Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Mathematical Modeling Approach to Uncover Factors Influencing the Spread of Campylobacter in a Flock of Broiler-Breeder Chickens

Despite continued efforts to improve biosecurity protocols, Campylobacter continues to be detected in the majority of commercial chicken flocks across Europe. Using an extensive data set of Campylobacter prevalence within a chicken breeder flock for over a year, multiple Bayesian models are presented to explore the dynamics of the spread of Campylobacter in response to seasonal variation, species-specificity, bird health, and total colonization prevalence. These models indicated that birds within the flock varied greatly in their response to bacterial challenge, and that this phenomenon had a large impact on the overall prevalence of different species of Campylobacter. Campylobacter jejuni appeared more frequently in the summer, while Campylobacter coli persisted for a longer duration, amplified by the most susceptible birds in the flock. Our study suggests that strains of Campylobacter that appear most frequently likely possess no demographic advantage, but are instead amplified due to the health of the birds that ingest it.
Application of Shark Teeth–Derived Bioapatites as a Bone Substitute in Veterinary Orthopedics. Preliminary Clinical Trial in Dogs and Cats

Background: The autograft is still considered the gold standard for the treatment of bone defects. However, given the significant morbidity of the donor site with which it has been associated, alternative substitutes for bone grafts have been developed. In the present study, a bone substitute composed of CaP biphasic bioceramics obtained from shark teeth was used (BIOFAST-VET). Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a marine bioapatite in the veterinary clinical field using it as a bone-grafting scaffold in dogs and cats. Methods: The biomaterial was randomly distributed in 6 veterinary clinical centers in Spain and was used in 24 cases (20 dogs and 4 cats) including 14 fractures, 9 arthrodesis, and 1 bone cyst. Grains between 500 and 2,000 μm were used. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. The time of consolidation and functional recovery were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. For this, a follow-up was carried out at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, included radiographic images, physical examination and sharing the feedback with the owners. Results: Nineteen cases completed the study (18 dogs and 1 cat; 11 fractures, 7 arthrodesis, and 1 bone cyst). The remaining five were excluded because they did not complete the radiographic follow-up (three cats and two dogs), being three arthrodesis and two fractures. In 18 of 19 cases, the use of the biomaterial was successful; the remaining one failed due to causes not related to the biomaterial. There were no systemic or local adverse reactions. Eighteen patients had a good functional recovery. The average consolidation time was 5.94 weeks in dogs with fractures and arthrodesis, not finding statistically significant differences between sex, weight, and procedure. Conclusions: This biomaterial is presented as a very suitable candidate for orthopedic surgery in the veterinary field. Preliminary results showed that its use reduces consolidation time in dogs with fractures and arthrodesis. In addition, no adverse systemic or local reactions have been observed derived from its use.
Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated With Immune Infiltrates in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in the word. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment of cancer. However, it is unclear which GC subpopulation would benefit most from immunotherapy and it is necessary to develop effective biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is a metabolic regulator of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) differentiation and cancer progression. In this study, we explored the correlations of NNMT to tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and immune marker sets in The Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma STAD (TCGA-STAD). Subsequently, we screened the NNMT correlated genes and performed the enrichment analysis of these genes. We eventually predicted the 19 most potential small-molecule drugs using the connectivity map (CMap) and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Also, nadolol, tranexamic acid, felbinac and dapsone were considered the four most promising drugs for GC. In summary, NNMT can be used as a prognostic biomarker that reflect immune infiltration level and a novel therapeutic target in GC.
From the Frontline to the Homefront: The Experience of Israeli Veterans

In 1948, the state of Israel was created as a homeland for the Jewish people after 2,000 years of persecution and deportations in the diaspora. During the past 72 years, its inhabitants have experienced several wars and numerous terrorist attacks. Therefore, the issue of trauma goes beyond academic study, it is part of daily life. These circumstances have, unfortunately, turned Israel into a natural stress laboratory, which has enabled the systematic research of the biopsychosocial effects of traumatic stress on soldiers and civilians. This article reviews the findings of a series of studies that examine (a) the short- and long-term mental health effects of war on combat veterans; (b) the effects of repeated exposure to war on veterans; (c) trajectories of PTSD; and, specifically, (d) reactivation and (e) delayed-onset PTSD. We present the findings of two decades of systematic trauma research, which have followed the ongoing psychopathological effect of war on veterans. In understanding the ripple effects of trauma, it can be seen that veterans do not leave the events of the war behind once they are home; rather, it is with them wherever they go. Consequently, the trauma has a ripple effect that may carry over to veterans' spouses and offspring. The multiple manifestations and trajectories of both acute and chronic trauma will be presented. Clinical ramifications and implications will also be discussed.
Age-Related Deficits in Electrophysiological and Behavioral Measures of Binaural Temporal Processing

