Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Write and Let Go: An Online Writing Program for University Students

Background There are a plethora of studies on expressive writing and positive writing interventions, but few have addressed the combination of both paradigms. Additionally, research on the role of ambivalence toward change in the context of writing-based interventions is lacking. Ambivalence toward change is a natural movement of approaching and avoiding change that may occur in various situations. In psychotherapy, its resolution is associated with successful outcomes. Aim This study tested the efficacy of a combination of expressive and positive writing paradigms in an internet-based intervention to improve university students’ mental health. Additionally, focusing participants on a current, unresolved problem allowed us to explore the possible role of ambivalence toward change as a mediator of the intervention’s results. Methods We recruited 172 participants who were randomly divided into experimental (n = 85) and control (n = 87) groups. The intervention consisted of the identification of a current problem and four writing tasks on consecutive days. Assessment was conducted at baseline and posttest in both groups and at follow-up in the experimental group. Participants in the experimental condition were also assessed after each task. Measures of anxiety, depression, rumination, ambivalence toward change, distress, and wellbeing (optimism, affect, and satisfaction with life) were collected. Results Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that participants in the experimental group had a significant decrease from baseline to posttest in ambivalence toward change and rumination when compared with the control group. These results were maintained at follow-up. No differences were found in the remaining measures. Within the experimental group, ambivalence toward change, rumination, and distress significantly decreased throughout the intervention and the exploratory mediation analysis indicated that ambivalence toward change partially mediated the improvements in rumination and distress. Discussion Considering different perspectives about a current problem and using a combination of expressive and positive writing fostered the reduction of ambivalence toward change and rumination. Ambivalence toward change reduction after the second writing task may have created optimal conditions for the subsequent decrease in rumination and distress. Future studies should replicate this finding and dismantle the components that are more adequate in changing these variables.
Shared Genetic Risk Factors Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for approximately 27.5 million deaths every year. While they share some common environmental risk factors, their shared genetic risk factors are not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study was to aggregate genetic risk factors associated with the comorbidity of cancer and CVDs. For this purpose, we: (1) created a catalog of genes associated with cancer and CVDs, (2) visualized retrieved data as a gene-disease network, and (3) performed a pathway enrichment analysis. We performed screening of PubMed database for literature reporting genetic risk factors in patients with both cancer and CVD. The gene-disease network was visualized using Cytoscape and the enrichment analysis was conducted using Enrichr software. We manually reviewed the 181 articles fitting the search criteria and included 13 articles in the study. Data visualization revealed a highly interconnected network containing a single subnetwork with 56 nodes and 146 edges. Genes in the network with the highest number of disease interactions were JAK2, TTN, TET2, and ATM. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that genes included in the study were significantly enriched in DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways, such as homologous recombination. The role of DDR mechanisms in the development of CVDs has been studied in previously published research; however, additional functional studies are required to elucidate their contribution to the pathophysiology to CVDs.
Developing a Smoking Cessation Intervention for People With Severe Mental Illness Treated by Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Teams in the Netherlands: A Delphi Study

Background There is still limited evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of smoking cessation interventions for people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Dutch outpatient psychiatric settings. The present study aimed to establish expert consensus on the core components and strategies to optimise practical implementation of a smoking cessation intervention for people treated by Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams in the Netherlands. Design A modified Delphi method was applied to reach consensus on three core components (behavioural counselling, pharmacological treatment and peer support) of the intervention. The Delphi panel comprised five experts with different professional backgrounds. We proposed a first intervention concept. The panel critically examined the evolving concept in three iterative rounds of 90 min each. Responses were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Overall, results yielded that behavioural counselling should focus on preparation for smoking cessation, guidance, relapse prevention and normalisation. Pharmacological treatment consisting of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), Varenicline or Bupropion, under supervision of a psychiatrist, was recommended. The panel agreed on integrating peer support as a regular part of the intervention, thus fostering emotional and practical support among patients. Treatment of a co-morbid cannabis use disorder needs to be integrated into the intervention if indicated. Regarding implementation, staff's motivation to support smoking cessation was considered essential. For each ambulatory team, two mental health care professionals will have a central role in delivering the intervention. Conclusions This study provides insight into expert consensus on the core components of a smoking cessation intervention for people with SMI. The results of this study were used for the development of a comprehensive smoking cessation program.
Olanzapine Promotes the Occurrence of Metabolic Disorders in Conditional TCF7L2-Knockout Mice

