Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public Perceptions of Australian Assistance Dogs: Happier and Better Used Than Companion Dogs

ABSTRACT Previous studies have revealed cultural differences in perceptions of assistance dogs, but this has not been investigated in almost 20 years. This study aimed to develop an understanding of the Australian public’s perceptions toward both assistance and companion dogs. A questionnaire was completed by 258 Australians asking about their interest in, attitudes towards, and perceived happiness of the two types of dogs. Results revealed participants were equally interested in them, but More supportive of the use of assistance dogs, and perceived them as happier. Qualitative analyses revealed participants commonly endorsed the practical benefits of assistance dogs and the emotional benefits of companion dogs. Differences in happiness ratings can potentially be explained by the common endorsement that companion dogs are sometimes neglected while assistance dogs enjoy working and constant companionship with their handler. However, several participants expressed concern regarding the restrictive nature of the assistance work. There was an increase in concerns raised for the welfare of both dogs as compared to previous studies, suggesting a rise in concern about dog welfare and the ethics of keeping dogs for human benefits.
Acute exercise improves glucose and TAG metabolism in young and older adults following high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal intake

Abstract A single high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal (HFHC) results in elevated postprandial glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TAG) and metabolic load index (MLI; TAG (mg/dl) + GLU (mg/dl)) that contributes to chronic disease risk. While disease risk is higher in older adults (OA) compared to younger adults (YA), the acute effects of exercise on these outcomes in OA is understudied. Twelve YA (age 23.3 ± 3.9 yrs, n = 5 M/7 F) and 12 OA (age 67·7 ± 6.0 yrs, n = 8 M/4 F) visited the laboratory in random order to complete a HFHC with no exercise (NE) or acute exercise (EX) condition. EX was performed 12 hours prior to HFHC at an intensity of 65 % of maximal heart rate to expend 75 % of the kcals consumed in HFHC (Marie Callender’s Chocolate Satin Pie; 12 kcal/kgbw; 57 % fat, 37 % CHO). Blood samples were taken at 0, 30, 60, 90 minutes, and then every hour until 6 hours post-meal. TAG levels increased to a larger magnitude in OA (Δ∼61 ± 31 %) compared to YA (Δ∼37 ± 34 %, P < 0·001), which were attenuated in EX compared to NE (P < 0·05) independent of age. There was no difference in GLU between OA and YA after the HFM, however, EX had attenuated GLU independent of age (NE: Δ∼21 ± 26 %; EX: Δ∼12 ± 18 %, P = 0·027). MLI was significantly lower after EX compared to NE in OA and YA (P < 0·001). Pre-prandial EX reduced TAG, GLU and MLI post-HFHC independent of age.
Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants and Human Coronaviruses After Single BNT162b2 Vaccination

Abstract Background Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies are key in combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, delays of boost immunization due to limited availability of vaccines may leave individuals vulnerable to infection and prolonged or severe disease courses. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC)—B.1. 1.7 (United Kingdom), B.1. 351 (South Africa), and P.1 (Brazil)—may exacerbate this issue, as the latter two are able to evade control by antibodies. Methods We assessed humoral and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT), VOC, and endemic human coronaviruses (hCoVs) that were induced after single and double vaccination with BNT162b2. Results Despite readily detectable immunoglobulin G (IgG) against the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein at day 14 after a single vaccination, inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 S-driven host cell entry was weak and particularly low for the B.1. 351 variant. Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2 WT and VOC-specific T cells were low in many vaccinees after application of a single dose and influenced by immunity against endemic hCoV. The second vaccination significantly boosted T-cell frequencies reactive for WT and B.1. 1.7 and B.1. 351 variants. Conclusions These results call into question whether neutralizing antibodies significantly contribute to protection against COVID-19 upon single vaccination and suggest that cellular immunity is central for the early defenses against COVID-19.
In-depth assessment of the PAM compatibility and editing activities of Cas9 variants

