Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Menopause and high-intensity interval training: effects on body composition and physical performance.

et al supported the effectiveness of HIIT for weight loss and H igh-intensity interval training (HIIT) refers to an intermittent style of exercise in which very highintensity exercises are interspersed with short periods of recovery within a single training session. The last few years, studies suggested that HIIT method is economical in terms of the time invested in improving physical function among young and older adults. In this sense, the article by Nunes et al, published in the present issue of Menopause, addresses the question regarding the effects of HIIT on physical function in a specific population of obese postmenopausal women. Little is, however, known about the influence of menopause on its benefits. Thus, this editorial allows us to outline some of the evidence about the effects of HIIT on physical function and its confounding factors (ie, fat mass) in menopausal women. First, several studies showed that HIIT induced positive effects on functional abilities and metabolism throughout the older population. For example, Sculthorpe et al observed, based on a 6-week randomized controlled study performed among older adults, a significant increase in power (706.5 vs 831.1 W; P< 0.05) and muscle mass (66.1 vs 68.1 kg; P< 0.05) but also a significant decrease in body fat (22.8% vs 20.8%; P< 0.05) in the HIIT group (five sessions per week) compared with the control group. Moreover, to counteract the strong impact on lower extremity joints potentially generated during HIIT, it has been shown that HIIT, performed on an elliptical trainer for 12 weeks at a rate of three times per week, significantly decreased waist circumference and appendicular fat mass but also increased leg muscle mass, resting heart rate, and VO2max in prediabetic elderly obese men. The same modalities of training have also highlighted an improvement in functional capacity and muscle function among dynapenic-obese elderly, in the recent study by Buckinx et al. More importantly, Grossman
Comparative efficacy of exercise and anti-hypertensive pharmacological interventions in reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension: A network meta-analysis

Aims This analysis aims to estimate the comparative efficacy of anti-hypertensive medications and exercise interventions on systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction in people with hypertension. Methods A systematic review was conducted focusing on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise interventions and first-line anti-hypertensives where blood pressure reduction was the primary outcome in those with hypertension. Network meta-analyses were conducted to generate estimates of comparative efficacy. Results We identified 93 RCTs (N = 32,404, mean age in RCTs: 39–70 years) which compared placebo or usual care with first-line antihypertensives including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and thiazide-like diuretics and exercise interventions including aerobic training and dynamic resistance training. Of these, there were 81 (87%) trials related to medications (n = 31,347, 97%) and 12 (13%) trials related to exercise (n = 1057, 3%). The point estimates suggested that antihypertensive medications were more effective than exercise but there was insufficient evidence to suggest that first-line medications significantly reduced blood pressure to a greater extent than did the exercise interventions. Of the first-line treatments, angiotensin receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers had the highest treatment ranking, while exercise had the second lowest treatment ranking, followed by control conditions. Conclusion The current evidence base with a bias towards medication research may partly explain the circumspection around the efficacy of exercise in guidelines and practice. Clinicians may justifiably consider exercise for low risk hypertension patients who confirm a preference for such an approach.
Genomic differences among carriage and invasive nontypeable pneumococci circulating in South Africa

