Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Physical Exercise and Cardiovascular Adaptation Monitoring in Pregnancy (PE-CAMP) Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol.

Background Exercise can be beneficial to cardiovascular system function, but its influence during pregnancy is less well understood. Heterogeneity in research studies has led to a lack of consensus on whether physical exercise during pregnancy can elicit cardiovascular adaptations during a period in which the cardiovascular system is already being challenged. Furthermore, little research has been conducted regarding the influence of physical exercise on foetal heart rate (FHR). This paper presents the protocol for a randomised controlled trial which will evaluate the influence of supervised antenatal physical exercise on cardiovascular adaptations during and after pregnancy, as well as the FHR response to acute and chronic maternal exercise. Methods: The PE-CAMP Study (Physical Exercise and Cardiovascular Adaptation Monitoring in Pregnancy) is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which pregnant women will be randomised into an intervention group (INT), which attended supervised physical exercise programme up to three days per week, or a comparison group (COMP) which followed standard health care. All participants were assessed at three time-points i) 18-22 weeks pregnant, time-point 1; ii) 33-37 weeks pregnant, time-point 2; and iii) 12-16 weeks postnatal, time-point 3. A standardised experimental protocol was used for data collection, including body composition assessment, upper-body flexibility and strength assessment, physical activity assessment via questionnaires and acceletometry, and haemodynamic and cardiovascular evaluation before, during and after an acute 10-minute exercise bout. Foetal heart rate will be assessed at the time-point 2 before, during and after acute exercise. Discussion: Although it is necessary and informative to continue investigating the effects of exercise on maternal cardiac and haemodynamic responses using specific laboratory-based tests, it is also critical to evaluate these influences during activities that are more achievable and realistic for pregnant women. The PE-CAMP study will provide data on the cardiac and haemodynamic responses to a typical acute bout of exercise, which could help inform future decisions and policies on maternal exercise prescription made by maternity healthcare providers and exercise professionals.
Nicotinamide riboside improves muscle mitochondrial biogenesis, satellite cell differentiation and gut microbiota composition in a twin study

NAD+ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) has emerged as a promising compound to improve obesity-associated mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic syndrome in mice. However, most short-term clinical trials conducted so far have failed to report positive outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether long-term NR supplementation boosts mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic health in humans. Twins from 22 BMI-discordant monozygotic pairs were supplemented with an escalating dose of NR (250-1000 mg/day) for 5 months (clinicaltrials.gov entry NCT03951285). NR improved blood and tissue NAD+ metabolism, muscle mitochondrial number, myoblast differentiation and gut microbiota composition independent of BMI. NR also showed a capacity to modulate epigenetic control of gene expression in muscle and adipose tissue. However, NR did not ameliorate adiposity or metabolic health. Overall, our results suggest that NR acts as a potent modifier of NAD+ metabolism, muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and stem cell function, gut microbiota, and DNA methylation in humans irrespective of BMI.
A systematic review of the effects of traditional East Asian medicine on symptom clusters during the menopausal transition

Importance: Given that many midlife women use evidence-based non-pharmacologic interventions for symptom management during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause and that many women experience two or more symptoms (symptom cluster), it is important to review recent evidence on said interventions for symptom clusters. This review focuses on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), including acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine, for hot flashes and one or more co-occurring symptoms experienced during peri- or post-menopause. Objective: The primary objective of the study was to review RCTs (published 2011-2021) of TEAM interventions for hot flashes and at least one other co-occurring symptom, including sleep problems, cognitive function, mood, and pain. Evidence Review: We searched Medline, CINAHL Plus, and PsychINFO for RCTs reported in English from July 7, 2011, to December 31, 2021. We included RCTs that assessed women in the menopausal transition or early postmenopause with masking as appropriate; TEAM interventions were studied as the treatment with one or more comparison groups; hot flushes and at least one additional symptom from at least one of the symptom clusters were reported as an outcome (from sleep, mood, cognition, pain symptom groups). Bias was assessed. Findings: Of 409 abstracts identified, 9 RCTs examined the effectiveness of therapies for hot flashes and at least one additional co-occurring symptom. One study reported separately on two TEAM interventions. The maximum trial duration was 6 months (range: 5 weeks to 6 months). Statistically significant improvement was reported in 2 or more symptoms: 5 of 6 studies of acupuncture, one acupressure study, one moxibustion study, 1 of 2 studies of Chinese herbal medicine. Conclusions and Relevance: Our systematic review summarizes the recent literature on TEAM interventions for symptom clusters during the MT and EPM. A majority of studies reported symptom reduction. Overall, our findings highlight the need for further investigation with studies that include whole systems TEAM as each intervention was studied separately in the reviewed trials. Clinical practice often includes concurrent use of acupuncture, moxibustion, CHM, and advice to patients to use self-acupressure. Studying each modality separately is a scientific abstraction that does not reflect clinical practice.
Derivation and verification of a vector controller for induction machines with consideration of stator and rotor core losses

