Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of breast milk substitute feeding among newborns in delivery facilities in urban Cambodia and Nepal

Abstract Introducing breast milk substitutes (BMS) in the first days after birth can increase infant morbidity and reduce duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding. This study assessed determinants of BMS feeding among newborns in delivery facilities in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Cross‐sectional surveys were conducted among mothers upon discharge from health facilities after delivery: 304 mothers in Kathmandu Valley and 306 mothers in Phnom Penh participated. On the basis of a conceptual framework for prelacteal feeding, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with BMS feeding prior to facility discharge. In both Phnom Penh and Kathmandu Valley, feeds of BMS were reported by over half of mothers (56.9% and 55.9%, respectively). Receiving a health professional's recommendation to use BMS increased the odds of BMS feeding in both Kathmandu Valley and Phnom Penh (odds ratio: 24.87; confidence interval [6.05, 102.29]; odds ratio: 2.42; CI [1.20, 4.91], respectively). In Kathmandu Valley, recommendations from friends/family and caesarean delivery were also associated with BMS use among mothers. Early initiation of breastfeeding and higher parity were protective against the use of BMS in Kathmandu Valley. Breastfeeding support from a health professional lowered the odds of BMS feeding among newborns. Exposure to BMS promotions outside the health system was prevalent in Phnom Penh (84.6%) and Kathmandu Valley (27.0%) but was not associated with BMS feeds among newborns. Establishment of successful breastfeeding should be prioritized before discharging mothers from delivery facilities, and health professionals should be equipped to support and encourage breastfeeding among all new mothers.
Measuring task set preparation versus mind wandering using pupillometry.

We investigated participants' task set preparation by measuring changes in pupil diameter during a blank interval as they prepared for an easy (i.e., prosaccade) or difficult (i.e., antisaccade) trial. We used occasional thought probes to gauge "on-task" thoughts versus mind wandering. In both studies, participants' pupil diameters were larger when anticipating an antisaccade, relative to a prosaccade, trial. In contrast, their self-reported mind wandering depended upon whether the thought probes occurred after their target detection response (Experiment 1) or occurred in lieu of target detection (Experiment 2). In the latter case, self-reported mind wandering echoed the pupil diameter changes in demonstrating greater off-task behavior when preparing for a prosaccade trial. More important, trial type effects in pupil diameter emerged only when participants reported being "on-task," but disappeared during periods of mind wandering. These results demonstrate that changes in pupil diameter reflect the degree of preparatory control exerted for an upcoming trial, but only when attention is actively focused on the upcoming task. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Androgens enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis in males but not females in an age-dependent manner

Androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) increase adult hippocampal neurogenesis by increasing survival of new neurons in male rats and mice via an androgen receptor pathway, but it is not known whether androgens regulate neurogenesis in females and whether the effect is age-dependent. We investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen, on neurogenesis in young adult and middle-aged males and females. Rats were gonadectomized and injected with the DNA synthesis marker, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The following day rats began receiving daily injections of oil or DHT for 30 days. We evaluated cell proliferation (Ki67) and survival of new neurons (BrdU and BrdU/NeuN) in the hippocampus of male and female rats using immunohistochemistry. As expected, DHT increased the number of BrdU+ cells in young males but surprisingly not in middle-aged male rats or in young and middle-aged females. In middle age, DHT increased the proportion of BrdU/NeuN cells, an effect driven by females. AR expression also increased with aging in both female and male rats, which may contribute to a lack of DHT neurogenic effect in middle age. Our results indicate that DHT regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in a sex- and age-dependent manner.
The heat shock protein 70 inhibitor VER155008 suppresses the expression of HSP27, HOP and HSP90β and the androgen receptor, induces apoptosis, and attenuates prostate cancer cell growth

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that play a pivotal role in correct folding, stabilization and intracellular transport of many client proteins including those involved in oncogenesis. HSP70, which is frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa), has been shown to critically contribute to tumor cell survival, and might therefore represent a potential therapeutic target. We treated both the androgen receptor (AR)‐positive LNCaP and the AR‐negative PC‐3 cell lines with the pharmacologic HSP70 inhibitor VER155008. Although we observed antiproliferative effects and induction of apoptosis upon HSP70 inhibition, the apoptotic effect was more pronounced in AR‐positive LNCaP cells. In addition, VER155008 treatment induced G1 cell cycle arrest in LNCaP cells and decreased AR expression. Further analysis of the HSP system by Western blot analysis revealed that expression of HSP27, HOP and HSP90β was significantly inhibited by VER155008 treatment, whereas the HSP40, HSP60, and HSP90α expression remained unchanged. Taken together, VER155008 might serve as a novel therapeutic option in PCa patients independent of the AR expression status.
Chronic activation of FXR-induced liver growth with tissue-specific targeting Cyclin D1

