Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of elastic band exercises and nutritional education on frailty, strength, and nutritional intake in elderly women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of elastic band exercises and nutritional education, as well as to identify the factors influencing frailty, strength, and nutritional intake of elderly women. [Methods] The subjects in this study were 30 elderly women who were divided into four groups. All groups agreed to participate in four programs: health education only (HE), elastic band exercises only (EX), nutritional education only (NU), and elastic band exercises plus nutritional education (EX+NU). Frailty was evaluated by measuring the frailty factors according to Fried et al. Leg strength was measured using a leg-extension machine. Nutritional intake was assessed by the 24-hour recall method and food records. Nutritional intake was analyzed by CAN Pro 5.0 program. [Results] After three months, the prevalence of frailty significantly decreased in the EX+NU group (P=0.013) compared with that of the HE group (P=0.088). There was significant improvement in leg strength in both the EX (P=0.012) and EX+NU groups (P=0.003) compared with that of the HE group (EX, P=0.005; EX+NU, P=0.002). The nutritional intake significantly decreased in the EX group compared with that of the HE group (P<0.05, P<0.05). [Conclusion] The combination of elastic exercises and nutrition education had positive effects on frailty and leg strength, while having negative effects on total calories, carbohydrate, sodium, and iron intake in elderly women. Elastic exercises only had positive effects on leg strength while having negative effects on nutritional intake in elderly women.
The haze extreme co-movements in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and its extreme dependence pattern recognitions

Extreme haze was often observed at many locations in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region within several hours when they occurred, which is referred to as extreme co-movements and extreme dependence in statistics. This article applies tail quotient correlation coefficient to explore the temporal and spatial extreme dependence patterns of haze in this region. Hourly PM2.5 station-level data during 2014–2018 are used, and the results show that the tail quotient correlation coefficient between stations increases with month. Specifically, the simultaneous extreme dependence was strong in the fourth season, while the haze was severe. In the first season, while the haze was also severe, the extreme hazes only show strong co-movements with a time difference. These observations lead to the study of two special scenarios, that is, the concurrence/extreme dependence of the worst extreme haze and its lag effects. City clusters suffering simultaneous extreme haze or with certain time difference as well as the most frequently co-movement cities are identified. The extreme co-movements of these cities and the reasons for their occurrences have strong implications for improving the PM2.5 joint prevention and control in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. The importance of lag effects is also reflected in the precedence order of the extreme haze’s appearance. It is especially useful when setting the mechanism of the early warning system which can be triggered by the first appearance of extreme haze. The precedence orders also avail in investigating the transmission path of the haze, based on which more precise meteorological models can be made to benefit the haze forecasting of the region.
Effect of genetic relatedness on the allometric relationship between biomass investment and sexual reproduction in clonal plant.

In order to analyze changes in biomass allocation patterns across genetically structured populations where plants are compet- ing for access to light, we performed glasshouse experiment with controlled genetic identity of competitors. Clonal replicates of 17 Lamium maculatum (L.) genotypes were grown in three treatments: control (low competition for light availability), intraclonal and interclonal compe- tition. It was shown that competition between genetically unrelated individuals (interclonal treatment) was the most stressful environment for Spotted Dead Nettle. Results of allometry analyses, based on standardized major axis (SMA) mathematical procedure, have shown the smallest differences in relative investment to sexual repro- duction between larger and smaller individuals when competing with unrelated plants. Our results indicate that allometric relationships between veg- etative and reproductive traits could be strongly af- fected by genetic relatedness of competing plants.
Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium estertheticum-Like Strain FP3, Isolated from Spoiled Uncooked Lamb

Clostridium estertheticum-like strain FP3 was isolated from vacuum-packaged refrigerated spoiled lamb. This bacterium is psychrotrophic, Gram positive, spore-forming, and a strict anaerobe. Here, we report the generation and annotation of the 5.6-Mb draft genome sequence of C. estertheticum-like strain FP3. ABSTRACT Clostridium estertheticum-like strain FP3 was isolated from vacuum-packaged refrigerated spoiled lamb. This bacterium is psychrotrophic, Gram positive, spore-forming, and a strict anaerobe. Here, we report the generation and annotation of the 5.6-Mb draft genome sequence of C. estertheticum-like strain FP3.
Can changes in implant macrogeometry accelerate the osseointegration process?: An in vivo experimental biomechanical and histological evaluations

