Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Ducks and the Relationship with Concentrations in Water, Sediment, and Soil

The present study examined the occurrence and concentration of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) measured in game ducks (13 compounds), water, sediment, and soils (33 compounds) in waterways in Victoria, Australia. The study aimed to identify potential ecological and human health risks from measured PFAS concentrations. Four species of duck and samples of water, sediment, and soil were collected from 19 wetlands, which were chosen based on their popularity as hunting locations. The risks posed by 3 PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS], and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [PFOS]) to the environment and human health were assessed using available national ecological and human health guidelines. A diverse range of short‐ and long‐chain carboxylic and sulfonic acids were found in the environment and in ducks. Concentrations were generally low and varied between wetlands, duck species, tissue analyzed (breast or liver), and environmental compartment (water, sediment, soil). Higher PFOS concentrations in water and sediments were observed at wetlands near sources of contamination (i.e., a defense base or urban environment). Elevated PFOS and PFOS + PFHxS concentrations in ducks were observed near local point sources but also at wetlands with no known point sources of contamination. There were clear differences in PFAS concentrations detected in duck tissues versus the environment, highlighting complexities of bioaccumulation, movement of animals, and spatiotemporal variation and raising questions about the relevance of using abiotic criteria to assess risk to biota. Human health risk assessment showed that only ducks inhabiting wetlands near local sources of PFAS were likely to pose a risk to consumers. Further studies are required to improve our knowledge of PFAS toxicokinetics and chronic impacts in biota to guide management decisions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:846–858. © 2020 SETAC
Inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut pro‐proteinase activation in response to synthetic protease inhibitors

Protease inhibitors play an important role in host plant defence against herbivores. However, insects have the ability to elevate the production of proteinases or resort to production of a diverse array of proteinases to offset the effect of proteinase inhibitors. Therefore, we studied the inhibition of pro‐proteinase(s) activation in the midgut of the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in response to protease inhibitors to develop appropriate strategies for the control of this pest. Gelatin coating present on X‐ray film was used as a substrate to detect electrophoretically separated pro‐proteinases and proteinases of H. armigera gut extract on native‐ and sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Six activated pro‐proteinase bands were detected in H. armigera gut lumen, which were partially purified and characterized using substrate assays. Activated H. armigera midgut pro‐proteinase(s) showed activity maxima at pH 8 and 10, and exhibited optimal activity at 40 °C. The activation of H. armigera gut pro‐proteinase isoforms was observed in the fraction eluted on benzamidine‐sepharose 4B column. Purification and substrate assay studies revealed that 23–70 kDa polypeptides were likely the trypsin/chymotrypsin‐like pro‐proteinases. Larvae of H. armigera fed on a cocktail of synthetic inhibitors (antipain, aprotinin, leupeptin, and pefabloc) showed maximum activation of pro‐proteinases compared with the larvae fed on individual inhibitors. The implications of these results for developing plants expressing proteinase inhibitors for conferring resistance to H. armigera are discussed.
Individual Health Budgets in Mental Health: Results of Its Implementation in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy

Background: Individual Health Budget (IHB) is an intervention for recovery in mental health services, providing personalized care for subjects with severe disorders and complex needs. Little is known on its effectiveness and on the criteria for its delivery. Methods: A total of 67 IHB beneficiaries and 61 comparators were recruited among service users of the Mental Health Department of the Trieste Healthcare Agency, Italy. Data included sociodemographic and clinical variables, type of IHB, and Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) scores. Results: A comparison between groups showed significant differences in several socioeconomic and clinical characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression showed that IHB was positively associated to the 20–49 age group, single status, unemployment, low family support, cohabitation with relatives or friends, diagnosis of personality disorder, and a higher number of hospitalizations. The IHB group was at a higher risk of severe problems related to aggressive or agitated behaviors (OR = 1.4), hallucinations and delusions (OR = 1.5), and impairment in everyday life activities (OR = 2.1). Conclusions: IHB was used in patients with severe clinical and social problems. More resources, however, may be aimed at the working and social axes. More research is needed to better assess clinical and social outcomes of IHB and to adjust their intensity in a longitudinal perspective in order to enhance cost-effectiveness.
Calmodulin-Cork Model of Gap Junction Channel Gating—One Molecule, Two Mechanisms

