Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic tolerance in environmentally stressed Bacillus subtilis: physical barriers and induction of a viable but nonculturable state

Abstract Bacterial communities exposed to rapid changes in their habitat encounter different forms of stress. Fluctuating conditions of the microenvironment drive microorganisms to develop several stress responses to sustain growth and division, like altering gene expression and changing the cell's physiology. It is commonly known that these protection systems may give rise to differently adapted subpopulations and indirectly impact bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobials. This study focuses on the adaptation of a soil-dwelling bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, to sudden osmotic changes, including transient and sustained osmotic upshift. Here, we demonstrate that physiological changes caused by pre-exposure to osmotic stress facilitate B. subtilis' entry into a quiescent state, helping them survive when exposed to a lethal antibiotic concentration. We show that the adaptation to transient osmotic upshift with 0.6 M NaCl causes decreased metabolic rates and lowered antibiotic-mediated ROS production when cells were exposed to the aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin. Using a microfluidic platform combined with time-lapse microscopy, we followed the uptake of fluorescently labelled kanamycin and examined the metabolic activity of differently preadapted populations at a single-cell level. The microfluidics data revealed that under the conditions tested, B. subtilis escapes from the bactericidal activity of kanamycin by entering into a nongrowing dormant state. Combining single-cell studies and population-wide analysis of differently preadapted cultures, we demonstrate that kanamycin-tolerant B. subtilis cells are entrapped in a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state.
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant approaches in gastroesophageal cancers

Purpose of review Despite advances in the perioperative treatment of locally advanced (T2-4 and/or N+) gastroesophageal cancer with evolving chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens, prognosis remains poor. Biomarker-based approaches with targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibition present a new opportunity to improve response rate and overall survival. This review aims to shed light on the current treatment strategies and therapy options that are under investigation for the curatively intended perioperative treatment of gastroesophageal cancer. Recent findings A major step for patients with advanced esophageal cancer and insufficient response to chemoradiotherapy was the implementation of immune checkpoint inhibition in the adjuvant treatment with positive effects on survival duration and quality of life (CheckMate577). Various studies that seek to further integrate immunotherapy or targeted therapy into (neo-) adjuvant treatment are on their way and show promising results. Summary Ongoing clinical research tries to increase the effectivity of standard of care approaches for the perioperative treatment of gastroesophageal cancer. Biomarker based immunotherapy and targeted therapy bear the opportunity to further improve the outcome.
Chromosome-level genome assembly of an endangered plant Prunus mongolica using PacBio and Hi-C technologies

Abstract Prunus mongolica is an ecologically and economically important xerophytic tree native to Northwest China. Here, we report a high-quality, chromosome-level P. mongolica genome assembly integrating PacBio high-fidelity sequencing and Hi-C technology. The assembled genome was 233.17 Mb in size, with 98.89% assigned to eight pseudochromosomes. The genome had contig and scaffold N50s of 24.33 Mb and 26.54 Mb, respectively, a BUSCO completeness score of 98.76%, and CEGMA indicated that 98.47% of the assembled genome was reliably annotated. The genome contained a total of 88.54 Mb (37.97%) of repetitive sequences and 23,798 protein-coding genes. We found that P. mongolica experienced two whole-genome duplications, with the most recent event occurring ~3.57 million years ago. Phylogenetic and chromosome syntenic analyses revealed that P. mongolica was closely related to P. persica and P. dulcis. Furthermore, we identified a number of candidate genes involved in drought tolerance and fatty acid biosynthesis. These candidate genes are likely to prove useful in studies of drought tolerance and fatty acid biosynthesis in P. mongolica, and will provide important genetic resources for molecular breeding and improvement experiments in Prunus species. This high-quality reference genome will also accelerate the study of the adaptation of xerophytic plants to drought.
Colorectal cancer screening: A review of current screening options, timing, and guidelines

Screening for colon and rectal cancer has been associated with reduced incidence over the past few decades. However, shown a paradoxical increase in colon and rectal cancer in those younger than 50 years has also been recently shown. This information, along with the introduction of new screening modalities, has lead to updates in the current recommendations. We present some of the data supporting the use of current screening modalities, as well as summarize current guidelines.
Outpatient psychiatric service use is associated with a reduced risk of 1‐year readmission and mortality following alcohol‐related hospitalizations: A historical cohort study

Alcohol‐related hospitalizations are common and associated with high rates of short‐term readmission and mortality. Providing rapid access to physician‐based mental health and addiction (MHA) services post‐discharge may help to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in this population. This study used population‐based data to evaluate the prevalence of outpatient MHA service use following alcohol‐related hospitalizations and its association with downstream harms.
Trajectories of internalizing symptoms among autistic and nonautistic youth during the COVID‐19 pandemic

