Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reply to: Objectively Measured Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Mortality Among Brazilian Older Adults

cause mortality in older adults: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014;99: 875-890. 3. Kim H, Yoon JL, Lee A, et al. Prognostic effect of body mass index to mortality in Korean older persons. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2018;18:538-546. 4. Janssen I, Mark AE. Elevated body mass index and mortality risk in the elderly. Obes Rev. 2007;8:41-59. 5. Janssen I. Morbidity and mortality risk associated with an overweight BMI in older men and women. Obesity. 2007;15:1827-1840. 6. Myrskylä M, Chang VW. Weight change, initial BMI, and mortality among middleand older-aged adults. Epidemiology. 2009;20:840-848. 7. Amery A, Brixko P, Clement D, et al. Mortality and morbidity results from the European working party on high blood pressure in the elderly trial. Lancet. 1985;325:1349-1354. 8. Bertoni AG, Hundley WG, Massing MW, Bonds DE, Burke GL, Goff DC. Heart failure prevalence, incidence, and mortality in the elderly with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:699-703. 9. Silver FL, Norris JW, Lewis AJ, Hachinski V. Early mortality following stroke: a prospective review. Stroke. 1984;15:492-496. 10. Kuramoto K, Matsushita S, Esaki Y, Shimada H. Prevalence, rate of correct clinical diagnosis and mortality of cancer in 4,894 elderly autopsy cases. Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 1993;30:35-40.
Seagrass colonization: biomass development and shoot demography in Cymodocea nodosa patches.

Patches of Cymodocea nodosa colonizing highly mobile sandy sediments were studied to determine the temporal and spatial course of biomass and demographic development. Results show (1) a close coupling between rhizome growth and shoot density and biomass; (2) an average b ~ o n ~ a s s accumulation rate of ca 250 g fresh wt m-2 yr-l for rhizomes and 480 g m-2 yr-' for shoots; and (3) a close relationship between plant biomass and distance from patch edge Short shoots are produced in annual cohorts, subject to an average mortality of ca 1.0 exponential unit yr-' regardless of cohort age, but shoot mortality decreases with distance from patch edge. Patch maintenance is achieved by shoot recruitment rates closely matching shoot mortality rates. Mean shoot age, variability in shoot age structure, and associated shoot characteristics (i.e. length and number of standing leaves), increase with time after patch establishment. These results demonstrate the importance of shoot recruitment and mortality for the maintenance and growth of C. nodosa patches and, hence, for seagrass recovery.
Detection of Amblyogenic Refractive Error Using the Spot Vision Screener in Children.

