Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small Data and Its Visualization for Diabetes Self-Management: Qualitative Study

Background As digital healthcare expands to include the use of mobile devices, there are opportunities to integrate these technologies into the self-management of chronic disease. Purpose built apps for diabetes self-management are plentiful and vary in functionality; they offer capability for individuals to record, manage, display, and interpret their own data. The optimal incorporation of mobile tablets into diabetes self-care is little explored in research, and guidelines for use are scant. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine an individual’s use of mobile devices and apps in the self-management of type 2 diabetes to establish the potential and value of this ubiquitous technology for chronic healthcare. Methods In a 9-month intervention, 28 patients at a large multidisciplinary healthcare center were gifted internet connected Apple iPads with preinstalled apps and given digital support to use them. They were invited to take up predefined activities, which included recording their own biometrics, monitoring their diet, and traditional online information seeking. Four online surveys captured the participants’ perceptions and health outcomes throughout the study. This article reports on the qualitative analysis of the open-ended responses in all four surveys. Results Using apps, participants self-curated small data sets that included their blood glucose level, blood pressure, weight, and dietary intake. The dynamic visualizations of the data in the form of charts and diagrams were created using apps and participants were able to interpret the impact of their choices and behaviors from the diagrammatic form of their small personal data sets. Findings are presented in four themes: (1) recording personal data; (2) modelling and visualizing the data; (3) interpreting the data; and (4) empowering and improving health. Conclusions The modelling capability of apps using small personal data sets, collected and curated by individuals, and the resultant graphical information that can be displayed on tablet screens proves a valuable asset for diabetes self-care. Informed by their own data, individuals are well-positioned to make changes in their daily lives that will improve their health.
Unraveling the photocatalytic properties of TiO_2/WO_3 mixed oxides†

TiO_2/WO_3 heterojunctions are one of the most investigated systems for photocatalytic applications. However, distinct behavior can be found in the literature depending on the pollutant to be degraded and the photocatalyst preparation conditions. Some authors reported improved photocatalytic activities in relation to TiO_2, while others a deleterious effect. Different factors have been identified to influence the activity of such systems. In this work, a systematic investigation of TiO_2/WO_3 samples with different W/Ti ratios (0–100%) was carried out using different pollutants as targets (gaseous NO, acetaldehyde and aqueous methylene blue solutions). A detailed structural investigation along with transient absorption studies and photoelectrochemical measurements allowed the rationalization of some of the previously reported factors that control the TiO_2/WO_3 photoactivity, i.e. the inability to reduce molecular oxygen, the stabilization of the anatase phase and the adsorption surface properties. The investigations also identified a factor not previously reported: in TiO_2/WO_3 systems, a fraction of long-lived holes do not take part in the interfacial charge transfer to efficient hole quenchers, such as methanol. This behavior seems to be related to the doping of the TiO_2 matrix with W(vi) and plays a key role in the photocatalytic activity.
Dual Doping of Silicon and Manganese in Hydroxyapatites: Physicochemical Properties and Preliminary Biological Studies

Silicated hydroxyapatite powders enriched with small amounts of manganese (Mn2+) cations were synthesized via two different methods: precipitation in aqueous solution and the solid-state method. The source of Mn2+ ions was manganese acetate, while silicon was incorporated using two different reagents: silicon acetate and sodium metasilicate. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis showed that the powders obtained via the precipitation method consisted of single-phase nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. In contrast, samples obtained via the solid-state method were heterogenous and contaminated with other phases, (i.e., calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, and silicocarnotite) arising during thermal treatment. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed powders obtained via the precipitation method were nanosized and elongated, while solid-state synthesis produced spherical microcrystals. The phase identification was complemented by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An in-depth analysis via solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) was carried out, using phosphorus 31P single-pulse Bloch decay (BD) (31P BD) and cross-polarization (CP) experiments from protons to silicon-29 nuclei (1H → 29Si CP). The elemental measurements carried out using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) showed that the efficiency of introducing manganese and silicon ions was between 45% and 95%, depending on the synthesis method and the reagents. Preliminary biological tests on the bacteria Allivibrio fisheri (Microtox®) and the protozoan Spirostomum ambiguum (Spirotox) showed no toxic effect in any of the samples. The obtained materials may find potential application in regenerative medicine, bone implantology, and orthopedics as bone substitutes or implant coatings.
The Effects of Maternal Obesity on Porcine Placental Efficiency and Proteome