Abstract A series of Cas9 variants have been developed to improve the editing fidelity or targeting range of CRISPR–Cas9. Here, we employ a high-throughput sequencing approach primer-extension-mediated sequencing to analyze the editing efficiency, specificity and protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) compatibility of a dozen of SpCas9 variants at multiple target sites in depth, and our findings validate the high fidelity or broad editing range of these SpCas9 variants. With regard to the PAM-flexible SpCas9 variants, we detect significantly increased levels of off-target activity and propose a trade-off between targeting range and editing specificity for them, especially for the near-PAM-less SpRY. Moreover, we use a deep learning model to verify the consistency and predictability of SpRY off-target sites. Furthermore, we combine high-fidelity SpCas9 variants with SpRY to generate three new SpCas9 variants with both high fidelity and broad editing range. Finally, we also find that the existing SpCas9 variants are not effective in suppressing genome instability elicited by CRISPR–Cas9 editing, raising an urgent issue to be addressed.
Tofacitinib in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19 Pneumonia

Abstract Background The efficacy and safety of tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, in patients who are hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pneumonia are unclear. Methods We randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, hospitalized adults with Covid-19 pneumonia to receive either tofacitinib at a dose of 10 mg or placebo twice daily for up to 14 days or until hospital discharge. The primary outcome was the occurrence of death or respiratory failure through day 28 as assessed with the use of an eight-level ordinal scale (with scores ranging from 1 to 8 and higher scores indicating a worse condition). All-cause mortality and safety were also assessed. Results A total of 289 patients underwent randomization at 15 sites in Brazil. Overall, 89.3% of the patients received glucocorticoids during hospitalization. The cumulative incidence of death or respiratory failure through day 28 was 18.1% in the tofacitinib group and 29.0% in the placebo group (risk ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.97; P=0.04). Death from any cause through day 28 occurred in 2.8% of the patients in the tofacitinib group and in 5.5% of those in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.15 to 1.63). The proportional odds of having a worse score on the eight-level ordinal scale with tofacitinib, as compared with placebo, was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.36 to 1.00) at day 14 and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.27 to 1.06) at day 28. Serious adverse events occurred in 20 patients (14.1%) in the tofacitinib group and in 17 (12.0%) in the placebo group. Conclusions Among patients hospitalized with Covid-19 pneumonia, tofacitinib led to a lower risk of death or respiratory failure through day 28 than placebo. (Funded by Pfizer; STOP-COVID ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04469114.)
The Hierarchical Structure and Predictive Validity of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 in Chinese Nonclinical Adolescents

