Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two-day fasting affects kynurenine pathway with additional modulation of short-term whole-body cooling: a quasi-randomised crossover trial

Abstract Metabolites of the kynurenine (KYN) pathway of tryptophan (TRP) degradation have attracted interest as potential pathophysiological mediators and future diagnostic biomarkers. A greater knowledge of the pathological implications of the metabolites is associated with a need for a better understanding of how the normal behaviour and physiological activities impact their concentrations. This study aimed to investigate whether fasting (FAST) and whole-body cold-water immersion (CWI) affect KYN pathway metabolites. Thirteen young women were randomly assigned to receive the 2-d FAST with two 10-min CWI on separate days (FAST-CWI), 2-d FAST without CWI (FAST-CON), 2-d two CWI on separate days without FAST (CON-CWI) or the 2-d usual diet without CWI (CON-CON) in a randomised crossover fashion. Changes in plasma concentrations of TRP, kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxy-kynurenine (3-HK), picolinic acid (PIC), quinolinic acid (QUIN) and nicotinamide (NAA) were determined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. FAST-CWI and FAST-CON lowered TRP concentration (P < 0·05, ηp2 = 0·24), and increased concentrations of KYNA, 3-HK and PIC (P < 0·05, ηp2 = 0·21–0·71) with no additional effects of CWI. The ratio of PIC/QUIN increased after FAST-CWI and FAST-CON trials (P < 0·05) but with a blunted effect in the FAST-CWI trial (P < 0·05) compared with the FAST-CON trials (ηp2 = 0·67). Concentrations of QUIN and NAA were unaltered. This study demonstrated that fasting for 2 d considerably impacts the concentration of several metabolites in the KYN pathway. This should be considered when discussing the potential of KYN pathway metabolites as biomarkers.
Using the Caprini Risk Score to Increase VTE Awareness in the Community: The Know Your Score Project

Abstract presented during the ISTH congress 2021 Shetye, P., Gavankar, S, Saadaldin, H, et al, Using the Caprini Risk Score to Increase VTE Awareness in the Community. The Know Your Score Project. AS-ISTH-2021-02054, 2021
LEAfing through literature: Late embryogenesis abundant proteins coming of age - achievements and perspectives.

To deal with increasingly severe periods of dehydration related to global climate change, it becomes increasingly important to understand the complex strategies many organisms have developed to cope with dehydration and desiccation. While it is undisputed that late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins play a key role in the tolerance of plants and many anhydrobiotic organisms to water limitation, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this review we recap the current knowledge of the physiological roles of LEA proteins and discuss their potential molecular functions. As these are ultimately linked to conformational changes in the presence of binding partners, posttranslational modifications or water deprivation, we give a detailed summary of the current knowledge on the structure-function relationship of LEA proteins, including their disordered state in solution, coil-to-helix transitions, self-assembly and their recently discovered ability to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). We point out the promising potential of LEA proteins in biotechnological and agronomic applications and summarize recent advances. We identify the most relevant open questions and discuss major challenges in establishing a solid understanding of how these intriguing molecules accomplish their tasks as cellular sentinels at the limits of surviving water scarcity.
Efficient and cost-effective non-invasive population monitoring as a method to assess the genetic diversity of the last remaining population of Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) in the Russia Far East

Small populations of the endangered species are more vulnerable to extinction and hence require periodic genetic monitoring to establish and revisit the conservation strategies. The Amur leopard is critically endangered with about 100 individuals in the wild. In this study, we developed a simple and cost-effective noninvasive genetic monitoring protocol for Amur leopards. Also, we investigated the impact of fecal sample’s age, storage, and collection season on microsatellite genotyping success and data quality. We identified 89 leopard scats out of the 342 fecal samples collected from Land of the Leopard between 2014–2019. Microsatellite genotyping using 12 markers optimized in 3 multiplex PCR reactions reveals presence of at least 24 leopard individuals (18 males and 6 females). There was a significant difference in the success rate of genotyping depending on the time from feces deposition to collection (p = 0.014, Fisher’s exact test), with better genotyping success for samples having <2 weeks of environmental exposure. Amur leopard genetic diversity was found low (Ho− 0.33, HE− 0.35, and NA− 2.57) with no visible population substructure and recent bottleneck signature. Although a historical bottleneck footprint was observed. Mitochondrial DNA diversity was also found low with two haplotypes differing by a point mutation reported in 1,769 bp of investigated sequence covering parts of cytochrome b gene (846 bp), NADH-5 gene (611 bp) and control region (312 bp). We recommend periodic genetic monitoring of wild Amur leopards following the proposed methodology to achieve cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Anatomy-based characteristics of far-field SVC electrograms in right superior pulmonary veins after isolation

