Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moderators and mediators of emotion regulation therapy for psychologically distressed caregivers of cancer patients: secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Being an informal caregiver (IC) of a cancer patient is often associated with psychological distress. We have recently, in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), demonstrated efficacy of Emotion Regulation Therapy for ICs (ERT-C), evidenced as lower levels of psychological distress. Such efficacy demonstration is important, but a crucial step in improving treatments for the IC population is the identification of moderators (i.e., for whom the treatment works) and mediators (i.e., the drivers of the detected effect). Material and methods In a sample of 65 psychologically distressed ICs (combining participants who received immediate and delayed treatment in the RCT); we investigated age, gender, and homework completion as moderators of treatment outcome. Proposed mediators were derived from the ERT model and included mindfulness, emotion regulation dysfunction, decentering, and cognitive reappraisal. Results and conclusions The strongest moderation effect was found for homework completion, predicting improvements on psychological distress. Correlational mediation analyses generally supported the ERT model. However, temporal precedence was only established for the association between decentering and worry, where a bidirectional relation was revealed. Homework thus emerged as an important aspect of ERT-C and, albeit a bidirectional relationship, changes in decentering may precede changes in worry. Future trials should ensure the robustness of these results, hone the specificity of process measures, and further investigate the causal timeline of change.
Occurrence of foamy macrophages during the innate response of zebrafish to trypanosome infections

A tightly regulated innate immune response to trypanosome infections is critical to strike a balance between parasite control and inflammation-associated pathology. In this study, we make use of the recently established Trypanosoma carassii infection model in larval zebrafish to study the early response of macrophages and neutrophils to trypanosome infections in vivo. We consistently identified high- and low-infected individuals and were able to simultaneously characterise their differential innate response. Not only did macrophage and neutrophil number and distribution differ between the two groups, but also macrophage morphology and activation state. Exclusive to high-infected zebrafish, was the occurrence of foamy macrophages characterised by a strong pro-inflammatory profile and potentially associated with an exacerbated immune response as well as susceptibility to the infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of foamy macrophages during an extracellular trypanosome infection.
Identification of Plant Viruses Infecting Pear Using RNA Sequencing

Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is a widely cultivated and commercially important fruit crop, which is occasionally subject to severe economic losses due to latent viral infections. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine and provide a comprehensive overview of virus populations infecting a major pear cultivar (‘Singo’) in Korea. From June 2017 to October 2019, leaf samples (n = 110) of pear trees from 35 orchards in five major pear-producing regions were collected and subjected to RNA sequencing. Most virus-associated contigs matched the sequences of known viruses, including apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) and apple stem pitting virus (ASPV). However, some contigs matched the sequences of apple green crinkle-associated virus and cucumber mosaic virus. In addition, three complete or nearly complete genomes were constructed based on transcriptome data and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. Based on the number of virus-associated reads, ASGV and ASPV were identified as the dominant viruses of ‘Singo. ’ The present study describes the virome of a major pear cultivar in Korea, and looks into the diversity of viral communities in this cultivar. This study can provide valuable information on the complexity of genetic variability of viruses infecting pear trees.
Establishment of a specific in vivo Cu(Ⅰ) reporting system based on metallothionein screening.

Copper is one of the indispensable trace metal elements in organisms, but excess copper means cytotoxicity. Cells protect themselves by storing excess copper in copper-binding proteins. Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of low-molecular-weight, cysteine-rich proteins, which are well known in sensing and binding the overcharged Zn(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), and Cu(Ⅰ) in cells. However, there are few reports on MTs that can specifically respond to intracellular copper ions in mammals in real-time. Here, we screened copper-response MTs in pancreatic cancer cells through data-mining, RNA-seq, and qPCR analysis. We found that MT1E, MT1F, and MT1X mRNA were significantly upregulated after exogenous copper ions induction. By constructing the stable cell lines with MT1E, MT1F, or MT1X promoter-driven EGFP as reporters, we found that only PMT1F-EGFP could specifically and stably report the intracellular Cu(Ⅰ) changes in multiple cell lines, including Panc-1, 8988T, 293T, HepG2, and normal hepatic cells, indicating that PMT1F-EGFP is an ideal in vivo Cu(Ⅰ) reporter. Using the PMT1F-EGFP reporter, we found that MEK inhibitors (U0126) and Astragaloside IV could significantly increase intracellular copper ions. According to these results, that PMT1F-EGFP reporter can sense intracellular copper change and can be used to screen copper-target drugs and study copper-related cellular physiology and pathology.
Protein–Protein Interactions Shape Genomic Autoimmunity in the Adaptively Evolving Rhino-Deadlock-Cutoff Complex

