Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Therapeutic Potential of Antioxidants in Denervation- or Fasting-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs under various conditions, such as disuse, denervation, fasting, aging, and various diseases. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood, skeletal muscle atrophy is closely associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of ROS in skeletal muscle atrophy from the perspective of gene regulation, and further examine therapeutic effects of antioxidants on skeletal muscle atrophy. Microarray data showed that the gene expression of many positive regulators for ROS production were up-regulated and the gene expression of many negative regulators for ROS production were down-regulated in mouse soleus muscle atrophied by denervation (sciatic nerve injury). The ROS level was significantly increased in denervated mouse soleus muscle or fasted C2C12 myotubes that had suffered from fasting (nutrient deprivation). These two muscle samples were then treated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, a clinically used antioxidant) or pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ, a naturally occurring antioxidant), respectively. As compared to non-treatment, both NAC and PQQ treatment (1) reversed the increase in the ROS level in two muscle samples; (2) attenuated the reduction in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of denervated mouse muscle or in the diameter of fasted C2C12 myotube; (3) increased the myosin heavy chain (MHC) level and decreased the muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle-specific RING finger-1 (MuRF-1) levels in two muscle samples. Collectively, these results suggested that an increased ROS level was, at least partly, responsible for denervation- or fasting-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, and antioxidants might resist the atrophic effect via ROS-related mechanisms.
Chemical Sensing Applications of ZnO Nanomaterials

Recent advancement in nanoscience and nanotechnology has witnessed numerous triumphs of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials due to their various exotic and multifunctional properties and wide applications. As a remarkable and functional material, ZnO has attracted extensive scientific and technological attention, as it combines different properties such as high specific surface area, biocompatibility, electrochemical activities, chemical and photochemical stability, high-electron communicating features, non-toxicity, ease of syntheses, and so on. Because of its various interesting properties, ZnO nanomaterials have been used for various applications ranging from electronics to optoelectronics, sensing to biomedical and environmental applications. Further, due to the high electrochemical activities and electron communication features, ZnO nanomaterials are considered as excellent candidates for electrochemical sensors. The present review meticulously introduces the current advancements of ZnO nanomaterial-based chemical sensors. Various operational factors such as the effect of size, morphologies, compositions and their respective working mechanisms along with the selectivity, sensitivity, detection limit, stability, etc., are discussed in this article.
Performance Evaluation for Dense Sparse Matrix Product Algorithms

In optimizing the dense-sparse matrix product (DSMP), we study different versions of the algorithm relative to the compressed formats DNS, CSR and COO. Our aim is (i) first, to choose the best optimizations which improve the algorithm performances, (ii) second, to select the best format which provides the best running time. Our work is validated through a series of experiments achieved on a set of dense and sparse matrices with different sizes and densities.
A Modular Dynamic Sensorimotor Model for Affordances Learning, Sequences Planning, and Tool-Use

This paper proposes a computational model for learning robot control and sequence planning based on the ideomotor principle. This model encodes covariation laws between sensors and motors in a modular fashion and exploits these primitive skills to build complex action sequences, potentially involving tool-use. Implemented for a robotic arm, the model starts with raw unlabeled sensor and motor vectors and autonomously assigns functions to neutral objects in the environment. Our experimental evaluation highlights the emergent properties of such a modular system and we discuss their consequences from ideomotor and sensorimotor-theoretic perspectives.
COMPONENTS OF QUANTITATIVE RESISTANCE TO DOWNY MILDEW (PLASMOPARA HALSTEDII) IN SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS)