Simple Summary The placenta plays an important role in the growth and development of a fetus and in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The placenta is also sensitive to suboptimal intrauterine conditions, such as maternal obesity. Although previous studies have indicated that maternal obesity is associated with placental dysfunction, we are still far from elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. In this study, proteomic technique was employed to compare the proteomic profiles of the placentas of sows with different backfat thicknesses. We revealed that excessive backfat of sow is associated with abnormal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the placenta. Our results promote the understanding of decreased placental efficiency induced by maternal obesity. Abstract Maternal obesity is associated with impaired maternal metabolism and affects the developmental programming of the fetus. The placenta is dysfunctional when exposed to an obese intrauterine environment and can transduce and mediate detrimental maternal impacts to the fetus through mechanisms that remain largely unknown. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal obesity on the porcine placental proteome and to analyze the deregulated proteins and potential pathways predicted to be disturbed in obese placentas, using sows with high backfat as a model of obese pregnancy. The sows were divided into two groups based on their backfat thickness: normal backfat (NBF, 17–22 mm; n = 30) and high backfat (HBF, ≥23 mm; n = 30) as the maternal obesity group. The placental tissues used for the proteomic and biochemical analyses were obtained through vaginal delivery, and the maternal blood samples used to determine the metabolic parameters were collected at day 107 of pregnancy. Our study demonstrated that HBF sows had significantly decreased placental efficiency, increased plasma-free fatty acids and triglyceride levels, and increased proinflammatory cytokines plasma levels (p < 0.05). HBF placentas had significantly higher malondialdehyde level, lower total antioxidant capacity and antioxidase activity, increased triglyceride content and enhanced proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) contents (p < 0.05). Among the 4652 proteins identified using the proteomic method, 343 were quantified as differentially abundant proteins, which were involved in many vital biological processes. Based on our bioinformatic and placental biochemical analyses, we concluded that maternal obesity is associated with abnormal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased steroid hormone biosynthesis, and increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the placenta. The results of this study are undoubtedly valuable to other researchers.
Oxygen Use in Critical Illness

Oxygen is the most commonly used drug in critical care. However, because it is a gas, most clinicians and most patients do not regard it as a drug. For this reason, the use of medical oxygen over the past century has been driven by custom, practice, and “precautionary principles” rather than by scientific principles. Oxygen is a life-saving drug for patients with severe hypoxemia, but, as with all other drugs, too much can be harmful. It has been known for many decades that the administration of supplemental oxygen is hazardous for some patients with COPD and other patients who are vulnerable to retention of carbon dioxide (ie, hypercapnia). It has been recognized more recently that excessive oxygen therapy is associated with significantly increased mortality in critically ill patients, even in the absence of risk factors for hypercapnia. This paper provides a critical overview of past and present oxygen use for critically ill patients and will provide guidance for safer oxygen use in the future.
A 11‐day compressed overload and taper induces larger physiological improvements than a normal taper in elite cyclists

Endurance athletes usually achieve performance peaking with 2‐4 weeks of overload training followed by 1‐3 weeks of tapering. With a tight competition schedule, this may not be appropriate. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of a compressed variant of the recommended overload and tapering approach (EXP; n = 9, VO2peak = 77 ± 5 mL·min−1·kg−1) with a 11‐day traditional taper that maintained the usual frequency of high‐intensity aerobic interval training (HIT) and reduced the duration of training at lower exercise intensity (TRAD, n = 8, VO2peak = 74 ± 4 mL·min−1·kg−1) on physiological and psychological variables of endurance performance. EXP performed a 6‐day period with daily HIT followed by a 5‐day step taper. Testing was performed before the intervention (pre), on the 7th (post‐1), and on the 11th day of the intervention (post‐2). From pre to post‐2, EXP achieved a larger relative improvement than TRAD in VO2peak (4.0 ± 3.7% vs 0.8 ± 1.8%, respectively, P = .041) and the 1‐min peak power output from the VO2peak test (5.0 ± 3.6% vs 0.9 ± 1.5%, respectively, P = .009) and had a tendency toward larger improvement in power output at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol∙L−1 (P = .088) and peak isokinetic knee extension (P = .06). The effect size of the relative improvement in the endurance variables revealed a moderate‐to‐large effect of EXP vs TRAD. In conclusion, this study indicates that elite cyclists performing the present 11‐day compressed performance peaking protocol consisting of a 6‐day HIT overload followed by a 5‐day step taper are superior to a 11‐day taper only.
Association of a priori dietary patterns with depressive symptoms: a harmonised meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract Background Review findings on the role of dietary patterns in preventing depression are inconsistent, possibly due to variation in assessment of dietary exposure and depression. We studied the association between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms in six population-based cohorts and meta-analysed the findings using a standardised approach that defined dietary exposure, depression assessment and covariates. Methods Included were cross-sectional data from 23 026 participants in six cohorts: InCHIANTI (Italy), LASA, NESDA, HELIUS (the Netherlands), ALSWH (Australia) and Whitehall II (UK). Analysis of incidence was based on three cohorts with repeated measures of depressive symptoms at 5–6 years of follow-up in 10 721 participants: Whitehall II, InCHIANTI, ALSWH. Three a priori dietary patterns, Mediterranean diet score (MDS), Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet were investigated in relation to depressive symptoms. Analyses at the cohort-level adjusted for a fixed set of confounders, meta-analysis used a random-effects model. Results Cross-sectional and prospective analyses showed statistically significant inverse associations of the three dietary patterns with depressive symptoms (continuous and dichotomous). In cross-sectional analysis, the association of diet with depressive symptoms using a cut-off yielded an adjusted OR of 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.84–0.91) for MDS, 0.93 (0.88–0.98) for AHEI-2010, and 0.94 (0.87–1.01) for DASH. Similar associations were observed prospectively: 0.88 (0.80–0.96) for MDS; 0.95 (0.84–1.06) for AHEI-2010; 0.90 (0.84–0.97) for DASH. Conclusion Population-scale observational evidence indicates that adults following a healthy dietary pattern have fewer depressive symptoms and lower risk of developing depressive symptoms.
Mapping of ventricular tachycardia in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: Current approaches and future perspectives

