Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in strength and power performance and serum hormone concentrations during 12 weeks of task‐specific or strength training in conscripts

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different training programs on strength and power performance and serum hormone concentrations. A total of 104 male soldiers volunteered and took part in the 12‐week training period with baseline, mid‐, and post‐measurements of body composition, muscle strength, lower and upper body power, and blood samples to determine serum hormone concentrations. The mean (±SD) age of subjects was 20 ± 1 years, height 180 ± 6 cm and body mass 72.4 ± 8.8 kg. The subjects were divided into three different training groups: soldier task‐specific training (TS), strength training (ST), and control (CON). Each group had a total of 18 training sessions during the 12‐week study. In the muscle strength tests, most improvements could be observed in the TS and ST groups, especially, during the first weeks of the training period. Maximal isometric leg extension force increased significantly by 7.9 ± 12.2% (p < .05) in the TS and 7.1 ± 12.6% (p < .05) in the ST groups between the PRE and MID, as well as between the PRE and POST measurements by 8.1 ± 12.4% (p < .05) in TS and 12.3 ± 15.3% (p < .01) in ST. Serum TES concentration increased significantly in TS between the PRE and MID (16.8 ± 33.9%) and PRE and POST (11.2 ± 16.7%) measurements. Serum COR concentrations decreased in TS between the MID and POST (−7.8 ± 10.9%) and PRE and POST (−11.0 ± 14.3%) measurements. Although the differences observed were rather minor in magnitude, training in the TS and ST groups led to greater improvements in muscle strength and power performance compared to the training in the CON group. The development of strength and/or power of the lower and upper body was greater in the TS and ST groups, which is crucial for warfighter's performance. Therefore, it is important to have a structured resistance‐training program during military training to optimize the strength, power, and military‐specific performance.
Development of a Sensing Array for Human Breath Analysis Based on SWCNT Layers Functionalized with Semiconductor Organic Molecules

A sensor array based on heterojunctions between semiconducting organic layers and single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films is produced to explore applications in breathomics, the molecular analysis of exhaled breath. The array is exposed to gas/volatiles relevant to specific diseases (ammonia, ethanol, acetone, 2‐propanol, sodium hypochlorite, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen dioxide). Then, to evaluate its capability to operate with real relevant biological samples the array is exposed to human breath exhaled from healthy subjects. Finally, to provide a proof of concept of its diagnostic potential, the array is exposed to exhaled breath samples collected from subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an airway chronic inflammatory disease not yet investigated with CNT‐based sensor arrays, and breathprints are compared with those obtained from of healthy subjects. Principal component analysis shows that the sensor array is able to detect various target gas/volatiles with a clear fingerprint on a 2D subspace, is suitable for breath profiling in exhaled human breath, and is able to distinguish subjects with COPD from healthy subjects based on their breathprints. This classification ability is further improved by selecting the most responsive sensors to nitrogen dioxide, a potential biomarker of COPD.
Characteristics of Doctors’ Fatality due to COVID-19 in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific countries

Abstract Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the deaths of healthcare professionals have been increasingly reported worldwide. We performed a cross-sectional, observational study using news reports on the websites among selected countries as of April, 2020. We found 120 dead medical doctors due to COVID-19 in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific countries; 67 in Italy (47 in the Northern part), 34 in China (22 in Hubei), 6 in France, 4 in the UK, the US, and Spain, and 1 in South Korea, respectively. Among them, 90% were men, and specialties were reported as general practitioners for 30% and as physicians for 11.6%. The overall proportions of dead medical doctors amounted to 1.9 per 10,000 confirmed cases and 30.2 per 10,000 dead cases, respectively. Proactive measures are warranted to protect doctors especially who often encounters with COVID-19 patients.
Investigations of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-gamma t (RORγt) agonists: a combination of 3D-QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics

Abstract Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-gamma t (RORγt) is an attractive target for Th17-driven autoimmune diseases. In the present work, a series of RORγt agonists were investigated by a molecular modeling study combining three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR), molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energies to get insight into the molecular features that would promote binding activity. The optimum comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) models for 3D-QSAR studies possess satisfactory predictive ability, with R2 cv=0.615, R2 pred=0.8702 for CoMFA, and R2 cv=0.670, R2 pred=0.7683 for CoMSIA model, respectively. In addition, molecular docking studies, molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energies were used to find the actual conformations of compounds in the active site of RORγt, and key residues GLN-286, LEU-287, HIS-323 and ARG-367 for higher binding activity were pointed out. The predicted models will help us to understand the structural requirements of RORγt agonists for the designing of better active compounds. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Mitochondria-Associated Pyruvate Kinase Complexes Regulate Grain Filling in Rice1

