Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SpitWorm, a Herbivorous Robot: Mechanical Leaf Wounding with Simultaneous Application of Salivary Components

Induction of jasmonate-mediated plant defense against insect herbivory is initiated by a combination of both mechanical wounding and chemical factors. In order to study both effects independently on plant defense induction, SpitWorm, a computer-controlled device which mimics the damage pattern of feeding insect larvae on leaves and, in addition, can apply oral secretions (OS) or other solutions to the ‘biting site’ during ‘feeding,’ was developed and evaluated. The amount of OS left by a Spodoptera littoralis larva during feeding on Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean) leaves was estimated by combining larval foregut volume, biting rate, and quantification of a fluorescent dye injected into the larvae’s foregut prior to feeding. For providing OS amounts by SpitWorm equivalent to larval feeding, dilution and delivery rate were optimized. The effectiveness of SpitWorm was tested by comparing volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions of P. lunatus leaves treated with either SpitWorm, MecWorm, or S. littoralis larvae. Identification and quantification of emitted VOCs revealed that SpitWorm induced a volatile bouquet that is qualitatively and quantitatively similar to herbivory. Additionally, RT-qPCR of four jasmonic acid responsive genes showed that SpitWorm, in contrast to MecWorm, induces the same regulation pattern as insect feeding. Thus, SpitWorm mimics insect herbivory almost identically to real larvae feeding.
Protective Innate Immune Variants in Racial/Ethnic Disparities of Breast and Prostate Cancer

Individuals of African descent are disproportionately affected by specific complex diseases, such as breast and prostate cancer, which are driven by both biological and nonbiological factors. In the case of breast cancer, there is clear evidence that psychosocial factors (environment, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, etc.) have a strong influence on racial disparities. However, even after controlling for these factors, overall phenotypic differences in breast cancer pathology remain among groups of individuals who vary by geographic ancestry. There is a growing appreciation that chronic/reoccurring inflammation, primarily driven by mechanisms of innate immunity, contributes to core functions associated with cancer progression. Germline mutations in innate immune genes that have been retained in the human genome offer enhanced protection against environmental pathogens, and protective innate immune variants against specific pathogens are enriched among populations whose ancestors were heavily exposed to those pathogens. Consequently, it is predicted that racial/ethnic differences in innate immune programs will translate into ethnic differences in both pro- and antitumor immunity, tumor progression, and prognosis, leading to the current phenomenon of racial/ethnic disparities in cancer. This review explores examples of protective innate immune genetic variants that are (i) distributed disproportionately among racial populations and (ii) associated with racial/ethnic disparities of breast and prostate cancer.
How to evaluate premature ventricular beats in the athlete: critical review and proposal of a diagnostic algorithm

Although premature ventricular beats (PVBs) in young people and athletes are usually benign, they may rarely mark underlying heart disease and risk of sudden cardiac death during sport. This review addresses the prevalence, clinical meaning and diagnostic/prognostic assessment of PVBs in the athlete. The article focuses on the characteristics of PVBs, such as the morphological pattern of the ectopic QRS and the response to exercise, which accurately stratify risk. We propose an algorithm to help the sport and exercise physician manage the athlete with PVBs. We also address (1) which athletes need more indepth investigation, including cardiac MRI to exclude an underlying pathological myocardial substrate, and (2) which athletes can remain eligible to competitive sports and who needs to be excluded.
Medical, Dental, and Nursing Students’ Knowledge about Early Childhood Oral Health Care

Gaps in knowledge of physicians and nurses about early childhood oral health care were reported and are likely due to the poorly focused education on oral health issues; therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge level of Qassim University medical, dental and nursing students about early childhood oral health care and its relation to demographic variables, students’ perceived knowledge, satisfaction with their knowledge and interest in further education about the topic. A total of 571 medical, dental, and nursing students received a questionnaire that included demographic questions, questions to assess knowledge level of the students about early childhood oral health care, and questions to assess their perceived knowledge level, satisfaction with their knowledge and interest in further education about the topic. Results of the study revealed that knowledge of dental students was highest (score 7.72 out of 10) followed by nursing students (4.79), and medical students (4.43). Additionally, students with a higher level of perceived knowledge were more likely to score higher. In view of the inadequate knowledge level of medical and nursing students about early childhood oral health care when compared to dental students, improvements in medical and nursing education programs are necessary at Qassim University.
Decrease in Bat Diversity Points towards a Potential Threshold Density for Black Cherry Management: A Case Study from Germany