Despite the technical improvements made in recent years, the overall long‐term success rate of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy remains disappointing. This unsatisfactory situation has persisted even though several approaches to VT substrate ablation allow mapping and ablation of noninducible/nontolerated arrhythmias. The current substrate mapping methods present some shortcomings regarding the accurate definition of the true scar, the modality of detection in sinus rhythm of abnormal electrograms that identify sites of critical channels during VT and the possibility to determine the boundaries of functional re‐entrant circuits during sinus or paced rhythms. In this review, we focus on current and proposed ablation strategies for VT to provide an overview of the potential/real application (and results) of several ablation approaches and future perspectives.
Synaptic actin stabilization protein loss in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease

Reduced spine densities and age‐dependent accumulation of amyloid β and tau pathology are shared features of Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both spine morphology and the synaptic plasticity that supports learning depend upon the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting that disturbances in actin regulatory signaling might underlie spine defects in both disorders. The present study evaluated the synaptic levels of two proteins that promote filamentous actin stabilization, the Rho GTPase effector p21‐activated kinase 3 (PAK3) and Arp2, in DS vs. AD. Fluorescent deconvolution tomography was used to determine postsynaptic PAK3 and Arp2 levels for large numbers of excitatory synapses in the parietal cortex of individuals with DS plus AD pathology (DS + AD) or AD alone relative to age‐matched controls. Though numbers of excitatory synapses were not different between groups, synaptic PAK3 levels were greatly reduced in DS + AD and AD individuals vs. controls. Synaptic Arp2 levels also were reduced in both disorders, but to a greater degree in AD. Western blotting detected reduced Arp2 levels in the AD group, but there was no correlation with phosphorylated tau levels suggesting that the Arp2 loss does not contribute to mechanisms that drive tau pathology progression. Overall, the results demonstrate marked synaptic disturbances in two actin regulatory proteins in adult DS and AD brains, with greater effects in individuals with AD alone. As both PAK and the Arp2/3 complex play roles in the actin stabilization that supports synaptic plasticity, reductions in these proteins at synapses may be early events in spine dysfunction that contribute to cognitive impairment in these disorders.
The Study of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation

Abstract Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy is a cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Not all chronic hepatitis B patients will lead to HBV reactivation. The incidence is 0.3%- 30.2% according to the reports. The mechanism of HBV reactivation is still unclear, but it is believed that the viral load is increasing due to the suppression of immune response. No uniform diagnostic criteria are available. HBV reactivation can be confirmed by an increase of serum HBV DNA level. Recently, awareness of reactivation of occult HBV has been improved, especially in HBV endemic area. Preemptive antiviral therapy was the best approach to prevent the HBV reactivation. HBV reactivation can lead to acute hepatitis, severe hepatitis and acute liver failure. Therefore, it is worthy of great attention and further study. Antiviral therapy is safe and effective to prevent HBV reactivation.
Latina/o Family Caregivers’ Reactions to Limited Help From Relatives: From Frustration to Resilience

