Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Characterisation and in Vitro Gas Production Kinetics of Eight Faba Bean Varieties

Simple Summary The demand of vegetable protein is currently very high, both for human and animal nutrition. Soybean meal is the most used protein source in ruminant nutrition. Many Leguminosae seeds (i.e., faba bean, lupin, proteic pea), rich in protein and energy, are considered a valid alternative, especially in the organic production system. In this paper the physical and nutritional characteristics of eight varieties of Vicia Faba bean (four local and four commercial) were evaluated. To evaluate the digestive utilization an in vitro trial was carried out, incubating each substrate with an inoculum made up of bovine buffered rumen liquor for 48 h at 39 °C under anaerobiosis. The gas produced within the incubation period was registered, the dry matter digestibility and volatile fatty acid at the end of fermentation were determined. The results of this investigation confirm the possibility of using local faba bean varieties in ruminant nutrition with the advantages that, being local natural resources, they are better adapted to the climate and agronomic conditions and limit the environmental impact. Abstract Faba bean is an important vegetable protein source for ruminant diets. This research aimed to compare the nutritional characteristics of four commercial and four local cultivars in order to better characterise the local ones and promote their use in animal nutrition. The seeds’ weight and the chemical composition, including starch and the energy, was evaluated. The in vitro fermentation characteristics were studied for 48 h using bull’s rumen fluid as inoculum. All the varieties showed the values’ weight corresponding to the specific botanical typology. The varieties significantly differed for protein, starch and lignin (p < 0.01) and structural carbohydrates (p < 0.05) concentration. No significant differences were observed for energy content. All the in vitro fermentation parameters resulted significantly different among the varieties. Organic matter degradability ranged between 89.9% and 85.1% and the potential gas production from 367 to 325 mL/g. The Pearson’s analysis showed significant correlation between morphological characteristics, chemical data and in vitro fermentation parameters. In conclusion, this investigation confirms the possibility of using local faba bean varieties (i.e., Aquino, Castrocielo, 13#5, 4#4) in ruminant nutrition with the advantage that, being local natural resources, they are better adapted to the climate and agronomic conditions and limit environmental impact.
Effect of L-carnitine on the calcium content of erythrocytes of uremic patients on hemodialysis