The equivalent circuit of an induction machine (IM) without regard to iron loss would lead not only significant mismatch between simulation and experimental results but also deteriorate the vector control performance. This study focuses on modifying the indirect rotor flux-oriented controller subject to the IM equivalent circuit with consideration of stator and rotor core losses. An analytical approach based on the core-loss model for estimating the rotor slip shows salient impact of the stator and rotor core loss on IM performance. A 10 HP IM is performed for laboratory test. The experimental and simulation results validate that the modified vector controller is superior to the conventional vector controller in both transient and steady-state responses.
Effect of environmental education on the knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and reconnection with nature in early childhood

Blue and green ecosystems are considered a key for the improvement of cities sustainability, providing numerous ecosystem services and habitat for many species. However, urban streams are still neglected and degraded, specially in southern European countries. One important step towards the rehabilitation of these ecosystems is the awareness of their importance by citizens. This study aimed to assess the effect of 1-year of activities (field and laboratory) of an environmental education project on primary school children, in improving their knowledge on urban stream ecosystems and their problems. We analyzed students’ questionnaires before and after field and laboratory activities, drawings and group interviews. Initially, most children had incipient contact with rivers and streams, showing fears and lack of knowledge about them. As the project progressed, their perceptions changed, with a clear increase in the proportion of students recognizing the biodiversity associated to rivers (e.g., names of riparian trees, aquatic plants and invertebrates). Also, their fears decreased significantly, while their awareness to the impacts of artificialization and lack of riparian vegetation increased. Our results show that direct contact with nature have a positive role in the way it is understood by children, as well as promoting responsible and sustainable behaviors, being effective from the early primary-school years.
Complex tourism and season interactions contribute to disparate physiologies in an endangered rock iguana

Abstract To promote survival and fitness, organisms use a suite of physiological systems to respond to both predictable and unpredictable changes in the environment. These physiological responses are also influenced by changes in life history state. The continued activation of physiological systems stemming from persistent environmental perturbations enable animals to cope with these challenges but may over time lead to significant effects on the health of wildlife. In the present study, we tested how varying environmental perturbations driven by tourism and associated supplemental feeding affects the energetics, corticosterone and immunity of six discrete populations of the northern Bahamian rock iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata and Cyclura cychlura figginsi). We studied populations within and outside the reproductive season and quantified tourist numbers during sample collection. Specifically, we measured clutch size, body condition, plasma energy metabolites, reactive oxygen species, baseline corticosterone concentrations and immune function of male and female iguanas from each population to address whether (i) disparate physiologies are emerging across a gradient of tourism and feeding, (ii) both subspecies respond similarly and (iii) responses vary with season/reproductive condition. We found significant effects of tourism level, season and their interaction on the physiology of both C. c. inornata and C. c. figginsi, supporting the idea that tourism is leading to the divergence of phenotypes. Specifically, we found elevated plasma energy metabolites, oxidative stress and a measure of innate immunity (bactericidal ability), but reduced corticosterone concentrations with increasing tourism in both subspecies of rock iguanas. These physiological metrics differ according to the level of tourism in both subspecies and persist across seasons despite variation with natural seasonal and reproductive changes. These findings suggest that anthropogenic disturbance results in disparate physiologies in northern Bahamian rock iguanas.
The complete plastome of Syzygium odoratum (Lour.) DC. 1928 (Myrtaceae)

Abstract Syzygium odoratum (Lour.) DC. 1828 is a deciduous shrub in the family Myrtaceae. This species grows in sparse forests, especially in mountains, valleys, and broad-leaved evergreen forests along streams from 100 to 400 m above sea level. The primary distribution is in southern China (e.g. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, etc.) and other south Asian countries (e.g. Vietnam). Here, we report and characterize the complete plastome from a cultivar of S. odoratum (Lour.) DC. 1828. The complete plastome is 159,352 bp in length with a typical structure and gene content found in angiosperms, including two inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 26,472 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,993 bp, and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,415 bp. The plastome contains 132 genes, consisting of 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall G/C content in the plastome of S. odoratum is 36.9%. By inferring phylogenetic relationships based on the existing data of related taxa, we find that S. odoratum is most closely related to Syzygium acuminatissimum, (Blume) DC. 1828 given the current sampling. The complete plastome sequence of S. odoratum will provide a useful resource for conservation genetics of this species, as well as for phylogenetic studies involving Myrtaceae.
The first complete mitochondrial genome of the micro-whip-scorpion Schizomus zhensis (Arachnida: Schizomida) and phylogenetic analysis