To evaluate the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in Chinese nonclinical adolescents, a total of 1,442 Chinese middle school youths (Mage = 14.85, girls = 52.4%) were recruited in the present study. All the participants completed the full-length 220-item PID-5. Some participants (n = 1,003) were administered adolescents’ social adjustment as a criterion measure at the same time and 236 participants took part in longitudinal assessment of the PID-5 and adolescents’ social adjustment 6 months later. First, exploratory structural equation modeling analyses supported a six-factor structure of the PID-5 in our present sample. Second, Negative Affectivity, Detachment, Antagonistic, and Disinhibition domains had positive correlations with negative social adjustment, and negative correlations with positive social adjustment concurrently and longitudinally, with the exception of Constraint and Psychoticism. Third, Cronbach’s alpha for the PID-5 traits ranged from . 57 to . 91 in the full sample. The 6-month test–retest reliability by indexes of interclass correlation coefficient showed poor to good stability. As a whole, our findings provided preliminary evidence of the PID-5 as a reliable and valid measure of adolescents’ maladaptive personality traits in mainland China.
Influence of Gender, Dispositional Optimism, and Coping Strategies on Appearance-Related Distress Among Swedish Adults With Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective: To investigate the influence of gender, dispositional optimism, and coping strategies on appearance-related distress among individuals with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Design: Cross-sectional design with self-report questionnaires analyzed primarily with Spearman correlations (r s) and multivariate regression analyses. Setting: A tertiary cleft center in Sweden. Participants: Eighty individuals with UCLP born 1966 to 1986. The mean age for men (n = 50) and women (n = 30) was 38.8 and 37.4 years, respectively. Main Outcome Measures: The Derriford Appearance Scale 24 measured appearance-related distress, the Life Orientation Test–Revised, short version measured dispositional optimism and pessimism, and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, short version included 14 coping strategies. Results: Women had higher appearance-related distress than men, which was significantly (P < .05) related to self-blame (r s = 0.59), pessimism (r s = 0.59), and low optimism (r s = −0.56). Men’s appearance-related distress was significantly associated with low active coping (r s = 0.35), low use of emotional support (r s = 0.29), denial (r s = 0.39), behavioral disengagement (r s = 0.41), and pessimism (r s = 0.28). The only significant gender interaction reflected greater impact of optimism in reducing appearance-related distress for women (β = −0.06). Conclusions: This study showed that high levels of dispositional optimism decrease appearance-related distress, particularly for women. The coping strategies used differed between men and women, and the results suggest that both gender and psychosocial facto r s need to be considered in regard to appearance-related distress among individuals with UCLP in both clinical and research settings. A possible way to decrease distress is to strengthen positive coping strategies and dispositional optimism.
How trauma related to sex trafficking challenges parenting: Insights from Mexican and Central American survivors in the US

Sex trafficking, a form of human trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, with a global prevalence of 4.5 million, has pervasive effects in the mental and physical health of survivors. However, little is known about the experiences and needs of Latinx migrants (the majority of sex trafficking victims in the US) after trafficking, particularly regarding parenting. This QUAL-quant study examines how 14 survivors of sex trafficking (mean age = 30) from Mexico and Central America encounter and respond to parenting experiences after escaping sexual exploitation. Combining a bio-ecological model of parenting with Zimmerman’s framework on human trafficking we identified how trauma related to sex trafficking can challenge parenting and how relational and contextual pre and post trafficking factors (dis)enable women to respond to such challenges. Psychological consequences of daily victimization primarily manifested in three ways: overprotective parenting in a world perceived to be unsafe, emotional withdraw when struggling with stress and mental health symptoms, and challenges building confidence as mothers. These experiences were accentuated by pre-trafficking experiences of neglect and abuse, forced separation from their older children, poverty post-trafficking, and migration-related stressors. Yet, finding meaning in the birth of their child, having social support, and faith, also enable mothers to cope with such challenges. We conclude that motherhood after surviving sex trafficking presents new challenges and opportunities in the path to recovery from trauma. Interventions at the policy, community and individual level are needed to support survivors of sex trafficking as they enter motherhood.
Decreased continuous sitting time increases heart rate variability in patients with cardiovascular risk factors

Aim The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between high-frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV) and continuous daytime sitting time in patients with cardiovascular risk factors such as mild hypertension and/or stable angina pectoris. Background Decreased HF HRV precedes the progression and worsening of cardiovascular diseases. Continuous sitting behavior is a major risk factor for developing metabolic syndrome and is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be affected by continuous daytime sitting behaviors. Design The present study design was a post-hoc comparison. Methods Patients treated at two different primary care clinics from 2014 to 2018 were enrolled in this study (n = 53). We assessed HF HRV and continuous sitting time using 24-hour Holter electrocardiography and an activity meter at baseline and 6 months. HF HRV was calculated during sleep. Results Sitting time had decreased in 22 patients (decreased group) and increased in 31 patients (increased group) after 6 months. The mean patient ages were 73.1 and 72.0 years in the decreased and increased sitting time groups, respectively (p = 0.503). HF HRV during sleep had increased after 6 months in the decreased sitting time group. Compared with the increased group, the decreased group showed significantly higher HF HRV during sleep after 6 months by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA after adjustment for age, sex and change in activity (p = 0.045). Conclusion These results suggest that a decrease in sitting time might induce parasympathetic activity during sleep. Therefore, reducing continuous sitting time during the day might contribute, in part, to improving the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular risk factors not only by avoiding muscle loss but also by providing positive influences on parasympathetic tone during sleep.
Photoperiod‐independent testicular development in the model newt Pleurodeles waltl