Objectives The propose was to compare this new implant macrogeometry with a control implant with a conventional macrogeometry. Materials and methods Eighty-six conical implants were divided in two groups (n = 43 per group): group control (group CON) that were used conical implants with a conventional macrogeometry and, group test (group TEST) that were used implants with the new macrogeometry. The new implant macrogeometry show several circular healing cambers between the threads, distributed in the implant body. Three implants of each group were used to scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) analysis and, other eighty samples (n = 40 per group) were inserted the tibia of ten rabbit (n = 2 per tibia), determined by randomization. The animals were sacrificed (n = 5 per time) at 3-weeks (Time 1) and at 4-weeks after the implantations (Time 2). The biomechanical evaluation proposed was the measurement of the implant stability quotient (ISQ) and the removal torque values (RTv). The microscopical analysis was a histomorphometric measurement of the bone to implant contact (%BIC) and the SEM evaluation of the bone adhered on the removed implants. Results The results showed that the implants of the group TEST produced a significant enhancement in the osseointegration in comparison with the group CON. The ISQ and RTv tests showed superior values for the group TEST in the both measured times (3- and 4-weeks), with significant differences (p < 0.05). More residual bone in quantity and quality was observed in the samples of the group TEST on the surface of the removed implants. Moreover, the %BIC demonstrated an important increasing for the group TEST in both times, with statistical differences (in Time 1 p = 0.0103 and in Time 2 p < 0.0003). Conclusions Then, we can conclude that the alterations in the implant macrogeometry promote several benefits on the osseointegration process.
Evaluating Potential Disease‐Mediated Protein‐Drug Interactions in Patients With Moderate‐to‐Severe Plaque Psoriasis Receiving Subcutaneous Guselkumab

This open‐label, multicenter, phase I therapeutic protein‐drug interaction study was designed to evaluate the potential effect of guselkumab, a fully human anti‐interleukin‐23 immunoglobulin G1 lambda monoclonal antibody, on the pharmacokinetics of a cocktail of representative cytochrome P450 (CYP) probe substrates (midazolam (CYP3A4), S‐warfarin (CYP2C9), omeprazole (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), and caffeine (CYP1A2)). Fourteen participants with psoriasis received a single subcutaneous dose of guselkumab 200 mg on day 8 and an oral probe cocktail on days 1, 15, and 36. Blood samples were collected for measuring plasma concentrations of these probe substrates on days 1, 15, and 36. No consistent trends in observed maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve from time 0 to infinity values of each probe CYP‐substrate before (day 1) and after guselkumab treatment (days 15 and 36) could be identified in each individual patient, suggesting that the use of guselkumab in patients with psoriasis is unlikely to influence the systemic exposure of drugs metabolized by CYP isozymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP1A2). The probe cocktail was generally well‐tolerated when administered in combination with guselkumab in patients with psoriasis.
Adaptive Significance of a Small Heat Shock/α-Crystallin Protein (p26) in Encysted Embryos of the Brine Shrimp, Artemia franciscana

Encysted embryos of the primitive crustacean, Artemia franciscana , are among the most resistant of all animal life history stages to extremes of environmental stress. This resistance has likely been acquired during evolutionary adaptation to their harsh ecological setting. In the laboratory, for example, some of these embryos survive more than 6 years of continuous anoxia while fully hydrated and at room temperature, a phenomenal capability that can easily be related to their frequent encounters with anoxic conditions in nature. A small heat shock protein belonging to the α-crystallin family of proteins, referred to as p26, appears to play a central role in the stress resistance of these embryos. Our evidence shows that this protein is an important component in their adaptive repertoire, and vital for the survival of Artemia in nature.
Short-Term and Long-Term Resilience Among At-Risk Adolescents: The Role of Family and Community Settings

ABSTRACT Objective: Given the severe consequences associated with maltreatment, establishing an understanding of pathways to resilience among trauma-exposed youth is a critical public health aim. Longitudinal research has either examined short-term or long-term responses to traumatic events, which prevents testing for a) individual differences between resilience subtypes and b) consistency of short-term, resilient responses over time. Additionally, post-traumatic stress and depression represent the two most common symptom patterns in youth exposed to maltreatment, however few studies have simultaneously investigated resilience to these outcomes. In response, the current study employs a dimensional analytic approach to distinguish between short-term (the ability to demonstrate adaptive responses to ongoing adversities) and long-term (lack of distress over several years in response to a prior adversity) resilience. Consistent with an ecological perspective, the study examines whether family- and community-level protective factors are similarly or uniquely associated with different resilience subtypes. Method: Participants included 943 individuals (469 male, 474 female) from a nationally-representative, at-risk sample of adolescents who completed self-report measures of maltreatment exposure, depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress symptoms at ages 12, 16, and 18. During the age 12 visit, participants’ caregivers completed self-report measures of family routines and neighborhood social cohesion. Results: Overall, we found that family routines uniquely buffered against trauma-related distress across resilience conceptualizations, while social cohesion played a role in short-term resilience to depressive symptoms (p <.05). Participant gender did not moderate these results (p > .05). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of understanding resilience dimensionally for adolescents exposed to maltreatment.
Health-Related Quality of Life Changes Associated With Hearing Loss.

