Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating miRNAs: A New Opportunity in Bone Fragility

Osteoporosis, one of the leading causes of bone fractures, is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, which are associated with a consequent increase in bone fragility and predisposition to fracture. Current screening tools are limited in estimating the proper assessment of fracture risk, highlighting the need to discover novel more suitable biomarkers. Genetic and environmental factors are both implicated in this disease. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetics and, in particular, miRNAs, may represent a link between these factors and an increase of fracture risk. miRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. In the last decade, several miRNAs have been associated with the development of osteoporosis and bone fracture risk, opening up new possibilities in precision medicine. Recently, these molecules have been identified in several biological fluids, and the possible existence of a circulating miRNA (c-miRNA) signature years before the fracture occurrence is suggested. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the c-miRNAs suggested as promising biomarkers for osteoporosis up until now, which could be helpful for early diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response, as well as fracture risk assessment, in osteoporotic patients.
Variability in the diet of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, in Galician waters, north-western Spain, 1990–2005

We describe the diet of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in Galician waters, north-western Spain, based on 82 non-empty stomachs recovered and analysed from stranded animals between 1990 and 2005, quantifying interannual and seasonal variation in the diet, as well as dietary variation related to sex and size. The most important prey species (in terms of numerical importance and biomass) were blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and hake (Merluccius merluccius), both of high commercial importance in Galician waters. Most blue whiting eaten by dolphins were mature fish but the estimated total consumption was relatively low (around 10%) compared to Spanish fishery landings of this species. In contrast, most hake eaten by dolphins were probably immature but the estimated total consumption is more than 20% of current annual fishery landings. The diet of by-caught animals, which made up around one third of the sample, was very similar to that in the overall sample. Although bottlenose dolphins are often seen close inshore, evidence from the diet suggests that they feed at the shelf edge. Evidence was found of ontogenetic dietary shifts and differences between diets of male and female dolphins. There were also clear changes in average diet over the 16-year study period, although there was no evidence that they were in response to changes in fish abundance. The amount of hake in the diet remained stable against a background of falling local abundance while the amount of blue whiting declined despite an increase in spawning stock size.
Gender Influence on the Perception of Celebrity Endorsement

Abstract Celebrity endorsement is a common instrument in marketing. Celebrities are also present in commercials, and this phenomenon is nowadays a trend. This kind of publicity has a high potential since customers are pulled into the VIPs. They are overpowered by their regular daily existence, so they need standards and good examples. This is the motivation for using superstar brand envoys in advertisings as an excellent promoting technique of brands and products. In the period of data and promotions, the tributes can get the consumers’ consideration in publicizing and to expand how the promoted item is being perceived. This is because of their fame, glamour, elegance and charisma. For this reason, the marketers are looking for popular, famous, beautiful, positive testimonials to drive a company’s image and its products. The celebrity brand ambassadors thus play a significant role in a brand’s advertisement and reputation, but also in the consumers’ lives. The stars’ everyday lives, their conduct, the products they use, affect the attitude of the customers of life and the decision to purchase. The purpose of this paper is to determine if celebrity endorsement works for all the consumers or the perception of this trend is different according to the gender of the people. Two groups of customers were asked about celebrity endorsement whether their appearance in ads affects their decision and the desire to purchase a product or not. Recent results have shown that there are still differences between the two categories of customers, men and women, in the perception of celebrity endorsement. All of them think advertising is important, and sometimes they change their choices according to a product’s advertisement. The difference is that women appear to believe more in the endorsements of celebrity brands and their impact effect on the product being marketed than men, who are more pragmatic and reticent about this trend.
Matching physiological traits and ion concentrations associated with salt stress in cowpea genotypes

The salt tolerance of 25 cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) was studied during early vegetative growth. Salinity treatments were applied by irrigating with a nutrient solution containing 0, 85, and 170 mmol NaCl/L. Seedling survival decreased linearly as salinity increased, but this enabled cowpea genotypes to be ranked for salinity tolerance according to the magnitudes of slopes of regression of survival percentage on salinity. Sodium concentration was higher in roots than in shoots in all genotypes, and increased significantly in both roots and shoots as salinity increased. Chloride concentration in both roots and shoots increased with increasing salinity in all genotypes, and was higher in shoots than in roots at 85 and 170 mmol NaCl/L. In some cases, Ca, Mg, K, and P concentrations were reduced by an increase in salinity, but none of the genotypes appeared to suffer any nutrient deficiency. We observed wide differences in responses to salinity, and our results suggest that during the growth stage studied, 7 of the 25 genotppes tested could be classified as tolerant or relatively tolerant to salinity (Sonorense, CB3, CB27, Cuarenteno, CB46, Paceno, and IT82D-889).
A contribution towards the identification of the giant hogweed species (Heracleum, Apiaceae) naturalised in the British Isles with comments concerning their furanocoumarin content

