Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fermented Dairy Products, Probiotic Supplementation, and Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Fermented dairy foods (FDFs) and probiotics are promising tools for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), respectively. The relation between the regular consumption of FDFs and CMD risk factors was assessed by prospective cohort studies (PCSs), and the effect of probiotic supplementation added into a dairy matrix on CMD parameters was evaluated by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Moreover, the effects of probiotic supplementation added into a dairy matrix were compared with those administered in capsule/powder form. Twenty PCSs and 52 RCTs met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and meta-analysis. In PCSs, fermented milk was associated with a 4% reduction in risk of stroke, ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular mortality [RR (95% CI); 0.96 (0.94, 0.98)]; yogurt intake was associated with a risk reduction of 27% [RR (95% CI); 0.73 (0.70, 0.76)] for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 20% [RR (95% CI); 0.80 (0.74, 0.87)] for metabolic syndrome development. In RCTs, probiotic supplementation added into dairy matrices produced a greater reduction in lipid biomarkers than when added into capsules/powder in hypercholesterolemic subjects, and probiotic supplementation by capsules/powder produced a greater reduction in T2D biomarkers than when added into dairy matrices in diabetic subjects. Both treatments (dairy matrix and capsules/powder) resulted in a significant reduction in anthropometric parameters in obese subjects. In summary, fermented milk consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, while yogurt intake is associated with a reduced risk of T2D and metabolic syndrome development in the general population. Furthermore, probiotic supplementation added into dairy matrices could be considered beneficial for lowering lipid concentrations and reducing anthropometric parameters. Additionally, probiotic capsule/powder supplementation could contribute to T2D management and reduce anthropometric parameters. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneity of the studies and the different probiotic strains used in the studies. This trial is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018091791) and the protocol can be accessed at http://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/display_record. php? ID=CRD42018091791.
Cholinergic neuroplasticity in asthma driven by TrkB signaling

Parasympathetic neurons in the airways control bronchomotor tone. Increased activity of cholinergic neurons are mediators of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthma, however, mechanisms are not elucidated. We describe remodeling of the cholinergic neuronal network in asthmatic airways driven by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). Human bronchial biopsies were stained for cholinergic marker vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Human lung gene expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in neuroplasticity‐related genes were compared between asthma and healthy patients. Wild‐type (WT) and mutated TrkB knock‐in mice (Ntrk2tm1Ddg/J) with impaired BDNF signaling were chronically exposed to ovalbumin (OVA). Neuronal VAChT staining and airway narrowing in response to electrical field stimulation in precision cut lung slices (PCLS) were assessed. Increased cholinergic fibers in asthmatic airway biopsies was found, paralleled by increased TrkB gene expression in human lung tissue, and SNPs in the NTRK2 [TrkB] and BDNF genes linked to asthma. Chronic allergen exposure in mice resulted in increased density of cholinergic nerves, which was prevented by inhibiting TrkB. Increased nerve density resulted in AHR in vivo and in increased nerve‐dependent airway reactivity in lung slices mediated via TrkB. These findings show cholinergic neuroplasticity in asthma driven by TrkB signaling and suggest that the BDNF‐TrkB pathway may be a potential target.
The role of diaspora and non-governmental organization in helping Sudanese children with congenital heart diseases: 6 years’ paediatric cardiac surgery camps experience

Background: Sudan one of the largest countries in Africa. In recent survey by Sudan Ministry of Health, congenital heart disease (CHD) was found to be one of the top eight diseases that lead to death of children in Sudan. The cost of surgical operation, follow up and diagnosis are expensive and this may result some children present with complications. The aim of this study is to assess the role of diaspora and non-governmental organization (NGO) in helping Sudanese children with CHD. Methods: We assess the 6 years’ experience in charitable initiative established by Sudanese consultant pediatric intensivist and cardiologist working in Doha, Qatar in partnership with NGO in Gulf countries and Sudan. Examples of these organizations were Patient Helping Fund (PHF) the largest medical charity in Sudan, Eid Althani charity association in Qatar with collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH), Ministry of Health in Khartoum and Gazira states. We established the program of providing suitable care for in need children. Result: A total of 104 out of the 222 complex defects were considered for surgery, 118 underwent cardiac catheter interventions. The 30-days post-operative mortality was 14/222 (6.3%). The most essential post-surgical complications were postpericardiotomy syndrome, bleeding, and sepsis. Malnutrition poor socioeconomic status is significant factors negatively impact the outcomes. All surviving patients (n=208) remain in good clinical condition, and most are asymptomatic without any medications. Conclusions: The collaboration of Sudanese pediatrician living outside Sudan with local and international NGOs can significantly improve child health in Sudan.
Mechanical properties of toothpastes with diamond abrasives.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare surface roughness, gloss, and color change of dental enamel after being brushed with toothpastes containing diamond powder and traditional abrasives. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy enamel slabs were derived from 70 bovine incisors. The slabs were brushed with six different toothpastes and artificial saliva as a negative control. The specimens were then stained with black tea mixed with citric acid (3 days, pH = 4) and again brushed with the same toothpastes. Ra (contact profilometer), gloss (glossmeter), and color (CIE L* a* b* system) values were measured after each step. RESULTS Emoform-F Diamond (contains diamond powder and traditional abrasives) offered significantly the best improvement of Ra and gloss values after the first brushing sequence and the best recovery of the brightness of enamel after staining and second brushing sequence (P < .05). AMC 2.5 (contains only diamond powder as abrasive) was not able to offer such improvement. CONCLUSION Diamond powder as an additional abrasive in toothpastes could be able to offer a further improvement of Ra , gloss, and color values of enamel.
Chronic Administration of Ghrelin Improves Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Attenuates Development of Cardiac Cachexia in Rats With Heart Failure

