Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epicardial Adiposity in Relation to Metabolic Abnormality, Circulating Adipocyte FABP, and Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as a source of pro-inflammatory cytokines tightly linked to metabolic abnormalities. Data regarding the associations of EAT with adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), a cytokine implicated in the cardiometabolic syndrome, might play an important part in mediating the association between EAT and cardiac structure/function in preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF). We conducted a prospective cohort study comprising 252 prospectively enrolled study participants classified as healthy (n = 40), high-risk (n = 161), or HFpEF (n = 51). EAT was assessed using echocardiography and compared between the three groups and related to A-FABP, cardiac structural/functional assessment utilizing myocardial deformations (strain/strain rates) and HF outcomes. EAT thickness was highest in participants with HFpEF (9.7 ± 1.7 mm) and those at high-risk (8.2 ± 1.5 mm) and lowest in healthy controls (6.4 ± 1.9 mm, p < 0.001). Higher EAT correlated with the presence of cardiometabolic syndrome, diabetes and renal insufficiency independent of BMI and waist circumference (pinteraction for all > 0.1), and was associated with reduced LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and LV mass-independent systolic/diastolic strain rates (SRs/SRe) (all p < 0.05). Higher A-FABP levels were associated with greater EAT thickness (pinteraction > 0.1). Importantly, in the combined control cohort, A-FABP levels mediated the association between EAT and new onset HF. Excessive EAT is independently associated with the metabolic syndrome, renal insufficiency, and higher A-FABP levels. The association between EAT and new onset HF is mediated by A-FABP, suggesting a metabolic link between EAT and HF.
Impact of the KCNQ2/3 Channel Opener Ezogabine on Reward Circuit Activity and Clinical Symptoms in Depression: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE Preclinical studies point to the KCNQ2/3 potassium channel as a novel target for the treatment of depression and anhedonia, a reduced ability to experience pleasure. The authors conducted the first randomized placebo-controlled trial testing the effect of the KCNQ2/3 positive modulator ezogabine on reward circuit activity and clinical outcomes in patients with depression. METHODS Depressed individuals (N=45) with elevated levels of anhedonia were assigned to a 5-week treatment period with ezogabine (900 mg/day; N=21) or placebo (N=24). Participants underwent functional MRI during a reward flanker task at baseline and following treatment. Clinical measures of depression and anhedonia were collected at weekly visits. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to week 5 in ventral striatum activation during reward anticipation. Secondary endpoints included depression and anhedonia severity as measured using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), respectively. RESULTS The study did not meet its primary neuroimaging endpoint. Participants in the ezogabine group showed a numerical increase in ventral striatum response to reward anticipation following treatment compared with participants in the placebo group from baseline to week 5. Compared with placebo, ezogabine was associated with a significantly larger improvement in MADRS and SHAPS scores and other clinical endpoints. Ezogabine was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS The study did not meet its primary neuroimaging endpoint, although the effect of treatment was significant on several secondary clinical endpoints. In aggregate, the findings may suggest that future studies of the KCNQ2/3 channel as a novel treatment target for depression and anhedonia are warranted.
Involvement of TLR2/4‑MyD88‑NF‑κB signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysm.

Toll‑like receptor (TLR) 2/4 serves an important regulatory role in nerve tissue injury. However, the downstream and potential mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the roles of the TLR2/4‑major myeloid differentiation response gene 88 (MyD88)‑NF‑κB signaling pathway in the development of intracranial aneurysm. The expression of TLR2, TLR4 and MyD88 in the blood of normal controls and patients with intracranial aneurysm were detected by quantitative PCR and ELISA. Human brain vascular smooth muscle cells were treated by Angiotensin II (Ang II) to evaluate the involvement of TLR2/4‑MyD88‑NF‑κB signaling pathway in the process. The in vitro experiment was divided into four groups: The control group, an Ang Ⅱ group, an Ang Ⅱ + small interfering (si)RNA control group and an Ang Ⅱ + TLR2‑group. Cell viability, migration, apoptosis and expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, NF‑κB and phosphorylated (p‑)p65 expression were detected. The results demonstrated that the expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 and NF‑κB at mRNA and protein levels in patients with intracranial aneurysm was significantly higher compared with corresponding protein in normal controls (P<0.05). In vitro experiments demonstrated that Ang Ⅱ treatment increased the cell proliferation and migration rate but reduced the apoptotic rate compared with the control (P<0.05). The expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, NF‑κB and p‑p65 was significantly increased in the Ang II group (vs. control; P<0.05). By contrast, TLR2‑short interfering RNA reduced the cell proliferation and migration rate, and reduced the expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, NF‑κB and p‑p65 (vs. Ang Ⅱ + short interfering RNA control; P<0.05). In conclusion, the data of the present study indicated that the TLR2/4‑MyD88‑NF‑κB signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysm.
Facial Fractures Related to Soccer