Abstract The identity of giant hogweed species in the British Isles has been under debate in recent years. A morphometric analysis of fruit characters was used to study the number and identity of giant hogweed species occurring in these islands. Five clusters were identified, probably equating to species, to two of which the names Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier and H. lehmannianum Bunge are tentatively attributed based on inclusion of type material. Details of the vittae and stylopodium are shown to provide a high level of discrimination and a preliminary key based on fruit characters is provided for the clusters identified. The legislative implications of these findings are considered and an amendment to Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) is advocated. An additional study of furanocoumarin content confirms that all naturalised populations of giant hogweed, regardless of identity, have the potential to cause phyto-photodermatitis and pose a threat to public health.
Seeing Is Believing: Innovating the Clinical Practice Experience for Education Specialist Teacher Candidates With Video-Based Remote Supervision

A call to implement 21st-century change drivers within teacher preparation is evidenced within policy and research. The use of technology-enhanced methods of supervision where virtual observations of pre-service or in-service teachers are performed by university supervisors or mentors has an established and growing research base that demonstrates improvements in pre- and in-service teacher competencies, as well as programmatic benefits, such as time and cost savings and the ability to supervise remotely. To answer this call, the researcher investigated the strategic implementation of an asynchronous video-based remote supervision model within a university-based teacher preparation program from the perspective of education specialist teacher candidates and their cooperating teachers. Results suggest a video-based remote supervision method is feasible and equally effective or preferred over traditional face-to-face observations by teacher candidates and cooperating teachers for self-reflection, professional growth, and convenience. Time and cost savings resulting from reduced travel for the supervisor are analyzed and discussed. The model and methods presented in this study may be replicated to enable strategic scaling of video-based remote supervision within other teacher preparation programs, particularly those serving candidates in remote or rural areas.
Structural and functional conservation of the programmed −1 ribosomal frameshift signal of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Approximately 17 years after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) epidemic, the world is currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). According to the most optimistic projections, it will take more than a year to develop a vaccine, so the best short-term strategy may lie in identifying virus-specific targets for small molecule–based interventions. All coronaviruses utilize a molecular mechanism called programmed −1 ribosomal frameshift (−1 PRF) to control the relative expression of their proteins. Previous analyses of SARS-CoV have revealed that it employs a structurally unique three-stemmed mRNA pseudoknot that stimulates high −1 PRF rates and that it also harbors a −1 PRF attenuation element. Altering −1 PRF activity impairs virus replication, suggesting that this activity may be therapeutically targeted. Here, we comparatively analyzed the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 frameshift signals. Structural and functional analyses revealed that both elements promote similar −1 PRF rates and that silent coding mutations in the slippery sites and in all three stems of the pseudoknot strongly ablate −1 PRF activity. We noted that the upstream attenuator hairpin activity is also functionally retained in both viruses, despite differences in the primary sequence in this region. Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses indicated that the pseudoknots in SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have the same conformation. Finally, a small molecule previously shown to bind the SARS-CoV pseudoknot and inhibit −1 PRF was similarly effective against −1 PRF in SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that such frameshift inhibitors may be promising lead compounds to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Extract and Explore Big Data for Fraud Detection in the Healthcare Sector: The EOPYY Case Study

Big Data technologies can contribute to medical fraud detection. The aim of this paper is to present the methodological approach of the Hellenic National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY) in data analysis to detect financial or medical fraud. To analyze the data for fraud detection, a selection of prescription data from the year 2018 were examined. The Local Correlation Integral algorithm was applied to detect any outliers on the dataset. The results revealed that 7 out of 879 cases could be characterized as outliers. These outliers must be further investigated to determine if they have been associated with fraud. According to the results of this study, this outliers' detection approach can support and help the fraud detection process conducted by the auditing services in Healthcare sector.
Global lung cancer mortality trends and lifestyle modifications: preliminary analysis