Binaural processing, particularly the processing of interaural phase differences, is important for sound localization and speech understanding in background noise. Age has been shown to impact the neural encoding and perception of these binaural temporal cues even in individuals with clinically normal hearing sensitivity. This work used a new electrophysiological response, called the interaural phase modulation-following response (IPM-FR), to examine the effects of age on the neural encoding of interaural phase difference cues. Relationships between neural recordings and performance on several behavioral measures of binaural processing were used to determine whether the IPM-FR is predictive of interaural phase difference sensitivity and functional speech understanding deficits. Behavioral binaural frequency modulation detection thresholds were measured to assess sensitivity to interaural phase differences while spatial release-from-masking thresholds were used to assess speech understanding abilities in spatialized noise. Thirty adults between the ages of 35 to 74 years with normal low-frequency hearing thresholds were used in this study. Data showed that older participants had weaker neural responses to the interaural phase difference cue and were less able to take advantage of binaural cues for speech understanding compared to younger participants. Results also showed that the IPM-FR was predictive of performance on the binaural frequency modulation detection task, but not on the spatial release-from-masking task after accounting the effects of age. These results confirm previous work that showed that the IPM-FR reflects age-related declines in binaural temporal processing and provide further evidence that this response may represent a useful objective tool for assessing binaural function. However, further research is needed to understand how the IPM-FR is related to speech understanding abilities.
TGF-β1 Suppresses Proliferation and Induces Differentiation in Human iPSC Neural in vitro Models

Persistent neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation is, among others, a hallmark of immaturity in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based neural models. TGF-β1 is known to regulate NSCs in vivo during embryonic development in rodents. Here we examined the role of TGF-β1 as a potential candidate to promote in vitro differentiation of hiPSCs-derived NSCs and maturation of neuronal progenies. We present that TGF-β1 is specifically present in early phases of human fetal brain development. We applied confocal imaging and electrophysiological assessment in hiPSC-NSC and 3D neural in vitro models and demonstrate that TGF-β1 is a signaling protein, which specifically suppresses proliferation, enhances neuronal and glial differentiation, without effecting neuronal maturation. Moreover, we demonstrate that TGF-β1 is equally efficient in enhancing neuronal differentiation of human NSCs as an artificial synthetic small molecule. The presented approach provides a proof-of-concept to replace artificial small molecules with more physiological signaling factors, which paves the way to improve the physiological relevance of human neural developmental in vitro models.
Positive Influence of Role Ambiguity on JD-R Motivational Process: The Moderating Effect of Performance Recognition

Most previous research has shown the negative influence of role ambiguity on employes’ motivational process. This has led to role ambiguity being perceived as a main hindrance demand in the workplace, with a negative effect on the Job Demands Resources (JD-R) model’s motivational process. Recent theories propose that job demands can be perceived by employes as a challenge, rather than a hindrance. However, there is little evidence on which elements of the organizational context shape this perception. The objective of this study is to elucidate the possible effect of performance recognition from the team leader on employes’ interpretation of role ambiguity as a hindrance or a challenge. Data were obtained from 706 employes of a multinational company headquartered in Almería, Spain. Results confirmed that performance recognition moderates the effects of role ambiguity: specifically, performance recognition changes the effect of role ambiguity on engagement from negative to positive and reduces role ambiguity’s negative influence on extra-role behaviors.
MicroRNA-7 Regulates Migration and Chemoresistance in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells Through Regulation of KLF4 and YY1

The discovery and description of the role of microRNAs has become very important, specifically due to their participation in the regulation of proteins and transcription factors involved in the development of cancer. microRNA-7 (miR-7) has been described as a negative regulator of several proteins involved in cancer, such as YY1 and KLF4. We have recently reported that YY1 and KLF4 play a role in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and that the expression of KLF4 is regulated by YY1. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the role of miR-7 in NHL through the negative regulation of YY1 and KLF4. qRT-PCR showed that there is an inverse expression of miR-7 in relation to the expression of YY1 and KLF4 in B-NHL cell lines. The possible regulation of YY1 and KLF4 by miR-7 was analyzed using the constitutive expression or inhibition of miR-7, as well as using reporter plasmids containing the 3 ‘UTR region of YY1 or KLF4. The role of miR-7 in NHL, through the negative regulation of YY1 and KLF4 was determined by chemoresistance and migration assays. We corroborated our results in cell lines, in a TMA from NHL patients including DLBCL and follicular lymphoma subtypes, in where we analyzed miR-7 by ISH and YY1 and KLF4 using IHC. All tumors expressing miR-7 showed a negative correlation with YY1 and KLF4 expression. In addition, expression of miR-7 was analyzed using the GEO Database; miR-7 downregulated expression was associated with pour overall-survival. Our results show for the first time that miR-7 is implicate in the cell migration and chemoresistance in NHL, through the negative regulation of YY1 and KLF4. That also support the evidence that YY1 and KLF4 can be a potential therapeutic target in NHL.
GRE and Undergraduate GPA as Predictors of Veterinary Medical School Grade Point Average, VEA Scores and NAVLE Scores While Accounting for Range Restriction