Abstract The Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is a genomic defense system that controls the movement of transposable elements (TEs) through transcriptional and post-transcriptional silencing. Although TE defense is critical to ensuring germline genome integrity, it is equally critical that the piRNA pathway avoids autoimmunity in the form of silencing host genes. Ongoing cycles of selection for expanded control of invading TEs, followed by selection for increased specificity to reduce impacts on host genes, are proposed to explain the frequent signatures of adaptive evolution among piRNA pathway proteins. However, empirical tests of this model remain limited, particularly with regards to selection against genomic autoimmunity. I examined three adaptively evolving piRNA proteins, Rhino, Deadlock, and Cutoff, for evidence of interspecific divergence in autoimmunity between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans. I tested a key prediction of the autoimmunity hypothesis that foreign heterospecific piRNA proteins will exhibit enhanced autoimmunity, due to the absence of historical selection against off-target effects. Consistent with this prediction, full-length D. simulans Cutoff, as well as the D. simulans hinge and chromo domains of Rhino, exhibit expanded regulation of D. melanogaster genes. I further demonstrate that this autoimmunity is dependent on known incompatibilities between D. simulans proteins or domains and their interacting partners in D. melanogaster. My observations reveal that the same protein–protein interaction domains that are interfaces of adaptive evolution in Rhino and Cutoff also determine their potential for autoimmunity.
Clinical application of a scale to assess genomic healthcare empowerment (GEmS): Process and illustrative case examples

The Genome Empowerment Scale (GEmS), developed as a research tool, assesses perspectives of parents of children with undiagnosed disorders about to undergo exome or genome sequencing related to the process of empowerment. We defined genomic healthcare empowerment as follows: perceived ability to understand and seek new information related to the genomic sequencing, manage emotions related to the diagnostic process and outcomes, and utilize genomic sequencing information to the betterment of the individual/child and family. The GEmS consists of four scales, two are primarily emotion‐focused (Meaning of a Diagnosis, and Emotional Management of the Process) and two are action‐oriented (Seeking Information and Support, and Implications and Planning). The purpose of this research was to provide a strategy for interpreting results from the GEmS and present illustrative cases. These illustrations should serve to facilitate use of the GEmS in the clinical and research arena, particularly with respect to guiding genetic counseling processes for parents of children with undiagnosed conditions.
The comparison between children and adolescents with asthma provided by the real-world “ControL’Asma” study