Urodele amphibian newts have unique biological properties in male gametogenesis, in addition to their extreme regenerative capacity. Male newts are able to regenerate new testes even after reaching sexual maturity and can possess multiple testes. Notably, these animals maintain primordial germ cell‐like cells in a tissue adjacent to the testis. Spermatogenesis proceeds while synchronizing in a region‐specific manner in the testis. However, the newt species that have been used most commonly require 2–3 years to achieve sexual maturity, and spermatogenesis in these species shows seasonality. These traits have restricted the use of newts for studies on testicular development and spermatogenesis, and testis development in newts remains poorly characterized. Recently, the Iberian ribbed newt Pleurodeles waltl has been established as an emerging model organism. P. waltl reaches sexual maturity more quick after birth than do other newts and is capable of breeding year‐round. Thus, P. waltl is expected to serve as an appealing experimental model for studying the mechanisms of male gametogenesis in the urodeles. In the present study, we use P. waltl to describe the entire developmental process of the newt testis from primordial gonad to maturity. Notably, the mature testes show synchronized progression of spermatogenesis along the anteroposterior axis. Additionally, we demonstrate that the process of spermatogenesis in P. waltl proceeds irrespective of day length. Our results show that P. waltl newts are a suitable model for investigating the process of testicular development. We also expect that these results will be useful for the maintenance of P. waltl bioresources.
Abrupt Heinrich Stadial 1 cooling missing in Greenland oxygen isotopes

Glacial wintertime sea ice mutes abrupt Heinrich Stadial 1 cooling in Greenland oxygen isotope records. Abrupt climate changes during the last deglaciation have been well preserved in proxy records across the globe. However, one long-standing puzzle is the apparent absence of the onset of the Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1) cold event around 18 ka in Greenland ice core oxygen isotope δ18O records, inconsistent with other proxies. Here, combining proxy records with an isotope-enabled transient deglacial simulation, we propose that a substantial HS1 cooling onset did indeed occur over the Arctic in winter. However, this cooling signal in the depleted oxygen isotopic composition is completely compensated by the enrichment because of the loss of winter precipitation in response to sea ice expansion associated with AMOC slowdown during extreme glacial climate. In contrast, the Arctic summer warmed during HS1 and YD because of increased insolation and greenhouse gases, consistent with snowline reconstructions. Our work suggests that Greenland δ18O may substantially underestimate temperature variability during cold glacial conditions.
Reaction-Induced Phase Separation and Thermomechanical Properties in Epoxidized Styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene Triblock Copolymer Modified Epoxy/DDM System

Styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer epoxidized with 47 mol % degree of epoxidation (eSBS47) by hydrogen peroxide in a water/dichloroethane biphasic system was blended with epoxy based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as a curing agent. The amounts of eSBS in the blends were 10 and 20 wt %. The evolution of the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the cured blends at different cure times was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to understand the thermal behavior of epoxy system under dynamic conditions in the presence of eSBS. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed core–shell nanodomains of eSBS dispersed in the epoxy matrix. The relationship between rheology and phase separation was carefully explored. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) validated the nanophase-separated structure of the eSBS47-modified epoxy system. Upon addition of eSBS47 to the epoxy system, the fracture toughness of the nanost.
Patient safety culture in surgical centers : nursing perspectives *

