Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fumonisin B1-Induced Changes in Cotton Fiber Elongation Revealed by Sphingolipidomics and Proteomics

Sphingolipids are essential biomolecules and membrane components, but their regulatory role in cotton fiber development is poorly understood. Here, we found that fumonisin B1 (FB1)—a sphingolipid synthesis inhibitor—could block fiber elongation severely. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we detected 95 sphingolipids that were altered by FB1 treatment; of these, 29 (mainly simple sphingolipids) were significantly increased, while 33 (mostly complex sphingolipids) were significantly decreased. A quantitative analysis of the global proteome, using an integrated quantitative approach with tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and LC-MS/MS, indicated the upregulation of 633 and the downregulation of 672 proteins after FB1 treatment. Most differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were involved in processes related to phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis. In addition, up to 20 peroxidases (POD) were found to be upregulated, and POD activity was also increased by the inhibitor. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effects of FB1 treatment on cotton fiber and ovule sphingolipidomics and proteomics. Our findings provide target metabolites and biological pathways for cotton fiber improvement.
Maternal Comfort with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People and Their Children's Drinking, Smoking, and Disordered Weight Control Behaviors as Adults.

Purpose: We investigated associations between maternal comfort with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people during the participant's adolescence and their health indicators in adulthood. Methods: Data came from a prospective cohort, Growing Up Today Study (N = 7476), limited to men and women who provided information during their adulthood about recent binge drinking, cigarette smoking, or disordered weight control behaviors (DWCB) and whose mothers provided information during the participant's adolescence about her comfort with LGB people. Results: Increased maternal comfort with LGB people was associated with increased engagement in health indicators for heterosexual but not sexual minority adults (binge drinking, cigarette smoking, and DWCB for women; binge drinking for men). No association existed between maternal comfort with LGB people and binge drinking or cigarette smoking for sexual minority women, and binge drinking for sexual minority men. This resulted in statistically smaller differences across sexual orientation in cigarette smoking for women when their mothers were highly comfortable with LGB people compared with those whose mothers were uncomfortable with LGB people. There were no differences in binge drinking (women and men) and DWCB (women only) across sexual orientation when mothers were highly comfortable with LGB people. Conclusion: Maternal comfort with LGB people is associated with certain sexual orientation-related disparities in health indicators through adulthood, due to increased engagement in health indicators by heterosexual adults. Exposure to sexual orientation stigma in adolescence, measured as maternal comfort with LGB people, possibly drives well-known differences in drinking, smoking, and DWCB during adulthood between heterosexual and sexual minority adults.
Use of author identifier services (ORCID, ResearcherID) and academic social networks (Academia.edu, ResearchGate) by the researchers of the University of Caen Normandy (France): A case study

The purpose of this paper was to assess the presence of researchers on two author identifier services (ORCID and ResearcherID) and to compare the results with two academic social networks (Academia.edu and ResearchGate) using the categories of discipline, career advancement, and gender in a medium sized multidisciplinary university in France (University of Caen Normandy). Metrics such as number of publications per researcher, h-indexes, and average number of citations were also assessed. Of the 1,047 researchers studied, 673 (64.3%) had at least one profile on the four sites, and the number of researchers having multiple profiles decreased as more sites were studied. Researchers with only one profile numbered 385 (36.8%), while 204 (19.5%) had two, 68 (6.5%) had three, and only 16 (1.5%) had four. ResearchGate had by far the highest number of researchers present, with 569 (54.3%), whereas presence on the other sites was about 15%. We found that, apart from Academia.edu, researchers in Sciences, Technology, and Medicine (STM) were over-represented. Overall, experienced male researchers were over-represented on the sites studied. Our results show that, because of the numerous profiles lacking publication references (particularly on ORCID) and a low presence of researchers on the four sites studied (except for ResearchGate), assessing the number of publications, h-indexes, or average number of citations per article of individuals or institutions remains challenging. Finally, our data showed that French researchers have not adopted the use of the two author identifier sites (i.e. ORCID and ResearcherID). As long as French researchers remain reticent, these sites will not be able to provide the services for which they were created: addressing the problem of author misidentification, consequently providing exhaustive access to scientific production and bibliometric indicators of individual researchers and their institutions.
Decellularized Extracellular Matrices and Cardiac Differentiation: Study on Human Amniotic Fluid-Stem Cells

