Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caesarean Section Delivery and Risk of Poor Childhood Growth

Background Though emerging evidence indicates caesarean section (CS) brings about late initiation of breastfeeding, early cessation of breastfeeding, and a higher risk of developing obesity, little is documented on the association between CS birth and stunted growth. This study assessed caesarean section delivery and the risk of poor postnatal childhood growth. Methods A retrospective cohort study design was used to collect the requisite data on a sample of 528 mothers having children between the ages of 6 to 24 months. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results After controlling for potential confounding factors, linear growth as measured by height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) was significantly higher by 0.121 standard units in children born through normal vaginal delivery, compared to their counterparts born through caesarean section (beta coefficients (β) = 0.121, p=0.002). The mode of delivery also had a statistically significant impact on infant feeding practices. Whereas 70.4% of babies delivered via vagina initiated breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, only 52.7% of babies born through CS did the same. Vaginally delivered babies were 2.1 times more likely to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of delivery ((Crude odds ratio (COR) = 2.13, p < 0.001). Compared to CS babies, vaginally delivered babies were 3.2 times more likely not to have been fed with prelacteal feeds such as water and sugar solutions. Vagina delivered babies were 1.8 times more likely to receive adequate neonatal feeding than their counterparts who were delivered through CS (COR = 1.76, p=0.003). Conclusions This study has found an association between CS delivery and stunting, an adverse outcome that clinicians and patients should weigh when considering in particular elective CS that seeks to avoid the pain associated with a vaginal birth.
Low Vitamin D and Its Association with Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Vitamin D is a neurosteroid hormone that regulates neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. It increases neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor which further promotes brain health. Moreover, it is also helpful in the prevention of amyloid accumulation and promotes amyloid clearance. Emerging evidence suggests its role in the reduction of Alzheimer's disease hallmarks such as amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau. Many preclinical studies have supported the hypothesis that vitamin D leads to attentional, behavioral problems and cognitive impairment. Cross-sectional studies have consistently found that vitamin D levels are significantly low in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment compared to healthy adults. Longitudinal studies and meta-analysis have also exhibited an association of low vitamin D with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Despite such evidence, the causal association cannot be sufficiently answered. In contrast to observational studies, findings from interventional studies have produced mixed results on the role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia. The biggest issue of the existing RCTs is their small sample size, lack of consensus over the dose, and age of initiation of vitamin D supplements to prevent cognitive impairment. Therefore, there is a need for large double-blind randomized control trials to assess the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment.
Geographic variation of distal genitalia in the landsnail Helix aspersa (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

Intraspecific differentiation in Helix aspersa Muller, which essentially occurred in North Africa, was until now investigated using only conchological and biochemical features. In this study, 972 specimens were scored for 10 metric characters (nine describing the terminal genitalia, one which represents the shell size) in order to complement our knowledge of the geographic patterns of divergence between populations from the whole natural area of the species. Multivariate analyses, involving principal components and discriminant functions, emphasized the high degree of differentiation in Maghreb (east versus west pattern) and indicated that the most reliable anatomical features to distinguish individuals, which generally have a giant size in North Africa, were the penis and diverticulum (to a lesser extent, flagellum) lengths. Thus, snails from eastern Maghreb were characterized by the smallest distal genitalia, especially a short diverticulum, although their shell size was far larger than that of European snails. This reduction was less perceptible in specimens from west Maghreb and, when present, concerned only some organs; penis length, not affected by this decrease, became then an important factor of discrimination in Maghreb. Moreover, it seemed that a large part of anatomical divergence between European and north-western African populations was only attributable to a difference in shell size (larger snails with larger genitalia), whereas isolation of populations from eastern Maghreb was based on independent changes, involving different allometric relations between terminal genitalia and shell size. Furthermore, this phenomenon was observed in colonies from north-western Greece, which were also close to some populations from east Maghreb on the basis of allozyme data; such results would suggest exchanges between both areas.
Genetically-based behavioural morph affects stopover refuelling performance in white-throated sparrows Zonotrichia albicollis