Abstract Background. Far-field electrograms from superior vena cava (SVC) can be present in right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. Objectives. To analyze the characteristics of far-field SVC potentials in RSPV after PV isolation and the local anatomy difference between patients with and without the potentials. Methods. Patients undergoing PV isolation were retrospectively reviewed, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed before procedure for observing the anatomical relationship between RSPV and SVC. The prevalence and characteristics of far-field SVC electrograms were described and compared to far-field left atrial potentials at the nearest point along the linear ablation lesion. The anatomical proximity of RSPV and SVC on a 2-dimensional horizontal CT view was compared between patients with and without far-field SVC potentials. Results. Far-field SVC electrograms were observed in 35/92(38%) patients with an amplitude of 0.24 ± 0.11 mV and a major deflection slope of 0.051 ± 0.036 mV, both significantly higher than far-field left atrial electrograms (p < .001). In patients with far-field SVC electrograms, 83% had connected RSPV-SVC, defined as distance between RSPV and SVC endocardium less than 3 mm at the layer of RSPV ostium roof, while in patients without far-field SVC electrograms, 70% had disconnected RSPV-SVC. Conclusions. Far-field SVC electrograms appeared in RSPV had a prevalence higher than previously reported and a sharper major deflection compared to far-field left atrial electrograms. Connected RSPV-SVC on CT was associated with the presence of far-field SVC electrograms.
The role of phosphoinositide 3-kinases in immune-inflammatory responses: potential therapeutic targets for abdominal aortic aneurysm

ABSTRACT The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) includes inflammatory responses, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degradation, VSMC apoptosis, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis, among which the inflammatory response plays a key role. At present, surgery is the only curing treatment, and no effective drug can delay AAA progression in clinical practice. Therefore, searching for a signaling pathway related to the immune-inflammatory response is an essential direction for developing drugs targeting AAA. Recent studies have confirmed that the PI3K family plays an important role in many inflammatory diseases and is involved in regulating various cellular functions, especially in the immune-inflammatory response. This review focuses on the role of each isoform of PI3K in each stage of AAA immune-inflammatory response, making available explorations for a deeper understanding of the mechanism of inflammation and immune response during the formation and development of AAA.
The Genetic Psychosocial Risk Instrument (GPRI): A Validation Study for European Portuguese.

INTRODUCTION Screening instruments specifically developed to identify genetic testing applicants who may need professional psychosocial support are much needed. However, there are no screening instruments validated for the Portuguese language. This paper presents the translation, adaptation, and validation process of the Genetic Psychosocial Risk Instrument in a sample of 207 Portuguese applicants to genetic testing in the context of inherited cancer risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS Participants were mainly female (84.06%), with a mean age of 40.08 (SD = 12.89) and were recruited from the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the Genetic Psychosocial Risk Instrument factorial structure. Convergent validity was assessed with the Impact of Events Scale, the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS A model composed by the factors 'Internal Impact of Genetic Testing', 'External Impact of Genetic Testing' and 'History of Mental Health Concerns' was confirmed. These factors showed good internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity. The factor 'Personal Loss to Cancer' proposed in the Canadian and French versions did not converge. We propose excluding this factor from the European Portuguese version of the scale. CONCLUSION The European Portuguese version of the Genetic Psychosocial Risk Instrument is a reliable and valid instrument, although more research is needed to effectively use it in routine clinical oncogenetic departments.
Commentary: Congenital corneal anesthesia: A rare form of type-4 familial dysautonomia

While pain is considered an unpleasant experience, intact normal physiological pain is a fundamental prerequisite for human existence. We shall discuss rare medical conditions in affected people who never feel pain. Congenital corneal anesthesia (CCA) is a rare, complex neurological condition frequently overlooked or under‐diagnosed, and often delayed, leading to irreversible damage to the optical quality of the cornea. CCA is characterized by neurosensory deficits that encompass the ocular surface innervated by the first branch of the trigeminal nerve, but other divisions of the trigeminal nerve may be involved. This corneal sensory deficit may be an isolated finding as part of a complex neurological syndrome or associated with multiple somatic abnormalities and congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). CIPA has two pathognomonic features: the inability to feel pain and temperature, and decreased or absent sweating (anhidrosis). This condition is hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) type IV. The signs and symptoms of CIPA appear early, usually at birth or during early infancy; but with careful medical attention, affected individuals can live into adulthood. [1–7]
Amplitude of fringing in WFC3/UVIS narrowband red filters

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Une formule des traces locale pour les algèbres de Lie p-adiques.