Importance Utility is a single-value, preference-based measure of health-related quality of life that represents the desirability of a health state relative to being dead or in perfect health. Clinical, funding, and policy decisions rely on measured changes in utility. The benefit of hearing loss treatments may be underestimated because existing utility measures fail to capture important changes in quality of life associated with hearing loss. Objective To develop a comprehensive profile of items that describe how quality of life is associated with hearing loss and its treatments that can be used to generate hearing-related quality of life measures, including a novel utility measure. Design, Setting, and Participants This qualitative study, performed from August 1, 2018, to August 1, 2019, in tertiary referral centers, comprised a systematic literature review, focus groups, and semistructured interviews. The systematic review evaluated studies published from 1982 to August 1, 2018. Focus groups included 8 clinical experts experienced in the measurement, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing loss. Semistructured interviews included 26 adults with hearing loss recruited from an institutional data set and outpatient hearing aid and otology clinics using stratified convenience sampling to include individuals of diverse ages, urban and rural residency, causes of hearing loss, severity of hearing loss, and treatment experience. Main Outcomes and Measures A set of items and subdomains that collectively describe the association of hearing loss with health-related quality of life. Results The literature search yielded 2779 articles from the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases. Forty-five studies including 1036 individuals (age range, 18-84 years) were included. The focus group included 4 audiologists and 4 otologists. Hour-long semistructured interviews were conducted with 26 individuals (13 women; median age, 54 years; range, 25-83 years) with a broad range of hearing loss causes, configurations, and severities. From all 3 sources, a total of 125 items were generated and organized into 29 subdomains derived from the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Conclusions and Relevance The association of hearing loss with quality of life is multidimensional and includes subdomains that are not considered in the estimation of health utility by existing utility measures. The presented comprehensive profile of items can be used to generate or evaluate measures of hearing-related quality of life, including utility measures.
Psychological Factors of Long-Term Dietary and Physical Activity Adherence among Chinese Adults with Overweight and Obesity in a Community-Based Lifestyle Modification Program: A Mixed-Method Study

There is a paucity of research on factors influencing long-term adherence to lifestyle modification. We conducted a mixed-method study to explore the psychological factors of dietary and physical activity (PA) adherence among Chinese adults with overweight and obesity at 10 months after enrollment of a community-based lifestyle modification program in Hong Kong. We recruited Chinese adults newly enrolled in a culturally adapted lifestyle modification program and followed them for 10 months. For the quantitative study, primary outcomes were dietary and PA adherence scores while secondary outcomes included knowledge, self-efficacy, motivation and stage of change. For the qualitative study, data were collected using semi-structured interviews and observation. A total of 140 participants completed the 10-month follow-up. They reported moderate level of dietary adherence but low level of PA adherence at 10 months. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that greater improvement in nutrition knowledge and diet stage of change predicted higher dietary adherence while greater improvement in PA self-efficacy and PA stage of change predicted higher PA adherence. Qualitative data on 26 participants suggest that participants’ knowledge and self-efficacy but not motivation were enhanced during the program. The findings of this study enhanced our understanding on factors influencing long-term adherence to lifestyle changes.
Surface Residue and In-Row Treatment Effects on Long-Term No-Tillage Continuous Corn

Many farmers in the northern Corn Belt are reluctant to adopt notillage practices with continuous corn (Zea mays L.) because they fear that phenological development, stand establishment, and grain yield will be reduced compared with moldboard or chisel plowing. Mechanical removal of in-row residue at planting may reduce or eliminate these problems. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of surface crop residue and planter attachments on in-row cover, seed placement, plant density, grain yield, and grain moisture content of notillage corn, and to determine if these effects changed with time. Three postharvest residue levels, residue removed, normal, and double, were compared from 1984 through 1990 on Rozetta and Palsgrove silt loam soils in southwestern Wisconsin [. ]
Trans-ethnic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies maternal ITPR1 as a novel locus influencing fetal growth during sensitive periods in pregnancy