Abstract Background: According to the Independent High-level Commission on Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) of the World Health Organization (WHO), global reduction in lung cancer mortality has been achieved since the year 2000, although this effect is not sufficient to reach the 30% reduction of mortality from NCDs by the year 2030, as stipulated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.4. The objective of this study was to analyze whether the lifestyle changes implemented by the WHO at country level could have an impact on mortality from this form of cancer. Methods: WHO statistics, based on the unified mortality and causes-of-death reports of Member-State countries, were used to evaluate global lung cancer mortality trends and make comparisons and assessments of different types of community-based, country-wide interventions. Results: The lung cancer mortality decline was associated with the anti-tobacco campaign initiated by the WHO in the last 15 to 20 years. Comprehensive tobacco control remained the major and most successful lifestyle modification measure. In countries with declining lung cancer mortality, 91% of countries had decreasing tobacco prevalence in males and 82% in females. Country- wide measures to increase physical activity had a strong tendency to be better implemented in countries with declining lung cancer mortality (t = 1.79, P > 0.05). Other WHO “best-buy” lifestyle modification campaigns (diet and alcohol) had been carried out for shorter periods, and their associations with lung cancer were less strong than tobacco. There was no significant difference between countries with declining and increasing lung cancer mortality in the measures for reduction of harmful alcohol use (t = 0.92, P > 0.05) and unhealthy diet reduction measures (t = 0.84, P > 0.05). Conclusion: Following WHO “best-buys” should facilitate to move countries towards the NCD including lung cancer mortality reduction targets. Governments and communities must embrace these targets with coordinated effective action for better health.
Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Correlations with Chest CT on Hospital admission

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an accurate, safe, and cheap tool assisting in the diagnosis of several acute respiratory diseases. The diagnostic value of LUS in the workup of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in the hospital setting is still uncertain. Objectives: The aim of this observational study was to explore correlations of the LUS appearance of COVID-19-related pneumonia with CT findings. Methods: Twenty-six patients (14 males, age 64 ± 16 years) urgently hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia, who underwent chest CT and bedside LUS on the day of admission, were enrolled in this observational study. CT images were reviewed by expert chest radiologists, who calculated a visual CT score based on extension and distribution of ground-glass opacities and consolidations. LUS was performed by clinicians with certified competency in thoracic ultrasonography, blind to CT findings, following a systematic approach recommended by ultrasound guidelines. LUS score was calculated according to presence, distribution, and severity of abnormalities. Results: All participants had CT findings suggestive of bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, with an average visual scoring of 43 ± 24%. LUS identified 4 different possible abnormalities, with bilateral distribution (average LUS score 15 ± 5): focal areas of nonconfluent B lines, diffuse confluent B lines, small subpleural microconsolidations with pleural line irregularities, and large parenchymal consolidations with air bronchograms. LUS score was significantly correlated with CT visual scoring (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and oxygen saturation in room air (r = –0.66, p < 0.001). Conclusion: When integrated with clinical data, LUS could represent a valid diagnostic aid in patients with suspect COVID-19 pneumonia, which reflects CT findings.
Larvicidal effects of aqueous extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca (desert date) against the larvae of Culex pipiens mosquitoes

The effect of aqueous extracts of the fruit pulp, seed kernel, roots, bark, and leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. (Zygophyllacea) against the larvae of the Culex pipens mosquito was investigated. Early fourth instars larvae of C. pipiens mosquitoes were exposed, for up to three days, to a dilution of 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% aqueous extracts of fruit pulp, seed kernel, roots, bark, and leaves. All tested extracts showed larval mortality, however, larval mortality was greatest with the aqueous root extract. The lowest concentration of root extract (0.1%) showed 100% larval mortality after three days, whereas a 0.5% concentration of aqueous bark extract was needed for 100% larval mortality. Aqueous extracts of leaf, fruit pulp, and seed kernel showed less larval mortality compared to the root and/or bark extracts. It is suggested that all parts of the B. aegyptiaca contain larvicidal properties that could be developed and used as natural insecticides for mosquito control.
Effect of blood group and demographic characteristics on malaria infection, oxidative stress and haemoglobin levels in south western Nigeria.

Malaria infection generates oxidative stress which has serious effect on the haemoglobin (Hb) level of the infected individuals. This work studied the effect of blood group, age and gender on prevalence of malaria, oxidative stress and Hb level. 5 ml of blood samples were collected into EDTA bottle from 120 volunteered adult males and non-pregnant females. The plasma was separated and used to quantify oxidative stress by measuring malonaldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels using colorimetric method, while haematological parameter and malaria parasite screening was done using a whole blood. The parasite density and MDA levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in individuals with blood group A than those with blood group B and O. SOD and Hb levels were lower in those with blood group A than those with blood group B and O. The parasite density and MDA levels were significantly higher in age group 18 - 21 years than other age groups but SOD was higher (P < 0.05) in age group 22 - 25 and 26 - 30 than age group 18 - 21. The parasite density and MDA were higher (P < 0.05) in males than females in this study. The findings indicate that gender, sex and blood group have impact on malaria infection and oxidative stress. Key words: Malaria, blood grouping, gender, oxidative stress, haemoglobin, age
Seedling Traits Determine Drought Tolerance of Tropical Tree Species