The purpose of this study was to determine the calcium content of erythrocytes in uremic patients under regular hemodialysis (HD) and to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine (L-C) on this cellular ion. In 36 hemodialyzed uremic patients-18 under treatment with L-C and 18 without L-C-serum and erythrocytic calcium were determined pre- and post-HD. Erythrocytic calcium was also determined in 21 normal subjects (controls). The mean value (±SD) of erythrocytic calcium in patients under L-C was 2.00 ± 0.18 μg/ml pre-HD vs. 1.96 ± 0.17 μg/ml post-HD. The mean value without L-C was 2.21 ± 0.18 μg/ml pre-HD vs. 2.20 ± 0.25 μg/ml post-HD. The control group had a mean value of 0.60 ± 0.13 μg/ml. These values show that uremic patients in both groups, pre- and post-HD, have significantly higher erythrocytic calcium levels in comparison to the controls (p<0.0001). However, the comparison of values between the two groups of HD patients shows that erythrocytic calcium in patients treated with L-C was significantly lower pre- and post-HD than in patients without L-C (p<0.01). The mean serum calcium level in patients treated with L-C was 10.60 ± 0.60 mg/dl pre-HD vs. 12.10 ± 0.89 mg/dl post-HD. The mean value without L-C was 10.57 ± 0.61 mg/dl pre-HD vs. 12.18 ± 0.73 mg/dl post-HD. These values were not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, uremic patients present with high erythrocytic calcium pre- and post-HD. The administration of L-C in these patients may maintain erythrocytic calcium at lower levels.
Interleukin‐1 Blockade Inhibits the Acute Inflammatory Response in Patients With ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction is associated with an intense acute inflammatory response and risk of heart failure. We tested whether interleukin‐1 blockade with anakinra significantly reduced the area under the curve for hsCRP (high sensitivity C‐reactive protein) levels during the first 14 days in patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (VCUART3 [Virginia Commonwealth University Anakinra Remodeling Trial 3]). Methods and Results We conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, clinical trial in 99 patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction in which patients were assigned to 2 weeks treatment with anakinra once daily (N=33), anakinra twice daily (N=31), or placebo (N=35). hsCRP area under the curve was significantly lower in patients receiving anakinra versus placebo (median, 67 [interquartile range, 39–120] versus 214 [interquartile range, 131–394] mg·day/L; P<0.001), without significant differences between the anakinra arms. No significant differences were found between anakinra and placebo groups in the interval changes in left ventricular end‐systolic volume (median, 1.4 [interquartile range, −9.8 to 9.8] versus −3.9 [interquartile range, −15.4 to 1.4] mL; P=0.21) or left ventricular ejection fraction (median, 3.9% [interquartile range, −1.6% to 10.2%] versus 2.7% [interquartile range, −1.8% to 9.3%]; P=0.61) at 12 months. The incidence of death or new‐onset heart failure or of death and hospitalization for heart failure was significantly lower with anakinra versus placebo (9.4% versus 25.7% [P=0.046] and 0% versus 11.4% [P=0.011], respectively), without difference between the anakinra arms. The incidence of serious infection was not different between anakinra and placebo groups (14% versus 14%; P=0.98). Injection site reactions occurred more frequently in patients receiving anakinra (22%) versus placebo (3%; P=0.016). Conclusions In patients presenting with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction, interleukin‐1 blockade with anakinra significantly reduces the systemic inflammatory response compared with placebo. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01950299.
Patient-Oncologist Communication Regarding Oral Chemotherapy During Routine Office Visits

PURPOSE: Although studies in other clinical areas have shown that patient-clinician communication can positively influence adherence to medications, little is known about how oncologists address medication counseling during routine office visits. We describe patient-oncologist office-based discussions of oral chemotherapy treatment. METHODS: Transcripts of 24 patient-oncologist office visits were obtained from a national database. Patients were aged ≥ 19 years and prescribed capecitabine for colorectal cancer. We developed a structured coding worksheet using medication-counseling concepts previously identified as important to medication adherence and a grounded approach. Two coders reviewed transcripts for oncologists’ provision of medication information, assessment of patients’ adherence to medication, and the provision of self-management support for management of adverse effects. We assessed interrater reliability with Cohen κ statistics. We describe the counseling concepts present within patient-oncologist conversations and present illustrative quotes to describe how they were discussed. RESULTS: Oncologists generally provided patients who had yet to initiate therapy comprehensive medication information; those in the midst of treatment received less information. Oncologists discussed patients’ continued use of the medication (or discontinuation) among all patients who had initiated therapy (N = 18). How the patient was taking the medication (ie, therapy implementation) was less commonly discussed. Medication adverse effects were also discussed in all encounters. Self-management strategies were commonly provided, albeit mostly in response to a presenting symptom and not preemptively. Patients’ use of concurrent medications, financial access to therapy, and assessments of logistical arrangements were discussed more sporadically. CONCLUSION: Using audio recordings from a national sample of patient-oncologist office visits, we identified several potentially important opportunities to enhance medication counseling among patients prescribed capecitabine for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Hydrilla verticillata–Sulfur-Based Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Denitrification Process for Nitrate-Rich Agricultural Runoff Treatment

