Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) Winter Foraging Preferences in Northern Poland—The Role of Woody Vegetation Composition and Anthropopression Level

Simple Summary The food preferences of beavers depend on many factors, such as forage taxonomy, stem diameter, and the distance from a riverbank. In this study, we investigated beavers’ diets and food preferences in an urban area of northern Poland subject to varying levels of human disturbance. In the course of the study, we confirmed a similar preference for the browsing of woody plants, as described in other studies. The most popular and preferred woody plants in beaver’s diet were willows and maples, and most woody plants were characterized by a stem diameter less than 10 cm. We also found that human disturbance played an important role in shaping the beavers’ diets. We discussed this phenomenon from the basis of optimal foraging theory. Abstract We studied beavers’ dietary preferences and the role of several factors (such as plant species, size and anthropopression level) that affect the beavers’ foraging in northern Poland. Woody plants along the river were measured and classified according to species in six 100 m-long transects that were characterized by a diversified human disturbance level. Ivlev’s electivity index was used to present the beavers’ preferences for various plant species and sizes, and the generalized linear model was used to assess the significance of studied factors in beavers’ browsing choices. Most popular in the beavers’ diets were willows (Salix), maples (Acer) and alder (Alnus), but only willows and maples were preferred. We noted a decrease in the beavers’ foraging preference in parallel to an increase in the shoot diameter; plants with a diameter below 10 cm were preferred. All factors included in the generalized linear model (GLM) were significant in shaping the beavers’ foraging choices. A negative correlation between the shoot diameter and the human disturbance level was found, but the species composition of the browsed woody plants was the same in each transect. Beavers’ foraging preferences, as observed in our study, were similar to those described in the literature and confirmed the role of woody species and their diameters in shaping the beavers’ diet. We also suggested the potential role of anthropopression in the shaping of the beavers’ foraging behaviors.
Microbial Communities in Permafrost Soils of Larsemann Hills, Eastern Antarctica: Environmental Controls and Effect of Human Impact

Although ice-free areas cover only about 0.1% of Antarctica and are characterized by harsh environmental conditions, these regions provide quite diverse conditions for the soil-forming process, having various physical and geochemical properties, and also assuring different conditions for living organisms. This study is aimed to determine existing soil microbial communities, their relationship with soil parameters and the influence of anthropogenic activity in Larsemann Hills, Eastern Antarctica. The soil microbiome was investigated at different locations using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. The taxonomic analysis of the soil microbiomes revealed 12 predominant bacterial and archaeal phyla—Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes, Armatimonadetes, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, Thaumarchaeota. Some specific phyla have been also found in sub-surface horizons of soils investigated, thus providing additional evidence of the crucial role of gravel pavement in saving the favorable conditions for both soil and microbiome development. Moreover, our study also revealed that some bacterial species might be introduced into Antarctic soils by human activities. We also assessed the effect of different soil parameters on microbial community in the harsh environmental conditions of Eastern Antarctica. pH, carbon and nitrogen, as well as fine earth content, were revealed as the most accurate predictors of soil bacterial community composition.
Characterization of bony anatomic regions in pediatric and adult healthy volunteers using diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging

Abstract. Significance: Diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI) measures quantitative functional and molecular information in thick tissue in a noninvasive manner using near-infrared light. DOSI may be useful for diagnosis and prognosis of bone pathologies including osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, but little is currently known about DOSI-derived parameters in bony anatomic locations where this disease occurs. Aim: Our goal is to quantify the optical characteristics and chromophore content of bony anatomic locations of healthy volunteers and assess differences due to anatomic region, age, sex, ethnicity, race, and body fat. Approach: Fifty-five healthy volunteers aged 4 to 72 were enrolled in the study. The optical properties and quantitative tissue concentrations of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, water, and lipids were assessed at the distal humerus, distal femur, and proximal tibia. Body fat was assessed using skinfold calipers. One volunteer underwent a more comprehensive body scan from neck to foot to explore chromophore distributions within an individual. Regression analysis was used to identify the most important sources of variation in the measured data set. Results: Statistical differences between bony locations were found for scattering, water, and lipids, but not for hemoglobin. All chromophores had statistical differences with sex, but there were no significant age-related correlations. Regression analysis revealed that body fat measured with skinfold calipers was the most important predictor of oxy-, deoxy-, total hemoglobin, and lipids. Hemoglobin and lipid levels were highly correlated (ρ ≥ 0.7) over the subject population and within the single-subject body scan. Conclusions: DOSI can successfully measure bony anatomic sites where osteosarcomas and Ewing’s sarcomas commonly occur. Future studies of bone pathology using DOSI should account for the variation caused by anatomic region, sex, race and ethnicity, and body fat as these cause substantial variations in DOSI-derived metrics.
Health Literacy Varies According to Different Background Disease Natures and Characteristics of Participants for Patient Support Groups