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. Despite the concept that soccer is not a violent game, it can lead to several injuries in amateur and professional settings, including facial fractures. Previous studies of facial fractures in soccer were all retrospective and, to date, no prospective studies are available in the literature. The authors performed a comprehensive literature search using the terms “soccer” AND “facial fracture” OR “craniofacial fracture” and “football” AND “facial fracture” OR “craniofacial fracture” and retrieved 693 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles were included in the present study. A total of 647 patients had suffered facial trauma, with a male-to-female ratio of 63.7:1. The patients’ mean age was 27.3 years. The articles reported 670 fractures as follows: 219 (32.7%) in the zygoma, 197 (29.4%) in the nasal bone, 153 (23.6%) in the mandibula, 54 (8.0%) in the orbital wall, 12 (1.8%) in the frontal sinus, 10 (1.5%) in the alveolar bone, 3 (0.4%) in the maxilla, 3 (0.4%) in a Le Fort pattern, and 1 (0.1%) in a naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) pattern. Sports are a frequent cause of maxillofacial trauma and are responsible for 9.2% to 33.2% of such injuries. Soccer is a contact sport more associated with lower-limb injuries, but with a significant rate of facial fractures. As soccer is a popular sport played without facial protection and involving high-intensity movements and contact, the prevention of facial fractures related to this sport is crucial to improve the players’ safety.
V̇o2peak Comparison of a Treadmill Vs. Cycling Protocol in Elite Teenage Competitive Runners, Cyclists, and Swimmers

Abstract Marko, D, Bahenský, P, Snarr, RL, and Malátová, R. V̇o2peak Comparison of a treadmill vs. cycling protocol in elite teenage competitive runners, cyclists, and swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2875–2882, 2022—The purpose of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses of a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) on a treadmill and cycle ergometer in elite-level, youth competitive athletes. Thirty-one athletes (11 distance runners, 11 mountain-bike cyclists, and 9 long-distance swimmers) were randomly selected to complete either a running or cycling GXT on the first day, followed by the alternative 72 hours apart. The initial work rate for each GXT was set at 50% of the individuals' previously established V̇o2peak to elicit fatigue within 8–12 minutes. For the treadmill protocol, speed was increased by 1 km·h−1 each minute, with a constant 5% grade, until volitional fatigue. Cycle ergometer work rate was increased by 30 W every minute until volitional fatigue or the inability to maintain proper cadence (i.e., 100 ± 5 rev·min−1). Throughout both testing sessions, V̇o2peak, heart rate [HR] peak, breathing frequency (BF), tidal volume (VT), and minute ventilation (VE) were assessed and used to compare within-sport differences. Runners displayed a higher V̇o2peak (∼7%; d = 0.92), HRpeak (4%; d = 0.77), VE (6%; d = 0.66), and BF (12%; d = 0.62) on the treadmill vs. cycle. However, the cycling group demonstrated a greater V̇o2peak (∼8%; d = 0.92), VT (∼14%; d = 0.99), and VE (∼9%; d = 0.78) on the cycle, despite no change in HRpeak. For swimmers, the treadmill GXT elicited higher values in V̇o2peak (∼5%; d = 0.75), BF (∼11.5%; d = 0.78), and HRpeak (3%; d = 0.69). Collectively, these findings indicate that exercise mode may greatly affect physiological outcome variables and should be considered before exercise prescription and athletic monitoring.
Trunk Injuries in Athletes