SIGNIFICANCE Vision screenings are conducted to detect significant refractive errors, amblyopia, and ocular diseases. Vision screening devices are desired to have high testability, sensitivity, and specificity. Spot has demonstrated high testability, but previous reports suggest that the Spot has low sensitivity for detecting amblyogenic hyperopia and moderate sensitivity for amblyogenic astigmatism. PURPOSE This study assessed the concurrent validity of detecting amblyogenic refractive errors by the Spot (v.1.1.50; Welch Allyn Inc., Skaneateles Falls, NY) compared with cycloplegic retinoscopy. METHODS A total of 475 subjects (24 to 96 months) were screened by Spot and then received a masked comprehensive examination. Sensitivity and specificity, Bland-Altman plot, receiver operating characteristic area under the curve, and paired t test were evaluated by comparing the results of the Spot (v1.1.50) using the manufacturer referral criteria with the results of the comprehensive examination using the 2013 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus criteria. RESULTS The Spot (v.1.1.50) referred 107 subjects (22.53%) for the following: 18.73% (89/475) astigmatism, 4.63% (22/475) myopia, 0.42% (2/475) hyperopia, and 2.11% (10/475) anisometropia. The sensitivity and specificity of the Spot vision screener for detecting amblyogenic risk factors were 86.08% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.45 to 92.84%) and 90.15% (95% CI, 86.78 to 92.90%). Areas under the curve were 0.906 (95% CI, 0.836 to 0.976) for hyperopia, 0.887 (95% CI, 0.803 to 0.972) for spherical equivalent, and 0.914 (95% CI, 0.866 to 0.962) for astigmatism. A modified hyperopia criteria cutoff of greater than +1.06 D improved the sensitivity from 25 to 80% with 90% specificity. The current cutoff criterion, greater than -1.75 D, for astigmatism seemed optimal. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the Spot vision screener accurately detects low spherical refractive errors and astigmatism. Lowering the hyperopia cutoff criteria from the current Spot screener referral criteria improves the sensitivity with desired (high) specificity.
Oral health literacy, sociodemographic, family and clinical predictors of dental visits among Brazilian early adolescents.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of dental caries is high in adolescents worldwide, and a large percentage have never been to a dentist or have not had regular dental appointments. AIM To evaluate the influence of oral health literacy and sociodemographic, clinical, and family factors on dental visits among early adolescents. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted with 740 12-year-old students in Campina Grande, Brazil. Students answered about their level of oral health literacy (BREALD-30), levels of family adaptability and cohesion (FACES III), and visits to the dentist some time in life. Dental caries experience was evaluated using Nyvad criteria. Robust Poisson regression for complex samples was performed. RESULTS A higher level of oral health literacy (PR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.03), high social class (PR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.50), higher mother's schooling (PR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.37 to 1.83), family cohesion classified as enmeshed (PR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.02) and connected (PR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.44), and the absence of toothache (PR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.38) remained associated with having visited a dentist. CONCLUSIONS Oral health literacy and sociodemographic, family, and clinical factors were predictors of having visited a dentist among early adolescents.
Predicting Factors Associated with Hypoglycemia Reduction with Automated Predictive Insulin Suspension in Patients at High Risk of Severe Hypoglycemia: An Analysis from the SMILE Randomized Trial

Background: This analysis from the SMILE randomized study was performed to identify predictive factors associated with the greatest reductions in hypoglycemia with the Medtronic MiniMed™ 640G Suspend before low feature in adults with type 1 diabetes at high risk of severe hypoglycemia. Methods: Clinical and treatment-related factors associated with decreased sensor hypoglycemia (SH) were identified in participants from the intervention arm by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The reduction in SH events <54 mg/dL (<3.0 mmol/L) in the intervention group was significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with the baseline mean number of sensor hypoglycemic events (MNSHE) <54 mg/dL. When excluding continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) factors not readily available (MNSHE, duration of SH events, area under the curve, mean amplitude of glycemic excursions), only the baseline mean time spent <54 mg/dL was found to be a significant independent predictor factor (P < 0.0001). Baseline HbA1c, mean self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), and coefficient of variation of SMBG were significant, although weak, predictors in the absence of any CGM data. Conclusions: The greatest reductions in SH events achieved with the MiniMed 640G system with the Suspend before low feature were seen in participants with higher baseline MNSHE. Measuring these (usually uncollected) events can be a useful tool to predict hypoglycemia reduction. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Identifier NCT02733991.
Immune Cell Subtypes and Cytokines in Lung Tumor Microenvironment: Influence of COPD

Background: The immune microenvironment plays a role in tumorigenesis. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for lung cancer (LC). We hypothesized that immune profile characterized by T regulatory (Treg), natural killer (NK), and plasma cells, as well as interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon-gamma, may differ within tumors of LC patients with/without COPD. Methods: Treg (anti-CD3 and anti-forkhead boxP3 antibodies), NK (anti-NCR1 antibody), IgG (anti-CD138-IgG antibody), IgA (anti-CD138-IgA antibody) using immunohistochemistry, and both IL-10 and interferon-gamma (ELISA) were quantified in tumor and non-tumor specimens (thoracotomy for lung tumor resection) from 33 LC–COPD patients and 20 LC-only patients. Results: Immune profile in tumor versus non-tumor specimens: Treg cell counts significantly increased in tumors of both LC and LC–COPD patients, while in tumors of the latter group, IgG-secreting plasma cells significantly decreased and IL-10 increased. No significant differences were seen in levels of NK cells, IgA-secreting cells, IgA/IgG, or interferon-gamma. Immune profile in tumors of LC–COPD versus LC: No significant differences were observed in tumors between LC–COPD and LC patients for any study marker. Conclusions: Immune cell subtypes and cytokines are differentially expressed in lung tumors, and the presence of COPD elicited a decline in IgG-secreting plasma cell levels but not in other cell types.
Paper-Based Working Electrodes Coated with Mercury or Bismuth Films for Heavy Metals Determination

