Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Physiological Perspective on Nectar-Feeding Adaptation in Phyllostomid Bats

Nectar-feeding animals increase their food intake when nectar sugar concentration decreases. However, some species present physiological constraints that limit their energy intake when nectar is diluted. We hypothesized that gut capacities of bats affect the ability of these animals to acquire and store energy, modifying how they use food resources in the field. We measured the food intake and changes in body mass of the members of an assemblage of nectar-feeding bats (Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, and Glossophaga soricina) feeding on sucrose solutions of different concentrations (146, 292, 438, 584, 730, 876, and 1,022 mmol L−1). The three bat species presented differences in their food intake and their capacity to store energy. While C. mexicana was able to maintain a constant energy intake at all concentrations tested, G. soricina and L. yerbabuenae decreased their sugar/energy intake at the lowest sugar concentrations. Choeronycteris mexicana also increased body mass independent of sugar concentration, while G. soricina and L. yerbabuenae did not. On the basis of our results, we generated a model relating gut capacities and the use of food resources in the field. Our model’s predictions and field data support the idea that digestive traits affect the way these animals use the food resources present in their environment.
Cluster randomised controlled trial of an m-health intervention in centre-based childcare services to reduce the packing of discretionary foods in children’s lunchboxes: study protocol for the ’SWAP IT Childcare' trial

Introduction In many developed nations, including Australia, a substantial number of children aged under 5 years attend centre-based childcare services that require parents to pack food in lunchboxes. These lunchboxes often contain excessive amounts of unhealthy (‘discretionary’) foods. This study aims to assess the impact of a mobile health (m-health) intervention on reducing the packing of discretionary foods in children’s childcare lunchboxes. Methods and analysis A cluster randomised controlled trial will be undertaken with parents from 18 centre-based childcare services in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Services will be randomised to receive either a 4-month m-health intervention called ‘SWAP IT Childcare’ or usual care. The development of the intervention was informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel model and will consist primarily of the provision of targeted information, lunchbox food guidelines and website links addressing parent barriers to packing healthy lunchboxes delivered through push notifications via an existing app used by childcare services to communicate with parents and carers. The primary outcomes of the trial will be energy (kilojoules) from discretionary foods packed in lunchboxes and the total energy (kilojoules), saturated fat (grams), total and added sugars (grams) and sodium (milligrams) from all foods packed in lunchboxes. Outcomes will be assessed by weighing and photographing all lunchbox food items at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the Hunter New England Local Health District Human Ethics Committee (06/07/26/4.04) and ratified by the University of Newcastle, Human Research Ethics Committee (H-2008–0343). Evaluation and process data collected as part of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and local, national and international presentations and will form part of PhD student theses. Trial registration number ACTRN12618000133235; Pre-results.
Genomic alterations and survival in young patients aged under 40 years with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Background Young patients are rarely diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and little is known about its predisposing genomic alterations and survival. Methods This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the genomic alterations, treatment and prognosis of young patients under 40 years old from a cohort of 640 lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma cases from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. All patients were examined for EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF and HER2 mutations and ALK, ROS1 and RET fusion genes. Results In total, 54 patients were aged under 40 years. The frequencies of genomic alterations in younger (≤40 years) and older (>40 years) patients were 68.5% and 54.8%, respectively (P=0.05). Younger patients harbored a higher frequency of fusion genes (22.2% vs. 4.1%, P<0.001) but not gene mutations (46.3% vs. 45.6%, P=0.92). There was a general trend toward shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) (35.2 vs. 43.8 months, P=0.050), while no overall survival (OS) difference existed between younger and older patients (50.2 vs. 51.4 months, P=0.112). Conclusions Younger patients with NSCLC had a higher frequency of gene fusions than older patients and had a trend of worse OS.
Is inter-rater reliability of Global Trigger Tool results altered when members of the review team are replaced?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of results from Global Trigger Tool (GTT) reviews when one of the three reviewers remains consistent, while one or two reviewers rotate. DESIGN Comparison of results from retrospective record review performed as a cross-sectional study with three review teams each consisting of two non-physicians and one physician; Team I (three consistent reviewers), Team II (one of the two non-physician reviewers or/and the physician from Team I are replaced for different review periods) and Team III (three consistent reviewers different from reviewers in Team I and Team II). SETTING Medium-sized hospital trust in Northern Norway. PARTICIPANTS A total of 120 records were selected as biweekly samples of 10 from discharge lists between 1 July and 31 December 2010 for a 3-fold review. INTERVENTION Replacement of review team members was tested to assess impact on inter-rater reliability and adverse events measurment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Inter-rater reliability assessed with the Cohen kappa coefficient between different teams regarding the presence and severity level of adverse events. RESULTS Substantial inter-rater reliability regarding the presence and severity level of adverse events was obtained between Teams I and II, while moderate inter-rater reliability was obtained between Teams I and III. CONCLUSIONS Replacement of reviewers did not influence the results provided that one of the non-physician reviewers remains consistent. The experience of the consistent reviewer can result in continued consistency in interpretation with the new reviewer through discussion of events. These findings could encourage more hospital to rotate reviewers in order to optimize resources when using the GTT.
Graph convolutional networks for computational drug development and discovery