Introduction: Patient support groups (PSGs) should be designed according to the backgrounds of participants and the nature of their diseases. Using health literacy as an outcome indicator for PSGs is rare. Methods: All questionnaires (Mandarin Multidimensional Health Literacy Questionnaire, MMHLQ) were collected from eight PSGs to evaluate the health literacy of participants. Background data of participants were also collected, including patient or family, age, and first-time participation or not. Results: A total of 458 questionnaires were collected from eight PSGs. The diseases were: autoimmune disease (systemic lupus nephritis (SLE), malignancy (head and neck cancer (HNC), chronic disease (diabetes mellitus or DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), hemodialysis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), genetic disease (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and degenerative disease (osteoporosis). For vasculitis (42.21 ± 16.49 years old for SLE) and genetic disease (48.95 ± 17.58 years old for ADPKD), participants were younger. More significant differences between first-time participation and MMHLQ scores were found in disease of osteoporosis, CKD, COPD, and hemodialysis. More significant differences between role of participation (patients themselves or family) and MMHLQ scores were found in SLE, ADPKD, hemodialysis, and CKD. More significant differences between age (elderly or not) and MMHLQ score were found in HNC, DM, CKD, COPD, and osteoporosis. Conclusion: Background data of participants varied across different diseases. Different disease natures and patient background statuses should therefore demand different designs in PSG. MMHLQ before PSGs can be used to help to improve the PSG curriculum on the health literacy of patients.
Acoustic Emission for Determining Early Age Concrete Damage as an Important Indicator of Concrete Quality/Condition before Loading

Phenomena occurring during the curing of concrete can decrease its mechanical properties, specifically strength, and serviceability, even before it is placed. This is due to excessive stresses caused by temperature gradients, moisture changes, and chemical processes arising during the concreting and in hardened concrete. At stress concentration sites, microcracks form in the interfacial transition zones (ITZ) in the early phase and propagate deeper into the cement paste or to the surface of the element. Microcracks can contribute to the development of larger cracks, reduce the durability of structures, limit their serviceability, and, in rare cases, lead to their failure. It is thus important to search for a tool that allows objective assessment of damage initiation and development in concrete. Objectivity of the assessment lies in it being independent of the constituents and additives used in the concrete or of external influences. The acoustic emission-based method presented in this paper allows damage detection and identification in the early age concrete (before loading) for different concrete compositions, curing conditions, temperature variations, and in reinforced concrete. As such, this method is an objective and effective tool for damage processes detection.
Effect of Adjuvant Paclitaxel and Carboplatin on Survival in Women With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

This randomized phase 3 clinical trial evaluates the effect of a carboplatin-plus-paclitaxel regimen on survival, compared with a standard-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil followed by docetaxel, in women with operable triple-negative breast cancer in China.
Metabotropic Neurosteroid/ς-Receptor Involved in Stimulation of Nociceptor Endings of Mice

In peripheral nociceptive flexor test, SA4503, (+)-pentazocine, and (+)-3-(hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine, representative ς-receptor agonists, elicited dose-dependent flexor responses. These responses were blocked by ς-receptor antagonists NE-100 or BD1063, but not by pretreatments with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for ς1 binding protein. The ς-agonists9 nociception is attributed to the substance P (SP) release from nociceptor endings through activations of Gαi1 and phospholipase C (PLC). On the other hand, attomolar doses of neurosteroids such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and pregnenolone sulfate caused similar nociception, and they were blocked by progesterone (PROG). However, DHEAS nociception was not affected by pertussis toxin, but was completely inhibited by a PLC inhibitor or thapsigargin. Although the nociception by lower doses of DHEAS was abolished by diphenhydramine (DPH), H1 antagonist, there were dose-dependent responses by high doses of DHEAS in the presence of DPH. The responses by DHEAS in the presence of DPH were blocked by NE-100, and those by (+)-pentazocine were blocked by PROG. All these findings suggest that two novel types of neurosteroid receptors exist, neuronal NS1/ς-type, which mediates activation of Gαi1 by neurosteroids and ς-agonists, followed by SP release from nociceptor endings; and NS2 type, which mediates histamine release from mast cells by very low doses of neurosteroids.
Transmission of viral pathogens in a social network of university students: the eX-FLU study

