Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the characteristics of conventional cooked hams and organic cooked hams

Consumers’ concern due to the use of additives in the manufacturing of meat product has focused an increasing demand of the organic products. The organic products are primary or manufactured products obtained without the use of chemical products. So, in the organic cooked meat products the use of phosphates is not permitted. However, the use of nitrites is allowed in a lower amount than for manufacturing conventional products due to the role that nitrites exert on the development of colour. The aim of this work was to study the characteristics of conventional and organic commercial cooked hams. Six different commercial brands of cooked hams were analysed: 3 conventional and 3 organics. In each ham the pH, aw, proximal composition, amount of additives (sodium chloride, nitrites and phosphates) and the colour (L*, a*,b*) were evaluated. The main differences found among the cooked ham analysed were in the protein and fat content. The use of pigs with different genetic or with different feed (conventional or organic) could explain these results. Moreover, differences in the amount of phosphates were detected. The use of different concentration of phosphates in the manufacturing of conventional cooked ham and the use of different raw meats might explain these differences.
Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Nociceptive Activities of Nigella sativa Oil in a Rat Model of Arthritis

This study investigated the preventive efficacy of the crude oil extracted from Nigella sativa seeds in a rat model of arthritis induced by using complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Nigella sativa oil at 1.82 mL/kg or 0.91 mL/kg (corresponding to 1596 and 798 mg/kg, respectively) was orally administered for 25 days from the day of immunization. One immunized group was treated orally with indomethacin (3 mg/kg) as a reference drug. Body weight growth rate, paw swelling, arthritis score, mechanical allodynia, locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior were observed, and the levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, albumin and total cholesterol in plasma were measured on days 15 and 25. Nigella sativa oil showed anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-nociceptive activities that were significant as compared to untreated arthritic rats but less than indomethacin. These results indicated that Nigella sativa oil significantly attenuated adjuvant-arthritis in rats and the higher dose (1.82 mL/kg) prevented the development of arthritis with an inhibition of 56%.
Using Volatility to Improve Momentum Strategies

This paper attempts to enhance momentum strategy by using volatility effect. To achieve this objective, double sorting portfolio is used and data is collected from 10 Arabic market indices over the period of 1990-2014. A simple modification to the traditional momentum strategy provides highly profitable results in Arabic market indices. While traditional momentum alone provides significant abnormal raw return of 1.16% per month over the six-month holding period, new momentum strategy based on double sort suggested by this study represented via recent winners with low-volatility outperform recent losers with high-volatility and it provides significant abnormal raw returns of 2.60% per month over the same holding period. Finally, either traditional momentum or momentum with volatility strategies can’t be explained by two factor model
Identification of the complex regulatory relationships related to gastric cancer from lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA network

The oncogenesis and progression of gastric cancer are closely correlated with the complex regulatory relationships among messenger RNA (mRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), and microRNA (miRNA). After constructing the gastric cancer lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network, we analyzed the network topology properties and found that lncRNA ADAMTS9‐AS2 and C20orf166‐AS1 and miRNA hsa‐mir‐204 are key nodes. Further functional enrichment analysis and survival analysis were performed on these key nodes and the RNAs interacting with them. We found that CHRM2, ANGPT2, and COL1A1 interacting with ADAMTS9‐AS2 are enriched in the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway, and low expression of the ADAMTS9‐AS2 is closely related to the prognosis of patients. Abnormal expression of CACNA1H, FLNA, and FLNC interacting with lncRNA C20orf166‐AS1 is associated with MAPK signaling pathway in gastric cancer. In addition, the downregulated miRNA hsa‐mir‐204 promotes invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer cells by regulating the abnormal expression of mRNAs (CHRDL1 and NPTX1) and lncRNAs (ADAMTS9‐AS2, NKX2‐1‐AS1, TLR8‐AS1, and VCAN‐AS1). This study systematically analyzed the lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network of gastric cancer, which not only has a new understanding of the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, but also provides new insights for the early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.
Prenatal and Postnatal Hair Steroid Levels Predict Post-Partum Depression 12 Weeks after Delivery