Components of quantitative resistance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to Plasmopara halstedii, the pathogen causing downy mildew, were investigated. Percentage infection, latent period, sporulation density and reduction of hypocotyl length were compared on two sunflower lines showing different levels of quantitative resistance in the field infected with different P. halstedii strains of races 100, 300, 710 and 714 in controlled conditions. The inbred line BT, rather susceptible in the field, showed a higher percentage infection, a higher sporulation density, a shorter latent period and less reduced hypocotyl length than inbred line FU, which showed a greater resistance in the field. The very good resistance of inbred line FU observed in the field was confirmed by the measurements of quantitative resistance criteria described in this study. Percentage infection of FU was 1.4% less than BT, latent period of BT was 12.4% less than FU, sporulation density of FU was 22.3% less than BT and reduced hypocotyl length of BT was 15.3% less than FU. It seems that the criteria such as latent period, sporulation density and reduction of hypocotyl length may be used to measure quantita- tive resistance in sunflower to P. halstedii.
Paternal age: Negative impact on sperm genome decays and IVF outcomes after 40 years

This study assessed sperm quality declining on relation to paternal age and its impact on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in order to estimate the APA (Advanced Paternal Age) cutoff. For this, 83 couples undergoing IVF treatment for male factor infertility were enrolled. The women age was ≤39 years, whereas the men were divided in two groups: APA (n = 41; age ≥ 40 years) and young (Y) (n = 42; age < 40 years). Conventional semen parameters (volume, concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology) were analyzed in the collected sperm samples. Furthermore, sperm genome decays (SGD) was assessed by TUNEL assay (DNA fragmentation), aniline blue staining (chromatin decondensation), and fluorescent in situ hybridization (aneuploidy). No significant difference was found concerning the conventional semen parameters between APA and Y groups. Conversely, SGD analysis showed increased DNA fragmentation; chromatin decondensation and sperm aneuploidy rates in the APA group (respectively, 41%, 43%, and 14% vs. 25%, 23%, and 4% in Y group). IVF outcomes also were affected by paternal age as indicated by the rates of cancelled embryo transfers, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage in the two groups APA and Y (29%, 17%, and 60% vs. 10%, 32%, and 42%). Finally, statistical analysis of the results suggests that the age of 40 should be considered as the APA cutoff during ART attempts.
Analyzing Effect of Edge Computing on Reduction of Web Response Time

Modern webpages consist of many rich objects dynamically produced by servers and client terminals at diverse locations, so we face an increase in web response time. To reduce the time, edge computing, in which dynamic objects are generated and delivered from edge nodes, is effective. For ISPs and CDN providers, it is desirable to estimate the effect of reducing the web response time when introducing edge computing. Therefore, in this paper, we derive a simple formula that estimates the lower bound of the reduction of the response time by modeling flows obtaining objects of webpages. We investigate the effect of edge computing in each webpage category, e.g., News and Sports, using data measured by browsing about 1,000 popular webpages from 12 locations in the world on PlanetLab.
Mandatory Provider Review And Pain Clinic Laws Reduce The Amounts Of Opioids Prescribed And Overdose Death Rates.

To address the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States, states have implemented policies to reduce inappropriate opioid prescribing. These policies could affect the coincident heroin overdose epidemic by either driving the substitution of heroin for opioids or reducing simultaneous use of both substances. We used IMS Health's National Prescription Audit and government mortality data to examine the effect of these policies on opioid prescribing and on prescription opioid and heroin overdose death rates in the United States during 2006-13. The analysis revealed that combined implementation of mandated provider review of state-run prescription drug monitoring program data and pain clinic laws reduced opioid amounts prescribed by 8 percent and prescription opioid overdose death rates by 12 percent. We also observed relatively large but statistically insignificant reductions in heroin overdose death rates after implementation of these policies. This combination of policies was effective, but broader approaches to address these coincident epidemics are needed.
The human milk microbiome changes over lactation and is shaped by maternal weight and mode of delivery.