Mitochondrial complexes regulate grain filling by fine-tuning sucrose translocation in rice. Grain filling is a complex agronomic trait that directly determines grain weight and quality in rice (Oryza sativa). Nevertheless, key factors affecting grain filling remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a grain filling gene, OsPK3, encoding a pyruvate kinase (PK). The loss of function of OsPK3 caused reduced PK activity and Suc translocation defects from source to sink in rice, which led to compromised grain filling. OsPK3 was constitutively expressed but had relatively higher expression levels in leaf and developing caryopsis and specific expression signals in tissues involved in Suc transport and unloading, supporting its biological function in regulation of grain filling by affecting Suc translocation. Subcellular localization analysis of OsPK3 revealed its association with mitochondria, and OsPK3 physically interacted and formed heterodimers in vivo with two other PK isozymes, OsPK1 and OsPK4. Both OsPK1 and OsPK4 localized to the mitochondria and cytosol and were recruited to the mitochondria by OsPK3. Despite their high sequence similarity, OsPK1 and OsPK4 had distinct expression patterns. As observed for ospk3, disruption of OsPK1 caused pleiotropic defects, while OsPK4 loss of function led to severely chalky grains without other obvious defects. Collectively, we revealed that two mitochondria-associated pyruvate kinase complexes, OsPK3-OsPK1/OsPK4, are involved in regulation of grain filling by stage-specific fine-tuning of Suc translocation.
Immunosenescence and its influence on reproduction in a long-lived vertebrate

ABSTRACT Immunosenescence is a well-known phenomenon in mammal systems, but its relevance in other long-lived vertebrates is less understood. Further, the influence of age and reproductive effort on immune function in long-lived species can be challenging to assess, as long-term data are scarce and it is often difficult to sample the oldest age classes. We used the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) to test hypotheses of immunosenescence and a trade-off between reproductive output and immune function in a population of a long-lived vertebrate that has been monitored for over 30 years. These long-term data were utilized to employ a unique approach of aging turtles with mark–recapture data and population-specific growth modeling to obtain more accurate estimates of age. We analyzed natural antibodies, lysis ability and bactericidal competence in 126 individuals from 1 to 33 years of age captured during May and June 2011. Older turtles exhibited greater natural antibody levels than young individuals. Young females with large clutches exhibited greater lysis ability, while older females with large clutches had decreased lysis ability, suggesting a trade-off between reproductive output and immune function conditional upon age. However, bactericidal competence increased later in the nesting season for older females. Our study rejects the hypothesis of immunosenescence in a long-lived turtle, despite evidence of actuarial and reproductive senescence in this population. Additionally, we detected mixed evidence for a trade-off between reproduction and immune health. Summary: Painted turtles show differences in immune function across age, sex and sampling date, with some evidence of a trade-off between reproductive effort and immune function with age.
Effects of implanted dummy transmitters on mortality, growth and tissue reaction in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

For the first time, workers in the U.K. with a Home Office licence may surgically implant transmitters into wild fish in order to track them. A laboratory study was designed to investigate the effects of intraperitoneally implanted transmitters on rainbow trout. No significant difference in mortality or growth occurred between control, sham-implanted and implanted groups of fish over a 7-month period. Transmitters became encapsulated by connective tissue, the composition of which is described. Three fish expelled transmitters via the body wall without subsequent mortality or morbidity. Histological evidence suggests pressure necrosis of the body wall adjacent to the tag to be the mechanism of expulsion. With good surgical procedure, intraperitoneal implantation appears to provide a suitable technique for attaching transmitters to fish, and may be preferable to existing methods for many fish.
Oral nitrate supplementation to enhance pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD: ON-EPIC a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised parallel group study

Rationale Dietary nitrate supplementation has been proposed as a strategy to improve exercise performance, both in healthy individuals and in people with COPD. We aimed to assess whether it could enhance the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in COPD. Methods This double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, randomised controlled study performed at four UK centres, enrolled adults with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease grade II–IV COPD and Medical Research Council dyspnoea score 3–5 or functional limitation to undertake a twice weekly 8-week PR programme. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to either 140 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ) (12.9 mmol nitrate), or placebo nitrate-deplete BRJ, consumed 3 hours prior to undertaking each PR session. Allocation used computer-generated block randomisation. Measurements The primary outcome was change in incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) distance. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, physical activity level, endothelial function via flow-mediated dilatation, fat-free mass index and blood pressure parameters. Results 165 participants were recruited, 78 randomised to nitrate-rich BRJ and 87 randomised to placebo. Exercise capacity increased more with active treatment (n=57) than placebo (n=65); median (IQR) change in ISWT distance +60 m (10, 85) vs +30 m (0, 70), estimated treatment effect 30 m (95% CI 10 to 40); p=0.027. Active treatment also impacted on systolic blood pressure: treatment group −5.0 mm Hg (−5.0, –3.0) versus control +6.0 mm Hg (−1.0, 15.5), estimated treatment effect −7 mm Hg (95% CI 7 to −20) (p<0.0005). No significant serious adverse events or side effects were reported. Conclusions Dietary nitrate supplementation appears to be a well-tolerated and effective strategy to augment the benefits of PR in COPD. Trial registration number ISRCTN27860457.
Dimerization of Acetic Acid in the Gas Phase—NMR Experiments and Quantum-Chemical Calculations