Despite the fact that deep learning has achieved remarkable success in various domains over the past decade, its application in molecular informatics and drug discovery is still limited. Recent advances in adapting deep architectures to structured data have opened a new paradigm for pharmaceutical research. In this survey, we provide a systematic review on the emerging field of graph convolutional networks and their applications in drug discovery and molecular informatics. Typically we are interested in why and how graph convolution networks can help in drug-related tasks. We elaborate the existing applications through four perspectives: molecular property and activity prediction, interaction prediction, synthesis prediction and de novo drug design. We briefly introduce the theoretical foundations behind graph convolutional networks and illustrate various architectures based on different formulations. Then we summarize the representative applications in drug-related problems. We also discuss the current challenges and future possibilities of applying graph convolutional networks to drug discovery.
Resistance and tolerance reactions of winter wheat lines to Heterodera filipjevi in Turkey

Abstract Nematodes attack cereal crops resulting in significant yield losses, estimated at 10%. The plant parasitic nematodes of the genus Heterodera attack cereals, particularly wheat, causing costly financial losses due to impact on yield. The soil borne pathogens program at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Turkey has focused on screening wheat germplasm to identify sources of Heterodera resistant varieties for almost 20 years. The aim of this current study was to validate the finding that resistant lines demonstrate resistant reactions under controlled conditions and to test whether they present tolerant reactions when challenged with cyst nematodes under two different locations in field conditions. The results of this study, including the check lines, indicated that 27 and 28 lines maintained their reactions to H. filipjevi in Eskisehir and Yozgat field, respectively, and 23 lines were the same in both locations. In terms of tolerance, 3 and 13 lines proven to be tolerant and moderately tolerant to H. filipjevi in Yozgat field. In Eskisehir field, 13 and 14 lines were tolerant and moderately tolerant. In both locations, L7 showed tolerance reaction, although it was susceptible. The majority of the resistant germplasm (60%, 14 lines) of screened lines from the Turkey CIMMYT–ICARDA (TCI) nursery were found to be resistant to both H. filipjevi populations including L1, L3, L6, L15, L21, L26, and L34, whereas 17% (four lines) from the USA had the same reaction. L32 showed a high level of resistance and tolerance in both locations and could prove to be promising lines in the breeding programs. The International Winter Wheat Improvement Program (IWWIP) formerly used these resistant lines in the crossing block and subsequently distributed them to more than 150 international collaborators. Regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between yield and RF of H. filipjevi in both nematode populations, which describes the negative impact of this pest on winter wheat. The results of this study are very important for breeding programs especially for the IWWIP, a joint program between the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, CIMMYT, and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
What couples say about their recovery of sexual intimacy after prostatectomy: toward the development of a conceptual model of couples' sexual recovery after surgery for prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION Interventions designed to help couples recover sexual intimacy after prostatectomy have not been guided by a comprehensive conceptual model. AIM We examined a proposed biopsychosocial conceptual model of couples' sexual recovery that included functional, psychological, and relational aspects of sexuality, surgery-related sexual losses, and grief and mourning as recovery process. METHODS We interviewed 20 couples preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. between 2010 and 2012. Interviews were analyzed with Analytic Induction qualitative methodology, using NVivo software. Paired t-tests described functional assessment data. Study findings led to a revised conceptual model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Couples' experiences were assessed through semi-structured interviews; male participants' sexual function was assessed with the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and female participants' sexual function with the Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS Preoperatively, 30% of men had erectile dysfunction (ED) and 84% of partners were postmenopausal. All valued sexual recovery, but worried about cancer spread and surgery side effects. Faith in themselves and their surgeons led 90% of couples to overestimate erectile recovery. Postoperatively, most men had ED and lost confidence. Couples' sexual activity decreased. Couples reported feeling loss and grief: cancer diagnosis was the first loss, followed by surgery-related sexual losses. Couples' engagement in intentional sex, patients' acceptance of erectile aids, and partners' interest in sex aided the recovery of couples' sexual intimacy recovery. Unselfconscious sex, not returning to erectile function baseline, was seen as the end point. Survey findings documented participants' sexual function losses, confirming qualitative findings. CONCLUSIONS Couples' sexual recovery requires addressing sexual function, feelings about losses, and relationship simultaneously. Perioperative education should emphasize the roles of nerve damage in ED and grief and mourning in sexual recovery.
From Mediterranean diet to Mediterranean lifestyle: a narrative review

