study

Objective/Hypothesis: The 10-item Eating-Assessment Tool (EAT-10) is a dysphagia screening test. In HNC patients, screening and diagnosis of dysphagia are not well-established. To determine the metrological properties of the EAT-10 compared with videofluoroscopy in non-surgical HNC-patients and to assess the relationship between EAT-10 scores and patients’ self-reported symptoms. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-six HNC-patients recently diagnosed and referred to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Main outcome was evidence of dysphagia according to EAT-10 score, self-perception on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of impaired swallowing, severity on the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), and the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Patients were assessed at baseline, before-CRT, after-CRT, and at 3-month follow-up. Results: A strong baseline correlation between EAT-10, VAS, and FOIS was observed. All 3 values decreased in weeks 6 to 9 after CRT initiation; a poor correlation of EAT-10 with VAS was observed at 3-month follow-up. A receiver operating characteristic curve determined new cut-off points (sensitivity/specificity) for safe swallowing: baseline 3 (86%, 77%); post-CRT, 15 (62.5%, 80%); and 3-month follow-up, 4 (83%, 75%). Conclusions: New safe-swallow EAT-10-points are suggested for this population during screening and the oncological follow-up. A poor correlation between EAT10-score and patient self-reported symptoms was observed at the end-RT and at 3-month follow-up, highlighting the need for an objective evaluation instrument.
Dorsal Pigmentation and Its Association with Functional Variation in MC1R in a Lizard from Different Elevations on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Abstract Identification of the role of the MC1R gene has provided major insights into variation in skin pigmentation in several organisms, including humans, but the evolutionary genetics of this variation is less well established. Variation in this gene and its relationship with degree of melanism was analyzed in one of the world’s highest-elevation lizards, Phrynocephalus theobaldi from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Individuals from the low-elevation group were shown to have darker dorsal pigmentation than individuals from a high-elevation group. The existence of climatic variation across these elevations was quantified, with lower elevations exhibiting higher air pressure, temperatures, and humidity, but less wind and insolation. Analysis of the MC1R gene in 214 individuals revealed amino acid differences at five sites between intraspecific sister lineages from different elevations, with two sites showing distinct fixed residues at low elevations. Three of the four single-nucleotide polymorphisms that underpinned these amino acid differences were highly significant outliers, relative to the generalized MC1R population structuring, suggestive of selection. Transfection of cells with an MC1R allele from a lighter high-elevation population caused a 43% reduction in agonist-induced cyclic AMP accumulation, and hence lowered melanin synthesis, relative to transfection with an allele from a darker low-elevation population. The high-elevation allele led to less efficient integration of the MC1R protein into melanocyte membranes. Our study identifies variation in the degree of melanism that can be explained by four or fewer MC1R substitutions. We establish a functional link between these substitutions and melanin synthesis and demonstrate elevation-associated shifts in their frequencies.
Hydroxychloroquine: a comprehensive review and its controversial role in coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract Hydroxychloroquine, initially used as an antimalarial, is used as an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent for the management of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Lately, there has been interest in its potential efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, with several speculated mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to elaborate on the mechanisms surrounding hydroxychloroquine. The review is an in-depth analysis of the antimalarial, immunomodulatory, and antiviral mechanisms of hydroxychloroquine, with detailed and novel pictorial explanations. The mechanisms of hydroxychloroquine are related to potential cardiotoxic manifestations and demonstrate potential adverse effects when used for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Finally, current literature associated with hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19 has been analyzed to interrelate the mechanisms, adverse effects, and use of hydroxychloroquine in the current pandemic. Currently, there is insufficient evidence about the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19. KEY MESSAGES HCQ, initially an antimalarial agent, is used as an immunomodulatory agent for managing several autoimmune diseases, for which its efficacy is linked to inhibiting lysosomal antigen processing, MHC-II antigen presentation, and TLR functions. HCQ is generally well-tolerated although severe life-threatening adverse effects including cardiomyopathy and conduction defects have been reported. HCQ use in COVID-19 should be discouraged outside clinical trials under strict medical supervision.