Background: Within three to six months after delivery, 13%–19% of women suffer from post-partum depression (PPD), understood as a dysfunctional adaptation to the postpartum condition and motherhood. In the present cross-sectional study, we compared the hair steroid levels of women 12 weeks before and after delivery and with or without PPD. Method: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted twelve weeks after delivery. At that time, 48 women (mean age: 25.9 years) with PPD and 50 healthy controls (mean age: 25.2 years) completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms. Further, at the same time point, 6 cm lengths of hair strands were taken, providing samples of hair steroids 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after delivery in order to analyze hair steroids (cortisol, cortisone, progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)). Results: Compared to those of women without PPD, hair steroid levels (cortisol, cortisone, progesterone) were significantly lower in women with PPD both before and after delivery. Lower prenatal cortisone and progesterone levels predicted higher depression scores 12 weeks after delivery. Lower prenatal levels of cortisol and progesterone and higher levels of DHEA, and postnatal lower levels of cortisol, cortisone, and progesterone, along with higher levels of DHEA predicted PPD-status with an accuracy of 98%. Conclusions: PPD is associated with blunted hair cortisol, cortisone, and progesterone secretions both pre- and postpartum. Such blunted steroid levels appear to reflect a stress responsivity that is less adaptive to acute and transient stressors. It follows that prenatally assessed low hair cortisol and progesterone levels, along with high DHEA levels, are reliable biomarkers of post-partum depression 12 weeks after delivery.
The various and shared roles of lncRNAs during development

lncRNAs, genes transcribed but not translated, longer than 200 nucleotides, are classified as a separate class of nonprotein coding genes. Since their discovery, largely from RNAseq data, a number of pioneer studies have begun to unravel its myriad functions, centered on gene expression regulation, suggesting developmental and evolutionary conservation. Since they do not code for proteins and have no open reading frames, their functional constraints likely differ from that of protein coding genes, or of genes where the majority of the nucleotide sequence is required for function, like tRNAs. This has complicated assessment of both developmental and evolutionary conservation, and the identification of homologs in different species. Here we argue that other characteristics: general synteny and particular chromosomal placement regardless of sequence, sequence micro‐motifs, and secondary structure allow for “homologs” to be identified and compared, confirming developmental and evolutionary conservation of lncRNAs. We conclude exemplifying a case in point: that of the evolutionarily conserved lncRNA acal, characterized and required for embryogenesis in Drosophila.
Increased vulnerability of nigral dopamine neurons after expansion of their axonal arborization size through D2 dopamine receptor conditional knockout

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Rare genetic mutations in genes such as Parkin, Pink1, DJ-1, α-synuclein, LRRK2 and GBA are found to be responsible for the disease in about 15% of the cases. A key unanswered question in PD pathophysiology is why would these mutations, impacting basic cellular processes such as mitochondrial function and neurotransmission, lead to selective degeneration of SNc DA neurons? We previously showed in vitro that SNc DA neurons have an extremely high rate of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production, characteristics that appear to be the result of their highly complex axonal arborization. To test the hypothesis in vivo that axon arborization size is a key determinant of vulnerability, we selectively labeled SNc or VTA DA neurons using floxed YFP viral injections in DAT-cre mice and showed that SNc DA neurons have a much more arborized axon than those of the VTA. To further enhance this difference, which may represent a limiting factor in the basal vulnerability of these neurons, we selectively deleted in mice the DA D2 receptor (D2-cKO), a key negative regulator of the axonal arbour of DA neurons. In these mice, SNc DA neurons have a 2-fold larger axonal arborization, release less DA and are more vulnerable to a 6-OHDA lesion, but not to α-synuclein overexpression when compared to control SNc DA neurons. This work adds to the accumulating evidence that the axonal arborization size of SNc DA neurons plays a key role in their vulnerability in the context of PD.
Epidemiologic evaluation of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in dogs in the United States: 2010‐2015

Abstract Background Positive health implications of early recognition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis include increased opportunity for nonsurgical removal, early dietary modification to minimize urolith growth, early removal to avoid urinary obstruction, and early recognition of genetic and metabolic diseases before they contribute to additional morbidity. Objectives To identify high‐ and low‐risk dog breeds for CaOx uroliths and to determine the relationship of age and sex to the development of CaOx uroliths. Animals Calcium oxalate urolith submissions between 2010 and 2015. Methods A comparative cross‐sectional study was conducted to identify high‐ and low‐risk breeds for CaOx uroliths by comparing cases to multiple comparison groups. At‐risk breeds were identified if odds ratios were significant (P value <.05) across all comparison groups. Results Of 258 898 urolith submissions, 124 285 were CaOx. Calcium oxalate was identified in 212 breeds. Twelve breeds were identified as high‐risk breeds, and 14 breeds were identified as low‐risk breeds. All high‐risk breeds were small dog breeds, and all low‐risk breeds were medium to large dog breeds. Overall, the mean age ± standard deviation of the first CaOx urolith was 8.4 ± 2.8 years. Conclusions and Clinical Importance To achieve the health benefits of preclinical evaluation, breeds at high risk for CaOx urolithiasis should be screened at 5 to 6 years of age, which is 2 to 3 years before likely development of clinical urolithiasis.
The African Union and the Prevention of Democratic Reversal in Africa: Navigating the Gaps