ABSTRACT The nuclear receptor (FXR) plays essential roles in maintaining bile acid and lipid homeostasis by regulating diverse target genes. And its agonists were promising agents for treating various liver diseases. Nevertheless, the potential side effect of chronic FXR activation by specific agonists is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of FXR agonist WAY-362450 induced liver enlargement during treating liver diseases. We demonstrated that chronic ingestion of WAY-362450 induced liver hypertrophy instead of hyperplasia in mouse. Global transcriptional pattern was also examined in mouse livers after treatment with WAY-362450 by RNA-seq assay. Through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, we demonstrated that the expression of Cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) among the cell cycle-regulating genes was notably increased in WAY-362450-treated mouse liver. Activation of FXR-induced Ccnd1 expression in hepatocyte in a time-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. Through bioinformatics analysis and ChIP assay, we identified FXR as a direct transcriptional activator of Ccnd1 through binding to a potential enhancer, which was specifically active in livers. We also found active histone acetylation was essential for Ccnd1 induction by FXR. Thus, our study indicated that activation of FXR-induced harmless liver hypertrophy with spatiotemporal modulation of Ccnd1. With a better understanding of the mechanism of tissue-specific gene regulation by FXR, it is beneficial for development and appropriate application of its specific agonist in preventing hepatic diseases.
Bariatric venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: an update on the literature

ABSTRACT Introduction: Rates of obesity have been increasing worldwide and with the current situation obesity now represents an epidemic. Bariatric surgery is one the most effective ways to help reduce weight and sustain weight loss. Venous thromboembolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among bariatric surgery patients with no clearly established guidelines on prophylaxis. Areas covered: In this review the authors summarize clinical studies evaluating unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) in bariatric surgery patients. The authors present studies that assessed venous thromboembolic (VTE)-related risk stratification but also various dosing regimens of heparin products in this population of patients. Moreover, the authors will also present the feasibility of using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention along with providing a summary of few current guidelines for VTE prevention in bariatric surgery patients. Expert opinion: Based on the data presented in this review, the authors conclude that LMWHs may be better options than UFH for VTE prophylaxis in bariatric surgery patients. We also conclude that risk stratifying bariatric patients may be a better approach when deciding on the best thromboprophylaxis modality, dose and duration.
Assessing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for tinnitus using behavioural measures and structural MRI: a pilot study

Abstract Objective: We used a minimally-modified version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to treat symptoms of distress associated with tinnitus. Design: Audiological screening (establishing a baseline) was conducted prior to treatment and at three time-points: pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up, 8 weeks after completion of training. MRI tests were also conducted at these three time-points. Study sample: Twenty-one participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 15 completed training and audiological testing and eight completed the MRI portion of the study. Results: Scores on tinnitus-related questionnaires showed a significant decline either from pre- to post-intervention or from pre-intervention to follow-up, despite no significant change during baseline. Voxel-based morphometric analysis of the structural MRI scans revealed clusters in bilateral superior frontal gyrus that exhibited significant increases in grey matter volume over the period of intervention and follow-up. Further, grey matter changes in occipital and cingulate regions correlated with declines in tinnitus handicap. Conclusions: This pilot study supports MBCT as an adequate approach for treating distressing tinnitus and suggests that neuroanatomical changes may reflect reductions in tinnitus-related severity. Although our small sample size precludes drawing strong conclusions, there is potential for assessing neuroanatomical changes due to mindfulness-based interventions in tinnitus.
Inactivation of Poliovirus by Ozone and the Impact of Ozone on the Viral Genome.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanisms underlying ozone-induced inactivation of poliovirus type 1 (PV1). METHODS We used cell culture, long-overlapping RT-PCR, and spot hybridization assays to verify and accurately locate the sites of action of ozone that cause PV1 inactivation. We also employed recombinant viral genome RNA infection models to confirm our observations. RESULTS Our results indicated that ozone inactivated PV1 primarily by disrupting the 5'-non-coding region (5'-NCR) of the PV1 genome. Further study revealed that ozone speciﬁcally damaged the 80-124 nucleotide (nt) region in the 5'-NCR. Recombinant viral genome RNA infection models conﬁrmed that PV1 lacking this region was non-infectious. CONCLUSION In this study, we not only elucidated the mechanisms by which ozone induces PV1 inactivation but also determined that the 80-124 nt region in the 5'-NCR is targeted by ozone to achieve this inactivation.
Caffeine Intake and Demographic Characteristics of Shift Workers: A Cross-sectional Analysis Using NHANES 2005-2010 Data (P14-001-19).