Using a qualitative approach, the current study aimed to understand how Latina/o primary caregivers react to and cope with a lack of (or limited) help from their relatives when an elder is in need of care. In-person semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 caregivers of Mexican descent; most were female and 84% cared for an older parent or parent-in-law. Inductive thematic analyses resulted in a multifaceted process model that reveals (a) reactions to a lack of help often include anger, frustration, hurt, or resentment; (b) negative reactions can be exacerbated or mitigated by caregivers’ explanations for the lack of help and by the quality of caregiver–relative interactions; and (c) coping with and acceptance of the lack of help can evolve over time, aided by caregiver cognitive reframing, realization that negative feelings are ineffectual and/or lead to conflict, and/or other self-protective strategies. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Mutation of external glutamate residue reveals a new intermediate transport state and anion binding site in a CLC Cl−/H+ antiporter

Significance Structural studies have shown that the critical glutamate residue, Gluex, in the CLC antiporter can take 3 conformations, each of which occupies a different position along the anion transport pathway. However, the conformational heterogeneity is observed in combined structural snapshots of different CLC homologs. Thus, we wonder whether a single CLC antiporter can take the multiple conformation of Gluex. Here, we provide evidence for a structural intermediate and an extra anion binding site above the known external binding site. We also demonstrate that a free carboxylate can occupy the central Cl−-binding site with a short carboxylate, bromoacetate. These results support the idea that the Gluex may adopt at least 3 distinct conformational states in a single CLC protein. The CLC family of proteins are involved in a variety of physiological processes to control cellular chloride concentration. Two distinct classes of CLC proteins, Cl− channels and Cl−/H+ antiporters, have been functionally and structurally investigated over the last several decades. Previous studies have suggested that the conformational heterogeneity of the critical glutamate residue, Gluex, could explain the transport cycle of CLC-type Cl−/H+ antiporters. However, the presence of multiple conformations (Up, Middle, and Down) of the Gluex has been suggested from combined structural snapshots of 2 different CLC antiporters: CLC-ec1 from Escherichia coli and cmCLC from a thermophilic red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Thus, we aimed to investigate further the heterogeneity of Gluex-conformations in CLC-ec1, the most deeply studied CLC antiporter, at both functional and structural levels. Here, we show that the crystal structures of the Gluex mutant E148D and wild-type CLC-ec1 with varying anion concentrations suggest a structural intermediate, the “Midlow” conformation. We also found that an extra anion can be located above the external Cl−-binding site in the E148D mutant when the anion concentration is high. Moreover, we observed that a carboxylate in solution can occupy either the external or central Cl−-binding site in the ungated E148A mutant using an anomalously detectable short carboxylic acid, bromoacetate. These results lend credibility to the idea that the Gluex can take at least 3 distinct conformational states during the transport cycle of a single CLC antiporter.
Mesenchymal stromal cell‐derived extracellular vesicles for regenerative therapy and immune modulation: Progress and challenges toward clinical application

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising form of regenerative therapy and immune modulation. Fundamental advances in our understanding of MSCs and EVs have allowed these fields to merge and create potential cell‐free therapy options that are cell‐based. EVs contain active cargo including proteins, microRNA, and mRNA species that can impact signaling responses in target cells to modify inflammatory and repair responses. Increasing numbers of preclinical studies in animals with various types of injury models have been published that demonstrate the potential impact of MSC‐EV therapy. Although the emergence of registered clinical protocols suggests translation to clinical application has already begun, several barriers to more widespread clinical adoption remain. In this review, we highlight the progress made in MSC‐derived small EV‐based therapy by summarizing aspects pertaining to the starting material for MSC expansion, EV production, and isolation methods, studies from preclinical models that have established a foundation of knowledge to support translation into the patient setting, and potential barriers to overcome on the path to clinical application.
Aggressive large B‐cell lymphoma triggered by a parvovirus B19 infection in a previously healthy child

In absence of red blood cells disease or immune defect, parvovirus B19 (PVB‐19) is usually considered as a benign condition. Here, we report the case of a 10‐year‐old boy, previously healthy, presenting with a PVB‐19 infection revealed by a bicytopenia and a voluminous axillary adenopathy. Pathophysiology examination showed reactional lymphoid population. Nine months later and in the absence of remission, a new biopsy of the same adenopathy revealed a Hodgkin lymphoma with area of T‐cell rich aggressive large B‐cell lymphoma. This case suggests PVB‐19 as potential trigger of this malignant childhood hemopathy. Although no definitive conclusion can be drawn, our clinical case questions the role of PVB‐19 in lymphomagenesis.