Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hernias and Genital Anomalies among Primary School Pupils in Ikenne Local Government Area , Ogun State , Nigeria

Introduction: Hernias, anomalies of the external genitalia, including circumcision mishaps are common cases that we see in our health facility. We have recently seen an increase in paediatric patients presenting with these conditions. Hence we decided to find out their true incidence in the community. Objectives: The specific objectives of the study were: 1. To find out the types and incidence of ventral hernias and anomalies of the external genitalia that are common among primary school pupils in the area. 2. To find out if these disease conditions are associated with each other. 3. To find out where male circumcisions are performed and document common complications. Methodology: A multi-staged random sampling method was employed. Results: Two hundred and eighty six (37.3%) children had umbilical hernia. Fifteen (2.0%) children had paraumbilical hernia. Nine children (1.2%) had right indirect inguinal hernia;three children (0.4%) had left indirect inguinal hernia and two (0.3%) had bilateral indirect inguinal hernia. Two boys (0.5%) had left undescended testis; there were no cases of right undescended testis or bilateral undescended testis. Only one boy (0.2%) had left retractile testis; there were no cases of right retractile testis or bilateral retractile testis. Two boys (0.5%) had right hydrocele while 4 (1.0%) had left hydrocele.All male children had been circumcised and majority of them102 (24.3%) were circumcised at the primary health centres. Conclusion: Umbilical hernias,paraumbilical hernias, indirect inguinal hernias, undescended testes and hydroceles are not uncommon among children in Ikenne Local Government Area. Majority of the male circumcisions are performed at the primary health centres.
Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Fine-Needle Aspiration Diagnosis and Histologic Follow-up

The increased sensitivity of many imaging modalities (ultrasound, computed to mography scan, magnetic resonance imaging) has resulted in the identification of thyroid nodules, measuring 1 cm or less. Usually these small lesions are regarded as incidental and are not sampled by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). However, some of these lesionsundergo FNA because of suspicious radiology findings (multifocality, calcification, etc) or in patients with a history of radiation to the head and neck region. We present FNA findings and histologic follow-up of 39 thyrold nodules that measured 1.0 cm or less. All FNAs were performed under ultrasound guidance. The lesions ranged in size from 0.2 to 1.0 cm. Twenty-two lesions were diagnosed as papillary carcinoma (PTC), 4 as medullary carcinoma (MC), and 13 as suspicious for PTC on FNA. Histologic follow-up showed PTC in 3 5 and MCin 4cases; 11 PTC were multifocal (31%) and lymph node metastases were present in 8 (16%) cases. Ultrasound-guided FNA is effective in thesampling of thyroid cancers that are 1.0 cm or less. The present study shows that some of these lesions can be clinically significant.
Effect of sperm concentration and sperm ageing on fertilisation success in the Antarctic soft-shelled clam Laternula elliptica and the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna

Sperm concentration and sperm ageing effects on fertilisation success were evaluated in the laboratory in the free-spawning Antarctic soft-shelled clam Laternula elliptica and Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna. Fertilisation success was highly dependent on sperm concentration. Highest levels of fertilisation success were consistently replicated at ~107 sperm ml-1 for L. elliptica, and ~106 to 108 sperm ml-1 for N. concinna. However, both species exhibited extremely low fertilisation rates at concentrations 106 sperm ml-1 N. concinna displayed a rapid increase in abnormally developing larvae which, along with only a small decline in total fertilisation success above 108 sperm ml-1, was taken to indicate polyspermy. A small increase in abnormal development followed by a rapid decline in fertilisation success at high sperm concentrations (>107 sperm ml-1) for L. elliptica was attributed to oxygen depletion. Using the optimum sperm concentration found for fertilisation success, spermatozoa were capable of fertilising fresh ova for >90 h in L. elliptica, and ~65 h in N. concinna. The sperm concentrations required for fertilisation success and sperm longevities reported here are at least an order of magnitude greater than those reported for nearshore temperate molluscs. Our data strongly suggest that the specific reproductive behaviour and timing of spawning activities displayed by these Antarctic molluscs is vital to enhance fertilisation success in the polar marine environment.
Effect of probiotic supplementation on organic feed to alternative antibiotic growth promoter on production performance and economics analysis of quail

