Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of neighborhood environment and loneliness among older Chinese adults: the mediator role of cognitive and structural social capital

Abstract Objective This study aimed to examine the mediating role of social capital in the association between perceived physical neighborhood environment and loneliness among older adults in urban China. Method Data were derived from face-to-face interviews with people (n = 472) aged 60 or older in urban communities of Shanghai, China, in 2020. Loneliness was measured by the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Scale. A multiple mediator model was adopted to examine the research hypotheses. Results Cognitive social capital played a full mediation role in the association between perceived community health care (β = −.061, p < .05), safety (β = −.168, p < .001), recreational services (β = −.058, p < .05), and loneliness. Structural social capital was associated with loneliness (β = −.102, p < .05), whereas its mediator effect was not significant. Perceived transportation convenience had neither a direct nor an indirect effect on loneliness among older adults. Conclusion Findings indicate that older adults’ perceptions of healthcare services, safety, and recreational resources could help alleviate their loneliness via fostering cognitive social capital. Interventions improving older adults’ perceptions of community health care, safety, and recreation, and their social capital level could help reduce the prevalence of loneliness.
Tanshinone IIA‐regulation of IL‐6 antagonizes PM2.5‐induced proliferation of human bronchial epithelial cells via a STAT3/miR‐21 reciprocal loop

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), a component of atmospheric particulate matter, leads to changes in gene expression and cellular functions. Epidemiological evidence confirms that PM2.5 has a positive correlation with lung injury. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood, and preventive methods are needed. In the present study, with human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells in culture, we showed that low concentrations of PM2.5 resulted in acceleration of the G1/S transition and cell proliferation. Consistent with these effects, expression of the pro‐inflammatory factor interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) was elevated in HBE cells exposed to PM2.5. Accordingly, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was activated, which down‐regulated expression of cyclin D1. In addition, PM2.5 exposure led to higher levels of miR‐21, and there was a reciprocal loop between miR‐21 and STAT3. For HBE cells, tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) reversed the PM2.5‐induced cell cycle alteration and cell proliferation, and reduced the expression of cytokines (IL‐6, STAT3, and miR‐21). These results show that, for HBE cells, Tan IIA attenuates the PM2.5‐induced G1/S alteration and cell proliferation, and indicate that it has potential clinical application for PM2.5‐induced respiratory injuries.
Performance Requirement Analysis and Weight Estimation of Reusable Launch Vehicle using Rocket based Air-breathing Engine

Performance requirement analysis and weight estimation of a reusable launch vehicle with a rocket-based air-breathing engine(RBCC : Rocket Based Combined Cycle) were performed. Performance model for an RBCC engine was developed and integrated with flight trajectory model. The integrated engine-trajectory model was validated by comparing the results with those from previous research reference. Based on the new engine-trajectory model and previous research results, engine performance requirements were derived for an reusable launching vehicle with gross take-off weight of 15 tones. Dependence of the propellant amount requirement on the mode transition Mach number of the engine was also analyzed.
Long non‐coding RNA Sox2OT promotes coronary microembolization‐induced myocardial injury by mediating pyroptosis