Abstract Objective Because asthma is a disease that changes over time, the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology launched a nationwide study on asthma control (the ControL’Asma study). The intent was to test the hypothesis that children with asthma could present a different pattern compared to adolescents. In the study, we compared children with adolescents in a real-world setting by analyzing the asthma control grade and other asthma-related parameters. Methods This cross-sectional real-world study included 471 asthmatic children (<age 12) and adolescents (≥age 12), mostly male (n = 326; 69.2%), who were consecutively enrolled at 10 tertiary pediatric allergy clinics. Asthma control level was evaluated according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, the Childhood Asthma Control Test (cACT) questionnaire for children, and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire for adolescents, history, rhinitis comorbidity, allergy, clinical examination, lung function, and perception of asthma symptoms assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results There was no difference between the age groups in asthma control as determined by both GINA criteria and the cACT/ACT questionnaires. However, adolescents with asthma had significantly more frequent rhinitis comorbidity (p = 0.02; OR = 2.07) and allergy (p = 0.012; OR = 3.72) than children. Asthma severity, lung function, and symptom perception were not different between age groups. Conclusions The current study showed that asthma control is not associated with age in young people. Adolescents with asthma did experience rhinitis and allergy more frequently than children. These findings reflect the progressive nature of the allergic phenotype in young patients.
Minor pilins are involved in motility and natural competence in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Cyanobacteria synthesize type IV pili, which are known to be essential for motility, adhesion and natural competence. They consist of long flexible fibers that are primarily composed of the major pilin PilA1 in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. In addition, Synechocystis encodes less abundant pilin‐like proteins, which are known as minor pilins. In this study, we show that the minor pilin PilA5 is essential for natural transformation but is dispensable for motility and flocculation. In contrast, a set of minor pilins encoded by the pilA9‐slr2019 transcriptional unit are necessary for motility but are dispensable for natural transformation. Neither pilA5‐pilA6 nor pilA9‐slr2019 are essential for pilus assembly as mutant strains showed type IV pili on the cell surface. Three further gene products with similarity to PilX‐like minor pilins have a function in flocculation of Synechocystis. The results of our study indicate that different minor pilins facilitate distinct pilus functions. Further, our microarray analysis demonstrated that the transcription levels of the minor pilin genes change in response to surface contact. A total of 122 genes were determined to have altered transcription between planktonic and surface growth, including several plasmid genes which are involved exopolysaccharide synthesis and the formation of bloom‐like aggregates.
The suitability and utility of the pain and movement reasoning model for physiotherapy: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT Introduction The Pain and Movement Reasoning Model is a tool to assist clinical reasoning. It was created for physiotherapists to use in musculoskeletal outpatient clinics but may be appropriate in other clinical contexts. The Model has also been used in physiotherapy education. Objective To determine physiotherapists' perceptions of the appropriateness (suitability) and benefit (utility) of the Pain and Movement Reasoning Model across clinical contexts in hospital and community practice. Methods Physiotherapists from two health networks in Melbourne, Australia, received training in using the Model and over 4-6 weeks applied it in their clinical interactions. Drawing on a deductive phenomenological approach, transcripts from focus groups and interviews were analysed to determine the suitability and utility of the Model across clinical areas. Results Twenty-nine physiotherapists from 12 different clinical areas participated. Two themes represented the participants' comments: Suitability for Practice and Utility in Practice. Participants reported the approach to clinical reasoning, promoted by the Model, aligned with existing physiotherapy practice. Enhancements to practice included more comprehensive assessment, selection of broader management techniques and increased confidence with reasoning and explaining the complexity of pain to patients. Participants described using the Model for developing junior staff and training postgraduate students. They also saw potential in adapting the Model for other disciplines and for other multifactorial conditions. Conclusion Physiotherapists working in a range of clinical contexts considered the Pain and Movement Reasoning Model appropriate and beneficial in clinical practice and in teaching. Further evaluation of the Model in wider settings is warranted.
Fostering climate change consensus: The role of intimacy in group discussions

This study examined if creating intimacy in a group discussion is more effective toward reaching consensus about climate change than a focus on information. Participants were randomly assigned to either a group that spent the first part of an online discussion engaging in self-disclosure and focusing on shared values (intimacy condition) or discussing information from an article about climate change (information condition). Afterward, all groups were given the same instructions to try to come to group consensus on their opinions about climate change. Participants in the intimacy condition had higher ratings of social cohesion, group attraction, task interdependence, and collective engagement and lower ratings of ostracism than the information condition. Intimacy groups were more likely to reach consensus, with ostracism and the emotional tone of discussion mediating this effect. Participants were more likely to change their opinion to reflect that climate change is real in the intimacy than information condition.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Associated Colorectal Cancer: Translational Risks from Mechanisms to Medicines