Paper-based carbon working electrodes were modified with mercury or bismuth films for the determination of trace metals in aqueous solutions. Both modification procedures were optimized in terms of selectivity and sensitivity for the determination of different heavy metals, aiming their simultaneous determination. Cd (II), Pb (II) and In (III) could be quantified with both films. However, Cu (II) could not be determined with bismuth films. The modification with mercury films led to the most sensitive method, with linear ranges between 0.1 and 10 µg/mL and limits of detection of 0.4, 0.1, 0.04 and 0.2 µg/mL for Cd (II), Pb (II), In (III) and Cu (II), respectively. Nevertheless, the bismuth film was a more sustainable alternative to mercury. Tap-water samples were analyzed for the determination of metals by standard addition methodology with good accuracy, by using a low-cost and easily disposable paper-based electrochemical platform. This system demonstrated its usefulness for monitoring heavy metals in water.
The effect of temperature and fish size on growth and feed efficiency ratio of juvenile spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor

The growth properties of juvenile spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor reared at 4, 6, 8 and 12° C, and a group reared under 'temperature steps', (T-step) i.e. with temperature reduced successively from 12 to 9 and 6° C were investigated. Growth rate and feed efficiency ration was significantly influenced by temperature and fish size. Overall growth rate was highest at 6° C (0·68% day -1 ) and lowest at 12° C (0·48% day -1 ), while the 4 and 8° C, and the T-step groups had similar overall growth rates, i.e. 0·59, 0·62 and 0·51% day -1 respectively. Optimal temperature for growth (T opt G ) and feed efficiency ratio (T opt F CE ) decreased as fish size increased, indicating an ontogenetic reduction in T opt G and T opt F CE . The results suggest a T opt G of juvenile spotted wolffish in the size range 135-380 g, dropping from 7·9° C for 130-135 g to 6·6° C for 360-380 g juveniles. The T opt F CE dropped from 7·4° C for 120-150 g to 6·5° C for 300-380 g juveniles. A wider parabolic regression curve between growth, feed efficiency ratio and temperature as fish size increased, may indicate increased temperature tolerance with size. Individual growth rates varied greatly at all time periods within the experimental temperatures, but at the same time significant size rank correlations were maintained and this may indicate stable size hierarchies in juvenile spotted wolffish.
Observations on the biology of tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet) (Pisces : Megalopidae), in the Sepik River, Northern Papua New Guinea

M. cyprinoides was recorded in higher-order rivers, ox-bow lakes and other areas of permanent water and also on the floodplain, although this is not a preferred habitat. Juveniles enter the river in April to July and the fish return to the sea before they begin to mature. The smallest individual recorded was 103 mm, the largest 440 mm (standard length). Fat deposit index was low for the whole population and surplus energy is probably directed to growth and not stored. Condition and fat deposit index were both slightly, but significantly, lower during the dry season. Stomach contents showed that this species is a meso-predator, feeding mainly on small prawns, aquatic and terrestrial insects and small fish. No major seasonal changes in diet were evident.
Biochemical and Genomic Characterization of the Cypermethrin-Degrading and Biosurfactant-Producing Bacterial Strains Isolated from Marine Sediments of the Chilean Northern Patagonia