The COVID‐19 pandemic elicited increases in anxiety and depression in youth, and youth on the autism spectrum demonstrate elevations in such symptoms pre‐pandemic. However, it is unclear whether autistic youth experienced similar increases in internalizing symptoms after the COVID‐19 pandemic onset or whether decreases in these symptoms were present, as speculated in qualitative work. In the current study, longitudinal changes in anxiety and depression during the COVID‐19 pandemic in autistic youth were assessed in comparison to nonautistic youth. A well‐characterized sample of 51 autistic and 25 nonautistic youth (ageM = 12.8, range = 8.5–17.4 years, IQ > 70) and their parents completed the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), a measure of internalizing symptoms, repeatedly, representing up to 7 measurement occasions from June to December 2020 (N ~ 419 occasions). Multilevel models were used to evaluate changes in internalizing symptoms over time. Internalizing symptoms did not differ between autistic and nonautistic youth in the summer of 2020. As reported by youth themselves, internalizing symptoms decreased in autistic youth, both overall and compared to nonautstic peers. This effect was driven by decreases in generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and depression symptoms in autistic youth. Reductions in generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and depression in autistic youth may be due to COVID‐19 pandemic‐specific differences in response to social, environmental, and contextual changes that unfolded in 2020. This highlights the importance of understanding unique protective and resilience factors that may be evident in autistic individuals in response to broad societal shifts such as those seen in response to COVID‐19.
Solitons optiques spatiaux Kerr et photoreactifs : propriétés fondamentales et application à l'adressage optique

Cette these porte sur l'autofocalisation de faisceaux et la propagation solitonique optique. Les resultats presentes s'appuient sur l'utilisation de deux milieux aux proprietes non lineaires complementaires, un milieu Kerr en configuration planaire offrant une reponse ultrarapide et un milieu photorefractif siege d'une autofocalisation stable bidimensionnelle operationnelle a tres basse puissance. Les analyses presentees sont basees sur des modelisations analytiques et numeriques verifiees par de nombreuses experiences. Nous nous interessons en particulier au potentiel des guides autoinduits par les solitons pour des applications de routage optique et d'interconnexions reconfigurables. La premiere partie presente des resultats sur les solitons Kerr, aux longueurs d'onde des telecommunications, formes dans des guides plans bases sur le semiconducteur AlGaAs. Nous avonsmontre que les absorptions non lineaires, bien que faibles, influencent de maniere determinante l'autofocalisation des faisceaux. Par ailleurs, nous avons determine experimentalement les durees d'impulsions compatibles avec la generation de solitons. Une propagation solitonique a ete obtenue sur une distance de 17 longueurs de diffraction. Dans une seconde partie, nous avons etudie un nouveau type de soliton brillant bidimensionnel, le soliton photorefractif-photovoltaique avec champ applique dans le LiNbO3. Ce soliton est caracterise par l'application d'un champ electrique qui s'oppose a l'effet photovoltaique intrinseque au materiau afin de produire un effet non lineaire focalisant. En accord avec le modele semi-analytique et les simulations numeriques developpes, les experiences realisees montrent que ces solitons constituent une technique simple pour generer des guides a symetrie circulaire, droits ou courbes, utilisables aux longueurs d'onde du visible mais egalement dans l'infrarouge. Enfin, nous avons teste les potentialites des solitons pour l'adressage optique a travers deux applications. La premiere a permis de verifier les capacites des solitons Kerr dans AlGaAs pour des interconnexions rapidement reconfigurables. Dans une seconde configuration, un composant d'optique integree 3-D remplissant la fonction de routage 1 vers 4 a ete realise dans le LiNbO3 a l'aide de solitons photorefractifs.
Educational needs of self-care in cachectic cancer patients and caregivers

Purpose of review To give an overview of what is known about the educational component of supportive care for people with cancer cachexia and their family caregivers. Recent findings The educational needs for self-care by people with cancer cachexia are largely unmet. There is potential for education to enable self-care that mitigates cachexia-related distress with benefit to quality of life and mitigates malnutrition/malnutrition risk with implications for treatment tolerance and outcomes. Theoretically informed approaches to cancer cachexia education for patients and their family members are needed if optimal methods for support of self-care are to be identified. The cancer workforce also needs education to have the confidence and knowledge to play a role in the cancer cachexia education of their patients. Summary To address the educational needs of self-care in cachectic cancer patients and their caregivers, there is much work to do. Healthcare professionals need to know the best educational process and methods for cachexia for supporting quality of life and to facilitate improving cancer treatment outcomes including survival.
“It’s not time for us to sit down yet”: how group exercise programs can motivate physical activity and overcome barriers in inactive older adults

