Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External Ears in Chiroptera: Form-Function Relationships in an Ecological Context

External ears in mammals direct and enhance perception of sound. In bats, where navigation and foraging are strongly contingent on reception of sound, we would expect correlations between bat external ear morphology and echolocation signal structure, acoustic and aerodynamic properties, and foraging strategies. Using Web search engines, we collected peer-reviewed literature on these relationships, with the aim of summarising the knowledge on these correlations and establishing general form-function patterns. The literature on the relationship echolocation-ear, and foraging strategy was scant (six and ten publications, respectively). Fifteen more examined the aerodynamic properties and 46 the acoustic properties. Because of the complexity of the subject, few attempts exist that examine ear properties (acoustic, aerodynamic, shape) at the same time for more than a few species. The number of species so far examined represents less than 15% of the total number of species of bats. Although the available information did not allow to propose general patterns of morphological response of external ears to the factors examined, our findings suggested that further analyses of the relationship form-function in bat ears should consider the study of ears as integrated, multivariate morphological entities in which shape, aerodynamic characteristics, and acoustic properties, are an integrated, multivariate whole that ultimately contributes to the bat foraging behaviour.
Long-Term Clinical Repair of Endodontic Perforations with Calcium Silicate-Based Cements

Calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) are bioactive materials used in the repair of endodontic perforations. Treatment and 2-year follow-up of the healing process of 40 cases of endodontic perforations with various localization - furcal, lateral and apical, are presented. Clinical cases were divided into 4 groups of 10 perforations in each and repaired with 4 different CSCs: white ProRoot MTA, gray MTA-Angelus, Boiaggregate, and Biodentine. The most commonly used clinical protocol was perforation sealing, followed by endodontic root canal treatment. The healing results of the treatment were evaluated according to the following clinical and radiographic criteria: absence of complaints and pathological changes in the adjacent periodontal tissues and the neighborhood, healing of the periradicular lesions, and lack of new ones. The success rate of the four materials used was 90% with no statistically significant difference between them.
A study on medical services quality and its influence upon value of care and patient satisfaction – Focusing upon outpatients in a large-sized hospital

The quality of medical services provided to patients affects hospital performance under severe competition amongst large-sized hospitals and increases the rights of patients. A hospital, specifically a large-sized one, can demonstrate successful performance when it satisfies the factors of quality a customer expects, enhances the value of care and invests its resources to improve the factors of quality. This study explores the factors of quality affecting the value of care and patient satisfaction, and tests the correlations among the value of care, patient satisfaction and intention to re-visit. Large-sized hospitals that increase the value of care and patient satisfaction ensure patients will re-visit and also increase revenue by taking the above factors into consideration. This study uses interview data obtained from outpatients in a large-sized university hospital located in Seoul, Korea with approximately 1000 hospital beds. In addition, this study uses the causal relationship model for the analysis. The purposes of this study are to: (i) to analyse the utility of established factors of service quality discovered in the studies of service quality when measuring the quality of medical services in large-sized hospitals, (ii) to examine systematically the correlations amongst the quality of medical services, value of care, satisfaction level and re-visit intention, and (iii) to suggest marketing implications for large-sized hospitals to offer patients effective medical services based upon the results of this study.
A Statistical Method for Footprints Analysis based on Large-scale High-density Piezoresistive Films

Footprints can provide much valuable information for fall prediction, the diagnosis of many diseases and rehabilitation therapy. This paper aims to propose a statistical method for footprints analysis based on a large-scale high-density piezoresistive film to replace the manual work of obtaining the main parameters of footprint data. Firstly, data acquisition devices are developed to obtain the plantar pressure distribution by measuring the voltage changes caused by the applied pressure on the piezoresistive films. Subsequently, a specific software is developed to receive the data from the designed signal acquisition devices through the serial port and visualize the footprints, and a statistical method is proposed to distinguish between left footprint and right footprint and to obtain the direction of the footprints and the step length. Eventually, a series of experiments are conducted to obtain the accuracy of the proposed method used for different people's feet and with different walking speeds.
Caldendrin and myosin V regulate synaptic spine apparatus localization via ER stabilization in dendritic spines