Objectives Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant in the world and sociodemographic factors including occupation are associated with its intake. Non-standard work schedules are required in various occupations, and it is difficult to adapt to them. Shift work is associated with poor sleep, inadequate diet and numerous adverse health effects. We assessed whether caffeine intake differs in individuals working various shifts since it is assumed shift workers use more caffeine to cope with fatigue and disrupted circadian rhythms. Methods The 24-h dietary recall data collected in NHANES 2005-2010 datasets (employed adults age 19-70 years, n = 8500) were used to estimate individual usual caffeine intake from caffeine-containing foods and beverages. Daily patterns of work were self-reported as: regular daytime shift; evening shift; night shift; rotating shift; or "other". Regression analyses assessed associations of shift work with caffeine intake after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, smoking status, work hours, energy intake, and alcohol intake, all known to be associated with caffeine intake. Results Approximately 73.5% of employed adults were day shift workers and 26.5% were non-day shift workers. Day shift workers were more likely to be non-Hispanic white and of higher economic status compared to other shift workers. Mean 24-hour caffeine intake of day shift workers (204 ± 5 mg) was similar (P > 0.2) to that of evening, night, and rotating shift workers (209 ± 23, 184 ± 18, and 199 ± 15 mg, respectively). Regardless of work schedule, individuals consumed the most caffeine during morning hours. Evening and night shift workers consumed less caffeine during their work hours (76.8 ± 8.8 and 98.4 ± 18.5 mg, respectively) and more during non-work hours (131 ± 24 and 84.9 ± 9.5 mg, respectively) compared to day shift workers (157 ± 4 and 49.7 ± 3.4 mg during work hours and non-work hours, respectively; P < 0.01 for both). Conclusions Unexpectedly, daily caffeine intake was similar across different types of shift workers after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, smoking, economic status and other factors.Opinions or assertions contained herein are private views of the authors and not to be construed as official or reflecting views of the Army or DoD. Funding Sources DMRP/MRMC.
Voluntary and involuntary contributions to perceptually guided saccadic choices resolved with millisecond precision

In the antisaccade task, which is considered a sensitive assay of cognitive function, a salient visual cue appears and the participant must look away from it. This requires sensory, motor-planning, and cognitive neural mechanisms, but what are their unique contributions to performance, and when exactly are they engaged? Here, by manipulating task urgency, we generate a psychophysical curve that tracks the evolution of the saccadic choice process with millisecond precision, and resolve the distinct contributions of reflexive (exogenous) and voluntary (endogenous) perceptual mechanisms to antisaccade performance over time. Both progress extremely rapidly, the former driving the eyes toward the cue early on (∼100 ms after cue onset) and the latter directing them away from the cue ∼40 ms later. The behavioral and modeling results provide a detailed, dynamical characterization of attentional and oculomotor capture that is not only qualitatively consistent across participants, but also indicative of their individual perceptual capacities.
Effects of MDMA on neuroplasticity, amyloid burden and phospho-tau expression in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice

Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is still one of the most consumed drugs by adolescents. Its abuse is related with cognitive impairment, which seems due to maladaptive plasticity and neural stress. In turn, new hypotheses suggest that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be promoted by neural stressors. Aims and methods: To test if there is an increase in vulnerability to AD after chronic MDMA consumption, we investigated the effects of this drug on recognition memory and its neurotoxic and neuroplastic effects in a transgenic mouse model of presymptomatic familiar AD (APP/PS1 dE9, Tg). Results: MDMA-treated animals showed recognition memory deficits, regardless of genotype, which were accompanied by changes in plasticity markers. Tg mice showed an impaired expression of Arc compared with wild-type animals, but exposure to MDMA induced an increase in the expression of this factor of the same percentage in both genotypes. However, the expression of c-fos, BDNF and p-CREB was not significantly altered by MDMA treatment in Tg mice. Although Tg mice had higher free choline levels than wild-type mice (about 123%), MDMA did not modify these levels in any case, ruling out any specific effect of this drug on the acetylcholine pathway. MDMA treatment significantly increased the presence of cortical amyloid plaques, as well as Aβ40, Aβ42 and secreted APPβ levels in Tg mice. These plaques were accompanied by increased tau phosphorylation (S199), which does not seem to occur via the canonic pathway involving AKT, CDK5 or GSK3β. Conclusions: The present results support previous evidences that MDMA can contribute to the amyloid cascade.
Biotechnological Preparation of Gelatines from Chicken Feet