Background— Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone (GH)–releasing peptide that may also induce vasodilation and stimulate feeding through GH-independent mechanisms. We investigated whether ghrelin improves left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and attenuates cardiac cachexia in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results— Ligation of the left coronary artery or sham operation was performed; 4 weeks after surgery, rat ghrelin (100 μg/kg SC BID) or saline was administered for 3 weeks. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed. Serum GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 were significantly higher in both CHF and sham rats treated with ghrelin than in those given placebo (P<0.05 for both). CHF rats given placebo showed an impaired increase in body weight compared with sham rats given placebo (P<0.05). CHF rats treated with ghrelin, however, showed a significantly greater increase in body weight than those given placebo (+10% versus +3%, P<0.05). They showed significantly higher cardiac o.
A Stereological Study of Intermittent Fasting Diet on Adult Male Mouse Hypothalamus

Background: There are credible evidences that correlate overweighting and higher body mass indexes to neurodegenerative conditions. Studies have shown the effects of intermittent fasting diet (IFD) as a restrictive other day regimen, on the brain. Owing to the fact that little is contributed to the literature concerning the potential effects of IFD on the hypothalamus as the main appetite and energy balance controller, we employed a stereological method to evaluate the potential effects of IFD on the hypothalamic histomorphometric parameters in mice. Methods: Adult male mice were categorized into four groups with normal diet (ND) and IFD over a period of 4and 8-weeks (as shortand long-term period). At the end of each experimental period, after measuring body weight and collection of blood samples for biochemical tests, all brains were removed and prepared for stereological evaluations. The volume of the total hypothalamus was estimated according to the Cavalieri method. Estimation of the numerical density and total number of neurons were done using the Optical Dissector method. Results: Blood factors and body weight analyses confirmed the efficiency of IFD. A significant decrease in blood factors (including sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein), as well as a significantly reduction of body weight by 10% and 12% were observed in the short-term and long-term IFD groups, respectively. The total number of neurons in the shortand long-term and total volume of hypothalamus in the long-term of IFD treatment were significantly increased in comparison to the short-term and long-term ND groups; while no significant changes in the total volume of the hypothalamus were evident between short-term IFD group and short-term ND group. A decrement in the numerical neuronal density of the hypothalamus in the long-term IFD group was observed. Conclusion: Our results confirmed the positive effects of IFD on the hypothalamic histomorphometric parameters.
MicroRNA‐155 inhibits dengue virus replication by inducing heme oxygenase‐1‐mediated antiviral interferon responses

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to directly alter the virus life cycle and virus–host interactions, and so are considered promising molecules for controlling virus infection. In the present study, we observed that miR‐155 time‐dependently downregulated upon dengue virus (DENV) infection. In contrast, exogenous overexpression of miR‐155 appeared to limit viral replication in vitro, suggesting that the low levels of miR‐155 would be beneficial for DENV replication. In vivo, overexpression of miR‐155 protected ICR suckling mice from the life‐threatening effects of DENV infection and reduced virus propagation. Further investigation revealed that the anti‐DENV activity of miR‐155 was due to target Bach1, resulting in the induction of the heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1)‐mediated inhibition of DENV NS2B/NS3 protease activity, ultimately leading to induction of antiviral interferon responses, including interferon‐induced protein kinase R (PKR), 2′‐5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1), OAS2, and OAS3 expression, against DENV replication. Collectively, our results provide a promising new strategy to manage DENV infection by modulation of miR‐155 expression.
Classification system and case definition for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnant women, fetuses, and neonates