Due to the nature of the carboxylic group, acetic acid can serve as both a donor and acceptor of a hydrogen bond. Gaseous acetic acid is known to form cyclic dimers with two strong hydrogen bonds. However, trimeric and various oligomeric structures have also been hypothesized to exist in both the gas and liquid phases of acetic acid. In this work, a combination of gas-phase NMR experiments and advanced computational approaches were employed in order to validate the basic dimerization model of gaseous acetic acid. The gas-phase experiments performed in a glass tube revealed interactions of acetic acid with the glass surface. On the other hand, variable-temperature and variable-pressure NMR parameters obtained for acetic acid in a polymer insert provided thermodynamic parameters that were in excellent agreement with the MP2 (the second order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory) and CCSD(T) (coupled cluster with single, double and perturbative triple excitation) calculations based on the basic dimerization model. A slight disparity between the theoretical dimerization model and the experimental data was revealed only at low temperatures. This observation might indicate the presence of other, entropically disfavored, supramolecular structures at low temperatures.
Evaluation of dietary duzhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) and castor aralia (Kalopanax pictus Nakai) leaf powder on growth performance, serum cholesterol, and meat quality in broilers

Abstract The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of duzhong and castor aralia leaf powder on growth performance and meat quality of broilers for 35 days. A total of 300 broilers (n = 60 birds/treatment) were allocated for 5 treatments (0%, 0.5%, and 1% duzhong or 0.5% and 1% castor aralia). No significant differences were found in the growth performance and proximate compositions for all the treatments. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased linearly, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride decreased linearly, with different levels of duzhong and castor aralia; however, total cholesterol was not affected. Duzhong and castor aralia resulted in lower pH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and higher total phenol and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-radical scavenging activity compared to controls. The meat color was not changed by duzhong and castor aralia treatments. Treatments with 1% duzhong and 1% castor aralia could be used as viable sources of antioxidants to reduce serum cholesterol and improve physicochemical properties.
Prediction of Residual Risk by Ceramide‐Phospholipid Score in Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease on Optimal Medical Therapy

Background Identification of patients with stable coronary heart disease who are at significant residual risk could be helpful for targeted prevention. Our aim was to determine the prognostic value of the recently introduced ceramide‐ and phospholipid‐based risk score, the Cardiovascular Event Risk Test (CERT2), in patients with stable coronary heart disease on optimal medical therapy and to identify biological processes that contribute to the CERT2 score. Methods and Results Plasma samples (n=11 222) obtained from the STABILITY (Stabilization of Atherosclerotic Plaque by Initiation of Darapladib Therapy) trial were analyzed using a tandem liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method. STABILITY was a trial in patients with stable coronary heart disease randomized to the lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 inhibitor darapladib or placebo on optimized medical therapy at baseline, with a median follow‐up of 3.7 years. Hazard ratios per SD for the CERT2 risk score were 1.32 (95% CI, 1.25–1.39) for major adverse cardiovascular event, 1.47 (95% CI, 1.35–1.59) for cardiovascular death, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.16–1.49) for stroke, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.14–1.33) for myocardial infarction, and 1.56 (95% CI, 1.39–1.76) for hospitalization due to heart failure, when adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. CERT2 showed correlation (P<0.001, r>0.2) with inflammatory markers high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin 6, the heart failure marker N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. After also adjusting for levels of other prognostic biomarkers, the CERT2 score was still independently related to the risk of cardiovascular death but not to nonfatal events. Conclusions The CERT2 risk score can detect residual risk in patients with stable coronary heart disease and is associated with biomarkers indicating inflammation, myocardial necrosis, myocardial dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and dyslipidemia. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00799903.
Extracellular Vesicles from Aspergillus flavus Induce M1 Polarization In Vitro

Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to several fungal infections. The genus Aspergillus can cause increased morbidity and mortality. Developing new therapies is essential to understand the fungal biology mechanisms. Fungal EVs carry important virulence factors, thus playing pivotal roles in fungal pathophysiology. No study to date has reported EV production by Aspergillus flavus, a fungus considered to be the second most common cause of aspergillosis and relevant food contaminator found worldwide. In this study, we produced A. flavus EVs and evaluated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of EVs on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and in vivo effects in a Galleria mellonella model. ABSTRACT Aspergillus flavus, a ubiquitous and saprophytic fungus, is the second most common cause of aspergillosis worldwide. Several mechanisms contribute to the establishment of the fungal infection. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been described as “virulence factor delivery bags” in several fungal species, demonstrating a crucial role during the infection. In this study, we evaluated production of A. flavus EVs and their immunomodulatory functions. We verified that A. flavus EVs induce macrophages to produce inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β. Furthermore, the A. flavus EVs enhance phagocytosis and killing by macrophages and induce M1 macrophage polarization in vitro. In addition, a prior inoculation of A. flavus EVs in Galleria mellonella larvae resulted in a protective effect against the fungal infection. Our findings suggest that A. flavus EVs are biologically active and affect the interaction between A. flavus and host immune cells, priming the innate immune system to eliminate the fungal infection. Collectively, our results suggest that A. flavus EVs play a crucial role in aspergillosis. IMPORTANCE Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to several fungal infections. The genus Aspergillus can cause increased morbidity and mortality. Developing new therapies is essential to understand the fungal biology mechanisms. Fungal EVs carry important virulence factors, thus playing pivotal roles in fungal pathophysiology. No study to date has reported EV production by Aspergillus flavus, a fungus considered to be the second most common cause of aspergillosis and relevant food contaminator found worldwide. In this study, we produced A. flavus EVs and evaluated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of EVs on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and in vivo effects in a Galleria mellonella model.
Bone‐Specific Drugs and Osteonecrosis of Sites Other Than the Jaw: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Bone‐specific drugs (BSDs) increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), but whether they increase the risk of osteonecrosis at other sites is not known. Two studies, a cohort study and a case–control study, were conducted using registry data on everyone who was residing in Sweden on December 31, 2005, and who was 50 years of age or older at the time (n = 3,523,912). In the cohort study, individuals prescribed a BSD during the period 2006–2017 (n = 217,387) were 1:1 matched with nonusers on birth year, sex, hip fracture status, and Swedish or foreign origin. In the case–control study, individuals diagnosed with osteonecrosis during 2006–2017 (n = 12,614) were 1:1 matched with individuals without a diagnosis of osteonecrosis on birth year, sex, and Swedish or foreign background. In the cohort study, osteonecrosis was diagnosed in 983 BSD users and 214 nonusers (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.02; 95% CI, 3.32–4.87), during a mean treatment time of 2.8 years. A similar association was observed in a subcohort where all individuals diagnosed with cancer (HR 4.82; 95% CI, 2.52–9.22). The greatest difference in incidence between BSD users and nonusers was observed in patients with a femoral neck fracture that was not treated with total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty (incidence rate difference, 77.8 cases per 10,000 person‐years, p < .05). The risk of osteonecrosis was higher in users of denosumab (HR 1.93; 95% CI, 1.33–2.79) and users of zoledronic acid (HR 1.95; 95% CI, 1.31–2.91) than in users of other BSDs. The increased risk of osteonecrosis decreased after the end of therapy (p < .001 for time trend). The results were confirmed in the case–control study. In summary, use of BSDs, especially more potent BSDs, is associated with increased risk of osteonecrosis of sites other than the jaw. This increased risk decreases after the final dose of BSD. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Dosimetric impact of tracheostomy devices in head and neck cancer patients

Abstract Introduction The tracheostomy site and adjacent skin is at risk for recurrence in head/neck squamous cell cancer patients. The tracheostomy tube is an in situ device located directly over the tracheostomy site and may have clinical implications on the radiation dose delivered to the peristomal region. This study aimed to investigate this effect by comparing the prescribed treatment planning dose with the actual dose in vivo to the peristomal clinical target region. A retrospective, dosimetric study was performed with approval of the institutional research ethics board. Methods Fifteen patients who had received high‐dose radiotherapy to the tracheostomy region with in vivo dose measurements were included. The radiation dose at the skin surface underneath the tracheostomy device was measured using an optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSLD) and was compared with the prescribed dose from the radiation planning system. The effect of the tracheostomy flange and/or soft tissue equivalent bolus on the peristomal dose was calculated. Results and discussion Patients with tracheostomy equipment in situ were found to have a 3.7% difference between their prescribed and actual dose. With a tissue equivalent bolus there was a 2.0% difference between predicted and actual. The mean prescribed single fraction dose (mean = 191.8 cGy, SD = 40.18) and OSLD measured dose (mean = 194.02 cGy, SD = 44.3) were found to have no significant difference. However, with the flange excluded from the planning simulation (density = air) target skin dose deviated from predicted by an average of 55.3% (range = 12.4–72.9, SD = 22.5) and volume coverage was not achieved. Conclusion In summary, the tracheostomy flange acts like bolus with a twofold increase in the skin surface dose. Changes in the peristomal apparatus from simulation to treatment needs to be considered to ensure that the simulated dose and coverage is achieved.