In the European Union (EU), about five tons of poultry by-product tissues are produced every year. Due to their high collagen content, they represent a significant raw material source for gelatine production. The aim of the paper was the biotechnological preparation of gelatine from chicken feet. The influence of selected process factors on the gelatine yield, gel strength, viscosity, and ash of gelatine was observed; a two-level factor design of experiments with three variable process factors (enzyme addition, enzyme treatment time, and gelatine extraction time) was applied. After grinding and separating soluble proteins and fat, the purified raw material was treated in water at pH 7.5 with the addition of endoprotease at 23 °C and after thorough washing with water at 80 °C, gelatine was extracted. By the suitable choice of process conditions, gelatine with high gel strength (220–320 bloom), low ash content (<2.0%) and viscosity of 3.5–7.3 mPa·s can be prepared. The extraction efficiency was 18–38%. The presented technology is innovative mainly by the enzymatic processing of the source raw material, which is economically, technologically, and environmentally beneficial for manufacturers. Chicken gelatines are a suitable alternative to gelatines made from mammals or fish, and can be used in many food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications.
Intracellular Transport and Cytotoxicity of the Protein Toxin Ricin

Ricin can be isolated from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). It belongs to the ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) family of toxins classified as a bio-threat agent due to its high toxicity, stability and availability. Ricin is a typical A-B toxin consisting of a single enzymatic A subunit (RTA) and a binding B subunit (RTB) joined by a single disulfide bond. RTA possesses an RNA N-glycosidase activity; it cleaves ribosomal RNA leading to the inhibition of protein synthesis. However, the mechanism of ricin-mediated cell death is quite complex, as a growing number of studies demonstrate that the inhibition of protein synthesis is not always correlated with long term ricin toxicity. To exert its cytotoxic effect, ricin A-chain has to be transported to the cytosol of the host cell. This translocation is preceded by endocytic uptake of the toxin and retrograde traffic through the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this article, we describe intracellular trafficking of ricin with particular emphasis on host cell factors that facilitate this transport and contribute to ricin cytotoxicity in mammalian and yeast cells. The current understanding of the mechanisms of ricin-mediated cell death is discussed as well. We also comment on recent reports presenting medical applications for ricin and progress associated with the development of vaccines against this toxin.
The Role of Executive Functions in Object- and Action-Naming among Older Adults

ABSTRACT Background/Study Context: Lexical retrieval abilities and executive function skills decline with age. The extent to which these processes might be interdependent remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to examine whether individual differences in three executive functions (shifting, fluency, and inhibition) predicted naming performance in older adults. Methods: The sample included 264 adults aged 55–84. Six measures of executive functions were combined to make three executive function composites scores. Lexical retrieval performance was measured by accuracy and response time on two tasks: object naming and action naming. We conducted a series of multiple regressions to test whether executive function performance predicts naming abilities in older adults. Results: We found that different executive functions predicted naming speed and accuracy. Shifting predicted naming accuracy for both object and action naming while fluency predicted response times on both tests as well as object naming accuracy, after controlling for education, gender, age, working memory span, and speed of processing in all regressions. Interestingly, inhibition did not contribute to naming accuracy or response times on either task. Conclusion: The findings support the notion that preservation of some executive functions contributes to successful naming in older adults and that different executive functions are associated with naming speed and accuracy.
Contribution of the Greenland Ice Sheet to sea level over the next millennium

Simulations show that the Greenland Ice Sheet could disappear within a millennium if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. The Greenland Ice Sheet holds 7.2 m of sea level equivalent and in recent decades, rising temperatures have led to accelerated mass loss. Current ice margin recession is led by the retreat of outlet glaciers, large rivers of ice ending in narrow fjords that drain the interior. We pair an outlet glacier–resolving ice sheet model with a comprehensive uncertainty quantification to estimate Greenland’s contribution to sea level over the next millennium. We find that Greenland could contribute 5 to 33 cm to sea level by 2100, with discharge from outlet glaciers contributing 8 to 45% of total mass loss. Our analysis shows that uncertainties in projecting mass loss are dominated by uncertainties in climate scenarios and surface processes, whereas uncertainties in calving and frontal melt play a minor role. We project that Greenland will very likely become ice free within a millennium without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.