Abstract Previous research on respiratory infection transmission among university students has primarily focused on influenza. In this study, we explore potential transmission events for multiple respiratory pathogens in a social contact network of university students. University students residing in on-campus housing (n = 590) were followed for the development of influenza-like illness for 10-weeks during the 2012–13 influenza season. A contact network was built using weekly self-reported contacts, class schedules, and housing information. We considered a transmission event to have occurred if students were positive for the same pathogen and had a network connection within a 14-day period. Transmitters were individuals who had onset date prior to their infected social contact. Throat and nasal samples were analysed for multiple viruses by RT-PCR. Five viruses were involved in 18 transmission events (influenza A, parainfluenza virus 3, rhinovirus, coronavirus NL63, respiratory syncytial virus). Transmitters had higher numbers of co-infections (67%). Identified transmission events had contacts reported in small classes (33%), dormitory common areas (22%) and dormitory rooms (17%). These results suggest that targeting person-to-person interactions, through measures such as isolation and quarantine, could reduce transmission of respiratory infections on campus.
Geographic and Ontogenetic Variation of Venom in the Rattlesnakes Crotalus oreganus oreganus and Crotalus o. helleri

Due to substantial toxin variation in the venom of the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri), management and treatment of envenomation by this species, one of the most medically significant snakes in all of North America, has been a clinical challenge. This taxon has also been the subject of sensational news stories regarding supposed rapid (within the last few decades) evolution of its venom toward supertoxicity. Research reported in this chapter demonstrates for the first time that variable evolutionary selective pressures have sculpted the intraspecific molecular diversity of C. o. helleri venom components. We show that myotoxic β-defensin peptides (i.e., crotamines and small basic myotoxic peptides) are secreted in large amounts by all four examined populations. Hemorrhagic and tissue-destroying snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) were secreted in large amounts by the Catalina Island and Phelan rattlesnake populations, in moderate amounts by snakes in the Loma Linda
Research on a Cognitive Distraction Recognition Model for Intelligent Driving Systems Based on Real Vehicle Experiments

The accurate and prompt recognition of a driver’s cognitive distraction state is of great significance to intelligent driving systems (IDSs) and human-autonomous collaboration systems (HACSs). Once the driver’s distraction status has been accurately identified, the IDS or HACS can actively intervene or take control of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the safety hazards caused by distracted driving. However, few studies have considered the time–frequency characteristics of the driving behavior and vehicle status during distracted driving for the establishment of a recognition model. This study seeks to exploit a recognition model of cognitive distraction driving according to the time–frequency analysis of the characteristic parameters. Therefore, an on-road experiment was implemented to measure the relative parameters under both normal and distracted driving via a test vehicle equipped with multiple sensors. Wavelet packet analysis was used to extract the time–frequency characteristics, and 21 pivotal features were determined as the input of the training model. Finally, a bidirectional long short-term memory network (Bi-LSTM) combined with an attention mechanism (Atten-BiLSTM) was proposed and trained. The results indicate that, compared with the support vector machine (SVM) model and the long short-term memory network (LSTM) model, the proposed model achieved the highest recognition accuracy (90.64%) for cognitive distraction under the time window setting of 5 s. The determination of time–frequency characteristic parameters and the more accurate recognition of cognitive distraction driving achieved in this work provide a foundation for human-centered intelligent vehicles.
Health‐related quality of life in paediatric patients with intoxication‐type inborn errors of metabolism: Analysis of an international data set

Acute intoxication‐type inborn errors of metabolism (IT‐IEM) such as urea cycle disorders and non‐acute IT‐IEM such as phenylketonuria have a major impact on paediatric patients' life. Patients have to adhere to a strict diet but may face neurocognitive impairment and – in acute diseases – metabolic decompensations nevertheless. Research on the subjective burden of IT‐IEM remains sparse. Studies with appropriate sample sizes are needed to make valid statements about health‐related quality of life (HrQoL) in children and adolescents with IT‐IEM. Six international metabolic centres contributed self‐reports and proxy reports of HrQoL (assessed with the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory) to the final data set (n = 251 patients; age range 2.3‐18.8 years). To compare HrQoL of the patient sample with norm data and between acute and non‐acute IT‐IEM, t tests were conducted. To examine the influence of child age, sex, diagnosis and current dietary treatment on HrQoL, multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Self‐reports and proxy reporst showed significantly lower HrQoL total scores for children with IT‐IEM compared to healthy children. Current dietary treatment significantly predicted lower proxy reported total HrQoL. Children with non‐acute IT‐IEM reported significantly lower psychosocial health and emotional functioning than children with acute IT‐IEM. The patient sample showed significantly impaired HrQoL and a diet regimen remains a risk factor for lower HrQoL. Differences in HrQoL between acute and non‐acute IT‐IEM subgroups indicate that factors beyond symptom severity determine the perception of disease burden. Identifying these factors is of crucial importance to develop and implement appropriate interventions for those in need.
Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis of 30 studies with 5,122 patients

