Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of zebrafish melanocyte development by ligand-dependent BMP signaling

Preventing terminal differentiation is important in the development and progression of many cancers including melanoma. Recent identification of the BMP ligand GDF6 as a novel melanoma oncogene showed GDF6-activated BMP signaling suppresses differentiation of melanoma cells. Previous studies have identified roles for GDF6 orthologs during early embryonic and neural crest development, but have not identified direct regulation of melanocyte development by GDF6. Here, we investigate the BMP ligand gdf6a, a zebrafish ortholog of human GDF6, during the development of melanocytes from the neural crest. We establish that the loss of gdf6a or inhibition of BMP signaling during neural crest development disrupts normal pigment cell development, leading to an increase in the number of melanocytes and a corresponding decrease in iridophores, another neural crest-derived pigment cell type in zebrafish. This shift occurs as pigment cells arise from the neural crest and depends on mitfa, an ortholog of MITF, a key regulator of melanocyte development that is also targeted by oncogenic BMP signaling. Together, these results indicate that the oncogenic role ligand-dependent BMP signaling plays in suppressing differentiation in melanoma is a reiteration of its physiological roles during melanocyte development.
Utility of Dual Red Imaging for Endoscopic Hemostasis of Gastric Ulcer Bleeding

Dual red imaging (DRI; Red Dichromatic Imaging (RDI)) is a new type of image-enhanced endoscopy composed of two long wavelengths that together can visualize vessels in the deep submucosa of the gastrointestinal wall. We treated a case of gastric ulcer bleeding in which the bleeding point could be clearly visualized using DRI. A 71-year-old man who was taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation noticed tarry stool, entered a state of hypovolemic shock, and underwent emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The procedure was performed with a GIF-Y0058 prototype endoscope (Olympus Co., Tokyo, Japan) equipped with a DRI mode. An ulcer with active bleeding was found in the upper portion of the stomach, but the massive volume of the bleeding made it difficult to identify the bleeding point using white light imaging (WLI). Upon switching to DRI mode by pushing a button on the endoscope, the bleeding point could be identified rapidly and precisely, as it appeared in a deeper yellow than the surrounding area. Complete hemostasis was thereupon achieved. This case demonstrates that the DRI mode may be useful for detecting bleeding points that are difficult to detect using WLI.
Latent Cognitive Profiles Differ Between Incipient Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia with Subcortical Vascular Lesions in a Memory Clinic Population.

BACKGROUND It is unclear if latent cognitive profiles can distinguish between dementia with subcortical vascular lesions and Alzheimer's disease (AD) at the incipient stage, and if the differ in performance from the Petersen subtypes. OBJECTIVE To identify latent cognitive profiles in a naturalistic population of patients from a memory clinic sample, and investigate the derived classes not only in terms of conversion to AD, but also in terms of conversion to dementia with subcortical vascular lesions. Another objective was to compare the derived classes to the Petersen subtypes. METHODS We performed a latent profile analysis (LPA) on standardized neuropsychological test scores from 476 memory clinic patients (age 64±8) without dementia, and analyzed progression to dementia after 2 years. RESULTS The LPA resulted in two classes with impaired cognition (Amnestic and Slow/Dysexecutive) and two classes with normal cognition (Normal-Low and Normal-High cognition). Belonging to the Amnestic class predicted progression to all-cause dementia and to AD; belonging to the Slow/Dysexecutive class predicted progression to all-cause dementia, AD, and dementia with subcortical vascular lesions. Of the Petersen MCI subtypes, only amnestic multi-domain MCI predicted progression to all-cause dementia, AD, and dementia with subcortical vascular lesions. CONCLUSION Latent cognitive profiles separated between AD and dementia with subcortical vascular lesions, while the Petersen subtypes did not. However, similar to the Petersen subtypes, LPA classes work better for ruling out progression to dementia than for case finding.
Rethinking the Admissions Interview: Piloting Multiple Mini-Interviews in a Graduate Psychology Program

Health profession programs routinely utilize traditional interviews in admissions as a means of assessing important non-academic characteristics (e.g., critical thinking, interpersonal skills, judgment) of candidates. However, the reliability and validity of traditional interviews is highly questionable. Given this, multiple health profession programs (e.g., medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy) have implemented multiple mini-interviews as an alternative for assessing non-academic characteristics. This paper describes the development and implementation of multiple mini-interviews in the admissions process for a doctoral clinical psychology program, one of the health professions yet to use multiple mini-interviews. This paper also examines the feasibility and acceptability of the multiple mini-interviews in this program. Results of a mixed-method survey of all 120 candidates who participated in admissions days are presented along with discussion of factors associated with satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Recommendations for program refinement and application to other graduate psychology programs for improved admissions processes are discussed.
The prevalence and characteristics of moderate- to high-risk regulated and unregulated substance use among patients admitted to four public hospitals in Tshwane, South Africa.