Abstract The cumulative impact of chronic inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases predisposes to the development of inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer [IBD-CRC]. Inflammation can induce mutagenesis, and the relapsing–remitting nature of this inflammation, together with epithelial regeneration, may exert selective pressure accelerating carcinogenesis. The molecular pathogenesis of IBD-CRC, termed the ‘inflammation–dysplasia–carcinoma’ sequence, is well described. However, the immunopathogenesis of IBD-CRC is less well understood. The impact of novel immunosuppressive therapies, which aim to achieve deep remission, is mostly unknown. Therefore, this timely review summarizes the clinical context of IBD-CRC, outlines the molecular and immunological basis of disease pathogenesis, and considers the impact of novel biological therapies.
Exposure to socioenvironmental stress as a predictor of physical and mental health

The literature demonstrates links between socioenvironmental characteristics, dysregulation of the stress response system, and PTSD, though few studies integrate these factors in one model. In a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected by the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW), structural equation modeling evaluated the relationships between socioenvironmental stress, cumulative biological risk (CBR), and PTSD symptom severity. The model hypothesized that exposure to socioenvironmental stress was associated with PTSD and that this relationship is mediated by increased CBR. Indices suggest the model provided a good fit to the data and supported socioenvironmental stress and CBR as valid latent constructs. Although the association between CBR and PTSD was not found to be statistically significant in this study, socioenvironmental stress was a significant predictor of PTSD and CBR. Given the role of socioenvironmental factors on CBR and PTSD symptoms, providers need to better assess and incorporate social stressors within evaluation and treatment.
High-Performance Indium Gallium Tin Oxide Transistors with an Al2O3 Gate Insulator Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition at a Low Temperature of 150 °C: Roles of Hydrogen and Excess Oxygen in the Al2O3 Dielectric Film.

In this work, high-performance amorphous In0.75Ga0. 23Sn0.02O (a-IGTO) transistors with an atomic layer-deposited Al2O3 dielectric layer were fabricated at a maximum processing temperature of 150 °C. Hydrogen (H) and excess oxygen (Oi) in the Al2O3 film, which was controlled by adjusting the oxygen radical density (PO2: flow rate of O2/[Ar+O2]) in the radio-frequency (rf) plasma during ALD growth of Al2O3, significantly affected the performance and stability of the resulting IGTO transistors. The concentrations of H and Oi in Al2O3/IGTO stacks according to PO2 were characterized by secondary ion mass spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and thermal desorption spectroscopy. The high concentration of H at a low PO2 of 2.5% caused heavy electron doping in the underlying IGTO during thermal annealing at 150 °C, leading to a conductive behavior in the resulting transistor without modulation capability. In contrast, a high PO2 condition of 20% introduced O2 molecules (or Oi) into the Al2O3 film, which negatively impacted the carrier mobility and caused anomalous photo-bias instability in the IGTO transistor. Through in-depth understanding of how to manipulate H and Oi in Al2O3 by controlling the PO2, we fabricated high-performance IGTO transistors with a high field-effect mobility (μFE) of 58.8 cm2/Vs, subthreshold gate swing (SS) of 0.12 V/decade, threshold voltage (VTH) of 0.5 V, and ION/OFF ratio of ∼109 even at the maximum processing temperature of 150 °C. Simultaneously, the optimized devices were resistant to exposure to external positive gate bias stress (PBS) and negative bias stress (NBS) for 3600 s, where the VTH shifts for exposure to PBS and NBS for this duration were 0.1 V and -0.15 V, respectively.
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 lineage (VOC β) is outgrowing the B.1.1.7 lineage (VOC α) in some French regions in April 2021