The possibility of mother-to-fetus transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is currently a highly debated concept in perinatal medicine. It has implications for the mother, fetus, and neonate, as well as for healthcare providers present at the time of birth and caring for the child during the neonatal period, including obstetricians, midwives, family doctors, anesthetists, pediatricians, neonatologists, nurses, and respiratory therapists. At present the evidence for intrauterine transmission from mother to fetus or intrapartum transmission from mother to the neonate is sparse. There are limitations associated with sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests used and classification of patients based on test results has also been questioned.
New oligocen turtle remains of the Oberleichtersbach doline filling (Lower Franconia, Germany) and revision of the genus Palaeomauremys (Testudines: geoemydidae)

New Late Oligocene (Chattian) remains of the terrapins Palaeoemys hessiaca Schleich, 1994 and Palaeomauremys tuberculata (Portis, 1882), the soft-she- lled turtles Allaeochelys parayrei Noulet, 1867 and Trionyx cf. triunguis Forskal, 1775, and the snapping turtle Chelydrasia decheni (H. V. Meyer, 1852) from lacus- trine sediments of the Oberleichtersbach doline (Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany) are reported. The morphological features of these five species, their taxonomic position and their palaeobiological implications are discussed. The new Palaeomauremys material suggests that P. mlynarskii (Hervet & Lapparent de Broin, 2000) is a junior synonym of P. tuberculata (Portis, 1882).
Antenatal sonographic assessment of cross sectional area of umbilical cord components and its reference value in normal pregnancy

Background: Measuring the cross-sectional area of umbilical components in normal pregnant women helps in assessing the fetal abnormalities. Very few literatures were available on evaluation of reference values of cross sectional areas of umbilical cord components. The present study was conducted with the aim to determine the normal reference values of cross sectional areas of umbilical arteries, umbilical vein and Wharton’s jelly and to correlate them with the gestational age of the fetus.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 300 normal pregnant women at the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumakuru, Karnataka to assess the reference range of cross sectional areas of umbilical cord arteries, umbilical vein and Wharton’s jelly at different gestational age of the fetus to analyze their growth.Results: A statistically significant correlation was observed between cross sectional areas of umbilical artery and vein and gestational age before and after 34 weeks (p=0.005 and 0.006 respectively) but no significant correlation was noticed with the cross-sectional area of Wharton’s jelly (p=0.088). Conclusions: Cross sectional area measurements of umbilical cord components can be considered as important tools for estimation of fetal growth.
Balance And Strength Interventions For An Older Individual With Peripheral Polyneuropathy: A Case Report

Acknowledgements & References Discussion & Conclusion • Peripheral polyneuropathy (PPN) is a condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nervous system.1 • PPN occurs in a distal and symmetrical pattern, often affecting the toes and the soles of the feet.1 • Numbness, tingling, paresthesias, or burning are common symptoms of PPN.1 • 20-25% of cases are idiopathic.1 • Can affect functional mobility due to proprioceptive sensory losses and general weakness of extensor muscles, which then results in unsteadiness of gait and impaired balance.1 • Treatment can consist of pharmacological and physical therapy interventions in order to manage symptoms.1 • Recent literature demonstrated that following participation in a strength and balance training program, individuals with PPN experienced significantly fewer falling episodes.2 • The patient demonstrated significant subjective and functional improvements. • Improvements seen in Timed Up & Go (TUG), Five Times Sit to Stand (5xSTS), & Timed Tandem Stance • Patient-reported scores improved significantly in the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. • The patient’s gait speed decreased by 0.15 m/s. • The outcome measures at discharge suggested that the combined lower extremity strengthening, aerobic conditioning, and balance training program might have contributed to the patient’s functional improvements and decreased fall risk, as indicated by the improved TUG and 5xSTS scores. • Could be suggested that the plan of care may have been beneficial to the patient, improving his functional mobility and a self-rated balance confidence despite his unchanging PPN. The purpose of this case report is to describe the Physical Therapy management of an elderly community-dwelling patient with idiopathic PPN, elevated fall-risk, deconditioning, and a history of bilateral total knee and hip arthoplasties.
Investigation of antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of Algerian defatted olive fruits (olea europaea L.) at two ripening stages