In times of land use changes towards more close-to-nature forestry, the application of bioindicators becomes an interesting tool for effective land-use management schemes. Forest managers are increasingly confronted by alien tree species. Therefore, this case study aimed to investigate the influence of the invasive black cherry (Prunus serotina) on bats (Chiroptera: Verpertilionidae) in pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest ecosystems, in order to identify the potential of bats as bioindicators for a black cherry invasion. In three pre-classified succession stages of the black cherry, the diversity and relative abundance of bats were bioacoustically monitored for a period of 60 nights. From the bat call recordings made during the study period, eight bat species could be identified to species level. Within the succession stages of pine monoculture and light black cherry forest, a comparable bat diversity of eight bat species and three sonotypes with a similar relative abundance were observed. In dense black cherry forest, only four species and one sonotype were detected. Compared to the pine monoculture and light black cherry forest, the overall abundance of the bat community was significantly lower in the dense black cherry forest. Upon evaluation, those bat species associated with the edge and narrow space forager guilds were found to have a high sensitivity to a dense black cherry understory within naturally monocultural pine stands. Their activity patterns indicate that the transition from light to dense black cherry understory can be considered as a potential threshold value for a close-to-nature black cherry understory density in high canopy pine forest stands.
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden Is Associated With Accelerated Poststroke Cognitive Decline: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective: This study investigated the association between small vessel disease (SVD) burden, a combination of multiple SVD markers and cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Methods: The study sample comprised 451 patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke. Cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at 3, 9, and 15 months after the index stroke. Cognitive impairment was defined as an MMSE score of ≤26. A total SVD score, indicating SVD burden, was constructed by summing the scores of the 4 SVD markers (white matter hyperintensities [WMHs], lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and perivascular spaces) ascertained by magnetic resonance imaging (range: 0-4). The association between SVD burden and cognitive dysfunction was assessed with linear mixed models or generalized estimating equation models, as appropriate. Results: The majority of patients had mild-to-moderate stroke and at least one identifiable SVD marker. Cognitive impairment was found in about one-third of patients. After adjusting for confounding factors, the SVD burden was associated with MMSE scores (β = −0.37, P = .003) and cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.42). SVD burden was specifically associated with the performance of MMSE subscores including orientation to place and time, calculation, and word recall. Of the SVD markers, WMHs was the most robust predictor of decrease in MMSE scores (β = −0.25, P = .01) and cognitive impairment (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01-1.29). Conclusion: Cerebral SVD burden is associated with decreased MMSE scores, suggesting cognitive dysfunction during the first year after mild-to-moderate acute ischemic stroke.
Effect of Primary and Secondary Beads of Carbon Enterosorbent on Haematological Parameters and Oxidative Stress Development Caused by Melphalan in Rats

Background and Objectives: Side effects of anti-cancer drugs are usually accompanied by oxidative stress, including myelotoxicity. We evaluated the potential of oral highly activated micro-/macroporous carbon adsorbents (bulk density of 0.16 g/cm3, surface area calculation by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller model (SBET) > 2200 m2/g, derived from proprietary phenolic resin beads) to alleviate oxidative stress and myelotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: A single injection of cytostatic melphalan (L-PAM) at a dose of 4 mg/kg was used for modelling. Two forms of activated carbon were used: AC1—primary beads with the particle size range of 125–250 µm, and AC2—micronized AC1 with a mean particle size of ~1 µm. We measured haematological parameters white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet count, and haemoglobin level. Oxidative stress intensity was evaluated using the following markers: total levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in blood plasma; catalase activity (CAT) and pro-oxidant/antioxidant ratio in blood haemolysate samples; level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues; oxidative modification of proteins, OPM (APHD, aldehyde–dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives and KPHD, ketone dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives) and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) in blood plasma and liver samples. Results: AC2 administration promoted significant myeloprotective effect: 1.5-fold increase in leukocytes, 2-fold in neutrophils, 1.5-fold in lymphocytes, and 1.23-fold in platelet count compared to the experimental Melphalan Group. At the same time, AC1 administration resulted in a slight increase in haematological parameters. Both ACs positively corrected important, but diverse, components of oxidative stress. They significantly reduced oxidative modification of blood and liver proteins (especially the AC1 form), normalized the level of reduced glutathione, pro-oxidant/antioxidant ratio and other markers. For some markers, such as ROS production in blood plasma, the use of enterosorbents resulted in non-significant a shift towards normal parameters. Conclusions: Oral activated carbon adsorbents reduce oxidative stress intensity and myelotoxicity; they can be promising means to combat the adverse effects of chemotherapy in clinical practice.
Decreased humoral immunity to mumps in young adults immunized with MMR vaccine in childhood