To assess SARS-CoV-2 variants spread, we analysed 36,590 variant-specific reverse-transcription-PCR tests performed on samples from 12 April–7 May 2021 in France. In this period, contrarily to January–March 2021, variants of concern (VOC) β (B.1.351 lineage) and/or γ (P.1 lineage) had a significant transmission advantage over VOC α (B.1.1.7 lineage) in Île-de-France (15.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 15.5–16.2) and Hauts-de-France (17.3%; 95% CI: 15.9–18.7) regions. This is consistent with VOC β’s immune evasion abilities and high proportions of prior-SARS-CoV-2-infected persons in these regions.
Dual agonist–antagonist effect of ulipristal acetate in human endometrium and myometrium

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the molecular effect of ulipristal acetate (UPA) on gene expression in myometrium and endometrium of patients with symptomatic fibroids. Tissues isolated from four women treated preoperatively with UPA (5 mg) were compared to those from untreated controls using NanoString platform to assess the expression of 75 candidate genes modulated by UPA and ovarian steroids. Deregulated genes were then validated by real-time PCR. In myometrium, UPA exerted an antagonistic effect similar to that observed in fibroids. In UPA-treated endometrium, six genes were identified as highly and significantly upregulated, including matricellular genes CCN1 (54-fold, P = 0.0018) and CCN2 (11-fold, P = 0.00044), Krüppel-like factor 4 (>3-fold, P = 0.0036), and mast cell markers including tryptases TPSAB1/TPSB2 (31-fold, P = 0.023) and carboxypeptidase A (CPA3, 17-fold, P = 0.05). In endometrium, UPA induced the expression of genes involved in fibrogenesis and mast cell function—some of them being widely involved in hepatic injury, which could explain the marked fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration observed in explanted livers from patients under UPA treatment.
Validation of high-throughput, semiquantitative solid phase SARS coronavirus-2 serology assays in serum and dried blood spot matrices

Aim: Serological assays for the detection of anti-SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies are essential to the response to the global pandemic. A ligand binding-based serological assay was validated for the semiquantitative detection of IgG, IgM, IgA and neutralizing antibodies (nAb) against SARS-CoV-2 in serum. Results: The assay demonstrated high levels of diagnostic specificity and sensitivity (85–99% for all analytes). Serum IgG, IgM, IgA and nAb correlated positively (R2 = 0.937, R2 = 0.839, R2 = 0.939 and R2 = 0.501, p < 0.001, respectively) with those measured in dried blood spot samples collected using the hemaPEN® microsampling device (Trajan Scientific and Medical, Victoria, Australia). In vitro SARS-CoV-2 pseudotype neutralization correlated positively with the solid phase nAb signals in convalescent donors (R2 = 0.458, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The assay is applicable in efficacy studies, infection monitoring and postmarketing surveillance following vaccine rollout.
Specific support needs and experiences of carers of people with frontotemporal dementia: A systematic review

Introduction Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the most common types of dementia in persons younger than 65 years of age. Diagnosis is often delayed due to slow, gradual decline and misinterpretation of ‘non-typical’ dementia symptoms. Informal carers of people with FTD experience greater levels of overall burden than carers of people with other forms of dementia. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the subjective experience of being an informal carer of a person with FTD and to identify the specific needs, coping strategies and helpful support resources of this carer population. Methods Four electronic databases were used to search for published literature presenting experiences of carers of people with FTD between January 2003 and July 2019. Search strategy followed PRISMA guidelines. Findings were analysed using framework analysis, employing five stages of analysis to develop a coding index and thematic framework that included key aspects of the carer experience, which were grouped into themes and presented in a narrative format. Results 1213 articles were identified in total. Twelve studies were included in the final synthesis of the review. Six themes were identified: ‘Challenging road to and receipt of diagnosis’, ‘relationship change and loss’, ‘challenging experiences in caring’, ‘positive experiences and resilience’, ‘coping’ and ‘support needs’. Discussion Findings highlight an increased need for carers of people with FTD to receive support during the pre-diagnostic stage, including support to manage symptoms. Further research should explore relationship changes and loss amongst carers to inform approaches for carer support. In conclusion, the lack of knowledge and unique needs of carers highlight the importance of public awareness campaigns and healthcare professional education to support carers with FTD symptom impact.