Aim: The purpose of this study was to know the production performance and economic analysis in quail which use probiotic supplementation to alternate antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) to feed consumption, water consumption, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion, and feed efficiency. Materials and Methods: About 240 quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 14 weeks of age were completely randomized into four treatments, each treatment consisted of six replications and each replication consisted by 10 heads. The treatment was T0 (organic feed without AGP and without probiotic), T1 (organic feed + 0.001% AGP), T2 (organic feed + 0.005% probiotic in feed), and T3 (organic feed + 0.005% probiotic in drinking water). The probiotic consist of 1.2×105 CFU/g of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Results: The results showed that the probiotic supplementation both in feed and water give a significant impact to feed consumption, water intake, feed conversion, feed efficiency, and quail day production, but no statistical difference of egg mass. The T3 also show the most profitable business analysis, which has the best result in income, profit, break-even point, return cost ratio, benefit-cost ratio, and return on investment. Conclusion: It can be concluded that giving 0.005% probiotic in drinking water to get the best egg production and profit.
Reticulon 1‐C/neuroendocrine‐specific protein‐C interacts with SNARE proteins

Reticulons are proteins of neuroendocrine cells localized primarily to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Despite their implication in cellular processes like apoptosis or axonal regeneration, their intracellular molecular function is still largely unknown. Here, we show that reticulon 1‐C can be detected in a protein complex of 150–200 kDa, and that a number of soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, i.e. syntaxin 1, syntaxin 7, syntaxin 13 and VAMP2, can be co‐immunoprecipitated with reticulon 1‐C. Moreover, it localizes to a nocodazole‐sensitive, but calreticulin‐negative domain of the endoplasmic reticulum. Finally, overexpression in PC12 cells of a reticulon 1‐C fragment which binds to SNAREs, significantly enhances human growth hormone secretion. These results suggest that reticulons are involved in vesicle trafficking events, including regulated exocytosis.
Preexisting and de novo humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in humans

Antibodies predating infection Immunological memory after infection with seasonal human coronaviruses (hCoVs) may potentially contribute to cross-protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ng et al. report that in a cohort of 350 SARS-CoV-2–uninfected individuals, a small proportion had circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that could cross-react with the S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (see the Perspective by Guthmiller and Wilson). By contrast, COVID-19 patients generated IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies that recognized both the S1 and S2 subunits. The anti-S2 antibodies from SARS-CoV-2–uninfected patients showed specific neutralizing activity against both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotypes. A much higher percentage of SARS-CoV-2–uninfected children and adolescents were positive for these antibodies compared with adults. This pattern may be due to the fact that children and adolescents generally have higher hCoV infection rates and a more diverse antibody repertoire, which may explain the age distribution of COVID-19 susceptibility. Science, this issue p. 1339; see also p. 1272 SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies can be found in some uninfected individuals—predominantly children and adolescents. Zoonotic introduction of novel coronaviruses may encounter preexisting immunity in humans. Using diverse assays for antibodies recognizing SARS-CoV-2 proteins, we detected preexisting humoral immunity. SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S)–reactive antibodies were detectable using a flow cytometry–based method in SARS-CoV-2–uninfected individuals and were particularly prevalent in children and adolescents. They were predominantly of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class and targeted the S2 subunit. By contrast, SARS-CoV-2 infection induced higher titers of SARS-CoV-2 S–reactive IgG antibodies targeting both the S1 and S2 subunits, and concomitant IgM and IgA antibodies, lasting throughout the observation period. SARS-CoV-2–uninfected donor sera exhibited specific neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotypes. Distinguishing preexisting and de novo immunity will be critical for our understanding of susceptibility to and the natural course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism in carriers of factor V Leiden is related to concomitant thrombophilic disorders

