Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple effects of probiotics on different types of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Abstract Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the effect of probiotics on diabetes and its associated risk factors. Methods: We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science to June 2016. We also hand-searched the citation lists of included studies and previously identified systematic reviews to identify further relevant trials. Our primary outcome variables included glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin. The pooled standardized mean difference was used to compare the effect between the probiotics and controlled groups, and the pooled standardized mean difference effect size with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q and Higgins I2 tests. Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data independently. The analysis and bias for each included study was performed and assessed using Review Manager 5.2. Results: Eighteen randomized, placebo-controlled studies (n=1056 participants, 527 consuming probiotics, 529 not consuming probiotics) were included for analysis. Comparing the probiotics groups with the control groups, there were statistically significant pooled standardized mean differences on the reduction of glucose (−0.61, 95% CI −0.98, −0.24; p=0.001), insulin (−0.49, 95% CI −0.93, −0.04; p=0.03) and HbA1c (−0.39, 95% CI −0.60, −0.19%; p=0.0001). Subgroup analysis also indicated statistical significance on the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in non-type 2 diabetes (non-T2DM) mellitus patients with diabetes, for the pooled standardized mean difference was −0.29 (95% CI −0.54, −0.04; p=0.02). Conclusions: Probiotics may have beneficial effects on the reduction of glucose, insulin and HbA1c for diabetes, especially for T2DM mellitus patients.
Effect of nano-silica on microstructure formation of low-cost geopolymer binder

Abstract Influence of Nano-SiO2 (NS) addition on properties of Geopolymer materials has been studied through measurement of physicomechanical and morphological characteristics of the hardened specimens. Alumino–silicate materials are water-cooled slag, albite, kaolin, and metakaoline. Materials were prepared at water/binder ratios in a range of 0.244:0.320 for water-cooled slag based materials, while it increased to 0.46 for albite-based mixes, whereas the used activator sodium hydroxide is 10 wt. %. The control geopolymer mix has been composed of water-cooled slag, metakaoline, and kaolin in the ratio of (4:2:1). Albite used for comparison with slag to demonstrates the possibility of producing lightweight geopolymer binder. Nano-silica was added in the range from 0:3% from the total weight with 0.5% increment. Results indicated that, compressive strengths of geopolymer mixes incorporating NS were obviously higher than those of control one, specially at early ages as well as up on using 2.5% NS with the lowest percentage of water absorption; also uses of albite instead of slag results in formation of light binder with promising mechanical characteristics.
Demodex and rosacea: Is there a relationship?

Purpose: The objective of the study is to compare the frequency of Demodex on the eyelash follicle of patients with rosacea and referents without rosacea or ophthalmological disorders. Methods: This is a comparative, open, observational, and cross-sectional study that included 41 patients diagnosed with rosacea and 41 referents without rosacea diagnosis or ophthalmic alterations. The individuals underwent a slit-lamp examination in which two eyelashes per eyelid were removed with fine forceps. The presence of Demodex was sought by direct visualization under a light microscope. The results were expressed as “positive” when at least one mite on one lash was found and “negative” when no mite was identified. Chi-square test was used to compare the presence of mites in both groups. Results: Eighty-two study individuals (45 females and 37 males) were included, of which 41 patients were diagnosed with rosacea and 41 were without rosacea or ophthalmic alterations. The average mean age was 37 years with a minimum of 19 and a maximum of 87 years. Of the 41 patients with rosacea, 31 had erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and 10 had papulopustular rosacea. There were no patients with phymatous or ocular rosacea. The presence of Demodex was found in 32 patients: 24 patients with rosacea diagnosis (16 of the erythematotelangiectatic subtype and 8 of papulopustular subtype) and 8 patients without rosacea or ophthalmic alterations (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Rosacea was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for Demodex infestation in eyelashes, irrespective of age and sex, with a higher prevalence in papulopustular variety.
Brassinosteroids participate in the control of basal and acquired freezing tolerance of plants