Abstract Trunk pain is a common cause of performance limitation and time away from sport in athletes. However, atraumatic trunk injuries are underrepresented in medical literature and underrecognized clinically. Delays in diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment can increase injury morbidity and return-to-play time. Currently, evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of trunk pain in athletes are limited. Thus, we provide an overview of atraumatic sport-related injuries to the thoracic spine (disc herniation, scoliosis, kyphosis), ribcage (bone stress injury, costochondritis, Tietze syndrome, slipping rib syndrome, costovertebral or costotransverse joint dysfunction), and chest and abdominal wall musculature (intercostal, serratus anterior, oblique strains, regional myofascial pain), highlighting sport-specific biomechanical considerations. We aim to increase awareness of these causes of trunk pain among sports medicine providers in an effort to guide diagnostic and treatment recommendations that will ultimately improve overall musculoskeletal health in athletes.
The dynamic spatial and temporal relationships between the phalanx‐forming region and the interdigits determine digit identity in the chick limb autopod

Interdigits (IDs) determine digit identity in chick limbs. They are located between the digital rays and act as secondary signaling centers downstream of sonic hedgehog to provide positional information for determining digit identity in the phalanx‐forming region (PFR). We examined the dynamic developmental mechanism by which PFR cells obtain positional information from IDs to determine the identity of individual digits in the chick hindlimb.
Measurement of ultrasonic forces for particle–liquid separations

The magnitude and direction of the ultrasonic radiation forces that act on individual particles in a standing-wave field were determined using a microscope-based imaging system. The forces are calculated from measured particle velocities assuming that the drag force, given by Stokes' law, is exactly counterbalanced by the imposed ultrasonic forces. The axial primary radiation force was found to vary sinusoidally with axial position and to be proportional to the local acoustic energy density, as predicted by theory. The magnitude of the transverse primary force was determined by two independent methods to be about 100-fold weaker than the axial force. Separation concepts exploiting the transverse force for cell retention have been successful despite the great disparity in magnitude between the axial and transvers-force components. This may be explained by the reduced hydrodynamic forces on aggregated particles in transverse flow due to their alignment in the sound field.
Cholesterol Activates Cyclic AMP Signaling in Metaplastic Acinar Cells

Cholesterol is a non-essential metabolite that exerts both structural and signaling functions. However, cholesterol biosynthesis is elevated, and actively supports, pancreatic carcinogenesis. Our previous work showed that statins block the reprogramming of mutant KRAS-expressing acinar cells, that spontaneously undergo a metaplastic event termed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) to initiate carcinogenesis. Here we tested the impact of cholesterol supplementation on isolated primary wild-type acinar cells and observed enhanced ductal transdifferentiation, associated with generation of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the induction of downstream protein kinase A (PKA). Inhibition of PKA suppresses cholesterol-induced ADM ex vivo. Live imaging using fluorescent biosensors dissected the temporal and spatial dynamics of PKA activation upon cholesterol addition and showed uneven activation both in the cytosol and on the outer mitochondrial membrane of primary pancreatic acinar cells. The ability of cholesterol to activate cAMP signaling is lost in tumor cells. Qualitative examination of multiple normal and transformed cell lines supports the notion that the cAMP/PKA axis plays different roles during multi-step pancreatic carcinogenesis. Collectively, our findings describe the impact of cholesterol availability on the cyclic AMP/PKA axis and plasticity of pancreatic acinar cells.
Both Allene Oxide Synthases Genes Are Involved in the Biosynthesis of Herbivore-Induced Jasmonic Acid and Herbivore Resistance in Rice