This article explores the extent to which the African Union (AU)’s democracy-promotion principles and mechanisms actually deepen a democratic ethos consistent with the quest for sustainable peace on the continent. It addresses several overarching questions: to what extent are the AU’s principles and norms for promoting democratic governance shaped by the liberal democratic paradigm? Do such liberal approaches adequately form a solid basis for understanding and addressing the complex historical, political and socialeconomic challenges facing the democratic project in Africa? If it has not, where are the gaps and how can these be explained and addressed? The article argues that the AU’s approach to democratic governance has been largely influenced by the liberal paradigm, which hardly addresses the complex political realities on the ground or the radical ideals expressed in the Constitutive Act of the AU. It calls for a new discourse of African democratic thinking in ways that transcend the gaps inherent in elitist forms of democracy, paving the way for a people-rooted political project based on inclusion, unity, social transformation, and participatory democratic governance.
Equality without redistribution Development politics and heritage commodi fi cation in Red Location , South Africa

Ar cle disponible en ligne à l’adresse : h p://www.fasopo. org/sites/default/fi les/varia2_n42. pdf Citer le document : Marta Montanini, « Equality without redistribu on. Development poli cs and heritage commodifi ca on in Red Loca on, South Africa », Sociétés poli ques comparées, 42, mai-août 2017. Equality without redistribution Development politics and heritage commodifi cation in Red Location, South Africa
Health care professionals' views on psychological factors affecting nutritional behaviour in people with motor neuron disease: A thematic analysis.

Motor neuron disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive muscle paralysis and typically leads to death within 3 years. As no cure is currently available, symptomatic management is the mainstay of treatment. An important part of this is optimizing nutritional intake with evidence that this may positively affect survival and quality of life. Health care professionals (HCPs) play a pivotal role in nutritional management of people with MND (pwMND) but, to date, their views on the psychological barriers faced by pwMND have not been explored. Such an exploration may identify ways in which the delivery of nutritional care for pwMND can be optimized. METHODS Five qualitative focus groups were carried out across the United Kingdom in June 2018 with 51 participants, including 47 HCPs involved with MND care and four service user representatives. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes were identified: psychological adjustment and patient engagement; nutrition and the need for control; knowledge of nutrition and the complexity of MND; and the psychosocial nature of eating. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the nutritional management of pwMND should be mindful of factors such as the impact of distress at the time of diagnosis, the availability of clear information on nutrition and MND, as well as the importance of illness perceptions and coping strategies. Moreover, tailored psychological interventions should be considered to mitigate the impact on MND on the experience of eating. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Since weight loss and reduced body mass index (BMI) have been identified as independent risk factors for prognosis and survival in motor neuron disease (MND), nutritional management represents an important component of the symptomatic care of people with MND (pwMND) aimed at prolonging survival and maintaining or improving quality of life. However, the current guidelines and quantitative and qualitative literature on the topic are mainly focused on issues around enteral feeding and gastrostomy insertion, and very little is currently known about potential psychological enablers or barriers to earlier nutritional management, especially from the perspectives of health care professionals (HCPs) involved in the delivery of nutritional care in pwMND. What does this study add? First qualitative investigation of enablers or barriers to nutritional care in pwMND from the perspective of HCPs. New insight into psychological factors (e.g., adjustment, avoidance, loss of control) in nutritional care for pwMND. Practical implications and novel clinical suggestions for HCPs involved in nutritional care of pwMND.
Genetic diversity and phylogeographical assessment of Helianthemum caput-felis Boiss . ( Cistaceae ) based on AFLP markers

Analyses of AFLP markers were carried out for three populations of Helianthemum caput-felis. The selected populations corresponded to wellfragmented areas from Spanish territories: Iberian Peninsula (Alicante), Balearic Islands (Majorca) and North Africa (Melilla). Analyses of molecular data (PCO, Fst values and Fst dendrograms) revealed a separation between the North African population and the Iberian-Balearic populations. The importance of the geological events within the Mediterranean basin, especially changes of the water level after the Messinian salinity crisis, is discussed. Multivariate analyses yielded close relationships between populations from the Balearic Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, though some uncertain data were detected. Balearic subpopulations with different ecological habitats appeared to be genetically similar. Finally, the obtained genetic data are also relevant for conservation purposes.
Real-time fluorescence imaging for visualization and drug uptake prediction during drug delivery by thermosensitive liposomes