BACKGROUND Alcohol, tobacco and unregulated substance use contributes to the global burden of disease. Admission to hospital provides an opportunity to screen patients for substance use and offer interventions. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and nature of substance use and treatment as well as interest in harm reduction among inpatients from four hospitals in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, sociodemographic and substance use data were collected from 401 patients using the World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Demographic characteristics were analysed using descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of moderate- to high-risk tobacco and unregulated substance use in relation to demographic characteristics were also done. RESULTS Most patients were South African (88%) and black African (79%), over half were female (57%), and they were relatively young (median age 38 years). Most (82%) lived in formal housing. Over half (56%) had completed high school, and 33% were formally employed. Bivariate analysis found substance use-related admission to be higher where scores for tobacco and unregulated substance use were moderate to high (13% v. 0.3%, p<0.05). A notably higher (p<0.1) proportion of participants with no/low tobacco and unregulated substance use had completed high school, were employed and were cohabiting/married compared with those with moderate to high scores. Across the hospitals, 32% (129/401) of the participants had moderate- to high-risk use of at least one substance: tobacco (28%, 111/401), alcohol (10%, 40/401), cannabis (7%, 28/401), opioids (2%, 9/401) and sedatives (2%, 9/401). Of these 129 participants, 10% had accessed professional help, many (67%, 78/129) wanted to learn more about harm reduction, and most (84%, 108/129) said that they were willing to participate in a community-based harm reduction programme. Multivariate analysis found moderate- to high-risk tobacco and unregulated substance use to be positively associated with male sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 7.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9 - 21.5), age <38 years (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2 - 8.9), moderate- to high-risk alcohol use (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1 - 8.4; p=0.027) and being admitted to Tshwane District Hospital (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1 - 12.2). It was negatively associated with employment (aOR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1 - 0.6). CONCLUSIONS Moderate- to high-risk substance use is an undetected, unattended comorbidity in the hospital setting in Tshwane, particularly among young, single, unemployed men. Clinicians should identify and respond to this need. Further research is required on the implementation of in-hospital substance use screening and treatment interventions.
Pharmacokinetics of Oral Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Systematic Review

Background Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), the oral prodrug of tenofovir (TFV), is advocated in pregnancy for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCT) with failure of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccination. The pharmacokinetics of TDF monotherapy for PMCT-HBV is important if deployment is to emulate the success of multiple antiretrovirals (ARVs) for PMCT-HIV in resource-constrained settings. Methods This systematic review followed a protocol and is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies that enrolled pregnant women who received oral TDF therapy as mono-therapy or in combination with other ARVs: irrespective of the reason for receiving the drug (for example, HIV, HBV or pre-exposure prophylaxis); and reported pharmacokinetics. Results The area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) and last measurable plasma concentration (Clast) of TFV were decreased in the second and third trimester compared with first trimester or post-partum. In none of the manuscripts was the non-pregnant HBV threshold of Cmax of 300 ng/ml reached, but the 50% effective concentration (EC50) of TFV is lower for treatment of HBV compared with HIV. The TFV concentration in breastfed infants was 0.03% of the recommended infant dose. Conclusions Most knowledge of pharmacokinetics of TFV in pregnancy results from studies on HIV involving multiple ARVs. Increased TFV clearance occurred in the second and third trimester when optimal TFV concentrations are required to maximize suppression of HBV in the window before birth. Dose or duration adjustments will be better conceptualized with concurrent analysis of the pharmacokinetics of TFV monotherapy and hepatitis B pharmacodynamics in pregnancy.
Cut points of the Actigraph GT9X for moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity at four different wear locations