Abstract The first complete mitochondrial genome of the micro-whip-scorpion (Schizomus zhensis) was assembled from Illumina-based whole genome sequencing. The circular genome is 14,309 bp in length with 13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNAs, and a control region. The A + T content of the mitogenome is 76.6%. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses placed Schizomus zhensis as a sister group of (Thelyphonida + Amblypygi), but more mitogenomes of Tetrapulmonata need to be included in further analyses for a conclusive decision about the group systematics.
Evaluating bat boxes: design and placement alter bioenergetic costs and overheating risk

We assess bioenergetic costs and overheating risk of five artificial roost designs. For endothermic bats, energy expenditure was lower for solar-exposed locations and our enhanced thermal mass box design. Shaded landscape placements reduced energy expenditure for heterothermic bats. Increasing ventilation, surface reflectance, thermal mass and decreasing solar exposure decreased overheating.
Salivary inflammatory mediators as biomarkers for oral mucositis and oral mucosal dryness in cancer patients: A pilot study

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy; however, no salivary mediator is known to be associated with OM. We aimed to determine candidate salivary inflammatory mediators potentially associated with OM in patients with cancer. To this end, we compared the relationships between OM grade, oral mucosal dryness, and inflammatory mediators (Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), prostaglandin E2, and vascular endothelial growth factor) in patients with cancer and in healthy volunteers (HV). We collected saliva samples from 18 patients with cancer according to the following schedule: 1) within 14 days of treatment initiation, 2) within 3 days of OM occurrence, 3) when OM was improved or got worsened, and 4) within 7 days after chemotherapy completion. The oral care support team determined the OM grade at each sample collection point based on CTCAE version 5.0. Salivary inflammatory mediator concentrations were detected using cytometric bead array or enzyme-linked immunoassay. We compared oral mucosal dryness in pre- and post-index patients with cancer to that in HV (n = 33) using an oral moisture-checking device. Fourteen of eighteen patients experienced OM (four, grade 3 OM; four, grade 2 OM; six, grade 1 OM). IL-6, IL-10, and TNF salivary concentrations were significantly increased in the post-index group compared to those in the pre-index group (p = 0.0002, p = 0.0364, and p = 0.0160, respectively). Additionally, salivary IL-6, IL-10, and TNF levels were significantly higher in the post-index group than in the HV group (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). Significant positive correlations were observed between OM grade and salivary IL-6, IL-10, and TNF levels (p = 0.0004, r = 0.4939; p = 0.0171, r = 0.3394; and p = 0007, r = 0.4662, respectively). Oral mucosal dryness was significantly higher in the HV than in the pre- and post-index groups (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that salivary IL-6, IL-10, and TNF levels may be used as biomarkers for OM occurrence and grade in patients with cancer. Furthermore, monitoring oral mucosal dryness and managing oral hygiene before cancer treatment is essential.
Targeting HSP90 sensitizes pancreas carcinoma to PD-1 blockade

ABSTRACT Interferon gamma (IFNG/IFNγ)-induced adaptive immune resistance remains a challenge for tumor therapy. We observed that the chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) stabilizes the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), resulting in IFNγ-induced expression of immunosuppressive indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1/CD274). Pharmacological inhibition of HSP90 enhances the efficacy of programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1/PD-1) targeting immunotherapy in suitable mouse models without any toxicity.
Does having various types of fear related to COVID-19 disrupt individuals’ daily life?: Findings from a nationwide survey in Korea

OBJECTIVES Unexpected changes in daily routines caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect psychological health. This study investigated the association between various types of COVID-19-related fear and the subjective level of disturbance in daily activities experienced by individuals. METHODS This cross-sectional study used the Korea Community Health Survey conducted from August through November 2020. COVID-19-related fear included fear of infection, death, public criticism, family members getting infected, and economic loss. The subjective level of disruption in daily activities was measured using a 0-100 numeric rating scale developed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the associations between the independent and dependent variables. A subgroup analysis was performed based on income level. RESULTS Participants who reported fear of infection (β=-3.37, p<0.001), death (β=-0.33, p=0.030), public criticism (β=-1.63, p<0.001), a family member getting infected (β=-1.03, p<0.001), and economic loss (β=-3.52, p<0.001) experienced more disturbances in daily activities. The magnitude of this association was most significant in the lowest-income group. CONCLUSIONS Individuals reporting COVID-19-related fear experienced higher levels of subjective disruption in daily activities.
Limited hyperoxia-induced proliferative retinopathy: A model of persistent retinal vascular dysfunction, preretinal fibrosis and hyaloidal vascular reprogramming for retinal rescue