Abstract Objective: Thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (TSL–Dox) is a promising stimuli-responsive nanoparticle drug delivery system that rapidly releases the contained drug in response to hyperthermia (HT) (>40 °C). Combined with localized heating, TSL–Dox allows highly localized delivery. The goals of this study were to demonstrate that real-time fluorescence imaging can visualize drug uptake during delivery, and can predict tumor drug uptake. Methods: Nude mice carrying subcutaneous tumors (Lewis lung carcinoma) were anesthetized and injected with TSL–Dox (5 mg/kg dose). Localized HT was induced by heating tumors for 15, 30 or 60 min via a custom-designed HT probe placed superficially at the tumor location. In vivo fluorescence imaging (excitation 523 nm, emission 610 nm) was performed before, during, and for 5 min following HT. After imaging, tumors were extracted, drug uptake was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and correlated with in vivo fluorescence. Plasma samples were obtained before and after HT to measure TSL–Dox pharmacokinetics. Results: Local drug uptake could be visualized in real-time during HT. Compared to unheated control tumors, fluorescence of heated tumors increased by 4.6-fold (15 min HT), 9.3-fold (30 min HT), and 13.2-fold (60 min HT). HT duration predicted tumor drug uptake (p = .02), with tumor drug concentrations of 4.2 ± 1.3 µg/g (no HT), 7.1 ± 5.9 µg/g (15 min HT), 14.1 ± 6.7 µg/g (30 min HT) and 21.4 ± 12.6 µg/g (60 min HT). There was good correlation (R2 = 0.67) between fluorescence of the tumor region and tumor drug uptake. Conclusions: Real-time in vivo fluorescence imaging can visualize drug uptake during delivery, and can predict tumor drug uptake.
Taxonomy and species diversity of Ganoderma species in the Garden Route National Park of South Africa inferred from morphology and multilocus phylogenies

ABSTRACT Ganoderma is a cosmopolitan genus that encompasses species with cultural, economic, and pathogenic importance. Despite the importance of this genus, knowledge pertaining to the species diversity of Ganoderma in South Africa is limited. This study aimed at elucidating the identity and phylogenetic placements of Ganoderma samples obtained during a survey of wood-rotting fungi in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) of South Africa, supplemented with isolates obtained from other localities across the country. Identification was achieved by means of multilocus phylogenetic inference combined with morphological evaluation. In total, eight distinct species of Ganoderma were recovered from different hosts and localities across the country. Of these, Ganoderma cf. cupreum and Ganoderma cf. resinaceum represent possible new records for South Africa. Two novel species are described, namely, G. eickeri. and G. knysnamense. Ganoderma eickeri, sp. nov., is characterized by a triquetrous and broadly attached basidiome, a sulcate or zonate yellowish brown to brown pilear surface, and ovoid to ellipsoid basidiospores. Ganoderma knysnamense is distinguished by an applanate to ungulate, sometimes convex, dimidiate to broadly attached basidiome, a chocolate-brown pilear surface covered with a hard woody-like crust and ellipsoid, broadly ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores. The discovery of two new Ganoderma species in this study raises the known Ganoderma species in South Africa to 13.
4D Monte Carlo dose calculations for pre-treatment quality assurance of VMAT SBRT: a phantom-based feasibility study

Volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is challenging due to both breathing-induced motion and the dynamic components of the linear accelerator. In this study, a 4D Monte Carlo (4DMC) dose calculation method for VMAT SBRT is proposed and the feasibility of the method is evaluated. A rigidly-moving lung phantom was imaged using four dimensional computed tomography (4DCT). VMAT SBRT plans were generated on the average intensity projection dataset using the internal target volume (ITV) strategy (ITV-plan) and a single phase to simulate a dynamic treatment-couch tracking technique (TRACKING-plan). 4DMC simulations were performed and compared to 3D Monte Carlo (3DMC) and 3D- and 4D- calculations in the treatment planning system using the adaptive convolution (AC) algorithm. Dose metrics calculated for the ITV-plan showed an overestimation with 3D adaptive convolution (3DAC) for D (GTV) by 3.5% and by 2.0% for 3DMC, both compared to 4DMC. The TRACKING-plan D (GTV) calculated with the 3DAC method overestimated by 2.0% compared with 4DMC. Deviations between the calculation methods for Dmean (Lung) and D (PTV) were minimal. For both plans, measurements were taken with EBT3 film inside the phantom tumour. EBT3 film profiles showed good agreement with 4DMC for the TRACKING-plan giving a gamma pass rate of 97.2% for 3%/3 mm global and for 3DAC compared with measured, 95.8%. Whereas for the ITV-plan, the 3D profiles varied from film in the ITV periphery region with a pass rates of 50% and 48.6% for 3DAC and 3DMC, respectively. 4DMC agreed more closely to measurements for this plan with a pass rate of 95.8%. We have proposed an accurate method to perform 4D dose calculations for pre-treatment quality assurance of VMAT SBRT. The method was compared to experimental measurements and for both plans, 4DMC dose agreed with measurements more closely than other evaluated dose calculation methods. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of this 4DMC method.