As a common complication of coronary microembolization (CME), myocardial injury (MI) implies high mortality. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are rarely studied in CME‐induced MI. Herein, this study intended to evaluate the role of lncRNA Sox2 overlapping transcript (Sox2OT) in CME‐induced MI.
Inflammatory and Immune Protein Pathways Possible Mechanisms for Pain Following Walking in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract Background Knee osteoarthritis affects nearly 30% of adults aged 60 years or older and causes significant pain and disability. Walking is considered a “gold standard” treatment option for reducing knee osteoarthritis pain and maintaining joint mobility but does not reduce pain for all adults with knee osteoarthritis pain and may induce pain—particularly when starting a walking routine. The mechanism by which walking is helpful for knee osteoarthritis pain is unclear. Quantitative sensory testing has revealed that knee osteoarthritis pain has both peripheral and central components, which vary by individual. Objective The purpose of this study was to better understand the mechanisms underlying the value of walking for knee pain. Methods We conducted a pretest/posttest study using quantitative sensory testing to measure neurophysiological parameters and examined systemic protein signatures. Adults with knee osteoarthritis and healthy controls underwent quantitative sensory testing and blood draw for platelet proteomics before and after a 30-minute walk at 100 steps per minute. Results A single 30-minute walk moderately increased pressure pain sensitivity at the affected knee among persons with knee osteoarthritis. Healthy adults showed no difference in pain sensitivity. Protein signatures among participants with knee osteoarthritis indicated changes in inflammatory and immune pathways, including the complement system and SAA1 protein that coincided with changes in pain with walking and differed from healthy participants. Discussion One goal of developing individualized interventions for knee osteoarthritis pain is to elucidate the mechanisms by which self-management interventions affect pain. The addition of therapies that target the complement system or SAA1 expression may improve the pain sensitivity after a moderate walk for adults with knee osteoarthritis.
Prehabilitation for Total Knee or Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract We sought to systematically review the evidence on the benefits and harms of prehabilitation interventions for patients who are scheduled to undergo elective, unilateral total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty surgery for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis. We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1, 2005, through May 3, 2021. We selected for inclusion randomized controlled trials and adequately adjusted nonrandomized comparative studies of prehabilitation programs reporting performance-based, patient-reported, or healthcare utilization outcomes. Three researchers extracted study data and assessed risk of bias, verified by an independent researcher. Experts in rehabilitation content and complex interventions independently coded rehabilitation interventions. The team assessed strength of evidence. While large heterogeneity across evaluated prehabilitation programs limited strong conclusions, evidence from 13 total knee arthroplasty randomized controlled trials suggest that prehabilitation may result in increased strength and reduced length of stay and may not lead to increased harms but may be comparable in terms of pain, range of motion, and activities of daily living (all low strength of evidence). There was no evidence or insufficient evidence for all other outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. Although there were six total hip arthroplasty randomized controlled trials, there was no evidence or insufficient evidence for all total hip arthroplasty outcomes.
Rehabilitation for Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract We sought to determine the comparative benefit and harm of rehabilitation interventions for patients who have undergone elective, unilateral total knee arthroplasty for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis. We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1, 2005, through May 3, 2021. We included randomized controlled trials and adequately adjusted nonrandomized comparative studies of rehabilitation programs reporting performance-based, patient-reported, or healthcare utilization outcomes. Three researchers extracted study data and assessed risk of bias, verified by an independent researcher. The team assessed strength of evidence. Evidence from 53 studies randomized controlled trials suggests that various rehabilitation programs after total knee arthroplasty may lead to comparable improvements in pain, range of motion, and activities of daily living. Rehabilitation in the acute phase may lead to increased strength but result in similar strength when delivered in the postacute phase. No studies reported evidence of risk of harms due to rehabilitation delivered in the acute period after total knee arthroplasty; risk of harms among various postacute rehabilitation programs seems comparable. All findings were of low strength of evidence. Evaluation of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty needs a systematic overhaul to sufficiently guide future practice or research including the use of standardized intervention components and core outcomes.
Exploring species-specific inhibitors with multiple target sites on S. aureus pyruvate kinase using a computational workflow

Abstract Experimental evidence indicated that bacterial pyruvate kinase of glycolysis can be evaluated as an alternative target to eliminate infections, while antibiotic resistance poses a global threat. Here, we use a computational workflow to reveal and investigate the potential allosteric sites of methicillin-resistant S. aureus PK, which can help in designing species-specific drugs to inhibit activity of this organism. Residue interaction networks point to a known allosteric site at the small C-C interface, a potential allosteric site near the small interface (site #1), and a second potential allosteric site at the large interface (site #2). 2 µs-long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with AMBER16 generate different conformations of one narrow target site. Known and potential allosteric sites on the selected conformers are investigated using ensemble docking with AutoDock Vina and a library of 2447 FDA-approved drugs. We determine 18 hits, comprising ergot-alkaloids, anti-cancer-agents, antivirals, analgesics, cardiac glycosides, all with a high docking z-score for three sites. 5 selected compounds with high, average and low z-scores are subjected to 50 ns-long MD simulations for MM-GBSA calculations. ΔGbind values up to −49.3 kcal/mol at the C-C interface, up to −32.7 kcal/mol at site #1, and up to −53.3 kcal/mol at site #2 support the docking calculations. We investigate mitapivat and TT-232 as reference compounds under clinical trial, targeting human PK isomers. We suggest 18 FDA-approved hits from the docking calculations and TT-232 as potential inhibitors with multiple target sites on S. aureus PK. This study also proposes pharmacophores models for de novo drug design. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
De novo design of membrane transport proteins

Membrane transport proteins, which include transporters and channels, are delicate protein machineries that mediate the exchange of a variety of substances across biomembranes. Accumulated structural and functional knowledge allows for the de novo design of transport proteins with new structures that do not exist in nature. Analysis based on these novel proteins provides new insights into the principles that govern protein assembly, conformational change, and substrate recognition. Here, we review the advances in the de novo design of transporters and channels over recent years and highlight the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Far-field electric potentials provide access to the output from the spinal cord from wrist-mounted sensors