Excitatory synapses of principal hippocampal neurons are frequently located on dendritic spines. The dynamic strengthening or weakening of individual inputs results in structural and molecular diversity of dendritic spines. Active spines with large calcium ion (Ca2+) transients are frequently invaded by a single protrusion from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is dynamically transported into spines via the actin‐based motor myosin V. An increase in synaptic strength correlates with stable anchoring of the ER, followed by the formation of an organelle referred to as the spine apparatus. Here, we show that myosin V binds the Ca2+ sensor caldendrin, a brain‐specific homolog of the well‐known myosin V interactor calmodulin. While calmodulin is an essential activator of myosin V motor function, we found that caldendrin acts as an inhibitor of processive myosin V movement. In mouse and rat hippocampal neurons, caldendrin regulates spine apparatus localization to a subset of dendritic spines through a myosin V‐dependent pathway. We propose that caldendrin transforms myosin into a stationary F‐actin tether that enables the localization of ER tubules and formation of the spine apparatus in dendritic spines.
Stochastic dynamics of social patch foraging decisions

Animals typically forage in groups. Social foraging can help animals avoid predation and decrease their uncertainty about the richness of food resources. Despite this, theoretical mechanistic models of patch foraging have overwhelmingly focused on the behavior of single foragers. In this study, we develop a mechanistic model that accounts for the behavior of individuals foraging together and departing food patches following an evidence accumulation process. Each individual’s belief about patch quality is represented by a stochastically accumulating variable which is coupled to others’ belief to represent the transfer of information. We consider a cohesive group, and model information sharing by considering both intermittent pulsatile coupling (only communicate decision to leave) and continuous diffusive coupling (communicate throughout the evidence accumulation process). We find that foraging efficiency under pulsatile coupling has a stronger dependence on the coupling strength parameter compared to diffusive. Despite employing minimal information transfer, pulsatile coupling can still provide similar or higher foraging efficiency compared to diffusive coupling. Conversely, since diffusive coupling is more robust to parameter choices, it performs better when individuals have heterogeneous departure criteria and social information weighting. Efficiency is measured by a reward rate function that balances the amount of energy accumulated against the time spent in a patch, computed by solving an ordered first passage time problem for the patch departures of each individual. Using synthetic data we show that we can distinguish between the two modes of communication and identify the model parameters. Our model establishes a social patch foraging framework to parse and identify deliberative decision strategies, to distinguish different forms of social communication, and to allow model fitting to real world animal behavior data.
Genomic Reporter Constructs to Monitor Pathway-Specific Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks (DSBs) can be error-free or highly mutagenic, depending on which of multiple mechanistically distinct pathways repairs the break. Hence, DSB-repair pathway choice directly affects genome integrity, and it is therefore of interest to understand the parameters that direct repair towards a specific pathway. This has been intensively studied using genomic reporter constructs, in which repair of a site-specific DSB by the pathway of interest generates a quantifiable phenotype, generally the expression of a fluorescent protein. The current developments in genome editing with targetable nucleases like Cas9 have increased reporter usage and accelerated the generation of novel reporter constructs. Considering these recent advances, this review will discuss and compare the available DSB-repair pathway reporters, provide essential considerations to guide reporter choice, and give an outlook on potential future developments.
Erythrocyte Indices in Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease Predict Survival Time

Background Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by propagation of abnormally folded prion proteins (PrPSc). Some fluid biomarkers have been reported to be associated with disease duration in CJD. Based on studies which have found that prion protein (PrPC) played a role in erythrocytic hematopoiesis, we evaluated the association between peripheral red blood cell indices and survival time in CJD. Methods We retrospectively collected data on peripheral red blood cell indices, including red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW), from 125 CJD patients. Cox proportional hazard models were generated to determine whether red cell indices correlated with survival time of patients with CJD. Results Of the 125 included participants, 70 (56%) were male, and the mean age at diagnosis (SD) was 60.3 (9.5) years. Hemoglobin levels (hazard ratio 1.710, 95% CI 1.124–2.600, p = 0.012) and HCT (hazard ratio 1.689, 95% CI 1.112–2.565, p=0.014) were significantly associated with survival time after controlling for sex, age, and Barthel Index. Red blood cell count, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW were not associated with survival time before or after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Our study found that Hb and HCT were significantly associated with survival time in patients with CJD. These results may inform evaluation of the mechanisms of interaction between prion disease and hematopoiesis, and indicate that Hb and HCT may be potential prognostic biomarkers.
Novel Process Methods for the Whole Cottonseed: Effect on the Digestibility, Productivity, Fat Profile, and Milk Gossypol Levels in Lactating Dairy Cows