Objectives: Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients display higher incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and comorbidity of type II diabetes. Both atypical antipsychotics and genetic variants are believed to predispose the patients with the risk, but their interplay remains largely unknown. TCF7L2 is one of the most common genes strongly associated with glucose homeostasis which also participates in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to explore the regulatory roles of TCF7L2 in atypical antipsychotics-induced MetS. Methods: Mice with pancreatic β-cell–specific Tcf7l2 deletion (CKO) were generated. The CKO mice and control littermates were subjected to olanzapine (4 mg/kg/day) or saline gavage for 6 weeks. Metabolic indices, β cell mass, and the expressing levels of TCF7L2 and GLP-1R in the pancreatic tissue were closely monitored. Results: Tcf7l2 CKO mice displayed a spectrum of core features of MetS, which included remarkably increased rate of weight gain, higher fasting insulin, higher values of blood lipids (cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein), impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertrophy of adipocytes. Notably, these effects could be further exacerbated by olanzapine. In addition, Tcf7l2 CKO mice with the olanzapine group showed significantly decreased expressions of GLP-1R protein and a trend of reduced pancreatic β-cell mass. RT-qPCR revealed that the CKO mice presented a significantly less transcription of Sp5, an important element of the Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our study illustrates that mice with pancreatic β-cell–targeted Tcf7l2 deletion were more vulnerable to suffer metabolic abnormalities after olanzapine administration. This impairment may be mediated by the reduced expression of GLP-1R.
Genomic Diversity and Selection Signatures for Weining Cattle on the Border of Yunnan-Guizhou

Weining cattle is a Chinese indigenous breed influenced by complex breeding and geographical background. The multi-ethnic breeding culture makes Weining cattle require more attention as livestock resources for its genetic diversity. Here, we used 10 Weining cattle (five newly sequenced and five downloaded) and downloaded another 48 genome data to understand the aspects of Weining cattle: genetic diversity, population structure, and cold-adapted performance. In the current study, a high level of genetic diversity was found in Weining cattle, and its breed comprised two potential ancestries, which were Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The positive selective sweep analysis in Weining cattle was analyzed using composite likelihood ratio (CLR) and nucleotide diversity (θπ), resulting in 203 overlapped genes. In addition, we studied the cold adaptation of Weining cattle by comparing with other Chinese cattle (Wannan and Wenshan cattle) by three methods (F ST, θπ-ratio, and XP-EHH). Of the top 1% gene list, UBE3D and ZNF668 were analyzed, and these genes may be associated with fat metabolism and blood pressure regulation in cold adaptation. Our findings have provided invaluable information for the development and conservation of cattle genetic resources, especially in southwest China.
Bioinformatic Prediction and Characterization of Proteins in Porphyra dentata by Shotgun Proteomics

Porphyra dentata is an edible red seaweed with high nutritional value. It is widely cultivated and consumed in East Asia and has vast economic benefits. Studies have found that P. dentata is rich in bioactive substances and is a potential natural resource. In this study, label-free shotgun proteomics was first applied to identify and characterize different harvest proteins in P. dentata. A total of 13,046 different peptides were identified and 419 co-expression target proteins were characterized. Bioinformatics was used to study protein characteristics, functional expression, and interaction of two important functional annotations, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Potential bioactive peptides, protein structure, and potential ligand conformations were predicted, and the results suggest that bioactive peptides may be utilized as high-quality active fermentation substances and potential targets for drug production. Our research integrated the global protein database, the first time bioinformatic analysis of the P. dentata proteome during different harvest periods, improves the information database construction and provides a framework for future research based on a comprehensive understanding.
Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycan Axonal Coats in the Human Mediodorsal Thalamic Nucleus

Mounting evidence supports a key involvement of the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) NG2 and brevican (BCAN) in the regulation of axonal functions, including axon guidance, fasciculation, conductance, and myelination. Prior work suggested the possibility that these functions may, at least in part, be carried out by specialized CSPG structures surrounding axons, termed axonal coats. However, their existence remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that NG2 and BCAN, known to be associated with oligodendrocyte precursor cells, form axonal coats enveloping myelinated axons in the human brain. In tissue blocks containing the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) from healthy donors (n = 5), we used dual immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and unbiased stereology to characterize BCAN and NG2 immunoreactive (IR) axonal coats and measure the percentage of myelinated axons associated with them. In a subset of donors (n = 3), we used electron microscopy to analyze the spatial relationship between axons and NG2- and BCAN-IR axonal coats within the human MD. Our results show that a substantial percentage (∼64%) of large and medium myelinated axons in the human MD are surrounded by NG2- and BCAN-IR axonal coats. Electron microscopy studies show NG2- and BCAN-IR axonal coats are interleaved with myelin sheets, with larger axons displaying greater association with axonal coats. These findings represent the first characterization of NG2 and BCAN axonal coats in the human brain. The large percentage of axons surrounded by CSPG coats, and the role of CSPGs in axonal guidance, fasciculation, conductance, and myelination suggest that these structures may contribute to several key axonal properties.
Construction of a lncRNA–mRNA Co-Expression Network for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) widely regulate gene expression and play important roles in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including malignant tumors. However, the functions of most lncRNAs remain to be elucidated. In order to study and screen novel lncRNAs with important functions in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), we constructed a lncRNA expression profile of 10 NPC tissues and 6 controls through a gene microarray. We identified 1,276 lncRNAs, of which most are unknown, with different expression levels in the healthy and NPC tissues. In order to shed light on the functions of these unknown lncRNAs, we first constructed a co-expression network of lncRNAs and mRNAs using bioinformatics and systematic biological approach. Moreover, mRNAs were clustered and enriched by their biological functions, and those lncRNAs have similar expression trends with mRNAs were defined as functional molecules with potential biological significance. The module may help identify key lncRNAs in the carcinogenesis of NPC and provide clues for in-depth study of their functions and associated signaling pathways. We suggest the newly identified lncRNAs may have clinic value as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NPC diagnosis and treatment.
Potential Factors Canceling Interannual Cycles of Shoot Production in a Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) Stand