Most pneumococci express a polysaccharide capsule, a key virulence factor and target for pneumococcal vaccines. However, pneumococci showing no serological evidence of capsule expression [nontypeable pneumococci (NTPn)] are more frequently isolated from carriage studies than in invasive disease. Limited data exist about the population structure of carriage NTPn from the African continent. We aimed to characterize carriage NTPn and compare them to previously described invasive NTPn. Carriage and invasive NTPn isolates were obtained from South African cross-sectional studies (2009 and 2012) and laboratory-based surveillance for invasive pneumococcal disease (2003–2013), respectively. Isolates were characterized by capsular locus sequence analysis, multilocus sequence typing, antimicrobial non-susceptibility patterns and phylogenetic analysis. NTPn represented 3.7 % (137/3721) of carriage isolates compared to 0.1 % (39/32 824) of invasive isolates (P<0.001), and 24 % (33/137) of individuals were co-colonized with encapsulated pneumococci. Non-susceptibility to cotrimoxazole [84 % (112/133) vs 44 % (17/39)], penicillin [77 % (102/133) vs 36 % (14/39)], erythromycin [53 % (70/133) vs 31 % (12/39)] and clindamycin [36 % (48/133) vs 18 % (7/39)] was higher (P=0.03) among carriage than invasive NTPn. Ninety-one per cent (124/137) of carriage NTPn had complete deletion of the capsular locus and 9 % (13/137) had capsule genes, compared to 44 % (17/39) and 56 % (22/39) of invasive NTPn, respectively. Carriage NTPn were slightly less diverse [Simpson’s diversity index (D)=0.92] compared to invasive NTPn [D=0.97]. Sixty-seven per cent (92/137) of carriage NTPn belonged to a lineage exclusive to NTPn strains compared to 23 % (9/39) of invasive NTPn. We identified 293 and 275 genes that were significantly associated with carriage and invasive NTPn, respectively. NTPn isolates detected in carriage differed from those causing invasive disease, which may explain their success in colonisation or in causing invasive disease.
Phosphorus-mediated alleviation of aluminum toxicity revealed by the iTRAQ technique in Citrus grandis roots

Citrus grandis seedlings were irrigated with nutrient solutions with four Al-P combinations [two Al levels (0 mM and 1.2 mM AlCl3·6H2O) × two P levels (0 μM and 200 μM KH2PO4)] for 18 weeks. Al dramatically inhibited the growth of C. grandis seedlings, as revealed by a decreased dry weight of roots and shoots. Elevating P level could ameliorate the Al-induced growth inhibition and organic acid (malate and citrate) secretion in C. grandis. Using a comparative proteomic approach revealed by the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technique, 318 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were successfully identified and quantified in this study. The possible mechanisms underlying P-induced alleviation of Al toxicity in C. grandis were proposed. Furthermore, some DAPs, such as GLN phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase 2, ATP-dependent caseinolytic (Clp) protease/crotonase family protein, methionine-S-oxide reductase B2, ABC transporter I family member 17 and pyridoxal phosphate phosphatase, were reported for the first time to respond to Al stress in Citrus plants. Our study provides some proteomic details about the alleviative effects of P on Al toxicity in C. grandis, however, the exact function of the DAPs identified herein in response to Al tolerance in plants must be further investigated.
Response of lung γδ T cells to experimental sepsis in mice

γδ T cells link innate and adaptive immune systems and may regulate host defence. Their role in systemic inflammation induced by trauma or infection (sepsis) is still obscured. The present study was aimed to investigate functions of lung γδ T cells and their response to experimental sepsis. Mice were subjected to caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis and acute lung injury (ALI), or to the sham operation. Animals were killed 1, 4, and 7 days postoperatively; lungs were examined by histology, and isolated cells were studied by flow cytometry. Absolute number of γδ T cells progressively increased in lungs during sepsis, and reached a seven‐fold increase at day 7 after CLP (3·84 ± 0·41 × 105/lung; P = 0·0002 versus sham). A cellular dysfunction was revealed one day after CLP, as manifested by low cytolytic activity (22·3 ± 7·1%; P < 0·05 versus sham), low interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ; 8·5 ± 2·5%; P < 0·05 versus control) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) expression, and high tumour necrosis factor‐α expression (19·5 ± 1·7%; P < 0·05 versus control). The restoration of cytotoxicity, and increase in IFN‐γ and IL‐10 expression was observed at day 7 of CLP‐induced sepsis. In summary, our results demonstrate significant progressive accumulation of γδ T cells in lungs during CLP‐induced ALI. The temporary functional suppression of lung γδ T cells found early after CLP may influence the outcome of sepsis, possibly being associated with uncontrolled inflammatory lung damage.
Understanding the Terminology for Snack Foods and Their Texture by Consumers in Four Languages: A Qualitative Study