Cell therapy with a variety of stem populations is increasingly being investigated as a promising regenerative strategy for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Their combination with adequate scaffolds represents an improved therapeutic approach. Recently, several biomaterials were investigated as scaffolds for CV tissue repair, with decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs) arousing increasing interest for cardiac tissue engineering applications. The aim of this study was to analyze whether dECMs support the cardiac differentiation of CardiopoieticAF stem cells. These perinatal stem cells, which can be easily isolated without ethical or safety limitations, display a high cardiac differentiative potential. Differentiation was previously achieved by culturing them on Matrigel, but this 3D scaffold is not transplantable. The identification of a new transplantable scaffold able to support CardiopoieticAF stem cell cardiac differentiation is pivotal prior to encouraging translation of in vitro studies in animal model preclinical investigations. Our data demonstrated that decellularized extracellular matrices already used in cardiac surgery (the porcine CorTMPATCH and the equine MatrixPatchTM) can efficiently support the proliferation and cardiac differentiation of CardiopoieticAF stem cells and represent a useful cellular scaffold to be transplanted with stem cells in animal hosts.
Combined effects of cisplatin and photon or proton irradiation in cultured cells: radiosensitization, patterns of cell death and cell cycle distribution

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to investigate the biological effects of protons and photons in combination with cisplatin in cultured cells and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for their combined effects. To evaluate the sensitizing effects of cisplatin against X-rays and proton beams in HSG, EMT6 and V79 cells, the combination index, a simple measure for quantifying synergism, was estimated from cell survival curves using software capable of performing the Monte Carlo calculation. Cell death and apoptosis were assessed using live cell fluorescence imaging. HeLa and HSG cells expressing the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator system (Fucci) were irradiated with X-rays and protons with cisplatin. Red and green fluorescence in the G1 and S/G2/M phases, respectively, were evaluated and changes in the cell cycle were assessed. The sensitizing effects of ≥1.5 μM cisplatin were observed for both X-ray and proton irradiation (P < 0.05). In the three cell lines, the average combination index was 0.82–1.00 for X-rays and 0.73–0.89 for protons, indicating stronger effects for protons. In time-lapse imaging, apoptosis markedly increased in the groups receiving ≥1.5 μM cisplatin + protons. The percentage of green S/G2/M phase cells at that time was higher when cisplatin was combined with proton beams than with X-rays (P < 0.05), suggesting more significant G2 arrest. Proton therapy plus ≥1.5 μM cisplatin is considered to be very effective. When combined with cisplatin, proton therapy appeared to induce greater apoptotic cell death and G2 arrest, which may partly account for the difference observed in the combined effects.
Allergic sensitisation in South Africa: Exploring regional variation in sensitisation.

BACKGROUND Allergy is a common health problem in South Africa (SA), and a rational approach to allergy testing is essential to ensure cost-effective as well as optimal patient diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVES To review allergy testing data with respect to current national testing recommendations, and to explore the regional variations in sensitisation. METHODS Retrospective data review on allergy testing from a private pathology provider in SA over a 2-year period. Data on skin-prick testing (SPT) and allergen-specific IgE testing originating from all the provinces of SA were collected and analysed with regards to allergen positivity rate and regional sensitisation patterns. RESULTS Among the patients (N=45 0320) tested for a suspected inhalant allergy, 46% tested positive. Only 45% of these received additional testing for the nine recommended inhalant allergens included in the current national testing protocol. Among the patients (N=6 775) who received SPT for a suspected inhalant allergy, 59% yielded one or more positive results. The most frequent sensitising allergens were house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and grass pollen. The house dust mite, Blomia tropicalis, was a significant sensitiser in coastal regions. SPT identified two other important regional allergens which are not included in the current recommendations for inhalant allergen-specific IgE testing. CONCLUSIONS The current diagnostic recommendations include allergens that demonstrate significant sensitisation in all regions of SA. Two additional allergens that show significant regional sensitisation in the South African population were identified. These findings may aid the recommendations for the most appropriate and cost-effective approach to allergy testing of symptomatic patients in SA.
Physical Activity Trajectories among Persons of Turkish Descent Living in Germany—A Cohort Study

Physical activity (PA) behavior is increasingly described as trajectories taking changes over a longer period into account. Little is known, however, about predictors of those trajectories among migrant populations. Therefore, the aim of the present cohort study was to describe changes of PA over six years and to explore migration-related and other predictors for different PA trajectories in adults of Turkish descent living in Berlin. At baseline (2011/2012) and after six years, sociodemographics, health behavior, and medical information were assessed. Four PA trajectories were defined using data of weekly PA from baseline and follow-up: “inactive”, “decreasing”, “increasing”, and “stable active”. Multivariable regression analyses were performed in order to determine predictors for the “stable active” trajectory, and results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). In this analysis, 197 people (60.9% women, mean age ± standard deviation 49.9 ± 12.8 years) were included. A total of 77.7% were first-generation migrants, and 50.5% had Turkish citizenship. The four PA trajectories differed regarding citizenship, preferred questionnaire language, and marital status. “Stable active” trajectory membership was predicted by educational level (high vs. low: aOR 4.20, 95%CI [1.10; 16.00]), citizenship (German or dual vs. Turkish only: 3.60 [1.20; 10.86]), preferred questionnaire language (German vs. Turkish: 3.35 [1.05; 10.66]), and BMI (overweight vs. normal weight: 0.28 [0.08; 0.99]). In our study, migration-related factors only partially predicted trajectory membership, however, persons with citizenship of their country of origin and/or with poor language skills should be particularly considered when planning PA prevention programs.
Daily Life Physical Activity and Concussion Symptoms in Adolescents