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of mixed-process methods on the ruminal degradability of whole cottonseed (WCS) both in situ and in vitro, and the effect on the production performance of dairy cows. Eight WCS process methods were tested on the ruminal digestibility, including crush-alkali 1 (CA1), crush-alkali 2 (CA2), crush-alkali 3 (CA3), alkali 1-crush (A1C), alkali 2-crush (A2C), alkali 3-crush (A3C), crush-only (CO), and non-processed. Alkali 1, 2, and 3 indicate the supplementation of alkali to WCS at the dose of 4% on dry matter (DM) base as followed: 4% NaOH, 2% NaOH + 2% CaO, and 2% NaOH + 2% CaCl2 alkaline, respectively. Among all treatments, CA2 showed the highest WCS ruminal degradation in situ and the highest intestinal digestibility of WCS in vitro. Furthermore, an animal experiment was conducted for 60 days on 30 Holstein dairy cows, using a diet without WCS (CON group), a diet containing 8% non-processed WCS (NP group), and a diet containing 8% CA2-treated WCS (CA2 group). The results indicated that the dry matter intake, 4% fat-corrected milk production, milk protein, milk fat, and content of short-chain saturated fatty acid of milk in the CA2 group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than CON group. Furthermore, DMI, the CLA was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the CA2 group than the other groups. Additionally, the free gossypol concentration in serum or milk was under safety level in the three groups. Overall, crush and alkalization (NaOH: CaO = 1:1) treatment could improve the utilization of WCS in dairy farms.
Prognostic Value of Glasgow Prognostic Score in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Systemic inflammation is a key factor in tumor growth. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) has a certain value in predicting the prognosis of lung cancer. However, these results still do not have a unified direction. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate the relationship between GPS and the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We set patients as follows: GPS = 0 vs. GPS = 1 or 2, GPS = 0 vs. GPS = 1, GPS = 0 vs. GPS = 2. We collected the hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 21 studies were included, involving 7333 patients. We observed a significant correlation with GPS and poor OS in NSCLC patients (HRGPS=0 vs. GPS=1 or 2 = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.27–2.07, p ≤ .001; HRGPS=0 vs GPS=1 = 2.14, 95% CI:1.31–3.49, p ≤ .001; HRGPS=0 vs. GPS=2 = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.45–4.82, p ≤ .001). Moreover, we made a subgroup analysis of surgery and stage. The results showed that when divided into GPS = 0 group and GPS = 1 or 2 group, the effect of high GPS on OS was more obvious in surgery (HR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.08–2.97, p = .024). When GPS was divided into two groups (GPS = 0 and GPS = 1 or 2), the III-IV stage, higher GPS is associated with poor OS (HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.43–2.09, p ≤ .001). In the comparison of GPS = 0 and GPS = 1 group (HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.05–2.31, p = .026) and the grouping of GPS = 0 and GPS = 2(HR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.17–4.26, p = .015), we came to the same conclusion. Conclusion: For patients with NSCLC, higher GPS is associated with poor prognosis, and GPS may be a reliable prognostic indicator. The decrease of GPS after pretreatment may be an effective way to improve the prognosis of NSCLC.
Inflammation and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: The Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue

Human aging is a complex phenomenon characterized by a wide spectrum of biological changes which impact on behavioral and social aspects. Age-related changes are accompanied by a decline in biological function and increased vulnerability leading to frailty, thereby advanced age is identified among the major risk factors of the main chronic human diseases. Aging is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, also referred as inflammaging. It recognizes a multifactorial pathogenesis with a prominent role of the innate immune system activation, resulting in tissue degeneration and contributing to adverse outcomes. It is widely recognized that inflammation plays a central role in the development and progression of numerous chronic and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, low-grade inflammation, through an increased risk of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, promote cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. Low-grade inflammation is also promoted by visceral adiposity, whose accumulation is paralleled by an increased inflammatory status. Aging is associated to increase in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat depot of the heart. Structural and functional changes in EAT have been shown to be associated with several heart diseases, including coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. EAT increase is associated with a greater production and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and neuro-hormones, so that thickened EAT can pathologically influence, in a paracrine and vasocrine manner, the structure and function of the heart and is associated to a worse cardiovascular outcome. In this review, we will discuss the evidence underlying the interplay between inflammaging, EAT accumulation and cardiovascular diseases. We will examine and discuss the importance of EAT quantification, its characteristics and changes with age and its clinical implication.
BAIAP2L2 Inactivation Does Not Affect Stereocilia Development or Maintenance in Vestibular Hair Cells