Objective. Neural interfaces need to become more unobtrusive and socially acceptable to appeal to general consumers outside rehabilitation settings. Approach. We developed a non-invasive neural interface that provides access to spinal motor neuron activities from the wrist, which is the preferred location for a wearable. The interface decodes far-field potentials present at the tendon endings of the forearm muscles using blind source separation. First, we evaluated the reliability of the interface to detect motor neuron firings based on far-field potentials, and thereafter we used the decoded motor neuron activity for the prediction of finger contractions in offline and real-time conditions. Main results. The results showed that motor neuron activity decoded from the far-field potentials at the wrist accurately predicted individual and combined finger commands and therefore allowed for highly accurate real-time task classification. Significance. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of a non-invasive, neural interface at the wrist for precise real-time control based on the output of the spinal cord.
Quantitative analysis of methoxyflavones discriminates between the two types of Kaempferia parviflora.

INTRODUCTION Kaempferia parviflora or black ginger is abundantly cultivated because its rhizomes contain methoxyflavones that have many pharmacological properties. K. parviflora can be divided into two types, based on morphological characteristics, but differences in their chemical compositions have never been explored. OBJECTIVES This research aims to find chemical markers that can be used to differentiate between the two types of K. parviflora, the red-leaf and green-leaf types, by quantifying the amounts of methoxyflavones. MATERIAL AND METHODS K. parviflora samples were collected from 39 locations in Thailand. Their genetic diversity was assessed by a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technique to construct the population structure. Their chemical compositions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection to determine the methoxyflavone contents. RESULTS The population structure based on >3,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers showed that the samples can be divided into two groups, which were consistent with the classification by leaf margin color (red-leaf and green-leaf types). HPLC analysis revealed 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF), 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF), 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (TMF), 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone and 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone as major methoxyflavones that can be used as chemical markers. The red-leaf type showed higher amounts of PMF, TMF and 3,5,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone than the green-leaf type, while the green-leaf type showed higher amounts of DMF and 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone than the red-leaf type. CONCLUSION These results provide another approach to discriminate the two types of K. parviflora using chemical profiles alongside genetic and morphological analyses. Therefore, a specific type of K. parviflora can be selected over the other based on preferences for a certain methoxyflavone.
Ribociclib efficacy in special populations and analysis of patient-reported outcomes in the MONALEESA trials

ABSTRACT Introduction Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors abemaciclib, palbociclib, and ribociclib radically modified the treatment of hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor 2-negative advanced breast cancer. Ribociclib efficacy was proved in the phase III MONALEESA-2, −3, and −7 trials. In the first-line setting, ribociclib plus endocrine therapy determined statistically significant improvements in progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in pre-menopausal (MONALEESA-7) and post-menopausal (MONALEESA-2) women. Likewise, ribociclib and fulvestrant induced a significant PFS and OS benefit in post-menopausal women previously treated with endocrine therapy (MONALEESA-3). Additionally, ribociclib did not affect patients health-related quality of life in all the MONALEESA trials. Areas covered We reviewed the results of the available randomized phase III trials testing ribociclib and endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer, focusing on different patient subgroups and then on health-related quality of life. Expert opinion The benefit of ribociclib is consistent across patient subgroups and is maintained in populations with unfavorable features, such as those with endocrine resistance or visceral metastases. Furthermore, the addition of ribociclib to endocrine therapy delays quality of life deterioration and improves pain scores. These results represent a pivotal improvement for the treatment of advanced breast cancer patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Longitudinal Effects of Parkinson's Disease on Speech Breathing During an Extemporaneous Connected Speech Task.