BACKGROUND Breast milk is recognized as the most important postpartum element in metabolic and immunologic programming of health of neonates. The factors influencing the milk microbiome and the potential impact of microbes on infant health have not yet been uncovered. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to identify pre- and postnatal factors that can potentially influence the bacterial communities inhabiting human milk. DESIGN We characterized the milk microbial community at 3 different time points by pyrosequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in mothers (n = 18) who varied in BMI, weight gain, and mode of delivery. RESULTS We found that the human milk microbiome changes over lactation. Weisella, Leuconostoc, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Lactococcus were predominant in colostrum samples, whereas in 1- and 6-mo milk samples the typical inhabitants of the oral cavity (eg, Veillonella, Leptotrichia, and Prevotella) increased significantly. Milk from obese mothers tended to contain a different and less diverse bacterial community compared with milk from normal-weight mothers. Milk samples from elective but not from nonelective mothers who underwent cesarean delivery contained a different bacterial community than did milk samples from individuals giving birth by vaginal delivery, suggesting that it is not the operation per se but rather the absence of physiological stress or hormonal signals that could influence the microbial transmission process to milk. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that milk bacteria are not contaminants and suggest that the milk microbiome is influenced by several factors that significantly skew its composition. Because bacteria present in breast milk are among the very first microbes entering the human body, our data emphasize the necessity to understand the biological role that the milk microbiome could potentially play for human health.
Genomic DNA methylation decreases in response to moderate folate depletion in elderly women.

BACKGROUND Methylation of genomic DNA is dependent on an adequate supply of folate coenzymes. Previous data support the hypothesis that abnormal DNA methylation plays an integral role in carcinogenesis. To date, no studies assessing the effect of inadequate folate status on DNA methylation in older women (aged >63 y) have been reported. OBJECTIVE The effect of moderate folate depletion followed by folate repletion on leukocyte genomic DNA methylation was investigated in elderly women (aged 60-85 y) to evaluate whether DNA methylation could be used as a functional indicator of folate status. DESIGN Healthy, postmenopausal women (n = 33) consumed a moderately folate-depleted diet (118 microg folate/d) for 7 wk, followed by 7 wk of folate repletion with 200 or 415 microg/d, each provided as 2 different dietary treatments for a total of 4 treatment groups (n = 30). Leukocyte DNA methylation was determined on the basis of the ability of DNA to incorporate [(3)H]methyl groups from labeled S:-adenosylmethionine in an in vitro assay. RESULTS Incorporation of [(3)H]methyl groups increased significantly (P: = 0.0025) in response to folate depletion, suggesting undermethylation of DNA. No significant changes were detected in [(3)H]methyl incorporation in any group over the 7-wk repletion period compared with postdepletion values. CONCLUSIONS DNA methylation status may be used as a functional indicator of moderately depleted folate status. The slow response to the repletion diets observed suggests that normalization of DNA methylation after moderate folate depletion may be delayed in older women.
Diagnosis is driven by probabilistic reasoning: counter-point

Abstract Uncertainty is involved in each and every step of the diagnostic process. Trying to eliminate doubt altogether is too costly, is likely to fail, and may lead to patient harm. Acknowledging this, the threshold approach aims to optimize diagnosis-making by adopting the explicit use of probability estimates and by discouraging the pursuit of 100% certainty. Yet physicians are affected by cognitive biases which compromise their probabilistic reasoning and may lead to unreliable estimates. Health informatics tools helping to overcome human limitations by empowering physicians to handle probabilities are needed to increase the efficiency of diagnostic process.
Air‐Stable and High‐Performance Solution‐Processed Organic Light‐Emitting Devices Based on Hydrophobic Polymeric Ionic Liquid Carrier‐Injection Layers