Abnormal fetal growth is a risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality and is associated with cardiometabolic diseases in adults. Genetic influences on fetal growth can vary at different gestation times, but genome-wide association studies have been limited to birthweight. We performed trans-ethnic genome-wide meta-analyses and fine mapping to identify maternal genetic loci associated with fetal weight estimates obtained from ultrasound measures taken during pregnancy. Data included 1,849 pregnant women from four race/ethnic groups recruited through the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies. We identified a novel genome-wide significant association of rs746039 [G] (ITPR1) with reduced fetal weight from 24 to 33 weeks gestation (P<5x10-8; log10BF>6). Additional tests revealed that the SNP was associated with head circumference (P = 4.85x10-8), but not with abdominal circumference or humerus/femur lengths. Conditional analysis in an independent sample of mother-offspring pairs replicated the findings and showed that the effect was more likely maternal but not fetal. Trans-ethnic approaches successfully narrowed down the haplotype block that contained the 99% credible set of SNPs associated with head circumference. We further demonstrated that decreased placental expression of ITPR1 was correlated with increased placental epigenetic age acceleration, a risk factor for reduced fetal growth, among male fetuses (r = -0.4, P = 0.01). Finally, genetic risk score composed of known maternal SNPs implicated in birthweight among Europeans was associated with fetal weight from mid-gestation onwards among Whites only. The present study sheds new light on the role of common maternal genetic variants in the inositol receptor signaling pathway on fetal growth from late second trimester to early third trimester. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00912132.
Immunodétection de champignons endomycorhiziens à arbuscules in planta

Des anticorps polyclonaux, produits a partir de proteines solubles de spores de Gigaspora rosea, ont montre, par test ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) et DIBA (dot immunoblot assay), une specificite elevee pour les antigenes homologues de ce champignon. L'utilisation de ces anticorps en microscopie optique et electronique sur des coupes de racines infectees par 5 champignons endomycorhiziens differents a confirme leur specificite vis-a-vis de G. rosea. La localisation cellulaire des antigenes est vacuolaire. L'obtention d'anticorps polyclonaux a partir d'immunogenes proteiques a permis pour la premiere fois la reconnaissance d'un champignon endomycorhizien directement in planta.
How do microbiota associated with an invasive seaweed vary across scales?

Communities are shaped by scale dependent processes. To study the diversity and variation of microbial communities across scales, the invasive and widespread seaweed Agarophyton vermiculophyllum presents a unique opportunity. We characterized pro‐ and eukaryotic communities associated with this holobiont across its known distribution range, which stretches over the northern hemisphere. Our data reveal that community composition and diversity in the holobiont vary at local but also larger geographic scales. While processes acting at the local scale (i.e., within population) are the main structuring drivers of associated microbial communities, changes in community composition also depend on processes acting at larger geographic scales. Interestingly, the largest analysed scale (i.e., native and non‐native ranges) explained variation in the prevalence of predicted functional groups, which could suggest a functional shift in microbiota occurred over the course of the invasion process. While high variability in microbiota at the local scale supports A. vermiculophyllum to be a generalist host, we also identified a number of core taxa. These geographically independent holobiont members imply that cointroduction of specific microbiota may have additionally promoted the invasion process.
Changes of EEG phase synchronization and EOG signals along the use of steady state visually evoked potential-based brain computer interface

Objective. The steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain computer interface (BCI) has demonstrated relatively high performance with little user training, and thus becomes a popular BCI paradigm. However, due to the performance deterioration over time, its robustness and reliability appear not sufficient to allow a non-expert to use outside laboratory. It would be thus helpful to study what happens behind the decreasing tendency of the BCI performance. Approach. This paper explores the changes of brain networks and electrooculography (EOG) signals to investigate the cognitive capability changes along the use of the SSVEP-based BCI. The EOG signals are characterized by the blink amplitudes and the speeds of saccades, and the brain networks are estimated by the instantaneous phase synchronizations of electroencephalography signals. Main results. Experimental results revealed that the characteristics derived from EOG and brain networks have similar trends which contain two stages. At the beginning, the blink amplitudes and the saccade speeds start to reduce. Meanwhile, the global synchronizations of the brain networks are formed quickly. These observations implies that the cognitive decline along the use of the SSVEP-based BCI. Then, the EOG and the brain networks related characteristics demonstrate a slow recovery or relatively stable trend. Significance. This study could be helpful for a better understanding about the depreciation of the BCI performance as well as its relationship with the brain networks and the EOG along the use of the SSVEP-based BCI.
The development of critical care nursing education in Zambia.

BACKGROUND Critical care services reflect the healthcare services they support. In many low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs), balancing a sparse workforce, resources and competing demands to fund services, is a significant challenge when providing critical care. In Zambia, critical care has evolved significantly over the past 10 years. This article explores the provision of critical care services and the review and validation of a critical care nursing course. OBJECTIVES To review the literature relating to critical care nursing in sub-Saharan Africa to support a review and validation of the current critical care nursing course and to prepare a framework for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in critical care nursing programme in Zambia. RESULTS A search of the published literature identified key themes, including a paucity of evidence, limited educational opportunities, a lack of national and international opportunities, protocols and standards, and the challenges of providing technical services. The subsequent review and validation took account of these themes. CONCLUSION This project has had an impact on improving critical care nurses' knowledge and skills and provided the foundations for the BSc in critical care nursing.