Significance Cold stress is an influential environmental factor that affects plant distribution and can strongly limit crop productivity. Plants have evolved sophisticated signaling cascades that enable them to withstand chilling or even freezing temperatures. These cascades alter the biochemical composition of cells for protection from damage caused by low-temperature stress. In addition, cold stress has a profound impact on plant morphologies, causing growth repression and reduced yields. In this work we reveal that the brassinosteroids, a class of steroid hormones that is known for its role in growth control, also confers freezing tolerance in plants and describe regulatory circuits that contribute to this activity. Implications for the breeding of cold-resistant plants are discussed. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are growth-promoting plant hormones that play a role in abiotic stress responses, but molecular modes that enable this activity remain largely unknown. Here we show that BRs participate in the regulation of freezing tolerance. BR signaling-defective mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana were hypersensitive to freezing before and after cold acclimation. The constitutive activation of BR signaling, in contrast, enhanced freezing resistance. Evidence is provided that the BR-controlled basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor CESTA (CES) can contribute to the constitutive expression of the C-REPEAT/DEHYDRATION-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTOR (CBF) transcriptional regulators that control cold responsive (COR) gene expression. In addition, CBF-independent classes of BR-regulated COR genes are identified that are regulated in a BR- and CES-dependent manner during cold acclimation. A model is presented in which BRs govern different cold-responsive transcriptional cascades through the posttranslational modification of CES and redundantly acting factors. This contributes to the basal resistance against freezing stress, but also to the further improvement of this resistance through cold acclimation.
Synthesis of SnSb2Te4 Microplatelets by High-energy Ball Milling

In this work we demonstrate that high-energy ball milling process can be used to synthesize SnSb2Te4 without surfactant and further annealing. Milling parameters such as ball to raw material ratio (5:1) and milling time (2h) were determined to be suitable for synthesizing microplatelets of SnSb2Te4. The powders after milling for various durations were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electrical resistance measurements.
Regional differences in effects of 4-aminopyridine within the sinoatrial node.

4-Aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive transient outward current ( I to) has been observed in the sinoatrial node, but its role is unknown. The effect of block of I to by 5 mM 4-AP on small ball-like tissue preparations (diameter ∼0.3-0.4 mm) from different regions of the rabbit sinoatrial node has been investigated. 4-AP elevated the plateau, prolonged the action potential, and decreased the maximum diastolic potential. Effects were greater in tissue from the periphery of the node than from the center. In peripheral tissue, 4-AP abolished the action potential notch, if present. 4-AP slowed pacemaker activity of peripheral tissue but accelerated that of central tissue. Differences in the response to 4-AP were also observed between tissue from more superior and inferior regions of the node. In the intact sinoatrial node, 4-AP resulted in a shift of the leading pacemaker site consistent with the regional differences in the response to 4-AP. It is concluded that 4-AP-sensitive outward current plays a major role in action potential repolarization and pacemaker activity in the sinoatrial node and that its role varies regionally.
Neural Response After a Single ECT Session During Retrieval of Emotional Self-Referent Words in Depression: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled fMRI Study

Abstract Background Negative neurocognitive bias is a core feature of depression that is reversed by antidepressant drug treatment. However, it is unclear whether modulation of neurocognitive bias is a common mechanism of distinct biological treatments. This randomized controlled functional magnetic resonance imaging study explored the effects of a single electroconvulsive therapy session on self-referent emotional processing. Methods Twenty-nine patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder were randomized to one active or sham electroconvulsive therapy session at the beginning of their electroconvulsive therapy course in a double-blind, between-groups design. The following day, patients were given a self-referential emotional word categorization test and a free recall test. This was followed by an incidental word recognition task during whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3T. Mood was assessed at baseline, on the functional magnetic resonance imaging day, and after 6 electroconvulsive therapy sessions. Data were complete and analyzed for 25 patients (electroconvulsive therapy: n = 14, sham: n = 11). The functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed using the FMRIB Software Library randomize algorithm, and the Threshold-Free Cluster Enhancement method was used to identify significant clusters (corrected at P < .05). Results A single electroconvulsive therapy session had no effect on hippocampal activity during retrieval of emotional words. However, electroconvulsive therapy reduced the retrieval-specific neural response for positive words in the left frontopolar cortex. This effect occurred in the absence of differences between groups in behavioral performance or mood symptoms. Conclusions The observed effect of electroconvulsive therapy on prefrontal response may reflect early facilitation of memory for positive self-referent information, which could contribute to improvements in depressive symptoms including feelings of self-worth with repeated treatments.
NAA80 is actin’s N-terminal acetyltransferase and regulates cytoskeleton assembly and cell motility