Abstract Objective: To summarize the recent scientific evidence regarding the wellness-promoting capacity of the Mediterranean lifestyle (ML), with a special focus on physical, social and environmental wellness. Design: Narrative review of English-language publications in PubMed, Scopus and Embase, from 1 January 2010 to 31 October 2018. Setting: Prospective cohort studies, interventional studies, meta-analyses and reviews of those investigating the effect of at least one component of the ML on wellness parameters. Participants: General population. Results: Although an explicit definition of ML is missing, compliance with various combinations of its components improves metabolic health and protects against or ameliorates disease state. However, there is heterogeneity in the healthy behaviours that the ML-focused studies include in their design and the way these are assessed. Also, despite that features of the ML could contribute to other wellness dimensions, there are no studies exploring the effect this healthy lifestyle could confer to them. Conclusions: Chronic lifestyle diseases are of multifactorial aetiology and they warrant multifaceted approaches targeting the general way of living. ML, if thoroughly evaluated, can provide a valuable tool to holistically promote health and wellness.
The relationship of nocturnal headaches to sleep stage patterns

THE EXISTENCE of a temporal relationship between sleep and the migraine syndrome has long been reported in the literature. One of the best descriptions is by Bingl who stated, “Sometimes it (migraine) descends upon the patient like a bolt from the blue, when the latter goes to bed with a free head and in a general state of well-being in the evening, and wakes up in the morning with a bad headache. ” Migraine can also occur during the middle of the patient’s nocturnal sleep period and frequently follows brief periods of diurnal sleep. Some attacks of nocturnal headache are reported to occur during dreams, and occasionally, the aura of attacks of classic migraine are incorporated into the content of a dream which precedes the arousal with the severe headache. In the late 1940s, Gans2#3 recognized this relationship between sleep and migraine and, by selectively depriving patients of nocturnal “deep sleep,” reported a decrease in both frequency and severity of the migraine attacks. He states: “As soon as he (the patient) showed the faintest sign of falling into deep sleep (unnatural body posture, sinking back of the head, or snoring) he was gently touched, whereupon he immediately returned to the superficial deep level. ” The precise stages of sleep which were “rationed are not known due to the absence of electroencephalographic monitoring; however, this procedure may have had the effect of decreasing both stages 3 and 4 (slow-wave sleep) and rapid eye movement sleep (REM) . 4 In view of this long-recognized clinical relationship between migraine and sleep, we felt it would be of considerable interest to investigate the nocturnal sleep patterns of patients who had the onset of migraine during nocturnal sleep and to determine if a relationship might exist between the headache attack and a stage of sleep.
Revisiting the obesity paradox in heart failure: Per cent body fat as predictor of biomarkers and outcome

Aims Obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) is characterized by better prognosis and lower plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in heart failure. We assessed whether another anthropometric measure, per cent body fat (PBF), reveals different associations with outcome and heart failure biomarkers (NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2)). Methods In an individual patient dataset, BMI was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m) 2 , and PBF through the Jackson–Pollock and Gallagher equations. Results Out of 6468 patients (median 68 years, 78% men, 76% ischaemic heart failure, 90% reduced ejection fraction), 24% died over 2.2 years (1.5–2.9), 17% from cardiovascular death. Median PBF was 26.9% (22.4–33.0%) with the Jackson–Pollock equation, and 28.0% (23.8–33.5%) with the Gallagher equation, with an extremely strong correlation (r = 0.996, p < 0.001). Patients in the first PBF tertile had the worst prognosis, while patients in the second and third tertile had similar survival. The risks of all-cause and cardiovascular death decreased by up to 36% and 27%, respectively, per each doubling of PBF. Furthermore, prognosis was better in the second or third PBF tertiles than in the first tertile regardless of model variables. Both BMI and PBF were inverse predictors of NT-proBNP, but not hs-TnT. In obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, third PBF tertile), hs-TnT and sST2, but not NT-proBNP, independently predicted outcome. Conclusion In parallel with increasing BMI or PBF there is an improvement in patient prognosis and a decrease in NT-proBNP, but not hs-TnT or sST2. hs-TnT or sST2 are stronger predictors of outcome than NT-proBNP among obese patients.
Selective Reconstitution of T Lymphocyte Subsets in scid Mice