A lot of research, mostly using electron‐injection layers (EILs) composed of alkali‐metal compounds has been reported with a view to increase the efficiency of solution‐processed organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs). However, these materials have intractable properties, such as a strong affinity for moisture, which cause the degradation of OLEDs. Consequently, optimal EIL materials should exhibit high electron‐injection efficiency as well as be stable in air. In this study, polymer light‐emitting devices (PLEDs) based on the commonly used yellow‐fluorescence‐emitting polymer F8BT, which utilize poly(diallyldimethylammonium)‐based polymeric ionic liquids, are experimentally and analytically investigated. As a result, the optimized PLED employing an EIL comprising poly(diallyldimethylammonium) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (poly(DDA)TFSI), which is expected to display good moisture resistance because of water repellency of fluorocarbon groups, exhibits excellent storage stability in air and electroluminescence performance with a low turn‐on voltage of 2.01 V, maximum external quantum efficiency of 9.00%, current efficiency of 30.1 cd A−1, and power efficiency of 32.4 lm W−1. The devices with poly(DDA)TFSI show one of the highest efficiencies as compared to the reported standard PLEDs. Moreover, poly(DDA)TFSI is applied as a hole‐injection layer (HIL). The optimized PLED using poly(DDA)TFSI as the HIL exhibits performances comparable to those of a device that uses a conventional poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxy‐thiophene):poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) HIL.
Differences in clinicopathological characteristics and computed tomography findings between signet ring cell carcinoma and nonsignet ring cell carcinoma in early and advanced gastric cancer

Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) of the stomach is a histological type based on microscopic characteristics. SRC's clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis are still controversial. Our study is to describe the clinicopathological features and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of patients with SRC of the stomach in comparison with nonsignet ring cell adenocarcinoma (NSRC). We retrospectively analyzed data from 241 patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy, including 62 SRC and 179 NSRC. Clinicopathological outcomes and MDCT findings were evaluated, and we investigated whether these variables were correlated with histopathological type. In early gastric carcinoma, patients with SRC were younger (50.2 vs. 60.2 years; P = 0.000) and more likely to be observed in the middle and lower third stomach (P = 0.010). Early SRC had a tendency to be confined to the mucosa (82.1%). There were significant differences in degree of enhancement between early SRC and NSRC on MDCT imaging (P < 0.001). In advanced gastric carcinoma, SRC was more likely to be stage T3‐4 (100%). SRC patients had thicker tumors (P = 0.001) and a higher frequency of diffusely infiltrative gross appearance (P < 0.001). SRC was more likely to have high‐degree contrast enhancement than were NSRC (P = 0.001). The maximal diameter of SRC tumor on MDCT imaging correlated with lymph node metastasis (sensitivity 93.9%, specificity 74.1%) and serosal invasion (sensitivity 89.5%, specificity 78.0%) of SRC. In conclusion, SRC differs significantly from NSRC in clinicopathological features at presentation. MDCT could help differentiate advanced gastric SRC from NSRC based on the thickened stomach wall, high‐degree contrast enhancement, and a higher frequency of diffusely infiltrative gross appearance, particularly in combination.
Pilot reduction techniques for sparse channel estimation in massive MIMO systems

The current high gain frequency division duplex (FDD) Massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) systems pose several challenges to carry out the downlink beamforming. Specifically, downlink beamforming requires a channel estimation that usually needs long training and feedback overhead, scaling with the number of antennas at the base station (BS). We exploit compressive sensing (CS) techniques to accurately estimate the channel, while assuring overhead reduction which is proportional to the sparsity level of the channel. The sparse virtual channel representation is obtained through the proposed dictionary design, which is more flexible, robust and able to estimate the cell characteristics. We specifically focus on massive MIMO-Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems that show more robustness to multipath fading, and analyze several CS algorithms to select among them the best technique with the proposed dictionary design. Numerical results demonstrate that greedy solutions approach the basic pursuit bound with lower complexity and consequent shorter training period. The normalized hard thresholding pursuit (NHTP) technique is the greedy algorithm with the best performance complexity trade-off.
Neuromuscular training reduces lower limb injuries in elite female basketball players. A cluster randomized controlled trial