ABSTRACT Accelerometer cut points are an important consideration for distinguishing the intensity of activity into categories such as moderate and vigorous. It is well-established in the literature that these cut points depend on a variety of factors, including age group, device, and wear location. The Actigraph GT9X is a newer model accelerometer that is used for physical activity research, but existing cut points for this device are limited since it is a newer device. Furthermore, there is not existing data on cut points for the GT9X at the ankle or foot locations, which offers some potential benefit for activities that do not involve arm and/or core motion. A total of N = 44 adults completed a four-stage treadmill protocol while wearing Actigraph GT9X sensors at four different locations: foot, ankle, wrist, and hip. Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) levels assessed by indirect calorimetry along with Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to establish cut points for moderate and vigorous intensity for each wear location of the GT9X. Area under the ROC curves indicated high discrimination accuracy for each case.
Functional convergence in the decomposition of fungal necromass in soil and wood.

Understanding the post-senescent fate of fungal mycelium is critical to accurately quantifying forest carbon and nutrient cycling, but how this organic matter source decomposes in wood remains poorly studied. In this study, we compared the decomposition of dead fungal biomass (necromass) of two species, Mortierella elongata and Meliniomyces bicolor, in paired wood and soil plots in a boreal forest in northern Minnesota, USA. Mass loss was quantified at four time points over an eight-week incubation and the richness and composition of the fungal communities colonizing fungal necromass was characterized using high throughput sequencing. We found that the structure of fungal decomposer communities in wood and soil differed, but, in both habitats, there was relatively rapid decay (∼30% remaining after 56 days). Mass loss was significantly faster in soil and for high quality (i.e. high nitrogen and low melanin) fungal necromass. In both habitats, there was a clear trajectory of early colonization by opportunistic fungal taxa followed by colonization of fungi with greater enzymatic capacities to degrade more recalcitrant compounds, including white rot and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Collectively, our results indicate that patterns emerging regarding substrate quality effects on fungal necromass decomposition in soil and leaf litter can be largely extended to fungal necromass decomposition in wood.
Application of velocity loss thresholds during free-weight resistance training: Responses and reproducibility of perceptual, metabolic, and neuromuscular outcomes

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the differences and long-term reliability in perceptual, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses to velocity loss resistance training protocols. Using a repeated, counterbalanced, crossover design, twelve team-sport athletes completed 5-sets of barbell back-squats at a load corresponding to a mean concentric velocity of ~0.70 m·s−1. On different days, repetitions were performed until a 10%, 20% or 30% velocity loss was attained, with outcome measures collected after each set. Sessions were repeated after four-weeks. There were substantial between-protocol differences in post-set differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE, i.e., breathlessness and leg muscles, AU) and blood lactate concentration (B[La], mmol·L−1), such that 30%>20%>10% by small to large magnitudes. Differences in post-set countermovement jump (CMJ) variables were small for most variables, such that 30%<20%<10%. Standard deviations representing four-week variability of post-set responses to each protocol were: dRPE, 8–11; B[La], 0.8–1.0; CMJ height, 1.6–2.0; CMJ PPO, 1.0–1.8; CMJ PCV, 0.04–0.06; CMJ 100ms-Impulse, 5.7–11.9. Velocity loss thresholds control the magnitude of perceptual, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses to resistance training. For practitioners wanting to reliably prescribe training that can induce a given perceptual, metabolic, or neuromuscular response, it is strongly advised that velocity-based thresholds are implemented.
Outcomes of primary percutaneous cardiac intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction with a saphenous vein graft culprit

Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who have a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Data on the risk of a saphenous vein graft (SVG)—infarct‐related artery (IRA) compared to other culprit vessels are sparse.
Are infants altercentric? The other and the self in early social cognition.

From early in life, human infants appear capable of taking others' perspectives, and can do so even when the other's perspective conflicts with the infant's perspective. Infants' success in perspective-taking contexts implies that they are managing conflicting perspectives despite a wealth of data suggesting that doing so relies on sufficiently mature Executive Functions, and is a challenge even for adults. In a new theory, I propose that infants can take other's perspectives because they have an altercentric bias. This bias results from a combination of the value that human cognition places on others' attention, and an absence of a competing self-perspective, which would, in older children, create a conflict requiring resolution by Executive Functions. A self-perspective emerges with the development of cognitive self-awareness, sometime in the second year of life, at which point it leads to competition between perspectives. This theory provides a way of explaining infants' ability to take others' perspectives, but raises the possibility that they could do so without representing or understanding the implications of perspective for others' mental states. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Molecular characterization of community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus from pet dogs