Intraspecifi c competition can infl uence refuelling at migration stopover sites. White-throated sparrows Zonotrichia albicollis have genetically-determined plumage morphs that diff er in dominance behaviour and competitive abilities. Th is study examines the eff ects of plumage morph, sex and age, three likely indicators of competitive ability, on fall migration timing, body composition, and refuelling rates during stopover at Long Point, Ontario. We used quantitative magnetic resonance analysis and plasma metabolite profi ling to determine body composition and refuelling rates, respectively. We determined sex and plumage morph genetically. Competitive ability did not infl uence migration timing. Controlling for structural size, males had larger lean mass than females, but we found no diff erences in body fat or lean mass between plumage morphs. Plasma metabolite concentrations indicated that the aggressive white-stripe morph refuelled faster than the less aggressive tan-stripe morph, though there were no diff erences among sex and age groups. We suggest that increased refuelling rates did not result in increased fat or lean mass because 1) individuals categorised as less competitive had longer stopover durations to compensate for slower refuelling rates; or 2) costs of behaving more competitively off set gains from faster refuelling rates.
Metabolomic Links between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Obesity

Background Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is highly associated with obesity, but the metabolic mechanism underlying this correlation is not understood. Objective Our objective was to examine metabolomic links between SSB intake and obesity to understand metabolic mechanisms. Design We examined the association of plasma metabolomic profiles with SSB intake and obesity risk in 781 participants, aged 45–75 y, in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS) using generalized linear models, controlling for potential confounding factors. Based on identified metabolites, we conducted pathway enrichment analysis to identify potential metabolic pathways that link SSB intake and obesity risk. Variants in genes encoding enzymes known to function in identified metabolic pathways were examined for their interactions with SSB intake on obesity. Results SSB intake was correlated with BMI (β = 0.607, P=0.045). Among 526 measured metabolites, 86 showed a significant correlation with SSB intake and 148 with BMI (P ≤ 0.05); 28 were correlated with both SSB intake and BMI (P ≤ 0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis identified the phosphatidylcholine and lysophospholipid pathways as linking SSB intake to obesity, after correction for multiple testing. Furthermore, 8 of 10 genes functioning in these two pathways showed strong interaction with SSB intake on BMI. Our results further identified participants who may exhibit an increased risk of obesity when consuming SSB. Conclusions We identified two key metabolic pathways that link SSB intake to obesity, revealing the potential of phosphatidylcholine and lysophospholipid to modulate how SSB intake can increase obesity risk. The interaction between genetic variants related to these pathways and SSB intake on obesity further supports the mechanism.
Dynamics of sperm transfer, mixing, and fertilization in Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Kenya

Two specialized structures affect sperm transfer, sperm mixing, and fertilization in mealybug destroyer, cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. One is a large muscle block attached to the ejaculatory duct sheath of the male beetle. It propels sperm into the spermatophore, driving it into the vagina. The muscular action further forces the sperm into the spermatheca, simultaneously inflating an air pump of the spermatheca. The spermatheca receives sperm from 3 to 4 males at a time, and the sperm are mixed rapidly and thoroughly by the air pump before fertilization. The other structure is a bell-shaped sac that surrounds the base of the seminal duct. It helps connect the spermatophore and the seminal duct during sperm transfer; it also receives mixed sperm from the spermatheca and leads them to the micropyles of the egg. Only 1 egg is fertilized at a time. Frequent and multiple matings during oviposition keep C. montrauzieri genetically diversified.
Annotated checklist of the fishes of Lord Howe Island

Australian Museum science is fre ly accessible online at www.aust ra l ianmuseum.net . au/publ icat ions / 6 College Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Austral ia at re c lt re isc r Allen, Gerald R. , Douglass F. Hoese, John R. Paxton, J. E. Randall, C. Russell, W. A. Starck, F. H. Talbot, and G. P. Whitley, 1977. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Lord Howe Island. Records of the Australian Museum 30(15): 365–454. [21 December 1976].
Nuclear Staining for Laser Confocal Microscopy