The study was a two‐armed, parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial in which 15 teams (160 players) were assigned to either an experimental group (EG, 8 teams n = 86), which warmed‐up with bodyweight neuromuscular exercises, or a control group (CG, 7 teams, n = 74) that performed standard tactical‐technical exercises before training. All injuries during the 2015‐2016 regular season were counted. Epidemiologic incidence proportion and incidence rate were also calculated. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and composite Y‐Excursion Balance test (YBT) were used to assess lower limb strength and postural control. A total of 111 injuries were recorded. Chi‐square test detected statistically significant differences between EG and CG (32 vs 79, P = .006). Significant differences in the injuries sustained in the EG (21 vs 11, P = .024) and CG (52 vs 27, P = .0001) during training and matches, respectively, were observed. Significant differences in post‐intervention injuries were observed between in EG and CG during training (21 vs 52, P < .0001) and matches (11 vs 27, P = .006). Significant differences in epidemiologic incidence (0.37 vs 1.07, P = .023) and incidence rate (1.66 vs 4.69, P = .012) between the EG and the CG were found. Significant improvement in CMJ (+9.4%, P < .0001; d = 1.2) and composite YBT (right: +4.4%, P = .001, d = 1.0; left: +3.0%, P = .003; d = 0.8) for the EG was noted. Significant differences in post‐intervention CMJ (+5.9%, P = .004) and composite YBT scores (right, +3.7%, P = .012; left, +2.3%, P = .007) between the EG and the CG were observed. Including bodyweight neuromuscular training into warm‐up routines reduced the incidence of serious lower limb injuries in elite female basketball players.
Caenorhabditis elegans HIM-18/SLX-4 Interacts with SLX-1 and XPF-1 and Maintains Genomic Integrity in the Germline by Processing Recombination Intermediates

Homologous recombination (HR) is essential for the repair of blocked or collapsed replication forks and for the production of crossovers between homologs that promote accurate meiotic chromosome segregation. Here, we identify HIM-18, an ortholog of MUS312/Slx4, as a critical player required in vivo for processing late HR intermediates in Caenorhabditis elegans. DNA damage sensitivity and an accumulation of HR intermediates (RAD-51 foci) during premeiotic entry suggest that HIM-18 is required for HR–mediated repair at stalled replication forks. A reduction in crossover recombination frequencies—accompanied by an increase in HR intermediates during meiosis, germ cell apoptosis, unstable bivalent attachments, and subsequent chromosome nondisjunction—support a role for HIM-18 in converting HR intermediates into crossover products. Such a role is suggested by physical interaction of HIM-18 with the nucleases SLX-1 and XPF-1 and by the synthetic lethality of him-18 with him-6, the C. elegans BLM homolog. We propose that HIM-18 facilitates processing of HR intermediates resulting from replication fork collapse and programmed meiotic DSBs in the C. elegans germline.
Association of innate defense proteins BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 with disease severity in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs caused by the inhalation of noxious particles and gases. The airway epithelium has a protective function against these harmful agents by maintaining a physical barrier and by secreting defensive proteins, such as bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold-containing (BPIF) proteins, BPIFA1 and BPIFB1. However, inconsistent data regarding BPIFA1 expression in smokers and COPD patients have been reported to date. Therefore, we investigated the expression of BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 in a large cohort of never-smokers and smokers with and without COPD, both on the messenger RNA (mRNA) level in lung tissue and on the protein level in airway epithelium. Furthermore, we examined the correlation between BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 levels, goblet cell hyperplasia, and lung function measurements. BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in stage III–IV COPD patients compared with stage II COPD patients and subjects without COPD. In addition, protein levels in COPD patients were significantly increased in comparison with subjects without COPD. BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 levels were inversely correlated with measurements of airflow limitation and positively correlated with goblet cell hyperplasia. In addition, by the use of immunofluorescence double staining, we demonstrated the expression of BPIFB1 in goblet cells. In conclusion, we show that BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 levels are elevated in COPD patients and correlate with disease severity.