* Extracted from the dissertation: “Cultura de segurança em centro cirúrgico: perspectiva da equipe de enfermagem”, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Piauí, 2017. 1 Universidade Federal do Piauí, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Teresina, PI, Brazil. 2 Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cuidados Clínicos em Enfermagem e Saúde, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. 3 Universidade Federal do Piauí, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Saúde, Teresina, PI, Brazil. ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze patient safety culture in the different spheres of management in the perspective of the nursing team providing services in surgical centers. Method: Cross-sectional study with 200 nursing professionals, in three surgical centers of Piauí state – one municipal, one federal, and one state – from January to August 2016 through the application of the instrument Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Results: The first surgical center did not present a strengthened patient safety culture; the others presented the dimension “Organizational learning – continuous improvement” (80.6%/75.6%) and “Frequency of reported events” (76.2%) as strengthened areas. In the first, the safety score “average” was prevalent, whereas participants of the second and third judged patient safety as “very good”. Most participants of the three surgical centers (80.0%) reported no adverse event in the previous 12 months. Conclusion: The state and federal surgical centers obtained the best patient safety scores when compared to the municipal surgical center. Therefore, for a more effective and safe care, the strengthened dimensions in each type of management should be enhanced and the weakened ones should be improved.
Pituitary function after transsphenoidal surgery including measurement of basal morning cortisol as predictor of adrenal insufficiency

Introduction Patients with pituitary adenomas undergoing transsphenoidal surgery require pre- and post-surgery examination of pituitary hormones. There is currently no consensus on how to evaluate the adrenal axis post-surgery. The aims of this study were to investigate factors that may predict postoperative adrenal insufficiency (AI) and to investigate the overall effect of transsphenoidal surgery on pituitary function. Methods One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients who had undergone transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas were included. Data on tumour size, pituitary function pre-surgery, plasma basal cortisol measured within 48 h post-surgery and pituitary function 6 months post-surgery were collected. Patients with AI prior to surgery, perioperative glucocorticoid treatment, Cushing’s disease and no re-evaluation after 1 month were excluded (n = 93) in the basal cortisol analysis. Results Low plasma basal cortisol post-surgery, tumour size and previous pituitary surgery were predictors of AI (all P < 0.05). A basal cortisol cut-off concentration of 300 nmol/L predicted AI 6 months post-surgery with sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, specificity of 81% and positive predictive value of 25%. New gonadal, thyroid and adrenal axis insufficiencies accounted for 2, 10 and 10%, respectively. The corresponding recovery rates were 17, 7 and 24%, respectively Conclusion Transsphenoidal surgery had an overall beneficial effect on pituitary endocrine function. Low basal plasma cortisol measured within 48 h after surgery, tumour size and previous surgery were identified as risk factors for AI. Measurement of basal cortisol post-surgery may help to identify patients at risk of developing AI.
Short communication: Evaluation of charged membrane filters and buffers for concentration and recovery of infectious salmon anaemia virus in seawater

Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) is the cause of an important waterborne disease of farmed Atlantic salmon. Detection of virus in water samples may constitute an alternative method to sacrificing fish for surveillance of fish populations for the presence of ISA-virus. We aimed to evaluate different membrane filters and buffers for concentration and recovery of ISAV in seawater, prior to molecular detection. One litre each of artificial and natural seawater was spiked with ISAV, followed by concentration with different filters and subsequent elution with different buffers. The negatively charged MF hydrophilic membrane filter, combined with NucliSENS® lysis buffer, presented the highest ISAV recovery percentages with 12.5 ± 1.3% by RT-qPCR and 31.7 ± 10.7% by RT-ddPCR. For the positively charged 1 MDS Zeta Plus® Virosorb® membrane filter, combined with NucliSENS® lysis buffer, the ISAV recovery percentages were 3.4 ± 0.1% by RT-qPCR and 10.8 ± 14.2% by RT-ddPCR. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were estimated to be 2.2 x 103 ISAV copies/L of natural seawater for both RT-qPCR and RT-ddPCR. The ISAV concentration method was more efficient in natural seawater.