Water availability is the most important factor determining tree species distribution in the tropics, but the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. In this study, we compared functional traits of 38 tropical tree species from dry and moist forest, and quantified their ability to survive drought in a dry‐down experiment in which wilting and survival were monitored. We evaluated how seedling traits affect drought survival, and how drought survival determines species distribution along the rainfall gradient. Dry forest species tended to have compound leaves, high stem dry matter content (stem dry mass/fresh mass), and low leaf area ratio, suggesting that reduction of transpiration and avoidance of xylem cavitation are important for their success. Three functional groups were identified based on the seedling traits: (1) drought avoiders with a deciduous leaf habitat and taproots; (2) drought resisters with tough tissues (i.e., a high dry matter content); and (3) light‐demanding moist forest species with a large belowground foraging capacity. Dry forest species had a longer drought survival time (62 d) than moist forest species (25 d). Deciduousness explained 69 percent of interspecific variation in drought survival. Among evergreen species, stem density explained 20 percent of the drought survival. Drought survival was not related to species distribution along the rainfall gradient, because it was mainly determined by deciduousness, and species with deciduous seedlings are found in both dry and moist forests. Among evergreen species, drought survival explained 28 percent of the variation in species position along the rainfall gradient. This suggests that, apart from drought tolerance, other factors such as history, dispersal limitation, shade tolerance, and fire shape species distribution patterns along the rainfall gradient.
Nucleotide variation in ATHK1 region of Arabidopsis thaliana and its association study with drought tolerance

The ATHK1 gene in Arabidopsis encodes a putative histidine kinase that is transcriptionally upregulated in response to changes in external osmolarity. In this work, we investigated the nucleotide variability of the ATHK1 gene in a sample of 32 core Arabidopsis accessions originating from different ecoclimatic regions and their drought tolerance. The results showed that different accessions had quite difference in adaptation to drought stress. Thirty-two Arabidopsis accessions were clustered into four groups according to their drought tolerance capacity. Relative water content of the leaves (RWC) combined anyone of membrane permeability of leaves (MP) and water retain capacity of detached leaves (WRC) were selected as two representative physiological indexes for evaluation of comprehensive drought tolerance. Sequencing 5 515 bp encompassing ATHK1 coding region in 32 core accessions revealed 39 polymorphisms, which formed 24 haplotypes. The polymorphism (including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion/deletion (Indel)) frequency was 1 SNP per 131.2 bp. In coding region of ATHK1, the ratio of average number of nucleotide difference n/s ratio was 0.727, suggesting that the ATHK1 protein is not constrained against amino acid changes within the species and this gene belonged to the middle evolution rate gene. Using ANOVA analysis, it showed that the 1199 site amino acid (Serstop) variation of the eleventh haplotype (257 and 266av) was associated with not only RWC but also WRC, indicating that the change of Serstop is associated with comprehensive drought tolerance of 257 and 266av. This amino acid change may cause 257 and 266 av accessions originating from moist ecoclimatic region to be sensitive to dry climate, and likely be the evidence of adaptive evolution.
Maternal effects on progeny in Thymelaea hirsuta.

In the evergreen desert shrub. Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. , three major gender variants produce seed. 'Stable females' produce seed throughout the reproductive life of the individual, whereas the other two variants are dichogamous, producing both pollen and ovules at different limes, as 'protandrous', and 'protogynous' individuals. Seed was collected from individuals of the three maternal gender phenotypes, from six desert habitats in Egypt. Seed and seedling traits (seed mass, germination. Seedling emergence, growth and survival to 30 d, and to 1 yr) Were examined in laboratory and botanic garden experiments. Highly significant effects of maternal habitat were observed for most of these traits. Seedling height after 30 d differed significantly between habitats and maternal gender phenotypes. Plants from saline and non-saline depressions were significantly taller than those from other sites, and progeny of females, overall, were taller than those of protandrous and protogynous seed parents. A significant interaction was observed between maternal habitat and maternal gender phenotype, for progeny height after 30 d and for per cent seed germination. We suggest that the three maternal gender phenotypes might be differentially favoured by selection.