The choice of food products is affected by the combination of food properties, consumer motives, emotions, and context, especially in cross-cultural studies. The designs of cross-cultural studies involve several limitations such as conceptual perception and linguistic and cultural differences in response style. These factors confine the validity and generalizability of such study models. In this study, we have combined linguistic and contextual perception together to generate consumer texture terminologies. Four focus groups discussions were conducted with consumers from nine different countries in English, Hindi, Mandarin, and Spanish. Vocabularies for sixteen texture terms were generated. Consumers provided a single consensus term that they typically use to describe contextual sensory perception. The results show that consumers use several terms to describe texture, and terms are very specific to product and related perception. The English translation of words like “snack”, “texture”, and other sensory texture terms are meaningless for non-English speaking cultures. Researchers are encouraged to validate (test) the structure of cross-cultural study models before application. Practical application: The findings of this study present a model which can be utilized to conduct cross-cultural research studies. The results can contribute to generate accurate consumer responses, acceptance, preference, and addressing consumers concerns. Food industries could leverage these by using our methodology in product development, finding consumer insights, effective communication, and products testing in international settings.
Transmission Raman Spectroscopic Quantification of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient in Coated Tablets of Hot-Melt Extruded Amorphous Solid Dispersion

Transmission Raman spectroscopy is an emerging technique, capable of quantitative analysis of drug products nondestructively using a multivariate data analysis approach. We developed and validated a chemometric method to quantify the active pharmaceutical ingredient in coated tablets of hot-melt extruded amorphous solid dispersion. A partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was developed and validated based on transmission Raman spectra data collected from coated tablet samples with variations in the content of active pharmaceutical ingredient, excipients, water content, a key oxidative degradant, milled extrudate particle size distribution, and tablet hardness. The method was proven to be accurate, linear, specific, and robust. Our work demonstrates that transmission Raman spectroscopy (TRS) is a viable, cost-effective, secondary method to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantitation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in coated tablets of hot-melt extruded amorphous solid dispersion.
Mung Bean Protein Supplement Improves Muscular Strength in Healthy, Underactive Vegetarian Adults

Although vegetarian diets are considered generally protective against chronic disease, nutrient deficiencies, including protein, are possible due to low bioavailability from plant-based sources. The consequences of inadequate dietary protein include reduced lean body mass (LBM) and muscle weakness. This study examined relationships between protein intake, strength, and LBM in 37 underactive vegetarians and recorded the impact of protein supplementation (18 g/day mung bean protein) on these indices utilizing an eight-week, randomized, controlled, feeding trial. Both handgrip and knee flexor and extensor strength were measured at baseline and week eight. At baseline, LBM was significantly related to grams of protein consumed daily. LBM was also correlated to grip strength (r = 0.569, p < 0.001) and lower body strength (r = 0.763 to 0.784; p < 0.001). Twenty-five vegetarians completed the feeding trial, including 11 in the protein supplementation group (PRO) and 14 in the control group (CON). At the end of the trial, LBM and strength did not differ significantly between groups. However, the average percent change for grip, flexor, and extensor strength did differ between PRO and CON participants (+2.9 ± 7.2% and −2.6 ± 7.3% respectively, p = 0.05). Thus, there were strong associations between dietary protein, LBM, and strength in vegetarians and an indication that supplementary vegetarian protein increased strength in the absence of exercise and independent of LBM.
Advances in the Mechanisms of Plant Tolerance to Manganese Toxicity