Twenty nucleic acid-specific fluorescent dyes were screened for use in nuclear staining in laser confocal microscopy. Eleven of them, BO-PRO-1, YO-PRO-1, SYBR Green I, PicoGreen, SYTOX Green, TO-PRO-1, POPO-3, propidium iodide, YO-PRO-3, TOTO-3, and TO-PRO-3 gave sufficient fluorescence by in-gel assay. They were also tested for the nuclear staining in cultured cells. When glycerol was used as a mounting medium, it enhanced the fluorescence intensity and retarded the bleaching in most of nucleic acid staining dyes. Among green fluorochromes excited at 488nm, YO-PRO-1, SYTOX Green, and SYBR Green I were suitable for nuclear DNA staining. YO-PRO-1 showed the strongest fluorescent intensity, but it weakly co-stained the cytoplasmic and nucleolar RNAs. SYTOX Green strongly and specifically stained the nuclear DNA. Among red fluorochromes excited at 568nm, propidium iodide stained nuclear DNA with simultaneous staining of RNA. YO-PRO-3 strongly and specifically stained DNA but bleached relatively rapidly. TO-PRO-3 excited at 647 nm was specific for DNA, but its fluorescence was bleached rapidly. Selection of nuclear DNA staining dyes should be done by considering the fluorescence intensity, DNA specificity, and bleaching characteristics.
Occurrence of Pink Mold Rot of Strawberry Caused by Trichothecium roseum in Korea

Strawberries rotted by pink mold rot fungus (Trichothecium roseum) were found sporadically in farm greenhouses in Sugokmyon, Jinju, Korea, from March to April in 2009 and 2010. The diseased fruits were first covered with pink-colored mold, consisting of conidia and conidiophores of the pathogen, and then became water-soaked and dark brown in color, before eventually rotting (Fig. 1A). After a pure representative specimen was isolated, we examined the mycological characteristics of the specimens in detail, using light and scanning electron microscopes. Fungal colonies were white to pinkish, and numerous conidia formed on potato dextrose agar (PDA; Fig. 1C). Conidia were ellipsoidal to pyriform, colorless, 2-celled, characteristically held together in zigzag chains, aleurioconidia 12-21×8-10 μm in size (Fig. 1D). Conidiophores were long, slender, simple, septate, bearing meristem arthrospore conidia apically, singly when young, and successively. Conidiophores were apex, 3-5 μm in size. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 25 oC. The measurements and taxonomic characteristics coincided with those of T. roseum (Pers.) Link ex Gray described by Gobayashi et al. (1992) and Ishikawa et al. (1998). The pure isolate of the pathogen was incubated at 25 oC, and the conidia were artificially inoculated onto strawberries. The same disease symptoms were reproduced on the fruits, and the same fungus was re-isolated from the symptoms. To identify the causal fungus, we amplified and sequenced a partial internal transcribed space (ITS) rDNA of the isolate, using the primers ITS1 and ITS4, as described by White et al. (1990). The resulting sequence of 613 bp was deposited in GenBank (accession no. HM355750). Phylogenetic analysis was conduced using MEGA4 software, with the neighbor-joining method and TajimaNei distance model. The neighbor-joining analysis (Fig. 2) showed that the ITS sequences of the isolate were similar to those of T. roseum (Seifert et al., 1997). In the phylogenetic tree (Fig. 2), the isolate was placed within a clade comprising reference isolates of T. roseum. This is the first report of pink mold rot on strawberry caused by T. roseum in Korea. Cultures of T. roseum have been deposited with the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC 45158), National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Rural Development Administration, Suwon.
OR11-03 NT-814, a Non-Hormonal Dual Neurokinin 1,3 Receptor Antagonist Markedly Improves Vasomotor Symptoms in Post-Menopausal Women; Results of a Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Finding Study (SWITCH-1)