PURPOSE A critical component to the development of any type of intervention to improve speech production in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complete understanding of the speech impairments present at each stage of the disease and how these impairments change with disease progression. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the impact of disease on speech production and speech breathing during an extemporaneous speech task in individuals with PD over the course of approximately 3.5 years. METHOD Eight individuals with PD and eight age- and sex-matched control participants produced an extemporaneous connected speech task on two occasions (Time 1 and Time 2) an average of 3 years 7 months apart. Dependent variables included sound pressure level; utterance length; speech rate; lung volume initiation, termination, and excursion; and percent vital capacity per syllable. RESULTS From Time 1 to Time 2, individuals with PD demonstrated decreased utterance length and lung volume initiation, termination, and excursion and increased speech rate. Control participants demonstrated decreased utterance length and lung volume termination and increased lung volume excursion and percent vital capacity per syllable from Time 1 to Time 2. CONCLUSIONS Changes in speech production and speech breathing variables experienced by individuals with PD over the course of several years are related to their disease process and not typical aging. Changes to speech breathing highlight the need to provide intervention focused on increasing efficient respiratory patterning for speech production.
OMAMO: orthology-based alternative model organism selection

SUMMARY The conservation of pathways and genes across species has allowed scientists to use non-human model organisms to gain a deeper understanding of human biology. However, the use of traditional model systems such as mice, rats, and zebrafish is costly, time-consuming and increasingly raises ethical concerns, which highlights the need to search for less complex model organisms. Existing tools only focus on the few well-studied model systems, most of which are complex animals. To address these issues, we have developed Orthologous Matrix and Alternative Model Organisms, a software and a web service that provide the user with the best non-complex organism for research into a biological process of interest based on orthologous relationships between human and the species. The outputs provided by OMAMO were supported by a systematic literature review. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION https://omabrowser.org/omamo/, https://github.com/DessimozLab/omamo. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Role of Mindful Self-Care in the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Burnout in University Students

Abstract Academic burnout can have serious consequences for university students. Students are prone to higher levels of stress and depression, poorer academic performance, and attrition from university. It is therefore important to investigate factors associated with these deleterious outcomes in order to assist educators develop effective programs to proactively address student well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between emotional intelligence (EI), student well-being, mindful self-care (MSC), and academic burnout. A further aim was to investigate the mediating role of MSC in the EI-burnout relationship. A sample of 216 university students (167 females; 78%) 18 years and older (M = 35.57, SD = 11.59) completed a battery of questionnaires associated with life satisfaction, EI, MSC, and academic burnout. Results found that EI was positively associated with well-being and MSC and negatively associated with each dimension of academic burnout. A series of multiple regression mediation analyses found that MSC mediated the relationship between EI and the exhaustion and efficacy dimensions of academic burnout. However, MSC did not mediate the relationship between EI and cynicism. The findings of this study suggest that MSC may be an important factor for improving student well-being and protecting against academic burnout.
Evaluations of Black and White Female Genitalia by Labiaplasty Status: A Pre-Registered Contextualization, Replication, and Extension of Findings on Labial Perceptions

ABSTRACT Labiaplasty is an increasingly common form of cosmetic surgery involving the removal of portions of the labia minora to achieve a smaller, more symmetrical labial appearance. Labiaplasty is inextricably linked to the colonial medicalization of Black women’s labia, necessitating examination of labiaplasty and race in concert. Participants (N = 4351, M age = 26.58; SD age = 8.89) were shown 12 randomized images of White and Black female genitalia – unaware that they were “before and after” images of labiaplasty procedures – and evaluated them on their alignment with societal ideals, personal ideals, perceived normalcy, and disgustingness. As hypothesized, postoperative labia were rated as more normal, more societally ideal, and more personally ideal than their preoperative counterparts; preoperative labia were rated as more disgusting than postoperative labia. Preoperative Black labia were perceived as more normal, more societally ideal, and more personally ideal, as well as less disgusting, than preoperative White labia. Postoperative White labia were perceived as more normal, more societally and personally ideal, and less disgusting than postoperative Black labia. Gender trends were inconclusive. Our findings point to the need for greater examination of how White bodily ideals shape evaluations of bodies, and for greater historical contextualization in research on labiaplasty.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Sea Urchin ZnO Nanostructures via Sol-Gel Method

Sea urchin zinc oxide (SU-ZnO) nanostructures were successfully synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized by various analytical techniques. The present work reports a facile and straightforward route for synthesizing sea urchin ZnO nanostructures consisted of self-assembled ZnO nanorods with sharp tips yielding the sea urchin-like shape. The SU-ZnO nanostructures were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, particle size analysis (dynamic light scattering technique), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The result of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy shows that the SU-ZnO nanostructure contains 77.30% zinc and 22.70% oxygen content. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the synthesized ZnO exhibits a sea urchin-like structure with a homogeneous and consistent size. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the structural features and functional groups that are present in ZnO nanostructures. The particle size analysis shows that the synthesized SU-ZnO nanostructures have an average particle size of 812.62 ± 55.92 nm. The growth of SU-ZnO nanostructure was also investigated by recording the UV-Vis absorption spectra at different reaction times.