Hair cells are mechanosensitive cells in the inner ear, characterized by dozens to hundreds of actin-based stereocilia and one tubulin-based kinocilium on the apical surface of each cell. Two types of hair cells, namely cochlear hair cells and vestibular hair cells (VHCs), are responsible for the sensation of sound and balancing information, respectively. In each hair cell, the stereocilia are organized into rows of increasing heights with the mechano-electrical transduction (MET) channels localized at the tips of shorter-row stereocilia. A so-called “row 2 protein complex” also localizes at the tips of shorter-row mechanotransducing stereocilia, which plays important roles in the maintenance of mechanotransducing stereocilia. Recently, we and others identified BAIAP2L2 as a new component of row 2 complex. Baiap2l2 inactivation causes degeneration of the mechanotransducing stereocilia in cochlear hair cells, and leads to profound hearing loss in mice. In the present work, we examined the role of BAIAP2L2 in the VHC stereocilia. Confocal microscopy reveals that BAIAP2L2 immunoreactivity is localized at the tips of shorter-row stereocilia in VHCs. However, stereocilia development and maintenance are unaffected in Baiap2l2–/– VHCs. Meanwhile, MET function of VHCs as well as vestibular functions are also unaffected in Baiap2l2–/– mice. Further investigations show that the stereociliary tip localization of CAPZB2, another known row 2 complex component, is not affected in Baiap2l2–/– VHCs, consistent with the unaltered stereocilia morphology. Taken together, our present data show that BAIAP2L2 inactivation does not affect vestibular hair cell stereocilia.
Metabolic Reprogramming, Gut Dysbiosis, and Nutrition Intervention in Canine Heart Disease

This review provides a state-of-the-art overview on recent advances in systems biology in canine cardiac disease, with a focus on our current understanding of bioenergetics and amino acid metabolism in myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Cross-species comparison is drawn to highlight the similarities between human and canine heart diseases. The adult mammalian heart exhibits a remarkable metabolic flexibility and shifts its energy substrate preference according to different physiological and pathological conditions. The failing heart suffers up to 40% ATP deficit and is compared to an engine running out of fuel. Bioenergetics and metabolic readaptations are among the major research topics in cardiac research today. Myocardial energy metabolism consists of three interconnected components: substrate utilization, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP transport and utilization. Any disruption or uncoupling of these processes can result in deranged energy metabolism leading to heart failure (HF). The review describes the changes occurring in each of the three components of energy metabolism in MMVD and HF. It also provides an overview on the changes in circulating and myocardial glutathione, taurine, carnitines, branched-chain amino acid catabolism and tryptophan metabolic pathways. In addition, the review summarizes the potential role of the gut microbiome in MMVD and HF. As our knowledge and understanding in these molecular and metabolic processes increase, it becomes possible to use nutrition to address these changes and to slow the progression of the common heart diseases in dogs.
Role and Mechanism of PKC-δ for Cardiovascular Disease: Current Status and Perspective

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a protein kinase with important cellular functions. PKC-δ, a member of the novel PKC subfamily, has been well-documented over the years. Activation of PKC-δ plays an important regulatory role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IRI) injury and myocardial fibrosis, and its activity and expression levels can regulate pathological cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure. This article aims to review the structure and function of PKC-δ, summarize the current research regarding its activation mechanism and its role in cardiovascular disease, and provide novel insight into further research on the role of PKC-δ in cardiovascular diseases.
Co-occurrence of Fatigue and Depression in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Mini-Review

Fatigue and depression are common conditions diagnosed in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fatigue defined as subjective lack of physical and/or mental energy is present in 35–97% of people with MS, who classify it as one of the most serious symptoms interfering with daily activities and influencing the quality of life. Depression is diagnosed in about 50% of people with MS. Since fatigue and depression frequently coexists, it may be quite hard to differentiate them. Primary fatigue and primary depression in MS are caused by inflammatory, oxidative/nitrosative, and neurodegenerative processes leading to demyelination, axonal damage, and brain atrophy. In people with MS and comorbid fatigue and/or depression there is reported increased serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentration of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukins (IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6), interferon γ and neopterin. Moreover, the brain atrophy of prefrontal, frontal, parietotemporal regions, thalamus, and basal ganglia was observed in people with MS with fatigue and/or depression. The secondary fatigue and secondary depression in people with MS may be caused by emotional factors, sleep disorders, pain, the coexistence of other diseases, and the use of medications. In some studies, the use of disease-modifying therapies positively influenced fatigue, probably by reducing the inflammatory response, which proves that fatigue and depression are closely related to immunological factors. In this mini-review, the pathogenesis, methods of evaluation and differentiation, and possible therapies for fatigue and depression in MS are discussed.