Significance More than 80% of human proteins are N-terminal (Nt)–acetylated during translation. In contrast, actin, the most abundant protein in the cytoplasm of animal cells, is Nt-acetylated posttranslationally and following a unique multistep mechanism that has remained poorly characterized. Here, we describe the discovery of actin’s N-terminal acetyltransferase (NAT), NAA80. We further demonstrate that actin Nt-acetylation plays essential roles in filament assembly, cytoskeleton organization, and cell motility, resulting in a net increase in the ratio of monomeric to filamentous actin and fewer lamellipodia and filopodia. These effects converge to reduce cell hypermotility. This work establishes the role of Nt-acetylation for the most abundant cytoskeletal protein in animals and reveals a NAT acting posttranslationally and on a single dedicated substrate. Actin, one of the most abundant proteins in nature, participates in countless cellular functions ranging from organelle trafficking and pathogen motility to cell migration and regulation of gene transcription. Actin’s cellular activities depend on the dynamic transition between its monomeric and filamentous forms, a process exquisitely regulated in cells by a large number of actin-binding and signaling proteins. Additionally, several posttranslational modifications control the cellular functions of actin, including most notably N-terminal (Nt)-acetylation, a prevalent modification throughout the animal kingdom. However, the biological role and mechanism of actin Nt-acetylation are poorly understood, and the identity of actin’s N-terminal acetyltransferase (NAT) has remained a mystery. Here, we reveal that NAA80, a suggested NAT enzyme whose substrate specificity had not been characterized, is Nt-acetylating actin. We further show that actin Nt-acetylation plays crucial roles in cytoskeletal assembly in vitro and in cells. The absence of Nt-acetylation leads to significant differences in the rates of actin filament depolymerization and elongation, including elongation driven by formins, whereas filament nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex is mostly unaffected. NAA80-knockout cells display severely altered cytoskeletal organization, including an increase in the ratio of filamentous to globular actin, increased filopodia and lamellipodia formation, and accelerated cell motility. Together, the results demonstrate NAA80’s role as actin’s NAT and reveal a crucial role for actin Nt-acetylation in the control of cytoskeleton structure and dynamics.
Production of ultrafine particles during concrete fracture

Dust particles produced during construction activities have a significant impact on the air quality of urban environments, particularly in the growing number of megacities in the world. While it is known that the fracture and crushing of concrete gives rise to large quantities of dust, it is not that well known that this process also produces ultrafine particles. Kumar et al (2012) observed that over 90% of the particles by number produced during concrete recycling activities were in the ultrafine size range. This is of concern as these small particles can penetrate deeper into the human lungs and therefore have a greater impact on health than coarser particles (Oberdorster et al., 2005).
Neural indicators of interpersonal anger as cause and consequence of combat training stress symptoms

Background Angry outbursts are an important feature of various stress-related disorders, and commonly lead to aggression towards other people. Findings regarding interpersonal anger have linked the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to anger regulation and the locus coeruleus (LC) to aggression. Both regions were previously associated with traumatic and chronic stress symptoms, yet it is unclear if their functionality represents a consequence of, or possibly also a cause for, stress symptoms. Here we investigated the relationship between the neural trajectory of these indicators of anger and the development and manifestation of stress symptoms. Method A total of 46 males (29 soldiers, 17 civilians) participated in a prospective functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment in which they played a modified interpersonal anger-provoking Ultimatum Game (UG) at two-points. Soldiers were tested at the beginning and end of combat training, while civilians were tested at the beginning and end of civil service. We assumed that combat training would induce chronic stress and result in increased stress symptoms. Results Soldiers showed an increase in stress symptoms following combat training while civilians showed no such change following civil service. All participants were angered by the modified UG irrespective of time point. Higher post-combat training stress symptoms were associated with lower pre-combat training vmPFC activation and with higher activation increase in the LC between pre- and post-combat training. Conclusions Results suggest that during anger-provoking social interactions, flawed vmPFC functionality may serve as a causal risk factor for the development of stress symptoms, and heightened reactivity of the LC possibly reflects a consequence of stress-inducing combat training. These findings provide potential neural targets for therapeutic intervention and inoculation for stress-related psychopathological manifestations of anger.
Personalized recommendation via rank aggregation in social tagging systems

This paper presents how to exploit rank aggregation approach to make personalized recommendation in social tagging systems. For this, some basic methods based on different principles and features, such as user-based collaborative filtering (CF), graph-based method and social-based CF are first introduced. Then, we specially adjust and optimize these methods to produce better results. Then, we exploit rank aggregation approaches to integrate these basic models to form hybrid recommenders. We experiment our methods on Lastfm dataset. And by solid experiments, our proposed hybrid models achieve optimal recommendation accuracy leveraged by the superiority of sub-models.
Smartphone-Based, Momentary Intervention for Alcohol Cravings Amongst Individuals With an Alcohol Use Disorder