Abstract Introduction: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), caused by declining estrogen in menopausal women, are common and debilitating. Hormone therapy is effective in many women but carries risks and may be contraindicated. Biological and clinical evidence shows a modulatory role for neurokinin (NK) receptor antagonists acting primarily via hypothalamic KNDy (kisspeptin, NK, dynorphin) neurons on VMS. NT-814 is an oral non-hormonal dual NK1,3 receptor antagonist which has previously been shown to cause rapid and marked improvements in VMS in post-menopausal women. This Phase-2b trial (SWITCH-1) was undertaken to further evaluate efficacy and safety and to establish the optimum dose(s) for Phase 3 studies. Methods: SWITCH-1 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive-randomization, dose-finding trial in 199 post-menopausal women. After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in to establish symptom stability, women (40 to 65 years) with ≥7 moderate and/or severe VMS per day at baseline were randomized to 12 weeks of once daily treatment with placebo or one of 4 doses of NT-814: 40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, 160 mg. Subjects recorded the frequency and severity of VMS in electronic diaries twice daily throughout the study. Patient-reported measures of quality-of-life, sleep and mood were collected periodically. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded at each clinic visit. Results: VMS frequency was reduced in all treatment groups, including placebo. VMS reductions were significantly greater with the 2 higher NT-814 doses at most time-points, as early as the first week of treatment. Least squares mean reductions from baseline in moderate/severe VMS per day at week 4 were: placebo, 2.7; 40 mg, 4.3 (p=0.161 vs placebo); 80 mg, 4.1 (p=0.326); 120 mg, 6.7 (p<0.0001); 160 mg, 5.5 (p=0.007). In week 12 the reductions were: placebo, 4.7; 40 mg, 6.5 (p=0.185); 80 mg, 5.6 (p=0.599); 120 mg, 7.8 (p=0.009); 160 mg, 6.6 (p=0.109). At the 160 mg dose the median reduction in week 12 was significantly greater than placebo (6.9 vs 4.4, p=0.0023), indicating an effect of high outliers on the mean. Average HF severity was also improved in a dose-related manner, with greater reductions compared to placebo with the 2 higher NT-814 doses. Improvements in HF were accompanied by statistically significant benefits on sleep (assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), mood (measured using the Beck Depression Inventory), and all four domains of the MenQoL menopause-specific quality-of-life instrument. NT-814 was well-tolerated; most AEs were mild or moderate and there were no serious AEs related to treatment. Conclusions: NT-814, a once daily non-hormonal NK antagonist, at doses of 120 & 160 mg reduced the frequency and severity of VMS and significantly improved quality of life, mood and sleep, in postmenopausal women. NT-814 was well tolerated, with a safety profile that supports further evaluation in Phase 3 trials.
Global threats to pinnipeds

The 2008 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) review of the status of the world’s mammals identified marine mammals (IUCN 2008) as disproportionally threatened and data poor compared to their terrestrial counterparts, and their status was noted as a particular concern (IUCN 2008, Mace et al. 2008, Schipper et al. 2008). The threats faced by marine mammals were identified as being different, with accidental mortality and pollution being dominant threats that superseded habitat loss, which was identified as the principal concern for land mammals. It was suggested that harvesting remained a major threat for half of the marine mammal species in the world. The distribution of marine mammals was described as being concentrated in tropical and temperate coastal platforms and associated with high levels of primary productivity. Threat levels were highest for marine mammals living in the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Southeast Asia. Range size was described as generally declining toward both poles. Although these generalities are of course correct for all marine mammals, it must be recognized that the larger number of species of cetaceans compared to other marine mammal groups (85 cetaceans, the polar bear Ursus maritimus, 4 extant sirenians and 36 pinniped species) biases the conclusions in the assessment for marine mammals to such a degree that a separate summary for the pinnipeds of the world is warranted. Additionally, a species-level assessment masks some important conservation concerns for pinnipeds with species classified as Least Concern actually containing threatened subspecies ( e.g., ringed seals). Finally, and perhaps most importantly, climate change issues were not specifically addressed in the vast majority of marine mammal assessments done for the 2008 IUCN review (IUCN 2008). We present here a complete assessment of the status and threats facing pinnipeds at the subspecies level, integrating the expected impacts of changing patterns of threat due to global climate change.
Alterations of the Antioxidant Enzyme Activities are not General Characteristics of the Colonization Process by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