Community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious public health concern and in Australia, one that disproportionately affects Aboriginal people. Paralleling MRSA in human medicine, methicillin‐resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) is an increasingly prevalent pathogen in veterinary medicine. We aimed to characterize the carriage of MRSA and MRSP in dogs and cats from predominantly Aboriginal communities in a very remote region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Pets (303 dogs and 80 cats) were recruited from six communities in western NSW. Three swabs were collected from each animal (anterior nares, oropharynx and perineum) and from skin lesions or wounds (if present) and cultured on selective media for methicillin‐resistant staphylococci. Human host‐adapted community‐associated MRSA representing four multilocus sequence types (ST1‐IV, ST5‐IV, ST72‐IV, ST93‐IV) were isolated from eight dogs (prevalence 2.6%, 95% confidence interval 1.3%–5.1%). Two ST5‐IV isolates from a single dog were phenotypically trimethoprim‐resistant, harbouring trimethoprim‐resistant gene dfrG within the SCCmec type IVo mobile genetic element. MRSA was not isolated from any cats and MRSP was not isolated from any dogs or cats. This study estimated a high prevalence of human host‐adapted community‐associated MRSA carriage in dogs despite an absence of MRSP. This suggests MRSA carried by dogs in remote NSW originate from human hosts. The cycle of transmission between people, dogs and common environmental sources warrants further investigation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of trimethoprim‐resistant ST5‐IV in eastern Australia and the first report of trimethoprim‐resistant ST5‐IV from a dog.
HOPS/TMUB1 retains p53 in the cytoplasm and sustains p53‐dependent mitochondrial apoptosis

Apoptotic signalling by p53 occurs at both transcriptional and non‐transcriptional levels, as p53 may act as a direct apoptogenic stimulus via activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. HOPS is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed shuttling protein with an ubiquitin‐like domain. We generated Hops−/− mice and observed that they are viable with no apparent phenotypic defects. However, when treated with chemotherapeutic agents, Hops−/− mice display a significant reduction in apoptosis, suggesting an impaired ability to respond to genotoxic stressors. We show that HOPS acts as a regulator of cytoplasmic p53 levels and function. By binding p53, HOPS inhibits p53 proteasomal degradation and favours p53 recruitment to mitochondria and apoptosis induction. By interfering with importin α, HOPS further increases p53 cytoplasmic levels. Thus, HOPS promotes the p53‐dependent mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by preserving cytoplasmic p53 from both degradation and nuclear uptake.
Effects of Cigarette Nicotine Content and Menthol Preference on Perceived Health Risks, Subjective Ratings, and Carbon Monoxide Exposure Among Adolescent Smokers

Abstract Introduction Minimal research exists on adolescent smokers’ perceptions of very low-nicotine-content (VLNC) cigarettes. As approximately half of adolescent smokers prefer menthol cigarettes, it is important to consider the influence of menthol preference on VLNC cigarette perceptions and to what extent menthol preference may affect VLNC smoking behavior. This study examined the effects of cigarette nicotine content and menthol preference or menthol smoking on health risk perceptions, subjective ratings, and carbon monoxide (CO) boost in adolescent smokers. Methods Across two counterbalanced sessions, adolescent smokers sampled VLNC and normal nicotine content (NNC) research cigarettes following overnight abstinence. Cigarettes were mentholated or non-mentholated consistent with participants’ usual brand. In each session, participants smoked the research cigarette and then completed the Perceived Health Risk Scale and Cigarette Evaluation Scale. Breath CO readings were obtained pre- and post-smoking. Mixed-factor ANOVA tests compared outcomes with cigarette type (VLNC vs. NNC) as the within-subjects factor and menthol preference as the between-subjects factor. Results Participants (N = 50) were M = 17.7 years old, smoked M = 8.2 cigarettes/day, and 56% typically smoked menthol cigarettes. Participants reported lower risk of developing lung cancer, other cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, and heart disease (ps ≤ .05) when smoking VLNC cigarettes relative to NNC cigarettes. Perceived risk of addiction and stroke did not differ by nicotine content. Menthol preference or menthol smoking did not moderate risk perceptions, subjective ratings, or CO boost. Conclusions Adolescents may incorrectly perceive that VLNC cigarettes are less harmful products. Health communication campaigns could help to correct VLNC misperceptions and potentially minimize unintended consequences of a nicotine reduction policy.