Allene oxide synthase (AOS) is the second enzyme in the biosynthesis of the plant defensive hormone jasmonic acid (JA). In rice, there are two AOSs, OsAOS1 and OsAOS2. However, the role of these two AOS genes in herbivore-induced defenses in rice remains unidentified. We cloned the two rice AOS genes and observed that the transcript level of both OsAOS1 and OsAOS2 was enhanced by mechanical wounding, the infestation of the striped stem borer (SSB) (Chilo suppressalis) or brown planthopper (BPH) (Niaparvata lugens), and treatment with JA; however, OsAOS1 responded more rapidly to SSB infestation and JA treatment than did OsAOS2. The antisense expression of OsAOS1 (as-aos1) or OsAOS2 (as-aos2) decreased levels of SSB- or BPH-induced JA, which, in turn, reduced the production of SSB-induced trypsin protease inhibitor (TrypPI) and volatiles as well as the resistance of rice to SSB. In contrast, BPH preferred to feed and oviposit on wild-type (WT) plants over as-aos1 and as-aos2 plants. Moreover, the survival of BPH nymphs on as-aos1 or as-aos2 lines was significantly lower than on WT plants. The increased resistance of as-aos1 or as-aos2 plants to BPH correlated with higher levels of BPH-induced H2O2 and SA. These results indicate that OsAOS1 and OsAOS2 are both involved in herbivore-induced JA biosynthesis and play a vital role in determining the resistance of rice to chewing and phloem-feeding herbivores.
Realizing Target Detection in SAR Images Based on Multiscale Superpixel Fusion

For target detection in complex scenes of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, the false alarms in the land areas are hard to eliminate, especially for the ones near the coastline. Focusing on the problem, an algorithm based on the fusion of multiscale superpixel segmentations is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the SAR images are partitioned by using different scales of superpixel segmentation. For the superpixels in each scale, the land-sea segmentation is achieved by judging their statistical properties. Then, the land-sea segmentation results obtained in each scale are combined with the result of the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector to eliminate the false alarms located on the land areas of the SAR image. In the end, to enhance the robustness of the proposed algorithm, the detection results obtained in different scales are fused together to realize the final target detection. Experimental results on real SAR images have verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Rupture Detection During Needle Insertion Using Complex OCT Data and CNNs

Objective: Soft tissue deformation and ruptures complicate needle placement. However, ruptures at tissue interfaces also contain information which helps physicians to navigate through different layers. This navigation task can be challenging, whenever ultrasound (US) image guidance is hard to align and externally sensed forces are superimposed by friction. Methods: We propose an experimental setup for reproducible needle insertions, applying optical coherence tomography (OCT) directly at the needle tip as well as external US and force measurements. Processing the complex OCT data is challenging as the penetration depth is limited and the data can be difficult to interpret. Using a machine learning approach, we show that ruptures can be detected in the complex OCT data without additional external guidance or measurements after training with multi-modal ground-truth from US and force. Results: We can detect ruptures with accuracies of 0.94 and 0.91 on homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms, respectively, and 0.71 for ex-situ tissues. Conclusion: We propose an experimental setup and deep learning based rupture detection for the complex OCT data in front of the needle tip, even in deeper tissue structures without the need for US or force sensor guiding. Significance: This study promises a suitable approach to complement a robust robotic needle placement.
Nitrogen Use Efficiency of High Yielding Japonica Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Influenced by Variable Nitrogen Applications

A field study was conducted to understand nitrogen use efficiency of high yielding Japonica rice varieties under three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (90, 150 and 210 kg N ha -1 ) in Iksan, Korea. Two high yielding rice varieties, Boramchan and Deuraechan, and an control variety, Dongjin2, were grown in fine silty paddy. Nitrogen use efficiencies (NUE) were 83.3, 56.3, and 41.2 in 90, 150, and 210 kg N ha -1 fertilizer level, respectively. Total nitrogen uptake varied significantly among nitrogen levels and varieties. Variety Dongjin2 showed the highest nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE), while Boramchan and Deuraechan showed higher nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). However, Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) was higher in Boramchan (0.58) than Deuraechan (0.57) and Dongjin2 (0.53). Rough rice yield showed linear relationship with total nitrogen uptake (R² =0.72) within the range of nitrogen treatments. Boramchan produced significantly higher rough rice yield (8546 kg ha -1 ) which mainly due to higher number of panicles per m² compared to Deuraechan (7714kg ha -1 ). Deuraechan showed higher number of spikelets per panicle, but showed lower yield due to lower number of panicle per m². Rice varieties showed different nitrogen uptake ability and NUE at different nitrogen level. Plant breeders and agronomist should take advantage of the significant variations and relationships among grain yield, NUpE, and NUE.
IL-6 promotes MYC-induced B cell lymphomagenesis independent of STAT3

The inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is known to play a causal role in the promotion of cancer, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be completely understood. Interplay between endogenous and environmental cues determines the fate of cancer development. The Eμ-myc transgenic mouse expresses elevated levels of c-Myc in the B cell lineage and develops B cell lymphomas with associated mutations in p53 or other genes linked to apoptosis. We generated Eμ-myc mice that either lacked the IL-6 gene, or lacked the STAT3 gene specifically in B cells to determine the role of the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway in tumor development. Using the Eμ-myc lymphoma mouse model, we demonstrate that IL-6 is a critical tumor promoter during early stages of B cell lymphomagenesis. IL-6 is shown to inhibit the expression of tumor suppressors, notably BIM and PTEN, and this may contribute to advancing MYC-driven B cell tumorigenesis. Several miRNAs known to target BIM and PTEN are upregulated by IL-6 and likely lead to the stable suppression of pro-apoptotic pathways early during the tumorigenic process. STAT3, a classical downstream effector of IL-6, appears dispensable for Eμ-myc driven lymphomagenesis. We conclude that the growth-promoting and anti-apoptotic mechanisms activated by IL-6 are critically involved in Eμ-myc driven tumor initiation and progression, but the B cell intrinsic expression of STAT3 is not required.
A Possible Smart Metering System Evolution for Rural and Remote Areas Employing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Internet of Things in Smart Grids

The way of generating and distributing energy throughout the electrical grid to all users is evolving. The concept of Smart Grid (SG) took place to enhance the management of the electrical grid infrastructure and its functionalities from the traditional system to an improved one. To measure the energy consumption of the users is one of these functionalities that, in some countries, has already evolved from a periodical manual consumption reading to a more frequent and automatic one, leading to the concept of Smart Metering (SM). Technology improvement could be applied to the SM systems to allow, on one hand, a more efficient way to collect the energy consumption data of each user, and, on the other hand, a better distribution of the available energy through the infrastructure. Widespread communication solutions based on existing telecommunication infrastructures instead of using ad-hoc ones can be exploited for this purpose. In this paper, we recall the basic elements and the evolution of the SM network architecture focusing on how it could further improve in the near future. We report the main technologies and protocols which can be exploited for the data exchange throughout the infrastructure and the pros and cons of each solution. Finally, we propose an innovative solution as a possible evolution of the SM system. This solution is based on a set of Internet of Things (IoT) communication technologies called Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) which could be employed to improve the performance of the currently used technologies and provide additional functionalities. We also propose the employment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to periodically collect energy consumption data, with evident advantages especially if employed in rural and remote areas. We show some preliminary performance results which allow assessing the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soil Amended with Roadside Pond Sediment and Uptake by Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The effect of addition of roadside pond sediments on heavy metal contents of flooded rice paddies was studied to investigate the yield of rice and uptake of heavy metal by rice straw and grain. Sequential extraction of heavy metals on sediments shows that the percentage contribution of metals in the labile fraction follows the order lead (Pb, 48%) > copper (Cu, 42%) > zinc (Zn, 31%) > cadmium (Cd, 16%) > chromium (Cr, 9%) > nickel (Ni, 6%). The risk assessment code (RAC) for pond sediment revealed that Cr and Ni were found in the low-risk zone, Zn and Cd in the medium-risk zone, and Cu and Pb in the high-risk zone. However, though the heavy metal concentration in rice grain does not exceed the range acceptable for human consumption, it still represents a significant additional source of heavy metals in the diet. The addition of pond sediment significantly increased the rice yield over control. Therefore, pond sediment would be a valuable resource for agriculture if it is properly used.