Significance The live-attenuated mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been highly successful in the United States since its introduction 47 years ago. However, for the past decade, mumps outbreaks have been occurring among young adults who were vaccinated as children. Waning immunity has been proposed as a key contributing factor to mumps resurgence. In our sample (n = 71) of 18- to 23-year-old college students, the majority had detectable mumps IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) but the magnitude was lower than rubella. Neutralizing antibody titers were 6-fold lower to a circulating genotype G mumps strain versus the vaccine strain. Ten percent of our participants had no detectable memory B cells to mumps. Strategies are needed to improve immunity to the mumps vaccine. In the past decade, multiple mumps outbreaks have occurred in the United States, primarily in close-contact, high-density settings such as colleges, with a high attack rate among young adults, many of whom had the recommended 2 doses of mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Waning humoral immunity and the circulation of divergent wild-type mumps strains have been proposed as contributing factors to mumps resurgence. Blood samples from 71 healthy 18- to 23-year-old college students living in a non-outbreak area were assayed for antibodies and memory B cells (MBCs) to mumps, measles, and rubella. Seroprevalence rates of mumps, measles, and rubella determined by IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were 93, 93, and 100%, respectively. The index standard ratio indicated that the concentration of IgG was significantly lower for mumps than rubella. High IgG avidity to mumps Enders strain was detected in sera of 59/71 participants who had sufficient IgG levels. The frequency of circulating mumps-specific MBCs was 5 to 10 times lower than measles and rubella, and 10% of the participants had no detectable MBCs to mumps. Geometric mean neutralizing antibody titers (GMTs) by plaque reduction neutralization to the predominant circulating wild-type mumps strain (genotype G) were 6-fold lower than the GMTs against the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain (genotype A). The majority of the participants (80%) received their second MMR vaccine ≥10 years prior to study participation. Additional efforts are needed to fully characterize B and T cell immune responses to mumps vaccine and to develop strategies to improve the quality and durability of vaccine-induced immunity.
Efficacy of Enamel Derivatives to Improve Keratinized Tissue as Adjunct to Coverage of Gingival Recessions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The systematic review was designed to answer the following focused question: Are enamel matrix derivatives able to improve the quantity of keratinized tissue (KT) around natural dentition in patients with recessions defects after their treatment with periodontal plastic procedures? Methods: Only Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) in English language evaluating root coverage procedures in combination with enamel matrix derivatives (commercially known as Emdogain®—EMD), with at least 10 subjects and a minimum duration of six months, were included. The search was applied to PUBMED and SCOPUS and it consists of a combination of MeSH terms and free text words (from January 2000 to June 2019). Risk of bias in individual studies and across studies was also evaluated. Results: After the full text analysis and the exclusion of further 18 articles, 12 articles were finally included. In total 639 recessions were treated (334 tests and 305 control). The recessions defects were classified according to the classification of Miller (Class I, II, III, IV). Only one trial included Miller Class III recessions (7 in total). Enamel matrix derivatives were applied in conjunction with Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF), Coronally Advanced Flap + Sub Epithelial Connective Tissue Graft (CAF + CTG), Semilunar Flap (SF). For the group CAF vs CAF + EMD the mean difference between the keratinized tissue gain in the two procedures was 0.40 mm (95% Confindence Interval Lower/Upper: 0.014–0.81) (p < 0.058); for the comparison CAF + CTG + EMD vs. CAF + CTG the mean difference between the two groups resulted in −0.06 mm (95% Confindence Interval Lower Upper −0.45 to 0.33) (p = 0.7603). Discussion: Randomized clinical trials included medium-low quality evidence. The application of Enamel Matrix Derivatives to surgical procedures aimed to cover gingival recessions does not add robust clinical benefit to conventional plastic procedure alone.
Nightmares and Stress: A Longitudinal Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES In nightmare etiology, trait and state factors play important roles. However, the interaction of state and trait factors has never been studied in a longitudinal design. METHODS The current sample included 406 pregnant women who were followed up approximately 6 months after giving birth (n = 375) and 4 years later (n = 302). A nightmare frequency scale and several stress-related questionnaires were presented at three measurement points. RESULTS Despite the major life events in this sample, nightmare frequency was very stable over this time period and decreased slightly. In line with previous findings, cross-sectional analyses showed that stressors were associated with current nightmare frequency but longitudinal analyses indicated that previously measured nightmare frequency showed even stronger effects on current nightmare frequency. CONCLUSIONS Because the nightmare frequencies were very stable, it would be desirable to carry out intervention studies treating nightmares as early as possible-even in childhood-and study whether nightmare occurrence is lower even years after the intervention.
Comparison of signalment, clinical, laboratory and radiographic parameters in cats with feline asthma and chronic bronchitis