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests are utilized for food, building materials, and carbon fixation in East Asia. Hence, understanding the factors that influence productivity is important. Long-term records of managed Moso bamboo forests have provided evidence for 2-year cycles of new shoot production. A widely accepted explanatory hypothesis is that the 2-year leaf life span and unequal proportions of newer and older leaves in bamboo stands are the cause of the 2-year shoot production cycle. However, 2-year cycles are not observed in all circumstances. If the 2-year leaf life span causes the biennial production cycle, why are the 2-year cycles of new shoot production not observed in some periods? By constructing an age-structured population growth model that considered the Moso bamboo leaf life span, this study aimed to clarify the possible mechanisms that could suppress the 2-year cycle of new shoot production. The simulation demonstrated that the 2-year cycle may readily disappear because of the contribution of considerable carbohydrates originating from photosynthesis in old leaves and in new leaves of zero-year-old culms, and from belowground carbon storage in roots and rhizomes. The results suggested that the contribution of photosynthesis in old leaves and in new leaves of zero-year-old culms may be overlooked at the population scale, and that belowground carbon storage in Moso bamboo rhizome systems might act as buffer to stabilize the year-to-year variations in new shoot production.
Myocardial Blood Flow and Flow Reserve in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Obstructive and Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries: CZT SPECT Study

Background To assess single-photon emission computed tomography cadmium-zinc-telluride (SPECT CZT)-derived myocardial blood flow (MBF) flow reserve (MFR) and flow difference (FD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to compare this data with serum cardiac troponin and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings. Methods A total of 31 patients with AMI underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA), serial high-sensitivity serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) measurement, and CZT SPECT with visual and quantitative (MBF, MFR, and FD) perfusion parameters, and contrast-enhanced CMR. All patients with AMI were divided into two groups: (1) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), n = 10; (2) with obstructive coronary artery disease (MICAD), n = 21. Results The values of SSS and SRS were significantly (p < 0.01) higher whereas global stress MBF, MFR significantly lower in patients with MICAD as compared to MINOCA – 5.0 (3.0; 5.0) vs. 9.0 (5.0; 13.0); 2.0 (1.0; 3.0) vs. 6.0 (3.0; 11.0); 2.02 (1.71; 2.37) vs. 0.86 (0.72; 1.02) ml/min/g; and 2.61 (2.23; 3.14) vs. 1.67 (1.1; 1.9), respectively. Stress MBF correlated with cTnI at 24 h and day 4: ρ = −0.39; p = 0.03 and ρ = −0.47; p = 0.007, respectively. FD correlated with cTnI at 24 h and day 4: ρ = −0.39; p = 0.03 and ρ = −0.46; p = 0.009. CMR analysis showed that infarct size, MVO and myocardial edema in patients with MICAD were significantly (< 0.05) higher as compared to MINOCA: 19.4 (10.4; 29.7) vs. 1.8 (0.0; 6.9); 0.1 (0.0; 0.7) vs. 0.0 (0.0; 0.0) and 19.5 (12.0;30.0) vs. 3.0 (0.0; 12.0), respectively. According to vessel-based analysis of CMR data, acute myocardial injury (defined as late gadolinium enhancement and myocardial edema) was observed more frequently in patients with MICAD compared to MINOCA: 34(37%) vs. 5(5%) p = 0.005, respectively. The values of regional stress MBF, MFR and FD were significantly decreased in LV territories characterized by myocardial injury compared to those without: 0.98 (0.73; 1.79) vs. 1.33 (0.94; 2.08) p < 0.01, 1.64 (1.0; 2.36) vs. 2.0 (1.53; 2.89) p < 0.01 and 0.33 (0.05; 0.57) vs. 0.56 (0.36; 1.32) p> 0.01, respectively. Conclusion In patients with AMI, SPECT CZT-derived flow measures were associated with the high-sensitivity troponin I as well as the extent of edema, microvascular obstruction, and infarct size detected by CMR. On the regional level, quantitative SPECT CZT measures were significantly lower in vessel territories characterized by myocardial injury.
Neutrophil and Macrophage Response in Acinetobacter Baumannii Infection and Their Relationship to Lung Injury

Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) infection has become a threat to global public health. AB is one of the main pathogens causing nosocomial infections, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia. AB easily develops resistance against a variety of antibiotics, which makes the treatment of AB infections difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to study new treatment plans like anti-infection immunity. Both animal models of AB infection and in vitro cell experiments show that macrophages are activated in the early stage of the immune response and regulate the recruitment of neutrophils, thus playing a role in clearing AB. AB components and the immune responses they induce can lead to injury of the infected organ, mostly in the lungs. Understanding the response of innate immunity to ABs at different stages after infection and the relationship between the response and lung injury can help to develop new immunotherapy methods and prevent lung injury. This article provides a comprehensive review of the response of neutrophils and macrophages to AB infection and their association with lung injury to develop effective therapies for AB infection and prevent lung injury.
Effect of Diet Enriched With Hemp Seeds on Goat Milk Fatty Acids, Transcriptome, and miRNAs

In dairy ruminants, a diet supplemented with feed rich in unsaturated fatty acids can be an effective medium to increase the health-promoting properties of milk, although their effect on the pathways/genes involved in these processes has not been properly and completely defined to date. To improve our knowledge of the cell’s activity in specific conditions, next-generation RNA-sequencing technology was used to allow whole transcriptome characterization under given conditions. In addition to this, microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been known as post-transcriptional regulators in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism by targeting lipid metabolism genes. In this study, to analyze the transcriptome and miRNAs in goat milk after a supplemental diet enriched with linoleic acid (hemp seeds), next-generation RNA-sequencing was used in order to point out the general biological mechanisms underlying the effects related to milk fat metabolism. Ten pluriparous Alpine goats were fed with the same pretreatment diet for 40 days; then, they were arranged to two dietary treatments consisting of control (C) and hemp seed (H)-supplemented diets. Milk samples were collected at 40 (time point = T0) and 140 days of lactation (time point = T1). Milk fatty acid (FA) profiles revealed a significant effect of hemp seeds that determined a strong increment in the preformed FA, causing a reduction in the concentration of de-novo FA. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated n−3 FAs were increased by hemp treatment, determining a reduction in the n−6/n−3 ratio. After removing milk fats and proteins, RNA was extracted from the milk cells and transcriptomic analysis was conducted using Illumina RNA-sequencing. A total of 3,835 genes were highly differentially expressed (p-value < 0.05, fold change > 1.5, and FDR < 0.05) in the H group. Functional analyses evidenced changes in metabolism, immune, and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, modifications in feeding strategies affected also key transcription factors regulating the expression of several genes involved in milk fat metabolism, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Moreover, 38 (15 known and 23 novel) differentially expressed miRNAs were uncovered in the H group and their potential functions were also predicted. This study gives the possibility to improve our knowledge of the molecular changes occurring after a hemp seed supplementation in the goat diet and increase our understanding of the relationship between nutrient variation and phenotypic effects.
Genetic Structure and Forensic Utility of 23 Autosomal STRs of the Ethnic Lao Groups From Laos and Thailand

The Lao Isan and Laotian are the major groups in the area of present-day northeastern Thailand and Laos, respectively. Several previous genetic and forensic studies indicated an admixed genetic structure of Lao Isan with the local Austroasiatic speaking groups, e.g. Khmer, whereas there is a paucity of reporting Laotian’s forensic short tandem repeats (STRs). Here, we newly generated 451 genotypes of seven Lao Isan and three Laotian populations (two Lao Lum and one Lao Thoeng) using 23 autosomal STRs embedded in VerifilerTM plus PCR Amplification kit. We reported allelic frequency and forensic parameters in different dataset: combined ethnic Lao groups, combined Lao Isan populations and combined Laotians. Overall, the forensic parameter results indicate that this set of STRs is suitable for forensic investigation. The anthropological results revealed the genetic homogeneity of Tai-Kadai speaking Lao groups from Thailand and Laos, consistent with previous studies, while the Austroasiatic speaking groups from southern Laos showed genetic relatedness to both Lao Isan and Khmer. In sum, STRs allelic frequency results can provide the genetic backgrounds of populations which is useful for anthropological research and also strengthens the regional forensic database in both countries.