The 'empty' splenic T-cell compartment of young scid mice was partially and selectively reconstituted by low numbers of adoptively transferred congenic (C.B-17, BALB/c) or semi-allogeneic (dm2), but not completely allogeneic (C57BL/6) CD4+ T cells from adult donor mice. Under the same experimental conditions, the CD8+ T-cell compartment of young scid mice could only be reconstituted in scid mice continuously substituted with IL-2. CD4+ T cells engrafted in the spleen of H-2d scid recipients displayed specific, anti-Ad-associated proliferative reactivity. (Semi)allogeneic CD8+ T cells engrafted in spleens of scid recipients showed no anti-host H-2 class I-associated cytotoxic reactivity, i.e., this T-cell compartment was specifically tolerized against host (allo)antigens. Reconstitution of lymph nodes was not observed following transplantation of purified CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. Antigen-specific, cellular immune responses could not be induced in scid mice selectively reconstituted with either CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells. Partial reconstitution of the CD4+ T-cell compartment was always associated with the appearance of scid-derived, 'endogenous' IgM-producing B cells. Serum antibodies of scid mice with this T cell-induced B-cell leakiness stained an immature subset of congenic thymocytes.
Association between statin use and sex hormone in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.

PURPOSE Based on the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guidelines, the number of individuals eligible for statin therapy to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk has greatly expanded. Statins inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, which may impair gonadal steroidogenesis. To evaluate the impact of statins on endogenous sex hormones in a large epidemiological study. METHODS There were 6814 MESA participants at the baseline exam. Of these, 6171 had measurement of serum sex hormones: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2), total and bioavailable testosterone (T). Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the relationship of statin use with each sex hormone. RESULTS 345 women (17.4%) and 464 men (14.7%) were statin users with a mean age of 67 years, 41% were Whites, 29% Blacks, 11% Chinese and 19% Hispanics. Among statin users compared to non-users of statin, mean SHBG was 3.54 nmol/L (p <0.01) lower in women and 3.37 nmol/L (p <0.001) lower in men; mean DHEA was 1.06 nmol/L (p <0.05) lower in women and 0.70 nmol/L (p <0.01) lower in men, after adjustment for potential confounders. With further propensity score adjustment, mean DHEA and SHBG levels were 0.67 nmol/L (p <0.05) and 3.49 nmol/L (p <0.001) lower respectively, among statin users compared to non-users. No significant association was noted between E2, total T, bioavailable T and statin use. CONCLUSION Statin users have lower levels of SHBG and DHEA. This is particularly relevant in light of growing use of statin therapy.
Biological Inhibitory Effects of the Chinese Herb Danggui on Brain Astrocytoma

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated the utility of the traditional Chinese herb danggui in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Our aim was to examine whether it might similarly be used to treat glioblastoma multiforme. Methods: The lipid-soluble active ingredients of danggui were extracted with acetone (AS-AC) or chlorophenol (AS-CH) and their antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects were studiedin vitro on cultured GBM 8401 cells and in vivoon tumors in nude mice. Results: After a 24-hour treatment, either AS-AC or AS-CH at a lower (50 µg/ml) and a higher concentration (100 µg/ml) significantly inhibited the proliferative activity of GBM 8401 cultured cells by 30–50%, as well as the expression of cathepsin B and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In nude mice, the growth of the tumor was inhibited by 30% by AS-CH or AS-AC (20 mg/kg; p < 0.05) and by 60% by AS-CH or AS-AC (60 mg/kg; p < 0.05). AS-AC and AS-CH also significantly inhibited microvessel formation in the tumors of nude mice. Conclusions: Danggui may inhibit tumor growth by reducing the level of VEGF and the proapoptotic protein, cathepsin B. Thus, danggui may be useful in the treatment of high-grade astrocytomas.
Use of ultrasound combined with magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of breast masses and fibroids

Objective To investigate the clinical value of ultrasound plus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of breast masses and fibroids. Methods Clinical data for 357 patients with breast masses diagnosed at our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnostic performances were compared between 243 patients who underwent routine ultrasound examinations (control group) and 114 patients who underwent routine ultrasound plus MRI (test group). Results The overall accordance rates of routine ultrasound and routine ultrasound plus MRI for the diagnosis of breast masses, based on postoperative pathological diagnoses, were 70.78% (172/243) and 90.35% (103/114). The addition of MRI significantly improved the overall diagnostic performance of routine ultrasound for breast masses. The diagnostic accordance rate of routine ultrasound for the diagnosis of breast fibroids (fibroadenomas) was 74.12% (63/85 cases) compared with 93.94% (31/33 cases) for routine ultrasound plus MRI. The diagnostic performance of routine ultrasound plus MRI was therefore also significantly higher than routine ultrasound alone for diagnosing breast fibroids. Conclusions Routine ultrasound plus MRI can greatly improve the diagnostic accordance rates for breast masses and fibroadenomas.