El sistema antioxidante esta involucrado en la simbiosis micorrizico-arbuscular, pero su rol durante el proceso de colonizacion es aun escasamente comprendido. Para esclarecer el papel del sistema antioxidante durante la colonizacion radical por los hongos micorrizicos arbusculares, se evaluaron las actividades de enzimas antioxidantes claves en raices de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.) inoculadas con seis cepas diferentes: dos Glomus mosseae, Glomus cubense, Glomus intraradices, Glomus sp. y A. scrobiculata. Las cepas G. cubense y A. scrobiculata alcanzaron los niveles de infectividad superiores con valores maximos de colonizacion e intensidad de 29-10,88% y 18-9,20%, respectivamente; las cepas G. mosseae mostraron una infectividad intermedia, ambas con 15% de colonizacion e intensidades maximas de 7,64-7,06%, respectivamente; mientras que los niveles de infectividad de las cepas Glomus sp. y G. intraradices fueron inferiores con colonizacion del 13% e intensidades de 5,07 y 5,41, respectivamente. Algunos patrones de actividad de las enzimas peroxidasa, superoxido dismutasa y polifenol oxidasa no resultaron especificos para los niveles y estadios de colonizacion, temprano o tardio, ni tipo de cepa. No obstante, la unica banda de superoxido dismutasa presente en la colonizacion temprana y el bajo nivel de actividad guayacol-peroxidasa en estadio tardio presente en todos los tratamientos micorrizados indican que estas respuestas antioxidantes son independientes de la cepa y el grado de colonizacion. En conjunto, los datos sugieren que las alteraciones de las actividades enzimaticas antioxidantes no son caracteristicas generales del proceso de colonizacion por los hongos micorrizicos arbusculares, teniendo probablemente el rol clave sobre estas respuestas las caracteristicas especificas de cada cepa mas que la colonizacion per se.
Phytate Degradation During Traditional Cooking: Significance of the Phytic Acid Profile in Cereal-Based Vegetarian Meals

Abstract Phytate degradation of 272 different traditionally cooked meals was studied using ion exchange chromatography using a Dowex resin 1×8 (200–400 mesh, Cl − form) with gradient elution. Results indicate that the total phytate content of Indian meals is 2.7 times larger than meals from Western and other Asian countries. The hexa form is 45% of total phytate in Indian meals while it was 48–54% in meals from other countries, indicating more degradation during cooking of Indian meals. Further examination of the phytate degradation pattern indicated higher values ( p 1 /IP 6 and IP 1+2 /IP 5+6 for Indian meals than for meals of other regions. Comparison of cereal-based diets showed significant differences between meals based on rice and millets ( p p 1 /IP 6 , while IP 1+2 /IP 5+6 was similar for wheat, rice and sorghum ( p >0.1) and significantly different ( p
A potential treatment of COVID-19 with TGF-β blockade

The rapid spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 across the world poses a major threat to the global health. The major cause of death in infected patients is severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Similar to the SARS virus and unlike the seasonal influenza virus, the high mortality rate in COVID-19 patients without visible immunodeficiency has caused panic in the general population. The current lack of specific and effective therapies for the COVID-19 is one of the major problems in controlling disease severity. Based on the clinical and laboratory features and lung pathological manifestations of COVID-19 patients combined with published pathological and immunological features present in the lungs of previous SARS patients, I hereby propose a potential immunotherapy for the severe COVID-19 through blockade of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).