Background. Concussion is a common injury in an adolescent population with up to 30% experiencing persistent symptoms. Rehabilitation programs that include aerobic exercises can reduce persistent postconcussion symptoms. However, it is unclear if daily life physical activities can also reduce symptoms. Purpose. To investigate whether the level of daily life physical activity reduces postconcussion symptoms in the adolescent population. Methods. Ten adolescents aged 11–18 years with a concussion self-reported their postconcussion symptoms and level of physical activity during the first, third, and sixth months after injury. The extent to which physical activity explained postconcussion health was analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling. Findings. Higher levels of daily life physical activity were associated with fewer somatic and cognitive symptoms. Implications. These findings suggest that daily life physical activity, including engagement in sports, physical education, or active games, should be encouraged by occupational therapists to promote concussion recovery.
The Prospective Beneficial Effects of Red Laser Exposure on Lactocaseibacillus casei Fermentation of Skim Milk

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are crucial producers of fermented dairy products that are popular functional foods in many countries. The health benefits of probiotic bacteria are mainly attributed to their effective bioactive metabolites. The quality of fermented milk is mainly dependent on the bacterial strain used in the fermentation process. In this study, an innovative technique is used in order to enhance the activities of the probiotic bacteria, quality of fermented milk, and consequently the whole fermentation process. Red laser dosages, at the wavelength of 632.7 nm, were applied to the type strain Lacticaseibacillus casei NRRL-B-1922 before the fermentation of skim milk. The results revealed that the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical and total antioxidant capacity were significantly increased from 21% in untreated control to 56% after bacterial laser irradiation of 12 J/cm2 dosage for 40 min. The antioxidant activity was found to be increased as the red laser dosage increased in a dose-response relationship. Additionally, the lactose fermentation in skim milk medium of 43.22 mg/mL initial concentration into organic acids was enhanced after L. casei irradiation and recorded 23.15 mg/mL compared to control group 28.35 mg/mL without bacterial pre-treatment. These results are correlated with increase of the β-Galactosidase activity, where the L. casei that has been exposed to 40 min of red laser exhibited the higher activity of a 0.37 unit/mL relative to the control 0.25 unit/mL. The assessment of this fermented milk after L. casei laser exposure for 10, 20, and 40 min indicates multiple biological effects, including assimilation of cholesterol as well as proteolytic and antibacterial activity. Our data on the exposure of L. casei to laser beam suggest promising application of red laser in the fermentation process of skim milk.
Reduction in Tumor Stain at 2 Weeks after Treatment Initiation Is a Predictor of the Efficacy of Lenvatinib in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background and Aims: Lenvatinib is an oral anticancer drug for patients with unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated whether a reduction in tumor stain at 2 weeks after lenvatinib treatment in patients with unresectable HCC is a predictor of early treatment efficacy at 12 weeks. Patients and Methods: Of the 23 patients who initiated lenvatinib treatment between April 2018 and January 2019, treatment efficacy was measured in 15 patients for more than 12 weeks after treatment. Changes in tumor stain, tumor size on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and serum levels of tumor markers were evaluated 2 weeks after lenvatinib treatment. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by tumor stain and tumor size by contrast-enhanced CT within the first 12 weeks, according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) guidelines. Results: At 12 weeks, efficacy evaluation of 15 patients revealed that 11 of them experienced partial responses, for a response rate of 73.3%. In the first 2 weeks, 13 patients (86.7%) experienced a decreased tumor stain, including 10 responders (90.9%) and 3 non-responders (75.0%). All patients in the non-responder group had required a lenvatinib dose reduction due to adverse events within 12 weeks. On contrast-enhanced CT, the change rate of tumor stain to HCC at 2 weeks after treatment was <0.8 among 10 responders (90.9%) and 1 non-responder (25.0%; p = 0.033). No significant differences between responders and non-responders were observed with regard to most characteristics at baseline and at 2 weeks after treatment initiation. However, significant differences were observed between groups in the presence or absence of a dose suspension period, the presence or absence of lenvatinib dose reduction from the maximum value during the first 2 weeks, and decreased tumor stain at 2 weeks after treatment initiation. Conclusion: Reduction in tumor stain at 2 weeks after lenvatinib treatment may be an early biomarker of efficacy at 12 weeks in patients with unresectable HCC.
Evaluation of Emotional Intelligence among Master’s Degree Students in Nursing and Midwifery: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Emotional intelligence is an important skill for nurses and midwives and leads them to cleverly work in various fields and contexts, successfully handling colleagues, patients and their families. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the relationship between emotional intelligence, sociodemographic and academic variables in current and former master’s degree students in nursing and midwifery, through the administration of a questionnaire to 71 subjects. Emotional intelligence is significantly related to gender. Females showed higher scores (0.2 points higher than men) for emotional intelligence factors, highlighting an excellent ability to “evaluate and express emotions in relation to others”. Moreover, significant differences in academic performances are shown: both females and midwives demonstrated higher academic performance (a mean degree mark 3.8 points higher than men and a mean degree mark 2.6 point than nurses, respectively). High levels of emotional intelligence in individuals who carried out training activities in the organization area are also evident: These subjects have an ability regarding the “regulation of emotion in the others”, which is significantly higher (p = 0.01) than those interested in other master’s degree areas. Emotional intelligence (EI) is strongly linked to the individual’s characteristics and their personalities and differs from technical and professional skills. EI is also an excellent predictor of professional success.
Vitamin Status and Diet in Elderly with Low and High Socioeconomic Status: The Lifelines-MINUTHE Study