Objectives Feline asthma (FA) and feline chronic bronchitis (CB) are common respiratory conditions in cats, frequently referred to as ‘feline lower airway disease’. However, the aetiologies of both inflammatory airway diseases are probably different. Little is known about the differences in signalment, clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities and radiographic features between cats with these two airway diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate whether certain parameters can help in differentiating between both diseases, as distinguished by airway cytology. Methods Seventy-three cats with FA and 24 cats with CB were included in the retrospective study. Inclusion criteria were compatible clinical signs and a cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicating either FA (eosinophilic inflammation) or CB (neutrophilic inflammation) without cytological or microbiological evidence of bacterial infection. Parameters of signalment, physical examination, haematology and thoracic radiographs of both disease groups were compared statistically (P <0.05). Results The median age of cats with FA was 6 years, and was 7.5 years in cats with CB (P = 0.640). The most commonly reported clinical signs in both groups were a cough (95% FA/96% CB; P = 1.000), pathological pulmonary auscultatory sounds (82% FA/79% CB; P = 0.766) and dyspnoea (73% FA/79% CB; P = 0.601). Abnormal radiographic lung patterns were detected in 94% of cats with FA and 91% with CB (P = 0.629), respectively. Blood eosinophilia was significantly more common in cats with FA (40%) compared with CB (27%) (P = 0.026). Conclusions and relevance The study indicates that a differentiation of FA and CB by means of signalment, a single clinical sign, and haematological and radiographic findings is not possible.
Prone versus Supine Position for Lung Ultrasound in Neonates with Respiratory Distress

Abstract Objective To study the feasibility of lung ultrasound (LUS) in prone position and to compare it with supine position in neonates with respiratory distress. Study Design Neonates ≥ 29 weeks of gestational age with respiratory distress requiring respiratory support within first 12 hours of life were enrolled prospectively. First LUS (fLUS) was done in the position infant was nursed (supine or prone), infant’s position changed, a second LUS (sLUS) was performed immediately and a third LUS (tLUS) was done 1 to 2 hours later. Primary outcome was the comparison of LUS scores (LUSsc) between fLUS and sLUS. Results Sixty-four neonates were enrolled. Common respiratory diagnoses were transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN; 53%) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 41%). LUSsc was different between fLUS and sLUS (fLUSsc 6 [interquatile range: 4, 7] vs. sLUSsc 7 [4, 10], p < 0.001), while there was no difference between the fLUS and tLUS (fLUSsc 6 [4, 7] vs. tLUSsc 5 [3, 7], p = 0.43). Subgroup analysis confirmed similar findings in neonates with TTN, while in babies with RDS, all the three LUSsc were similar. Conclusion LUS is feasible in prone position in neonates. LUS scores were higher immediately after a change in position but were similar to baseline 1 hour after the change in position.
Differential effects of olive oil, soybean oil, corn oil and lard oil on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice

Abstract Olive oil could attenuate carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis (LF) in mouse model. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of other common oils on CCl4 induced LF. Healthy male ICR mice were administered with CCl4 intraperitoneally at 2.5 ml/kg twice a week for total 3 weeks. Mice were pre-treated with olive oil, soybean oil, corn oil or lard oil. After treatment, histopathological changes were observed using Masson trichrome staining, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroxyproline (HYP) and triglyceride (TG) were measured by commercial kits. The expression of LF related genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. We found that soybean oil or olive oil significantly reduced ALT and AST levels in serum, and MDA, HYP and TG levels in the liver, compared with corn oil or lard oil. Moreover, Masson trichrome staining and real-time PCR showed that the mice treated with CCl4 dissolved in soybean oil or olive oil had less fibrosis and apoptosis in the liver comparted to the mice treated with CCl4 dissolved in corn oil or lard oil. In conclusion, soybean oil but not corn or lard oil exerts protective effects against CCl4 induced LF in mice, possibly due to its antioxidant activity.
Functional Characterization of Resistance to Powdery Mildew of VvTIFY9 from Vitis vinifera

Powdery mildew is a disease caused by fungal pathogens that harms grape leaves and fruits. The TIFY gene family is a plant-specific super-family involved in the process of plants’ development and their biotic and abiotic stress responses. This study aimed to learn the function of the VvTIFY9 gene to investigate molecular mechanisms of grape resistance to powdery mildew. A VvTIFY9 protein encoding a conserved motif (TIF[F/Y]XG) was characterized in grape (Vitis vinifera). Sequence analysis confirmed that VvTIFY9 contained this conserved motif (TIF[F/Y]XG). Quantitative PCR analysis of VvTIFY9 in various grape tissues demonstrated that the expression of VvTIFY9 was higher in grape leaves. VvTIFY9 was induced by salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and it also quickly responded to infection with Erysiphe necator in grape. Analysis of the subcellular localization and transcriptional activation activity of VvTIFY9 showed that VvTIFY9 located to the nucleus and had transcriptional activity. Arabidopsis that overexpressed VvTIFY9 were more resistant to Golovinomyces cichoracearum, and quantitative PCR revealed that two defense-related genes, AtPR1 and AtPDF1.2, were up-regulated in the overexpressing lines. These results indicate that VvTIFY9 is intimately involved in SA-mediated resistance to grape powdery mildew. This study provides the basis for exploring the molecular mechanism of grape resistance to disease resistance and candidate genes for transgenic disease resistance breeding of grape plants.