ABSTRACT Purpose Physical activity and exercise are critical for older adults’ physical and mental health. The purpose of this qualitative study was to richly capture the motivators of and barriers to engaging in physical activity in previously inactive older adults who participated in a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) of eight-week group exercise interventions. Methods We conducted a qualitative content analysis of individual interviews with fifteen participants—five from each study arm: strength training, walking, and inactive control. Participants included nine females and six males ranging from 60 to 86 years of age. Results Key motivators of physical activity included perceived improvements in physical and mental health, positive social influences, observed health deterioration in others, and the desire to spend time with and take care of family members. Barriers to physical activity included existing health conditions, fear of getting hurt, negative social influences, perceived lack of time and motivation, inconvenient times and locations, and monetary cost. Conclusions Our findings add to the body of literature identifying factors that motivate and stand in the way of older adults’ engagement in physical activity. These factors influence older adults’ self-efficacy and should be incorporated into the design of new and existing programs to encourage initiation and maintenance of physical activity.
A Novel Nanostructured Scanning Near Field Optical Microscopy Probe Based on an Adirectional Asymmetry

Recently a novel class of scanning near ﬁeld optical microscopy probes based on an adirectional asymmetry (i.e., an asymmetry encompassing all spatial directions) in form of a spiral-like corrugation has been proposed. Although such probes would entail an impressive simpliﬁcation in experimental procedures as they allow superfocusing for any arbitrarily oriented linearly polarized excitation, their actual fabrication looks much more challenging compared to probes based on directional asymmetries (i.e., asymmetries lying along one speciﬁc spatial direction). Here we propose a new simpler implementation of adirectional asymmetry which shares the same advantages as the one based on a spiral nanostructuring of the external metal coating, while being more feasible for fabrication.
White matter volume and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) microsatellites in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

The myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) gene plays an important role in myelination and has been implicated in the genetics of white matter changes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We examined the association between variations of two microsatellite markers across MOG for association and total white matter volume as measured using volumetric MRI in 37 pediatric OCD patients 7–18 years. We compared white matter volumes between microsatellite allele groups using analysis of covariance with covariates of age, gender, and total intracranial volume. After controlling for multiple comparisons, a significant relationship was detected between MOG (TAAA)n and increased total white matter volume (P = 0.018–0.028). Although preliminary, our findings provide further support for the involvement of MOG in OCD.
Association of Preterm Birth and Low Birthweight with Bone Fractures during Childhood

Preterm birth and low birthweight have been associated with increased fracture risk in children. Our aim was to analyze bone fractures during childhood in preterm, and low‐birthweight newborns compared to full‐term and normal‐birthweight newborns. We conducted a nationwide register‐based cohort study in Finland from 1998 to 2017 and utilized the Medical Birth Register and Care Register for Health Care. All newborns alive 28 days after birth were included, and data on all fracture visits in specialized healthcare units were gathered. Incidences per 100,000 person‐years with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and comparisons were made by incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to analyze the timing of fractures during childhood (0–20 years). We included a total of 997,468 newborns and 95,869 fractures; the mean follow‐up was 10.0 years, and the overall incidence of fractures was 963 per 100,000 person‐years. Very preterm (<32 gestational weeks) newborns had 23% lower fracture incidence than term newborns (IRR 0.77; CI: 0.70–0.85). Preterm newborns (32 to 36 gestational weeks) had a fracture rate (IRR 0.98; CI: 0.95–1.01) similar to that of term newborns. Birthweight showed a linear increase in the fracture rates as newborns with birthweight less than 1000 g had the lowest fracture incidence of 773 per 100,000 person‐years and the highest incidence (966 per 100,000 person‐years) was among newborns with birthweight 2500 g or more. Children born very preterm or with extremely low birthweight have in general a lower fracture incidence during childhood compared to children born full term and with normal birthweight. These findings possibly reflect, in addition to improvements of neonatal intensive care and early nutrition, the fact that childhood fracture incidences are more dependent on issues other than early life events. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Listening to Preferred and Loud Music Enhances Taekwondo Physical Performances in Adolescent Athletes