Hydrilla verticillata–sulfur-based heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification (HSHAD) process was developed in free water surface constructed wetland mesocosms for the treatment of nitrate-rich agricultural runoff with low chemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (C/N) ratio, whose feasibility and mechanism were extensively studied and compared with those of H. verticillata heterotrophic denitrification (HHD) mesocosms through a 273-day operation. The results showed that the heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification can be combined successfully in HSHAD mesocosms, and achieve satisfactory nitrate removal performance. The average NO3−-N removal efficiency and denitrification rate of HSHAD were 94.4% and 1.3 g NO3−-N m−3·d−1 in steady phase II (7–118 d). Most nitrate was reduced by heterotrophic denitrification with sufficient organic carbon in phase I (0–6 d) and II, i.e., the C/N ratio exceeded 4.0, and no significant difference of nitrate removal capacity was observed between HSHAD and HHD mesocosms. During phase III (119–273 d), sulfur autotrophic denitrification gradually dominated the HSHAD process with the C/N ratio less than 4.0, and HSHAD mesocosms obtained higher NO3−-N removal efficiency and denitrification rate (79.1% and 1.1 g NO3−-N m−3·d−1) than HHD mesocosms (65.3% and 1.0 g NO3−-N m−3·d−1). As a whole, HSHAD mesocosms removed 58.8 mg NO3−-N more than HHD mesocosms. pH fluctuated between 6.9–9.0 without any pH buffer. In general, HSHAD mesocosms were more stable and efficient than HHD mesocosms for NO3−-N removal from agricultural runoff during long-term operation. The denitrificans containing narG (1.67 × 108 ± 1.28 × 107 copies g−1 mixture-soil−1), nirS (8.25 × 107 ± 8.95 × 106 copies g−1 mixture-soil−1), and nosZ (1.56 × 106 ± 1.60 × 105 copies g−1 mixture-soil−1) of litter bags and bottoms in HSHAD were higher than those in HHD, which indicated that the combined heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification can increase the abundance of denitrificans containing narG, nirS, and nosZ, thus leading to better denitrification performance.
ATF4-Dependent NRF2 Transcriptional Regulation Promotes Antioxidant Protection during Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induce apoptosis if left unabated. To limit oxidative insults, the ER stress PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum Kinase (PERK) has been reported to phosphorylate and activate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). Here, we uncover an alternative mechanism for PERK-mediated NRF2 regulation in human cells that does not require direct phosphorylation. We show that the activation of the PERK pathway rapidly stimulates the expression of NRF2 through activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). In addition, NRF2 activation is late and largely driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during late protein synthesis recovery, contributing to protecting against cell death. Thus, PERK-mediated NRF2 activation encompasses a PERK-ATF4-dependent control of NRF2 expression that contributes to the NRF2 protective response engaged during ER stress-induced ROS production.
“If you please… draw me a cell”. Insights from immune cells

ABSTRACT Studies in recent years have shed light on the particular features of cytoskeleton dynamics in immune cells, challenging the classical picture drawn from typical adherent cell lines. New mechanisms linking the dynamics of the membrane–cytoskeleton interface to the mechanical properties of immune cells have been uncovered and shown to be essential for immune surveillance functions. In this Essay, we discuss these features, and propose immune cells as a new playground for cell biologists who try to understand how cells adapt to different microenvironments to fulfil their functions efficiently.
Pregnancy‐Related Bone Mineral and Microarchitecture Changes in Women Aged 30 to 45 Years