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for plant growth due to its participation in a series of physiological and metabolic processes. Mn is also considered a heavy metal that causes phytotoxicity when present in excess, disrupting photosynthesis and enzyme activity in plants. Thus, Mn toxicity is a major constraint limiting plant growth and production, especially in acid soils. To cope with Mn toxicity, plants have evolved a wide range of adaptive strategies to improve their growth under this stress. Mn tolerance mechanisms include activation of the antioxidant system, regulation of Mn uptake and homeostasis, and compartmentalization of Mn into subcellular compartments (e.g., vacuoles, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and cell walls). In this regard, numerous genes are involved in specific pathways controlling Mn detoxification. Here, we summarize the recent advances in the mechanisms of Mn toxicity tolerance in plants and highlight the roles of genes responsible for Mn uptake, translocation, and distribution, contributing to Mn detoxification. We hope this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive strategies of plants to Mn toxicity through gene regulation, which will aid in breeding crop varieties with Mn tolerance via genetic improvement approaches, enhancing the yield and quality of crops.
Prescription of antimicrobials in primary health care as a marker to identify people living with undiagnosed HIV infection, Denmark, 1998 to 2016

Background Development of additional diagnostic strategies for earlier HIV diagnosis are needed as approximately 50% of newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals continue to present late for HIV care. Aim We aimed to analyse antimicrobial consumption in the 3 years preceding HIV diagnosis, assess whether there was a higher consumption in those diagnosed with HIV compared with matched controls and whether the level of consumption was associated with the risk of HIV infection. Methods We conducted a nested case–control study, identifying all individuals (n = 2,784 cases) diagnosed with HIV in Denmark from 1998 to 2016 and 13 age-and sex-matched population controls per case (n = 36,192 controls) from national registers. Antimicrobial drug consumption was estimated as defined daily doses per person-year. We used conditional logistic regression to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results In the 3 years preceding an HIV diagnosis, we observed more frequent and higher consumption of antimicrobial drugs in cases compared with controls, with 72.4% vs 46.3% having had at least one prescription (p < 0.001). For all antimicrobial classes, the association between consumption and risk of subsequent HIV diagnosis was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The association was stronger with higher consumption and with shorter time to HIV diagnosis. Conclusion HIV-infected individuals have a significantly higher use of antimicrobial drugs in the 3 years preceding HIV diagnosis than controls. Prescription of antimicrobial drugs in primary healthcare could be an opportunity to consider proactive HIV testing. Further studies need to identify optimal prescription cut-offs that could endorse its inclusion in public health policies.
A statistical framework to assess cross-frequency coupling while accounting for confounding analysis effects

Cross frequency coupling (CFC) is emerging as a fundamental feature of brain activity, correlated with brain function and dysfunction. Many different types of CFC have been identified through application of numerous data analysis methods, each developed to characterize a specific CFC type. Choosing an inappropriate method weakens statistical power and introduces opportunities for confounding effects. To address this, we propose a statistical modeling framework to estimate high frequency amplitude as a function of both the low frequency amplitude and low frequency phase; the result is a measure of phase-amplitude coupling that accounts for changes in the low frequency amplitude. We show in simulations that the proposed method successfully detects CFC between the low frequency phase or amplitude and the high frequency amplitude, and outperforms an existing method in biologically-motivated examples. Applying the method to in vivo data, we illustrate examples of CFC during a seizure and in response to electrical stimuli.
Diet as a Source of Exposure to Environmental Contaminants for Pregnant Women and Children from Six European Countries