Summary. The duration of anticoagulant treatment after a first episode of venous thromboembolism primarily depends on the risk of recurrence. Variability of recurrence rates in factor (F) V Leiden carriers may be due to concomitant thrombophilic disorders. A retrospective study was performed in 329 FV Leiden carriers with a history of venous thromboembolism (262 probands, 67 relatives). The annual rate of first recurrence was estimated in relatives. The contribution of concomitant thrombophilic disorders to the recurrence rate was evaluated in probands and relatives by a nested case–control analysis in 105 matched pairs of carriers either with or without recurrence. The overall annual recurrence rate was 2·3 per 100 patient–years. The adjusted risk of recurrence for concomitant thrombophilic disorders was: 9·1 (1·3–62·8) for the FII mutation; 1·0 (0·2–4·9) for homozygosity for FV Leiden; 1·5 (0·2–9·5) for inherited deficiencies of protein C or S; 1·8 (0·7–4·9) for FVIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) levels > 122%; 5·4 (1·6–18·6) for fasting homocysteine levels > 15·2 µmol/l; and 4·4 (1·0–18·7) for loading homocysteine levels > 45·8 µmol/l. Of these disorders, only the FII mutation and hyperhomocysteinaemia significantly increased the risk of recurrence in FV Leiden carriers. The estimated recurrence rate ranged from 0·45 per 100 patient–years after a secondary first event in the absence of concomitant disorders to 4·8 per 100 patient–years when a spontaneous first event was combined with concomitant disorders. Our study provides supportive evidence that the incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism in heterozygous FV Leiden carriers depends on the concomitance of other thrombophilic disorders, in addition to whether the first thrombotic event occurred spontaneously.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the comparative impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between women and men and about women's response to pulmonary rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES To compare lung function, disability, mortality and response to pulmonary rehabilitation between women and men with COPD. METHODS In the present retrospective study, 68 women (mean age 62.5+/-8.9 years) and 168 men (mean age 66.3+/-8.4 years) were evaluated by means of pulmonary function testing and an incremental symptom-limited cycle exercise test. Forty women and 84 men also participated in a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program. A 6 min walking test and the chronic respiratory questionnaire were used to assess the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. Survival status was also evaluated. RESULTS Compared with men, women had a smaller tobacco exposure (31+/-24 versus 48+/-27 pack-years, P<0.05), displayed better forced expiratory volume in 1 s (44+/-13 versus 39+/-14 % predicted, P<0.05), a higher functional residual capacity (161+/-37 versus 149+/-36 % predicted, P<0.05) and total lung capacity (125+/-20 versus 115+/-19 % predicted, P<0.001). Peak oxygen consumption was not different between women and men when expressed in predicted values but lower in women when expressed in absolute values. Pulmonary rehabilitation resulted in significant improvements in 6 min walking test and quality of life in both sexes, but women had a greater improvement in chronic respiratory questionnaire dyspnea. Survival status was similar between sexes, but predictors of mortality were different between sexes. CONCLUSIONS Women may be more susceptible to COPD than men. The clinical expression of COPD may differ between sexes with greater degree of hyperinflation in women, who also benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation.
Local Participation in Woodland Management in the Southern Riyadh Area: Implications for Agricultural Extension

Abstract This study was conducted to explore the extent and forms of local participation in natural woodland management in the southern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, area and to identify the best methods to encourage local participation. Data were collected by using a well‐structured questionnaire. A simple random sample of 290 households from southern Riyadh, comprising three governorates—Alhareeg, Alsolalil, and Huwdut Banitamim—was drawn from the total population of study area. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, means, and standard deviation) and chi‐square test were employed to analyze the data. The study revealed that only 29.3 percent of the respondents were involved in the protection and management of nearby forests. The study found significant correlations among the local population's educational levels, occupation, marital status, and age with their participation in the nearby woodland. The study recommends implementation of forestry extension programs to enhance local knowledge about the value of conserving woodland, the development of woodland management system, and the encouragement of the local participation in woodland management by providing them with opportunities to have regulated access to the woodland, participate in decision making, provide financial incentives, and wield authority to protect woodland.
Untersuchung der Systemkompetenz von Grundschülern im Bereich Biologie