We explored the relation between Undergraduate GPA (UGPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal scores and several indices of achievement in veterinary medical education across five cohorts of veterinary students (N per model ranging from 109 to 143). Achievement indices included overall grade point average in veterinary school (CVMGPA), scores on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and scores on the Veterinary Educational Assessment (VEA). We calculated zero order correlations among all measures, and corrected correlations for range restriction. In all cases, corrected correlations exceeded uncorrected ones. For each index of achievement, we conducted hierarchical regressions using the corrected correlations as input, entering UGPA in the first step and GRE Verbal in the second step. Overall, UGPA and GRE Verbal combined explained from 70 to 84% of variance in CVMGPA, 51–91% of variance in VEA scores, and 41–92% of variance in NAVLE scores. For 12 of 15 comparisons, the second step (including GRE Verbal scores) significantly improved R2. Our results reaffirm the value of UGPA scores and GRE Verbal scores for predicting subsequent academic achievement in veterinary school.
Pathogenic Analysis of the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Samples With Pediatric Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Background: We conducted a pathogenic analysis in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) children. Methods: A total of 150 BALF samples from 60 RMPP patients were analyzed to investigate pathogenic changes. The characteristics of M. pneumoniae were analyzed through culture, real-time PCR, genotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and proteomics. The other pathogens were determined using culture, sequencing and nucleic acid detection. Results: In 60 RMPP cases, the bacterial co-infection rate was 5%, while that of virus was 33.3%. The poor prognosis rate was 61.7%. The DNA positive rate among the 150 samples was 98.7%, while the culture positive rate was 56.7% for M. pneumoniae. Significant differences were noticed in the positivity of M. pneumoniae culture obtained from samples with a disease course of at least 3 weeks compared with those within 3 weeks. The genotype 1 M. pneumoniae strains showed a macrolide resistant (MLr) rate of 100%, and that for genotype 2 was 90.1%. Proteomics showed that there were 57 proteins up-regulated in the MLs M. pneumoniae, half of which were membrane-associated protein with adhesion or toxicity. Conclusions: Pediatric RMPP usually presented with viral co-infection, but it caused limited effects on the progression and prognosis of RMPP. Persistent presence of viable M. pneumoniae is not necessary in the later stage of RMPP. The expression of virulence factor in the MLr M. pneumoniae was higher than that of the MLs M. pneumoniae, which was more common in the RMPP children.
Microbial Mats of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: Oases of Biological Activity in a Very Cold Desert

Cyanobacterial mats in the Antarctic Dry Valleys are photosynthetic microbial ecosystems living at the extreme of conditions on Earth with respect to temperature, light, water and nutrient availability. They are metabolically active for about 8 weeks during the austral summer when temperatures briefly rise above freezing and glacial and lake melt waters are available. There is much to learn about the biogeochemical impact of mats in these environments and the microbial communities associated with them. Our data demonstrate that these mats attain surprisingly high rates of carbon (CO2) and dinitrogen (N2) fixation when liquid water is available, in some cases comparable to rates in warmer temperate or tropical environments. C and N2 fixation in Dry Valley mats in turn substantially elevate dissolved organic C and inorganic N pools and thereby promote enhanced microbial secondary production. Moreover, the microbial community fingerprint of these mats is unique compared with the more ubiquitous dry soils that do not contain mats. Components of the heterotrophic microbiota may also contribute substantially to N inputs through N2 fixation.
Self-Regulated Learning of Brazilian Students in a Teacher Education Program in Piaui: The Impact of a Self-Regulation Intervention