Smartphone-based alcohol interventions represent an innovative strategy for providing in-the-moment intervention to individuals with an alcohol use disorder. While early research into their overall effectiveness is promising, little is known about the efficacy of specific intervention tools in reducing drinking subsequent to a cued craving. This study examined the influence of smartphone-delivered in-the-moment coping strategies on drinking after experiencing a craving among participants utilizing the Location-Based Monitoring and Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorders (LBMI-A). The LBMI-A was utilized by 28 adults (18 to 45 years old) who met criteria for an alcohol use disorder and were interested in changing their drinking. Participants utilized the system for 6 weeks and responded to a daily interview of craving, type of LBMI-A coping strategy utilized in response, and whether or not they subsequently drank. Mixed model analyses of 744 total observations revealed that craving cue type, craving strength, and coping strategies were significantly related to drinking in response to a craving. Results suggested that coping strategies delivered by the LBMI-A (i.e., listening to an urge surfing audio file, viewing reasons for changing drinking) were superior to using a non-LBMI-A strategy. Simple contrast analyses indicated that cues related to being around alcohol and time of day were the most potent elicitors of subsequent drinking. Results suggest smartphone-delivered coping strategies for alcohol cravings are effective in reducing craving cued drinking and that craving cues related to drinking environments and drinking times of day represent fruitful areas of intervention focus.
Advances in understanding the role of disease-associated proteins in spinal muscular atrophy

ABSTRACT Introduction: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by alpha motor neuron loss in the spinal cord due to reduced survival motor neuron (SMN) protein level. While the genetic basis of SMA is well described, the specific molecular pathway underlying SMA is still not fully understood. Areas covered: This review discusses the recent advancements in understanding the molecular pathways in SMA using different omics approaches and genetic modifiers identified in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. The findings that are summarized in this article were deduced from original articles and reviews with a particular focus on the latest advancements in the field. Expert commentary: The identification of genetic modifiers such as PLS3 and NCALD in humans or of SMA modulators such as Elavl4 (HuD), Copa, Uba1, Mapk10 (Jnk3), Nrxn2 and Tmem41b (Stasimon) in various SMA animal models improved our knowledge of impaired cellular pathways in SMA. Inspiration from modifier genes and their functions in motor neuron and neuromuscular junctions may open a new avenue for future SMA combinatorial therapies.
Demographic Stochasticity and Social Mating System in the Process of Extinction of Small Populations: The Case of Passerines Introduced to New Zealand

Underlying the many causes of extinction of small populations is the random fate of each constituent individual or, in other words, demographic stochasticity. Demographic stochasticity is inherent to any demographic process, regardless of the environment, and its strength increases as population size gets smaller. In particular, random fluctuations in the proportion of males and females and the way they pair for reproduction (i.e., the social mating system) are usually neglected. To assess the potential importance of demographic stochasticity to the extinction process, a two‐sex model with an explicit mating system was built. Extinction probabilities computed via Monte Carlo simulation were compared to real data, the case of passerines introduced to New Zealand a century ago. This minimal model of extinction allowed assessment of the importance of the mating system in the colonization process. Monogamous mating led to a higher extinction risk than did polygynous mating. Demographic uncertainty imposes high extinction probabilities on short‐lived bird species as compared to long‐lived bird species. Theoretical results for two‐sex models are provided.
Effect of dietary protein on translation initiation in rat skeletal muscle and liver.

The effect of dietary protein on the initiation of mRNA translation was examined in rats starved for 18 h and then fed isocaloric diets containing either 20% protein (20P) or no added protein (0P). Feeding the 20P diet, but not the 0P diet, stimulated protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and liver by 38 and 41%, respectively. The stimulation was associated with reduced binding of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E to the translational repressor 4E-BP1, increased formation of the active eIF4E-eIF4G complex, and increased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. In contrast, feeding a 0P diet had no effect on any of these parameters. Feeding a 20P diet resulted in partial dephosphorylation of eIF4E in both tissues. In liver, refeeding a 0P diet also resulted in partial eIF4E dephosphorylation, suggesting that the phosphorylation state of eIF4E is not important in the stimulation of protein synthesis under these conditions. Finally, plasma insulin concentrations were the same in rats fed either diet (14.8 ± 4.9 vs. 15.5 ± 4.5 μU/ml for 20P and 0P groups, respectively), suggesting that feeding-induced changes in plasma insulin are not sufficient to stimulate protein synthesis. Instead, a combination of dietary protein and insulin may be required to stimulate translation initiation.
Pedestrian Attribute Recognition with Part-based CNN and Combined Feature Representations

In video surveillance, pedestrian attributes such as gender, clothing or hair types are useful cues to identify people. The main challenge in pedestrian attribute recognition is the large variation of visual appearance and location of attributes due to different poses and camera views. In this paper, we propose a neural network combining high-level learnt Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) features and low-level handcrafted features to address the problem of highly varying viewpoints. We first extract low-level robust Local Maximal Occurrence (LOMO) features and learn a body part-specific CNN to model attribute patterns related to different body parts. For small datasets which have few data, we propose a new learning strategy, where the CNN is pre-trained in a triplet structure on a person re-identification task and then fine-tuned on attribute recognition. Finally, we fuse the two feature representations to recognise pedestrian attributes. Our approach achieves state-of-the-art results on three public pedestrian attribute datasets.