Socioeconomic health inequalities are an important global public health problem. However, it is not well known to what extent socioeconomic inequalities culminate in impaired vitamin status and whether this is mediated by diet. We, therefore, aimed to assess vitamin status in a population already at increased risk of micronutrient deficiency, i.e., elderly with high and low socioeconomic status (SES), and to investigate whether potential differences therein were mediated by diet quality. Vitamin status in 1605 individuals (60–75 years) from the Lifelines- Micronutrients and Health inequalities in Elderly (MINUTHE) Study was assessed by measuring folic acid and the vitamins B6, B12, D, A, E, and K. Multinomial logistic and linear regression analyses were applied to test the associations between SES and vitamin status. Mediation analysis was used to explore the interrelationship between SES, diet quality, and vitamin status. Low SES was associated with poorer status of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and, notably, folic acid. Moreover, multivitamin deficiencies were more prevalent in the low SES group. Diet quality was found to mediate the associations of SES with folic acid (for 39.1%), vitamin B6 (for 37.1%), and vitamin B12 (for 37.2%). We conclude that low SES is a risk factor for a spectrum of vitamin deficiencies. Diet quality can partially explain the socioeconomic differences in vitamin status, suggesting that policymakers can mitigate socioeconomic inequality in nutritional status through improving diet quality.
Chinese graduate students’ perceptions of plagiarism: A mixed-methods study

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a mixed-methods study that utilized a convergent parallel design to examine Chinese graduate students’ knowledge of and stance on plagiarism in English academic writing. A sample of 183 master’s students from three broad disciplinary groupings at a major university in northeastern China completed a Perceptions of Plagiarism (PoP) survey, and another 13 graduate students participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed disciplinary differences in knowledge of subtle plagiarism, stance on plagiarism caused by inadequate academic ability and due to perceived low risks, and non-condemnatory attitudes toward plagiarism. There were also gender differences in knowledge of inappropriate referencing and attitudes toward plagiarism due to inadequate academic ability or perceived low risks. These results are interpreted in terms of training in English academic writing available, disciplinary knowledge-making practices, and gender characteristics. By way of conclusion, pedagogical implications are derived from the empirical results.
Community pharmacist interventions to improve adherence to lipid lowering medication and their influence on clinical outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Non-adherence is a major problem among patients with chronic diseases. Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to detect non-adherence and to provide patient-centred interventions. OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic review of the impact of community pharmacist interventions on patient adherence to lipid lowering medication (LLM) prescriptions and clinical outcomes. SEARCH METHOD Five databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge) were searched systematically to identify relevant reports published by December 2019. Study quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB 2.0) tool. SELECTION CRITERIA Controlled trials in which community pharmacists conducted an intervention to improve patient adherence to LLM and clinical outcomes were evaluated. MAIN RESULTS Five studies (2408 participants) were included in the qualitative analysis. Four studies (n = 2266) were pooled in the meta-analysis. Participants in the intervention group (IG) had better adherence than those in the control group (CG) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-2.02; P < 0.001; I2 = 54%]. Better adherence rates were obtained when adherence was measured with validated questionnaires than when medication-possession ratio (MPR) measurements were used. Total cholesterol (TC) levels were not included in the meta-analysis due to data variability among the studies. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacist-led intervention can improve LLM adherence, but its influence on clinical outcomes, including lipid level control, remains to be clarified.