At birth, the neonatal skeleton contains 20 to 30 g calcium (Ca). It is hypothesized maternal bone mineral may be mobilized to support fetal skeletal development, although evidence of pregnancy‐induced mineral mobilization is limited. We recruited healthy pregnant (n = 53) and non‐pregnant non‐lactating (NPNL; n = 37) women aged 30 to 45 years (mean age 35.4 ± 3.8 years) and obtained peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and high‐resolution pQCT (HR‐pQCT) scans from the tibia and radius at 14 to 16 and 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, with a similar scan interval for NPNL. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess group differences in change between baseline and follow‐up; differences are expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS) ± SEM. Decreases in volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) outcomes were found in both groups; however, pregnancy‐related decreases for pQCT total and trabecular vBMD were −0.65 ± 0.22 SDS and −0.50 ± 0.23 SDS greater (p < .05). HR‐pQCT total and cortical vBMD decreased compared with NPNL by −0.49 ± 0.24 SDS and −0.67 ± 0.23 SDS, respectively; trabecular vBMD decreased in both groups to a similar magnitude. Pregnancy‐related changes in bone microarchitecture significantly exceeded NPNL change for trabecular number (0.47 ± 0.23 SDS), trabecular separation (−0.54 ± 0.24 SDS), cortical thickness (−1.01 ± 0.21 SDS), and cortical perimeter (0.78 ± 0.23 SDS). At the proximal radius, cortical vBMD and endosteal circumference increased by 0.50 ± 0.23 SDS and 0.46 ± 0.23 SDS, respectively, compared with NPNL, whereas cortical thickness decreased −0.50 ± 0.22 SDS. Pregnancy‐related decreases in total and compartment‐specific vBMD exceed age‐related change at the distal tibia. Changes at the radius were only evident with pQCT at the cortical‐rich proximal site and suggest endosteal resorption. Although the magnitude of these pregnancy‐related changes in the appendicular skeleton are small, if they reflect global changes across the skeleton at large, they may contribute substantially to the Ca requirements of the fetus. © 2020 Crown copyright. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). This article is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.
Cell-penetrating peptide inhibits retromer-mediated human papillomavirus trafficking during virus entry

Significance Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are responsible for 5% of cancers, but no specific antiviral agents inhibit HPV infection. Based on our mechanistic understanding of HPV entry into cells, we designed a strategy to inhibit HPV infection. We demonstrate that short synthetic peptides derived from an HPV capsid protein enter cells, interfere with a protein interaction essential for intracellular virus trafficking, and prevent HPV from entering its proper intracellular transport pathway, thereby inhibiting infection in cultured cells and in mice. Thus, we have repurposed viral protein segments that normally mediate infection into a rationally designed agent that inhibits infection. The use of cell-penetrating peptides to disrupt essential intracellular protein-protein interactions may be broadly applicable in virology and in other situations. Virus replication requires critical interactions between viral proteins and cellular proteins that mediate many aspects of infection, including the transport of viral genomes to the site of replication. In human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the cellular protein complex known as retromer binds to the L2 capsid protein and sorts incoming virions into the retrograde transport pathway for trafficking to the nucleus. Here, we show that short synthetic peptides containing the HPV16 L2 retromer-binding site and a cell-penetrating sequence enter cells, sequester retromer from the incoming HPV pseudovirus, and inhibit HPV exit from the endosome, resulting in loss of viral components from cells and in a profound, dose-dependent block to infection. The peptide also inhibits cervicovaginal HPV16 pseudovirus infection in a mouse model. These results confirm the retromer-mediated model of retrograde HPV entry and validate intracellular virus trafficking as an antiviral target. More generally, inhibiting virus replication with agents that can enter cells and disrupt essential protein-protein interactions may be applicable in broad outline to many viruses.
Prevalence of inclusion body disease and associated comorbidity in captive collections of boid and pythonid snakes in Belgium

Inclusion body disease (IBD) is caused by reptarenaviruses and constitutes one of the most notorious viral diseases in snakes. Although central nervous system disease and various other clinical signs have been attributed to IBD in boid and pythonid snakes, studies that unambiguously reveal the clinical course of natural IBD and reptarenavirus infection are scarce. In the present study, the prevalence of IBD and reptarenaviruses in captive snake collections and the correlation of IBD and reptarenavirus infection with the clinical status of the sampled snakes were investigated. In three IBD positive collections, long-term follow-up during a three- to seven-year period was performed. A total of 292 snakes (178 boas and 114 pythons) from 40 collections in Belgium were sampled. In each snake, blood and buffy coat smears were evaluated for the presence of IBD inclusion bodies (IB) and whole blood was tested for reptarenavirus RNA by RT-PCR. Of all tested snakes, 16.5% (48/292) were positive for IBD of which all were boa constrictors (34.0%; 48/141) and 17.1% (50/292) were reptarenavirus RT-PCR positive. The presence of IB could not be demonstrated in any of the tested pythons, while 5.3% (6/114) were reptarenavirus positive. In contrast to pythons, the presence of IB in peripheral blood cells in boa constrictors is strongly correlated with reptarenavirus detection by RT-PCR (P<0.0001). Although boa constrictors often show persistent subclinical infection, long-term follow-up indicated that a considerable number (22.2%; 6/27) of IBD/reptarenavirus positive boas eventually develop IBD associated comorbidities.
Lamb Fattening Under Intensive Pasture-Based Systems: A Review