Die systemische Betrachtungsweise kennzeichnet den Biologieunterricht der Sekundarstufe. Gegenstand der vorliegenden empirischen Untersuchung ist die Frage, ob und in welchem Ausmas auch schon Grundschuler zu einer systemischen Betrachtungsweise im Bereich Biologie fahig sind. Zur Untersuchung der Systemkompetenz von Grundschulern wurden auf der Basis von padagogischer Psychologie und Systemtheorie geeignete Testinstrumente entwickelt. Die Analyse der kognitiven und affektiven Bedingungen des Erwerbs von Systemkompetenz (Intelligenz, Interesse) erfolgte mit Hilfe gangiger Tests. Weiterhin wurde die Ubertragbarkeit der Systemkompetenz von einem inhaltlichen Bereich (System Weisstorch) auf einen anderen (System Schule) untersucht. Die Systemkompetenz der Grundschuler stellte sich als eine aus mehreren Teilkompetenzen zusammengesetzte Fahigkeit dar, die in einem Kompetenzstufenmodell beschrieben werden konnte. Im Kompetenzbereich Systemorganisation waren die Leistungen der Kinder generell gut ausgepragt. Im Kompetenzbereich Erkennen von und Umgang mit Systemeigenschaften waren die Leistungen heterogen. Insgesamt zeigten die Leistungen jedoch, dass bereits in der Grundschule Systemkompetenz vermittelt werden kann, die zu einem umfangreichen und komplex vernetzten biologischen Fachwissen fuhrt. Aus dem Vergleich der Leistungen in zwei inhaltlich unterschiedlichen Systemen ergaben sich Hinweise auf bereichsspezifische und bereichsubergreifende Fahigkeiten im Bereich Systemkompetenz.
MAIT Cells Detect and Efficiently Lyse Bacterially-Infected Epithelial Cells

Mucosal associated invariant T cells (MAIT) are innate T lymphocytes that detect a large variety of bacteria and yeasts. This recognition depends on the detection of microbial compounds presented by the evolutionarily conserved major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class I molecule, MR1. Here we show that MAIT cells display cytotoxic activity towards MR1 overexpressing non-hematopoietic cells cocultured with bacteria. The NK receptor, CD161, highly expressed by MAIT cells, modulated the cytokine but not the cytotoxic response triggered by bacteria infected cells. MAIT cells are also activated by and kill epithelial cells expressing endogenous levels of MRI after infection with the invasive bacteria Shigella flexneri. In contrast, MAIT cells were not activated by epithelial cells infected by Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. Finally, MAIT cells are activated in human volunteers receiving an attenuated strain of Shigella dysenteriae-1 tested as a potential vaccine. Thus, in humans, MAIT cells are the most abundant T cell subset able to detect and kill bacteria infected cells.
High-speed optical imaging of afferent flow through rat olfactory bulb slices: voltage-sensitive dye signals reveal periglomerular cell activity