Background: Pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable to exposures to food contaminants, and a balanced diet during these periods is critical for optimal nutritional status. Objectives: Our objective was to study the association between diet and measured blood and urinary levels of environmental contaminants in mother–child pairs from six European birth cohorts (n=818 mothers and 1,288 children). Methods: We assessed the consumption of seven food groups and the blood levels of organochlorine pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and heavy metals and urinary levels of phthalate metabolites, phenolic compounds, and organophosphate pesticide (OP) metabolites. Organic food consumption during childhood was also studied. We applied multivariable linear regressions and targeted maximum likelihood based estimation (TMLE). Results: Maternal high (≥4 times/week) versus low (<2 times/week) fish consumption was associated with 15% higher PCBs [geometric mean (GM) ratio=1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.29], 42% higher perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) (GM ratio=1.42; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.68), 89% higher mercury (Hg) (GM ratio=1.89; 95% CI: 1.47, 2.41) and a 487% increase in arsenic (As) (GM ratio=4.87; 95% CI: 2.57, 9.23) levels. In children, high (≥3 times/week) versus low (<1.5 times/week) fish consumption was associated with 23% higher perfluorononanoate (PFNA) (GM ratio=1.23; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.40), 36% higher PFUnDA (GM ratio=1.36; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.64), 37% higher perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (GM ratio=1.37; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.54), and >200% higher Hg and As [GM ratio=3.87 (95% CI: 1.91, 4.31) and GM ratio=2.68 (95% CI: 2.23, 3.21)] concentrations. Using TMLE analysis, we estimated that fish consumption within the recommended 2–3 times/week resulted in lower PFAS, Hg, and As compared with higher consumption. Fruit consumption was positively associated with OP metabolites. Organic food consumption was negatively associated with OP metabolites. Discussion: Fish consumption is related to higher PFAS, Hg, and As exposures. In addition, fruit consumption is a source of exposure to OPs. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5324
An Overview of High Frequency Acoustic Sensors—QCMs, SAWs and FBARs—Chemical and Biochemical Applications †

Acoustic devices have found wide applications in chemical and biosensing fields owing to their high sensitivity, ruggedness, miniaturized design and integration ability with on-field electronic systems. One of the potential advantages of using these devices are their label-free detection mechanism since mass is the fundamental property of any target analyte which is monitored by these devices. Herein, we provide a concise overview of high frequency acoustic transducers such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), surface acoustic wave (SAW) and film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) to compare their working principles, resonance frequencies, selection of piezoelectric materials for their fabrication, temperature-frequency dependency and operation in the liquid phase. The selected sensor applications of these high frequency acoustic transducers are discussed primarily focusing on the two main sensing domains, i.e., biosensing for working in liquids and gas/vapor phase sensing. Furthermore, the sensor performance of high frequency acoustic transducers in selected cases is compared with well-established analytical tools such as liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatographic (GC) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Finally, a general comparison of these acoustic devices is conducted to discuss their strengths, limitations, and commercial adaptability thus, to select the most suitable transducer for a particular chemical/biochemical sensing domain.
Transcription Factors Associated with Leaf Senescence in Crops

Leaf senescence is a complex mechanism controlled by multiple genetic and environmental variables. Different crops present a delay in leaf senescence with an important impact on grain yield trough the maintenance of the photosynthetic leaf area during the reproductive stage. Additionally, because of the temporal gap between the onset and phenotypic detection of the senescence process, candidate genes are key tools to enable the early detection of this process. In this sense and given the importance of some transcription factors as hub genes in senescence pathways, we present a comprehensive review on senescence-associated transcription factors, in model plant species and in agronomic relevant crops. This review will contribute to the knowledge of leaf senescence process in crops, thus providing a valuable tool to assist molecular crop breeding.
Antibody‐Mediated Drug Delivery Systems: General Review and Applications

The term antibody was first used by Paul Ehrlich in year 1891 in his article “Experimental Studies on Immunity. ” In 1890, Emil Von Behring and Shibasaburo Kitasato established the basis for serum therapy : that serum taken from animals treated with nonlethal doses of diphtheria and tetanus can be used for the treatment of diphtheria and tetanus. They followed this discovery with the theory of humoral immunity , which prompted Paul Ehrlich to propose side chain theory , which describes the interaction between antibodies and antigens. Later, in the 1920s and the 1930s, it was shown by Michael Heidelberger and Oswald Avery that antibodies are made of protein, and the biochemical aspect of antigen–antibody interactions was explained by John Marrack. In the following years, the structure of antibodies was characterized by a number of scientists independently [1]. In 1975, Kohler and Milstein successfully produced antibodies in vitro using “hybridoma technology. ” This discovery allowed the production and use of antibodies on a large scale for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The first