Pesticides cause severe environmental damage to marine ecosystems. In the last ten years, cypermethrin has been extensively used as an antiparasitic pesticide in the salmon farming industry located in Northern Patagonia. The objective of this study was the biochemical and genomic characterization of cypermethrin-degrading and biosurfactant-producing bacterial strains isolated from cypermethrin-contaminated marine sediment samples collected in southern Chile (MS). Eleven strains were isolated by cypermethrin enrichment culture techniques and were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing analyses. The highest growth rate on cypermethrin was observed in four isolates (MS13, MS15a, MS16, and MS19) that also exhibited high levels of biosurfactant production. Genome sequence analyses of these isolates revealed the presence of genes encoding components of bacterial secondary metabolism, and the enzymes esterase, pyrethroid hydrolase, and laccase, which have been associated with different biodegradation pathways of cypermethrin. These novel cypermethrin-degrading and biosurfactant-producing bacterial isolates have a biotechnological potential for biodegradation of cypermethrin-contaminated marine sediments, and their genomes contribute to the understanding of microbial lifestyles in these extreme environments.
A Systematic Review of Closed-Loop Feedback Techniques in Sleep Studies—Related Issues and Future Directions

Advances in computer processing technology have enabled researchers to analyze real-time brain activity and build real-time closed-loop paradigms. In many fields, the effectiveness of these closed-loop protocols has proven to be better than that of the simple open-loop paradigms. Recently, sleep studies have attracted much attention as one possible application of closed-loop paradigms. To date, several studies that used closed-loop paradigms have been reported in the sleep-related literature and recommend a closed-loop feedback system to enhance specific brain activity during sleep, which leads to improvements in sleep’s effects, such as memory consolidation. However, to the best of our knowledge, no report has reviewed and discussed the detailed technical issues that arise in designing sleep closed-loop paradigms. In this paper, we reviewed the most recent reports on sleep closed-loop paradigms and offered an in-depth discussion of some of their technical issues. We found 148 journal articles strongly related with ‘sleep and stimulation’ and reviewed 20 articles on closed-loop feedback sleep studies. We focused on human sleep studies conducting any modality of feedback stimulation. Then we introduced the main component of the closed-loop system and summarized several open-source libraries, which are widely used in closed-loop systems, with step-by-step guidelines for closed-loop system implementation for sleep. Further, we proposed future directions for sleep research with closed-loop feedback systems, which provide some insight into closed-loop feedback systems.
New Trends in Bio-Based Aerogels

(1) Background: The fascinating properties of currently synthesized aerogels associated with the flexible approach of sol-gel chemistry play an important role in the emergence of special biomedical applications. Although it is increasingly known and mentioned, the potential of aerogels in the medical field is not sufficiently explored. Interest in aerogels has increased greatly in recent decades due to their special properties, such as high surface area, excellent thermal and acoustic properties, low density and thermal conductivity, high porosity, flame resistance and humidity, and low refractive index and dielectric constant. On the other hand, high manufacturing costs and poor mechanical strength limit the growth of the market. (2) Results: In this paper, we analyze more than 180 articles from recent literature studies focused on the dynamics of aerogels research to summarize the technologies used in manufacturing and the properties of materials based on natural polymers from renewable sources. Biomedical applications of these bio-based materials are also introduced. (3) Conclusions: Due to their complementary functionalities (bioactivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique chemistry), bio-based materials provide a vast capability for utilization in the field of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary scientific research.
Abstract 1059: SUV39H1 promotes HCC tumorigenesis and is targeted by tumor suppressive miRNA-125b