Research on teacher education has shown that self-regulated learning (SRL) is relevant for improving learning skills of future teachers. Evidence also suggests that teacher education programs would benefit from fostering SRL in their students and teaching them to use SRL as a teaching practice. This dual focus could help students become more successful students and teachers, better prepared to foster SRL in their future classrooms. The objective of the present research was to investigate learning and study strategies and self-efficacy for learning beliefs among undergraduate students enrolled in teacher education programs at a public university in Brazil. Another aim was to design an SRL intervention, in two formats, and examine the effectiveness of each format at strengthening participants' self-regulatory skills. To achieve these goals, the study was conducted in two phases. In phase 1, 220 participants completed this Learning and Study Strategies Inventory and the Self-efficacy for Learning form. Findings suggested a need for improving future teacher students' self-regulatory skills and provided a basis for the second phase, whose goal was to examine an intervention program using a quasi-experimental research design with three stages: pretest, intervention, and posttest. Three classes were randomly assigned to three different treatment conditions: Experimental Group I (EGI) received theoretical content about SRL and self-reflective questions (format 1), Experimental Group II (EGII) received theoretical content about SRL only (format 2), and the Control Group (CG) only completed the assessments. Data from the first phase were used as pretest measures for the second phase. The sample for phase 2 of this study was composed of 53 students. EGI had 22 students, EGII 12, and CG 19. Results comparing EG I with EG II showed no statistically significant group × time interactions. However, when compared with CG, EGI showed statistically significant gains over the control group on five outcome measures, whereas EG II showed statistically significant gains over the control group on three of the outcome measures. This suggested benefits to receiving the interventions and that EG I may yield additional benefits over EG II. Theoretical and practical implications for pre-service teachers and teacher education programs are discussed.
How Leader-Member Exchange Affects Creative Performance: An Examination From the Perspective of Self-Determination Theory

It has been shown that leadership is a major factor that influences creative performance. Although past studies have found that leader-member exchange (LMX) has direct effects on employee creative performance, there continues to be a lack of research examining how the LMX relationship mediates creative performance. This study used self-determination theory to examine the mediating effects of the LMX relationship on creative performance through attitudinal and emotional processes. Participants were supervisors and subordinates of township enterprises in the Pearl River Delta in China. There were 386 valid supervisor-subordinate dyads. Supervisors were responsible for assessing creative performance and the remaining variables were completed by employees. Results showed that high LMX increased the positive moods of subordinates, improved creative performance, and stimulated intrinsic motivation for improvement. Based on the results, we have proposed academic and practical recommendations such as organizations that want to encourage creativity, could begin by training managers to demonstrate high LMX by strengthening their relationships with employees. We also described study limitations, and suggested directions for future studies.
Synthesis of the Hydroxamate Siderophore Nα-Methylcoprogen B in Scedosporium apiospermum Is Mediated by sidD Ortholog and Is Required for Virulence

Scedosporium species rank second among the filamentous fungi capable to colonize chronically the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Nevertheless, there is little information on the mechanisms underpinning their virulence. Iron acquisition is critical for the growth and pathogenesis of many bacterial and fungal genera that chronically inhabit the CF lungs. In a previous study, we showed the presence in the genome of Scedosporium apiospermum of several genes relevant for iron uptake, notably SAPIO_CDS2806, an ortholog of sidD, which drives the synthesis of the extracellular hydroxamate-type siderophore fusarinine C (FsC) and its derivative triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) in Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, we demonstrate that Scedosporium apiospermum sidD gene is required for production of an excreted siderophore, namely, Nα-methylcoprogen B, which also belongs to the hydroxamate family. Blockage of the synthesis of Nα-methylcoprogen B by disruption of the sidD gene resulted in the lack of fungal growth under iron limiting conditions. Still, growth of ΔsidD mutants could be restored by supplementation of the culture medium with a culture filtrate from the parent strain, but not from the mutants. Furthermore, the use of xenosiderophores as the sole source of iron revealed that S. apiospermum can acquire the iron using the hydroxamate siderophores ferrichrome or ferrioxamine, i.e., independently of Nα-methylcoprogen B production. Conversely, Nα-methylcoprogen B is mandatory for iron acquisition from pyoverdine, a mixed catecholate-hydroxamate siderophore. Finally, the deletion of sidD resulted in the loss of virulence in a murine model of scedosporiosis. Our findings demonstrate that S. apiospermum sidD gene drives the synthesis of a unique extracellular, hydroxamate-type iron chelator, which is essential for fungal growth and virulence. This compound scavenges iron from pyoverdine, which might explain why S. apiospermum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are rarely found simultaneously in the CF lungs.
Effect of light intensities on the flowering and growth of spiny coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.)

An experiment was performed at the Alzamora Experiment Farm of the Mayaguez Campus, University of Puerto Rico, to evaluate the effect of light intensity on the growth and flowering of spiny coriander, Eryngium foetidum L. The study was divided in two phases: 1) the seedling phase, which lasted from seeding to the first harvest, and 2) the second phase, from the first to the second harvest. All plants were placed under cover of transparent polyethylene. Three of the treatments were covered by Saran plastic with different densities to reduce light intensity to 47, 63, and 73%. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. A significant delay in flowering was observed in plants grown at 63 and 73% shade. An increase was observed in fresh weight of leaves of plants grown at 63 and 73% shade levels vs those in full sunlight. Plants grown under shade had fewer inflorescences with lower fresh weight than plants grown under full sunlight. No significant differences were found on leof number between plants grown at different light intensities. Leaf chlorophyll content of spiny coriander increased in plants grown under low light intensities.