Simple Summary The use of fresh high-quality pastures in intensive lamb production systems is considered worldwide as economically advantageous, environmentally friendly, and a promoter of animal welfare. Moreover, it generates a desirable meat composition. However, it is known that the availability of pastures in grazing regions is variable throughout the year, and this makes the maintenance of a stable offer of feeds and production difficult. The combination of high-quality pastures and other feedstuffs is very common in dairy cow grazing systems while, for sheep, there is less information available. The objective of the current review is to discuss this topic in light of published information about intake, digestion, rumen environment and health, performance, and carcass quality and composition. Abstract The benefits of pasture-based systems on the fatty acid composition of sheep meat appear to be achievable despite variability in the quality of the pastures. Lambs fed high levels of temperate pastures have an excess of N-ammonia derived from protein degradation. Furthermore, animal performance is highly variable depending on the quality of the pasture at the time of grazing, and high animal performance in these systems appears to be linked to the use of high-quality pastures with high availability, and is possibly added to by the inclusion of concentrates that allow increasing energy intake and a better use of the N in the pasture. The combination of high-quality pastures and total mixed ration offers a good alternative to the inclusion of concentrates in the diet, improving the use of N, and avoiding acidosis problems. However, information to determine the effect of a number of nutritional strategies on meat quality, and the minimum level of pasture intake necessary to achieve the benefits of pastoral systems is still lacking.
β‐Alanine and l‐histidine supplementation associated with combined training increased functional capacity and maximum strength in heart failure rats

What is the central question of the study? Does β‐alanine with l‐histidine supplementation associated with endurance and strength training improve echocardiographic parameters, functional capacity, and maximum strength in rats with chronic heart failure? What is the main finding and its importance? β‐Alanine with l‐histidine supplementation associated with endurance and strength training increased functional capacity and maximum strength through increasing exercise capacity peripherally but did not affect echocardiographic parameters in rats with chronic heart failure.
Epidemiologic Features and Clinical Course of Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2 in Singapore.

Importance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread globally with sustained human-to-human transmission outside China. Objective To report the initial experience in Singapore with the epidemiologic investigation of this outbreak, clinical features, and management. Design, Setting, and Participants Descriptive case series of the first 18 patients diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at 4 hospitals in Singapore from January 23 to February 3, 2020; final follow-up date was February 25, 2020. Exposures Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data were collected, including PCR cycle threshold values from nasopharyngeal swabs and viral shedding in blood, urine, and stool. Clinical course was summarized, including requirement for supplemental oxygen and intensive care and use of empirical treatment with lopinavir-ritonavir. Results Among the 18 hospitalized patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (median age, 47 years; 9 [50%] women), clinical presentation was an upper respiratory tract infection in 12 (67%), and viral shedding from the nasopharynx was prolonged for 7 days or longer among 15 (83%). Six individuals (33%) required supplemental oxygen; of these, 2 required intensive care. There were no deaths. Virus was detectable in the stool (4/8 [50%]) and blood (1/12 [8%]) by PCR but not in urine. Five individuals requiring supplemental oxygen were treated with lopinavir-ritonavir. For 3 of the 5 patients, fever resolved and supplemental oxygen requirement was reduced within 3 days, whereas 2 deteriorated with progressive respiratory failure. Four of the 5 patients treated with lopinavir-ritonavir developed nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, and 3 developed abnormal liver function test results. Conclusions and Relevance Among the first 18 patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Singapore, clinical presentation was frequently a mild respiratory tract infection. Some patients required supplemental oxygen and had variable clinical outcomes following treatment with an antiretroviral agent.