Background Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains the leading cause for blindness in children. Limited hyperoxia induced proliferative retinopathy (L-HIPR) was recently introduced as a potential animal model for ROP and persistent fetal vasculature; however, the detailed pathological changes remain unclear. Methods To model L-HIPR, we placed C57BL/6J mice in 65% oxygen from birth to post-natal day 7 (P7). We examined eyes at intervals between P12 and P30. Retinal morphometry, thickness, and preretinal fibrosis were quantified at different time points on histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson Trichrome, respectively. Vascular development, angiogenesis, inflammation, and pericyte coverage were analyzed using immunohistochemistry staining in retinal flat mounts and cross sections. Results In L-HIPR, the hyaloidal vessels persisted until the latest time point in this study, P30 and began to invaginate the peripheral then central retina starting at P12. Central retinal distortion was noted beginning at P17, while the peripheral retina demonstrated a trend of thinning from P12 to P30. We found that L-HIPR was associated with delayed and abnormal retinal vascular development with subsequent retinal inflammation, pericyte loss and preretinal fibrosis. Conclusion Our study presents a detailed analysis of the L-HIPR animal model demonstrating vitreoretinal pathologic changes, preretinal fibrosis and persistent hyaloidal vessels into adulthood. Based on our findings, we suggest that the persistence and peculiar stepwise migration of the hyaloidal vessels into the retina may provide a potential rescue mechanism for inner retinal development that deserves further study.
Life before Stonehenge: The hunter-gatherer occupation and environment of Blick Mead revealed by sedaDNA, pollen and spores

The Neolithic and Bronze Age construction and habitation of the Stonehenge Landscape has been extensively explored in previous research. However, little is known about the scale of pre-Neolithic activity and the extent to which the later monumental complex occupied an ‘empty’ landscape. There has been a long-running debate as to whether the monumental archaeology of Stonehenge was created in an uninhabited forested landscape or whether it was constructed in an already partly open area of pre-existing significance to late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. This is of significance to a global discussion about the relationship between incoming farmers and indigenous hunter-gatherer societies that is highly relevant to both Old and New World archaeology. Here we present the results of plant sedaDNA, palynological and geoarchaeological analysis at the Late hunter-gatherer site complex of Blick Mead at the junction of the drylands of Salisbury Plain and the floodplain of the River Avon, on the edge of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. The findings are placed within a chronological framework built on OSL, radiocarbon and relative archaeological dating. We show that Blick Mead existed in a clearing in deciduous woodland, exploited by aurochsen, deer and hunter-gatherers for approximately 4000 years. Given its rich archaeology and longevity this strongly supports the arguments of continuity between the Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers activity and Neolithic monument builders, and more specifically that this was a partially open environment important to both groups. This study also demonstrates that sediments from low-energy floodplains can provide suitable samples for successful environmental assaying using sedaDNA, provided they are supported by secure dating and complementary environmental proxies.
Evaluating water quality impacts on visitation to coastal recreation areas using data derived from cell phone locations

Linking human behavior to environmental quality is critical for effective natural resource management. While it is commonly assumed that environmental conditions partially explain variation in visitation to coastal recreation areas across space and time, scarce and inconsistent visitation observations challenge our ability to reveal these connections. With the ubiquity of mobile phone usage, novel sources of digitally derived data are increasingly available at a massive scale. Applications of mobile phone locational data have been effective in research on urban-centric human mobility and transportation, but little work has been conducted on understanding behavioral patterns surrounding dynamic natural resources. We present an application of cell phone locational data to estimate the effects of beach closures, based on measured bacteria threshold exceedances, on visitation to coastal access points. Our results indicate that beach closures on Cape Cod, MA, USA have a significant negative effect on visitation at those beaches with closures, while closures at a sample of coastal access points elsewhere in New England have no detected impact on visitation. Our findings represent geographic mobility patterns for over 7 million unique coastal visits and suggest that closures resulted in approximately 1,800 (0.026%) displaced visits for Cape Cod during the summer season of 2017. We demonstrate the potential for human-mobility data derived from mobile phones to reveal the scale of use and behavior in response to changes in dynamic natural resources. Potential future applications of passively collected geocoded data to human-environmental systems are vast.