Background The prognostic role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in esophageal cancer (EC) patients is controversial; therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to obtain a consensus. Methods The PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed effect or random effect models depending on the heterogeneity. Results A total of 30 articles comprising 5,122 patients were included in this meta-analysis. High levels of generalized TIL infiltration were associated with better overall survival (OS) (HR =0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.95, P=0.02) in EC patients. High CD8+ T-cell infiltration and high CD4+ T-cell infiltration were associated with better OS (HR =0.68, 95% CI: 0.60–0.78, P<0.001; HR =0.70, 95% CI: 0.57–0.85, P<0.001, respectively). However, the pooled results showed that neither CD3+ nor FOXP3+ T-cell infiltration were associated with patient survival (P>0.05). Moreover, for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), high CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration in the TN (Tumor nest) or TS (Tumor stroma) significantly predicted better OS (pooled HR =0.70, 95% CI: 0.57–0.85; P=0.001; pooled HR =0.77, 95% CI: 0.65–0.91; P=0.003). Conclusions High levels of generalized TILs, high CD8+ T-cell infiltration and high CD4+ T-cell infiltration have the potential to serve as prognostic markers in EC patients. Moreover, high CD8+ TIL in TNs or TS can predict better OS in ESCC patients.
Dietary Advanced Glycation End-Products (dAGEs) Intake and Bone Health: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Rotterdam Study

Animal studies suggest a role for dietary advanced glycation end-products (dAGEs) in bone health, but human studies on dAGEs in relation to bone are lacking. We aimed to study whether dAGEs intake is associated with the parameters of bone strength namely, bone mineral density (BMD), prevalent vertebral (VFs), and major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs = hip, wrist, proximal humerus, and clinical VFs). 3949 participants (mean age 66.7 ± 10.5 years) were included from a Rotterdam study for whom Carboxymethyllysine (CML—a dietary AGE) was estimated from food frequency questionnaires combined with dAGEs databases. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were performed adjusting for age, sex, energy intake, dietary quality, physical activity, diabetes, smoking, renal function, and cohort effect and for models on fractures, subsequently for BMD. We observed no association of CML with BMD at both femoral neck (β = −0.006; p = 0.70) and lumbar spine (β = −0.013; p = 0.38). A higher intake of CML was linearly associated with VFs (Odds ratio, OR = 1.16, 95% CI (1.02–1.32) and a similar but non-significant trend with MOFs (OR = 1.12 (0.98–1.27). Additional adjustment for BMD did not change the associations. Our results imply a positive association between dietary intake of CML and VFs independent of BMD. Future studies are needed in order to elucidate whether associations found are causal.
Microfluidic Electrochemical Sensor for Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Dopamine Detection in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson`s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra. The loss of dopaminergic neurons results in decreased dopamine (DA) release in the striatum and thus impaired motor functions. DA is one of the key neurotransmitters monitored for the diagnosis, and during the progression and treatment of PD. Therefore, sensitive and selective DA detection methods are of high clinical relevance. In this study, a new microfluidic device utilized for electrochemical DA detection is reported. The microfluidic sensing device operates in the range of 0.1 - 1000 nM DA requiring only ~ 2.4 µL sample volume, which corresponds to detectable 240 amol of DA. Using this sensor, we were able to monitor the changes in DA levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of a mouse model of PD and following the treatment of drug L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), which reversed the parkinsonian symptoms in PD mice.
Respiratory and cardiopulmonary limitations to aerobic exercise capacity in adults born preterm.

Adults born preterm, regardless of whether or not they develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia, have underdeveloped respiratory and cardiopulmonary systems. The resulting impaired respiratory and cardiopulmonary systems are inadequate for the challenges imposed by aerobic exercise, which is exacerbated by the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Thus, the respiratory and cardiopulmonary systems of these preterm individuals may be the most influential contributors to the significantly lower aerobic exercise capacity compared to their term born counterparts. The precise underlying cause(s) of the lower aerobic exercise capacity in adults born preterm is not entirely known, but could be a number of interrelated parameters including mechanical ventilatory constraints, impaired pulmonary gas exchange efficiency, and excessive cardiopulmonary pressures. Likewise, additional aspects, such as impaired cardiovascular function and altered muscle bioenergetics may play additional roles in limiting aerobic exercise capacity. Whether or not all or some of these aspects are present in adults born preterm and precisely how they may contribute to the lower aerobic exercise capacity is only beginning to be systematically explored. The purpose of this mini-review is to outline what is currently known about the respiratory and cardiopulmonary limitations during exercise in this population and to identify key areas where additional will help to advance this area. Additionally, where possible, we highlight the similarities and differences between obstructive lung disease resulting from preterm birth and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the physiology and pathophysiology of these two forms of obstructive lung disease may not be identical.