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of warm-up music preference and loudness on physical performance, perceived exertion (RPE), and enjoyment in young taekwondo athletes. In a crossover counterbalanced design, 20 taekwondo athletes (10 male, 10 female) performed a battery of physical tasks specific to taekwondo under the following five conditions: (a) No music (NM), (b) Preferred music-Soft (60 dB; PMS), (c) Preferred music-Loud (80 dB; PML), (d) Non-preferred music-Soft (60 dB; NPMS), and (e) Non-preferred music-Loud (80 dB; NPML). On each lab visit, participants completed a taekwondo-specific agility test (TSAT), a10-second kick test (KSKT-10s) and a multiple frequency speed of kick tests (FSKT) within each music condition. Pre-exercise enjoyment was assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) after the warm-up, while we obtained RPE scores after each test. The PML condition resulted in significantly better agility test times on the TSAT compared to PMS (p < .001), and NPML (p < .001). Furthermore, PML led to a greater number of total kicks during the FSKT-10s test compared to the PMS (p < .001), and NPML (p < .001) conditions. The decrement index on the FSKT was lower in PML than in PMS and NPML conditions (p < .001). For RPE, values were significantly lower with preferred than non-preferred music (p < .001). These findings lend support to ergogenic benefits of listening to PML prior to taekwondo physical tasks, with important implications for enhancing taekwondo training and performance.
Younger, drunk, and fast: Paradoxical rapid reaction time in hazardous drinkers

Background: Research consistently links hazardous alcohol use with reduced cognitive function but is less consistent with regard to processing speed, which underpins many cognitive functions. Using vibrotactile perception to assess cognitive function may have benefits over other sensory stimuli, as this method gives lower variability in reaction time (RT) and shorter latency. Aims: This study aimed to assess performance on vibrotactile simple and choice RT tasks between hazardous and non-hazardous drinkers. Methods: Participants (n = 86) completed vibrotactile tasks and alcohol, mood and subjective function (Executive Function Index (EFI)) questionnaires. Multivariate analyses of covariance were performed on average RT scores, and on EFI scores, to investigate function, and a bivariate correlation assessed the relationships between subjective and objective measures. Results: Hazardous drinkers exhibited significantly faster choice RT. With regard to subjective executive function, Strategic Planning and Impulse Control were significantly better in non-hazardous drinkers. Finally, Organisation and Impulse Control both significantly positively correlated with choice and simple RT, indicating that as subjective function improved, RT increased (a decline in performance). Conclusions: These results are considered in the context of the premature ageing hypothesis, impulsivity and the impact of alcohol use on various neurotransmitter systems. Furthermore, the poorer subjective function in young hazardous drinkers indicates a possible metacognitive deficit, increased effort or issues with vibrotactile perception as a cognitive function assessment in this group.
Air trapping in small airway diseases: A review of imaging technique and findings with an overview of small airway diseases

Air trapping is a common finding radiologists encounter on CT imaging of the thorax. This term is used when there are geographic areas of differing attenuation within the lung parenchyma. Most commonly, this is the result of abnormal retention of air due to complete or partial airway obstruction from small airway pathologies. Perfusional differences due to underlying vascular diseases could also result in these appearances, and hence, inspiratory and full expiratory phase CT studies are required to accurately diagnose air trapping. It is important to note that this can occasionally be present in healthy patients. Multiple diseases are associated with air trapping. Determining the aetiology relies on accurate patient history and concomitant findings on CT. There is currently no consensus on accurate assessment of the severity of air trapping. The ratio of mean lung density between expiration and inspiration on CT and the change in lung volume have demonstrated a positive correlation with the presence of small airway disease. Treatment and resultant patient outcome depend on the underlying aetiology, and hence, radiologists need to be familiar with the common causes of air trapping. This paper outlines the most common disease processes leading to air trapping, including Constrictive bronchiolitis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, DIPNECH, and Post‐infectious (Swyer‐James/Macleod). Various diseases result in the air trapping pattern seen on the expiratory phase CT scan of the thorax. Combining patient history with other concomitant imaging findings is essential for accurate diagnosis and to further guide management.
Changes in Inflammatory Markers in Patients Treated for Buruli Ulcer and Their Ability to Predict Paradoxical Reactions

Abstract Mycobacterium ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer, the third most frequent mycobacterial disease after tuberculosis and leprosy. Transient clinical deteriorations, known as paradoxical reactions (PRs), occur in some patients during or after antibiotic treatment. We investigated the clinical and biological features of PRs in a prospective cohort of 41 patients with Buruli ulcer from Benin. Neutrophil counts decreased from baseline to day 90, and interleukin 6 (IL-6), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor were the cytokines displaying a significant monthly decrease relative to baseline. PRs occurred in 10 (24%) patients. The baseline biological and clinical characteristics of the patients presenting with PRs did not differ significantly from those of the other patients. However, the patients with PRs had significantly higher IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations on days 30, 60, and 90 after the start of antibiotic treatment. The absence of a decrease in IL-6 and TNF-α levels during treatment should alert clinicians to the possibility of PR onset.
Current monitoring and treatment for anal intraepithelial neoplasms

Anal intraepithelial neoplasms (AIN) are precursors to anal cancer. To date, there is not a significant body of literature to support screening, monitoring, and treatment of these precursor lesions, particularly in high risk populations. This review will detail the current monitoring and indications for treatment of such lesions, with the goal of preventing progression to invasive cancer.