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Epigenetic alternation is a common dysregulated event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Through interrogating the expression of 90 major epigenetic regulating genes, we identified SUV39H1, the prototype histone methyltransferase as one of the most frequently up-regulated epigenetic regulators in human HCC (61%, 23/38). SUV39H1 is responsible for H3K9 trimethylation establishment and essentially involves in heterochromatin formation and transcriptional repression. We found that SUV39H1 up-regulation in human HCC was significantly associated with increased Ki67 expression (P < 0.001) and the presence of venous invasion (P = 0.020), suggesting the importance of SUV39H1 in HCC tumor growth and metastasis. To investigate the functions of SUV39H1 in human HCC, both gain- and loss-of-function models were established. Ectopic expression of SUV39H1 remarkably enhanced cell clonogenicity and migratory ability of immortalized hepatocytes. Conversely, stable knockdown of SUV39H1 by shRNA substantially reduced cell proliferation, colony formation and migration of HCC cells. In addition, an elevated lysosomal β-galactosidase activity in SUV39H1 knockdown cells was observed and suggested the senescence-suppressive role of SUV39H1 in cancer progression. Consistent with previous observations, treatment of SUV39H1 inhibitor (Chaetocin) drastically suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HCC cells. The oncogenic function of SUV39H1 was further demonstrated by in vivo experiments, knockdown of SUV39H1 significantly inhibited tumorigenicity of HCC cells in both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse model. Most importantly, SUV39H1 knockdown abolished pulmonary metastasis of HCC cells in orthotopic tumor implantation model. To further investigate the underlying mechanism of SUV39H1 up-regulation in HCC, we explored the potential regulation of SUV39H1 by microRNA. In silico analysis suggested SUV39H1 as a putative target of miR-125b. Ectopic expression of miR-125b precursor in HCC cells significantly inhibited SUV39H1 3′UTR luciferase reporter activity and suppressed endogenous SUV39H1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, down-regulation of miR-125b was frequently observed in human HCC (70%, 38/54) and was inversely correlated with SUV39H1 expression (P = 0.001). Taken together, we demonstrated that SUV39H1 was frequently up-regulated in human HCC and functioned as an oncogene in promoting HCC progression and metastasis. miR-125b negatively regulated SUV39H1 expression and downregulation of miR-125b may account for SUV39H1 up-regulation in human HCC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1059. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1059
Esmolol inhibits inflammation and apoptosis in the intestinal tissue via the overexpression of NF-κB-p65 in the early stage sepsis rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Accumulating evidence reveals esmolol could protect the gut mucosa through the regulation of immune response and inflammation in patients with sepsis. However, its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS Diamine oxidase (DAO), intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 in the plasma of rats were detected by ELISA assay. Western blotting was utilized to measure the expression levels of NF-kappa B-p65, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 in the intestinal tissues. The survival analysis was performed in each group. RESULTS The plasma levels of DAO and IL-10 levels were increased, whereas that of I-FABP and IL-6 were decreased in the sepsis rats after esmolol treatment, indicating that after the esmolol treatment, the intestinal inflammation and damages were remarkably reduced as compared to those in the normal saline treated sepsis rats. NF-κB-p65 and Bcl-2 were highly expressed, but cleaved caspase-3 showed lower expression in the esmolol treated groups. However, at the same time, we observed contrasting results in the normal saline treated group. Western blotting data indicated that the esmolol treatment inhibited the inflammation and apoptosis in the intestinal tissue due to the overexpression of NF-κB-p65 in the celiac sepsis rats. The survival analysis results indicate that the esmolol infusion should be used in the early stages sepsis rats. CONCLUSION Esmolol can suppress inflammation and apoptosis in the intestinal tissue via the overexpression of NF-kappa B-p65 in the early stage sepsis rats. kappa BEarly-stage use of esmolol might be an ideal treatment method for sepsis.
Biased Gene Conversion Constrains Adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Reduction of fitness due to deleterious mutations imposes a limit to adaptive evolution. By characterizing features that influence this genetic load we may better understand constraints on responses to both natural and human-mediated selection. Here, using whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome data from >600 Arabidopsis thaliana individuals, we set out to identify important features influencing selective constraint. Our analyses reveal that multiple factors underlie the accumulation of maladaptive mutations, including gene expression level, gene network connectivity, and gene-body methylation. We then focus on a feature with major effect, nucleotide composition. The ancestral vs. derived status of segregating alleles suggests that GC-biased gene conversion, a recombination-associated process that increases the frequency of G and C nucleotides regardless of their fitness effects, shapes sequence patterns in A. thaliana. Through estimation of mutational effects, we present evidence that biased gene conversion hinders the purging of deleterious mutations and contributes to a genome-wide signal of decreased efficacy of selection. By comparing these results to two outcrossing relatives, Arabidopsis lyrata and Capsella grandiflora, we find that protein evolution in A. thaliana is as strongly affected by biased gene conversion as in the outcrossing species. Last, we perform simulations to show that natural levels of outcrossing in A. thaliana are sufficient to facilitate biased gene conversion despite increased homozygosity due to selfing. Together, our results show that even predominantly selfing taxa are susceptible to biased gene conversion, suggesting that it may constitute an important constraint to adaptation among plant species.