Rempla^ons G par son algebre de Lie g et considerons l'espace des distributions sur g invariantes par l'action adjointe de G. L'ensemble (1) a un analogue evident: les integrales orbitales associees aux elements semi-simples de g. Le seul but de cet article est de fournir un support un peu consistant a l'idoe, d'ailleurs banale, que Panalogue de (2) est l'ensemble des transformees de Fourier des integrales orbitales precedentes.
First‐year Acacia seedlings are anisohydric “water‐spenders” but differ in their rates of water use

Abstract Premise First‐year seedlings (FYS) of tree species may be a critical demographic bottleneck in semi‐arid, seasonally dry ecosystems such as savannas. Given the highly variable water availability and potentially strong FYS–grass competition for water, FYS water‐use strategies may play a crucial role in FYS establishment in savannas and, ultimately, in tree–grass competition and coexistence. Methods We examined drought responses in FYS of two tree species that are dominant on opposite ends of an aridity gradient in Serengeti, Acacia (=Vachellia) tortilis and A. robusta. In a glasshouse experiment, gas exchange and whole‐plant hydraulic conductance (K plant) were measured as soil water potential (Ψ soil) declined. Trajectory of the Ψ leaf/Ψ soil relationship during drought elucidated the degree of iso/anisohydry. Results Both species were strongly anisohydric “water‐spenders,” allowing rapid wet‐season C gain after pulses of moisture availability. Despite being equally vulnerable to declines in K plant under severe drought, they differed in their rates of water use. Acacia tortilis, which occurs in the more arid regions, initially had greater K max, transpiration (E), and photosynthesis (A net) than A. robusta. Conclusions This work demonstrates an important mechanism of FYS establishment in savannas: Rather than investing in drought tolerance, savanna FYS maximize gas exchange during wet periods at the expense of desiccation during dry seasons. FYS establishment appears dependent on high C uptake during the pulses of water availability that characterize habitats dominated by these species. This study increases our understanding of species‐scale plant ecophysiology and ecosystem‐scale patterns of tree–grass coexistence.
Universality of a two-component Fermi gas with a resonant interaction (5 pages)

We consider a two-component Fermi gas interacting via a Feshbach molecular state. It is shown that only for broad resonances where the Feshbach state is strongly coupled to the free particle continuum can the gas be expected to enter a universal state in the unitarity limit on the atomic side of the resonance where there are no molecules present. The universal state is distinct from the molecular gas state on the other side of the resonance. We furthermore calculate the energy of the gas for this universal state and our results are related to current experiments on {sup 6}Li and {sup 40}K.
Development of lightweight and cost-efficient exterior body panels for electric vehicles

As consequence of low batteries autonomy, the majority of electric vehicles still present a reduced public demand which is translated in a slow market growth and consequently in low production volumes. In order to overcome the autonomy limitations, and so to contribute to increase its demand, different solutions might be adopted, among them, to reduce vehicles weight by adopting more lightweight materials. In parallel, low production volumes narrow the lightweight materials choice, once these are associated to highly cost demanding manufacturing processes. This issue has especial significance in what respects to the exterior body panels where the conventional infrastructure is still mainly metal dependent with high inherent tooling costs. Exploring and testing a possible solution for the problem stated above is the main objective of this research and this is accomplished by demonstrating what can be achieved with a polymer-metal hybrid structure of polydicyclopentadiene. For this, the bonnet of MobiCar was used as object of study and its design, prototyping, mechanical simulation and validation, cost and environmental impact are herein documented. The design phase count on the creation of several bonnet frames through computer aided design and engineering software that enabled achieving the minimum required targets in terms of stiffness and weight. The bonnet was then fabricated using two manufacturing processes: reaction injection moulding for the exterior panel and metal stamping for the metallic frame. The assembly was performed using adhesive bonding. Its structural validation was done in the end, where several mechanical simulations, previously performed during the design phase, were replicated in a real environment. In order to understand the cost efficiency, as well as the environmental impacts of this solution, in a mass production scenario, a process-based cost model and a life cycle assessment model were created too.
Clinical significance and prognostic value of ST segment depression on ECG during exercise treadmill test in asymptomatic patients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis

Abstract Objectives. In patients with asymptomatic moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS), exercise testing is used for evaluating the need for aortic valve intervention. Expert opinions about the clinical significance and prognostic value of ST segment depression on electrocardiography (ECG) during exercise testing in AS is conflicting and there are no large studies exploring this issue. We aimed to explore the association of ST segment depression >5 mm during exercise treadmill test (ETT) with all-cause mortality, aortic valve replacement (AVR) or cardiac-related hospitalization. Design. We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of a total of 315 patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years, 67% men) with asymptomatic moderate (n = 209; 66%) or severe (n = 106; 34%) AS. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiography and ETT. Results. During a mean follow-up of 34.9 ± 34.6 months, 29 (9%) patients died and 235 (74%) underwent AVR. The prevalence of ST segment depression (>5 mm) was 13% (n = 41) in the total study population and was comparable in patients with revealed symptoms (17.6%, n = 16) versus without revealed symptoms (11.3%, n = 25; p = .132). ST segment depression on ETT was strongly associated with aortic valve area. In univariate Cox regression analysis, ST segment depression was not associated with cardiac related hospitalizations (HR 1.65; 95% CI 0.89–3.10, p = .113), all-cause mortality (HR 1.37; 95% CI 0.47–3.98, p = .564) or AVR (HR 1.30; 95% CI 0.89–1.91, p = .170). Conclusion. In patients with moderate or severe AS, ST segment depression during ETT is non-specific, carries no prognostic risk and should be used with caution in the clinical interpretation of exercise test.
Genetic dissection of non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) belongs to a group of pigmentary retinopathies. It is the most common form of inherited retinal dystrophy, characterized by progressive degradation of photoreceptors that leads to nyctalopia, and ultimately, complete vision loss. RP is distinguished by the continuous retinal degeneration that progresses from the mid-periphery to the central and peripheral retina. RP was first described and named by Franciscus Cornelius Donders in the year 1857. It is one of the leading causes of bilateral blindness in adults, with an incidence of 1 in 3000 people worldwide. In this review, we are going to focus on the genetic heterogeneity of this disease, which is provided by various inheritance patterns, numerosity of variations and inter-/intra-familial variations based upon penetrance and expressivity. Although over 90 genes have been identified in RP patients, the genetic cause of approximately 50% of RP cases remains unknown. Heterogeneity of RP makes it an extremely complicated ocular impairment. It is so complicated that it is known as “fever of unknown origin”. For prognosis and proper management of the disease, it is necessary to understand its genetic heterogeneity so that each phenotype related to the various genetic variations could be treated.
MiR-106b-5p Regulates the Reprogramming of Spermatogonial Stem Cells into iPSC (Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell)-Like Cells

Background: Recent years have brought notable progress in raising the efficiency of the reprogramming technique so that approaches have evolved from known transgenic factors to only a few miRNAs. Nevertheless, there is a poor understanding of both the key factors and biological networks underlying this reprogramming. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of miR-106b-5p in regulating SSCs to iPSC-like cells. Methods: We used SSCs because pluripotency is inducible in SSCs under defined culture conditions, and they have a few issues compared to other adult stem cells. As both signaling and post-transcriptional gene controls are critical for pluripotency regulation, we traced the expression of OSKMN. Besides, we considered miR-106b-5p targets using bioinformatic methods. Results: Our results showed that transfected SSCs with miR-106b-5p increased the expression of the OSKMN factors, which was significantly more than negative control groups. Moreover, using the functional miRNA enrichment analysis, online tools, and databases, we predicted that miR-106b-5p targeted a signaling pathway gene named MAPK1/ERK2, related to regulating stem cell pluripotency. Conclusion: Together, our data suggest that miR-106b-5p regulates the reprogramming of SSCs into iPSC-like cells. Furthermore, noteworthy progress in the in vitro development of SSCs indicates promise reservoirs and opportunities for future clinical trials.