BACKGROUND: Olive fruits have become extremely valuable because they have important nutrient properties and have shown positive benefits for human health. The chemical composition and organoleptic characteristics may be influenced by genotype and some agronomic factors like olive drupe harvesting date. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the greatest interest is to clarify and to give more information for Algerian Olea europaea L. by investigation of their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, phenolic compounds identification, total antioxidant capacity and antihemolytic activity at two levels of the olive ripening process. METHODS: Colorimetric methods were used to quantify total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The phenolic composition was done by HPLC technique. The antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring radical scavenging activity against 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS• +) expressed as Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and antihemolytic activity. RESULTS: The harvesting time effect on HPLC analysis of olive fruits was significant. Interestingly, the phenolic composition of the olive fruits differed greatly between samples. Two compounds usually not described in olive fruit were identified, namely morine dihydrate and coumarin. The amounts of total phenolics varied widely in the investigated extracts and ranged from 495 to 2325 mg GAE/100 g for black olives and from 865 to 2387 mg GAE/100 g for green olives, whereas the flavonoids content expressed as rutin equivalent per 100 gram of defatted dry matter was ranged between 155 and 354 mg/100 g for green olives and between 214 and 260 mg/100 g for black olives. The antioxidant activity of black and green olives ranged from 5.86 and 4.88 to 59.44 and 50.50 mM Trolox equivalents respectively, while ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was within the range of 0.36 and 0.31 to 4.41 and 3.04 mM Fe(II) respectively. Majority of extracts exhibited a beneficial antihemolytic effect. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that the level of maturation influences the chemical composition, antioxidant and bioactive properties. Consequently, this allows us to estimate the best and optimal harvest time.
The Syntax and Semantics of Chinese Equatives

This paper explores both the syntax and semantics of yiyang ‘same‘, buyiyang ̳different‘ and three types of comparative constructions (i.e., scalar (un-)equatives, similarity comparatives and identity comparatives) headed by them in Mandarin. In particular, there are five major proposals: (a) I present several pieces of evidence (e.g., ellipsis, the scope of question particle and structural ambiguity) for a necessary distinction between two different uses of yiyang and buyiyang, namely, degree adverbs and adjectival predicates; (b) the comparative marker gen/ he ̳and, with‘, which introduces the comparative standard, is prepositional in these three types of comparatives. This in turn suggests an adjunction analysis for the structural configuration of comparatives; (c) in Mandarin yiyang and buyiyang, resembling their English counterparts same and different, are lexically ambiguous between similarity and identity readings; moreover, the two pairs of similarity adjectives same/ different and yiyang/ buyiyang are better considered as the adjectives with totally closed scale (e.g., full/ empty, open/ closed); (d) Similarity adjective yiyang but not buyiyang can merge with a complement clause (i.e., the extraction of elements from it does not render island effects ) which could be seen as measure phrases in a similarity comparative (by relating dimensions of similarity to degrees of similarity); further, this syntactic asymmetry can not be attributed to the idiosyncrasy of lexicons; rather, it is better considered as a reflex of the deeper syntax-semantics of measure phrases and the interval nature of buyiyang; (e) scalar comparatives involve an ordering relation between individuals along some quantitative dimension (e.g., height, width, length) while similarity/identity comparatives involve a comparison relation between individuals along both quantitative dimensions and qualitative dimensions (e.g., color, shape).
Theoretical-numerical approaches to simulate fracture in polymeric materials

Fracture in structures is usually to be avoided or, if intended like for airbags or peel foils, it should occur along a predefined crack path. The integrity and usability of a part has to be ensured over the lifetime of the structure. In order to optimize a structure at the design stage, simulations allow to analyze and to predict the structural behavior for a development of the best layout. The contribution at hand presents appropriated material modeling strategies for polymers and introduces the so-called configurational force approach for inelasticity and finite strains as a method to analyze the energy release rate, the crack advancement and the crack growth direction. Certain numerical methods like cohesive elements, containing e.g. inelastic cohesive zone models and the node splitting approach combined with an r-adaptive discretization are shown as valuable simulation features. c © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Structural Engineering.
Improving Salt Stress Tolerance in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) by Using Triacontanol

Salinity is an ancient environmental phenomenon and reflected as the most important process of land degradation. It is widespread at variable degrees across the world. A sand culture study was conducted in order to investigate the performance of exogenously applied triacontanol on two tolerant (Green long and Marketmore) and two sensitive (Summer green and 20252) genotypes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under salinity stress (NaCl 50 mM). The foliar application of triacontanol was carried out @ 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, 1.00 and 1.20 mg L-1. Salinity caused significant reduction in growth rate, gas exchange and other physiological attributes. Results revealed that triacontanol seemed to relieve the harmful impact of salt stress by improving morpho-physiological attributes and decreasing membrane leakage. Genotypes Green long and Marketmore performed better under salt stress regarding all studied parameters than Summer green and 20252. However, foliar feeding of triacontanol significantly enriched the efficiency of sensitive genotypes under saline conditions. The highest values of different attributes of cucumber plants were observed with foliar application of 0.80 mg L-1 triacontanol. Hence, triacontanol can be effectively used as a mitigating agent to alleviate phytotoxic effects in plants under saline stress.