Fast, multiple-site optical recording and video imaging techniques were combined to visualize the olfactory processing stream as it flowed through rat olfactory bulb slices stained with the voltage-sensitive dye RH155. A 464 element photodiode detector array was used to record the voltage-sensitive dye signals. Focal electrical stimulation of the olfactory nerve layer evoked relatively large optical responses in the olfactory nerve and glomerular layers but only small responses within the external plexiform layer. With paired-pulse stimulation, glomerular attenuation was evident in signals recorded from the glomerular and external plexiform layers but not from the olfactory nerve layer. At very high recording speeds ( < 0.2 msec/frame), the presynaptic component of the olfactory processing stream could be followed as it flowed through the olfactory nerve layer and into the glomerular layer, where its amplitude rapidly declined. This decline was followed by a reciprocal rise in a postsynaptic depolarization that was largely restricted to the glomerular layer. Spatiotemporal interactions between overlapping afferent streams within the glomerular layer were observed and partially characterized. The optically recorded glomerular layer response was largely resistant to bath application of GABAA receptor antagonists but was sensitive to manipulations of external chloride concentration and to bath application of a stilbene derivative, 4- acetamido-4′isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid known to block Cl- conductances. It is suggested the the voltage-sensitive dye signals recorded from the glomerular layer reflect activity in periglomerular cells and that Cl- efflux through non-GABAA chloride channels contributes to the postsynaptic depolarization of these cells after olfactory nerve stimulation.
A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the effects of participation in a mindfulness meditation–based stress reduction program on mood disturbance and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients. Methods A randomized, wait-list controlled design was used. A convenience sample of eligible cancer patients enrolled after giving informed consent and were randomly assigned to either an immediate treatment condition or a wait-list control condition. Patients completed the Profile of Mood States and the Symptoms of Stress Inventory both before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of a weekly meditation group lasting 1.5 hours for 7 weeks plus home meditation practice. Results Ninety patients (mean age, 51 years) completed the study. The group was heterogeneous in type and stage of cancer. Patients’ mean preintervention scores on dependent measures were equivalent between groups. After the intervention, patients in the treatment group had significantly lower scores on Total Mood Disturbance and subscales of Depression, Anxiety, Anger, and Confusion and more Vigor than control subjects. The treatment group also had fewer overall Symptoms of Stress; fewer Cardiopulmonary and Gastrointestinal symptoms; less Emotional Irritability, Depression, and Cognitive Disorganization; and fewer Habitual Patterns of stress. Overall reduction in Total Mood Disturbance was 65%, with a 31% reduction in Symptoms of Stress. Conclusions This program was effective in decreasing mood disturbance and stress symptoms in both male and female patients with a wide variety of cancer diagnoses, stages of illness, and ages.
Taenia spp.: 18S rDNA microsatellites for molecular systematic diagnosis

Abstract The 18S rDNA gene of adult worms of Taenia parva found in Genetta genetta in the Iberian Peninsula and larval stages of T. pisiformis from the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Tenerife (Canary Islands) were amplified and sequenced. The sequences of the 18S rDNA gene of T. parva (1768 bp) and T. pisiformis (1760 bp) are reported for the first time (GenBank accession nos. AJ555167–AJ555168 and AJ555169–AJ555170, respectively). In 168 alignment positions microsatellites in the 18S rDNA of both taxa were detected for the first time (TGC in T. parva and TGCT in T. pisiformis) and differences in their sequences with different repetition numbers were observed. The use of nucleotide sequences of this gene in the resolution of systematic problems in cestodes is discussed with reference to the systematic status of Taenia spp. and mainly in human taeniids such as T. solium, T. saginata, and Asian human isolates of Taenia.
Brain-created visual motion: an illusion?

It is an intimidating task to question, let alone challenge, a scientific claim made by Professor Semir Zeki. It does, however, seem important to be quite sure that the illusory moving shadowy lines observed in the rings of Leviant’s Enigma painting, and in the similar Mackay Rays with blank rings (see Mackay 1957 a, b), are cortically created illusions. An alternative and very different hypothesis would be that these illusory moving shadows are induced by retinal movement signals, from the repeated lines, due to accommodation fluctuation of the lens of the eye. I am not competent to comment on the interesting position emission tomography (PET) scan findings of Professor Zeki and his colleagues, but can they answer the essential question: are these moving shadows cortically created, or are they induced by retinal movement signals? This seems to require consideration of possible effects induced by the rays, which I shall discuss here.