The Calmodulin-Cork gating model is based on evidence for the direct role of calmodulin (CaM) in channel gating. Indeed, chemical gating of cell-to-cell channels is sensitive to nanomolar cytosolic calcium concentrations [Ca2+]i. Calmodulin inhibitors and inhibition of CaM expression prevent chemical gating. CaMCC, a CaM mutant with higher Ca2+-sensitivity greatly increases chemical gating sensitivity (in CaMCC the NH2-terminal EF-hand pair (res. 9–76) is replaced by the COOH-terminal pair (res. 82–148). Calmodulin colocalizes with connexins. Connexins have high-affinity CaM binding sites. Several connexin mutants paired to wild-type connexins have a high gating sensitivity that is eliminated by inhibition of CaM expression. Repeated transjunctional voltage (Vj) pulses slowly and progressively close a large number of channels by the chemical/slow gate (CaM lobe). At the single-channel level, the chemical/slow gate closes and opens slowly with on-off fluctuations. The model proposes two types of CaM-driven gating: “Ca-CaM-Cork” and “CaM-Cork”. In the first, gating involves Ca2+-induced CaM-activation. In the second, gating takes place without [Ca2+]i rise. The Ca-CaM-Cork gating is only reversed by a return of [Ca2+]i to resting values, while the CaM-Cork gating is reversed by Vj positive at the gated side.
Pancreatic Extracellular Matrix and Platelet-rich Plasma Constructing Injectable Hydrogel For Pancreas Tissue Engineering.

The development of pancreatic extracellular matrices enriched with insulin-secreting β cells is a promising tissue engineering approach to treat type-1 diabetes. However, its long-term therapeutic efficacy is restricted by the defensive mechanism of host immune response and the lack of developed vascularization as appropriate after transplantation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as an autologous platelet concentrate, contains a large number of active factors that are essential for the cell viability, vascularization, and immune regulation. In this study, we have incorporated pancreatic extracellular matrix (PEM) with PRP to develop a three-dimensional (3D) injectable PEM-PRP hydrogel to co-culture and transplant rat insulinoma cells (INS-1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Results from this study demonstrated that PEM-PRP hydrogel mimicked the biochemical compositions of native extracellular matrices, and possessed the enhanced elastic modulus and resistance to enzymatic degradation that enabled biomaterials to maintain its volume and slowly degrade. Additionally, PEM-PRP hydrogel could release growth factors in a sustained manner. In vitro, PEM-PRP hydrogel significantly promoted the viability, insulin-secreting function and insulin gene expression of gel encapsulated INS-1 cells. Moreover, HUVECs encapsulated in PEM-PRP hydrogel was found to constitute many lumen-like structure and exhibited high expression of proangiogenic genes. In vivo transplantation of PEM-PRP hydrogel encapsulated with INS-1 cells and HUVECs improved the viability of INS-1 cells, promoted vascularization, inhibited the host inflammatory response, and reversed hyperglycemia of diabetic rats. Our study suggests that the PEM-PRP hydrogel offers excellent biocompatibility and proangiogenic property, and may serve as an effective biomaterial platform to maintain the long-term survival and function of insulin-secreting β cells.
Thermal effect on the fecundity and longevity of Bactrocera dorsalis adults and their improved oviposition model

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a destructive polyphagous pest that causes damage to various fruit crops, and their distribution is currently expanding worldwide. Temperature is an important abiotic factor that influences insect population dynamics and distribution by affecting their survival, development, and reproduction. We examined the fecundity, pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, and longevity of adult B. dorsalis at various constant temperatures ranging from13°C to 35°C. The longevity of female B. dorsalis ranged from 116.8 days (18.8°C) to 22.4 days (34.9°C), and the maximum fecundity per female was 1,684 eggs at 28.1°C. Females were only able to lay eggs at 16.7°C to 34.9°C, and both the pre-oviposition and oviposition periods were different depending on the temperature. We modeled female reproduction in two oviposition models (OMs): 1) the current model developed by Kim and Lee, an OM composed of a fecundity model, age-specific survival model, and age-specific cumulative oviposition rate model, and 2) a two-phase OM modified the logic structure of the current model by separating pre-oviposition, so that oviposition was estimated with the female in oviposition phase who had complete pre-oviposition phase. The results of the two-phase OM provided more realistic outputs at lower and higher temperatures than those of the current model. We discussed the usefulness of the two-phase OM for the reproduction of insects with long pre-oviposition periods.
Inference of Chromosome-Length Haplotypes Using Genomic Data of Three or a Few More Single Gametes

Abstract Compared with genomic data of individual markers, haplotype data provide higher resolution for DNA variants, advancing our knowledge in genetics and evolution. Although many computational and experimental phasing methods have been developed for analyzing diploid genomes, it remains challenging to reconstruct chromosome-scale haplotypes at low cost, which constrains the utility of this valuable genetic resource. Gamete cells, the natural packaging of haploid complements, are ideal materials for phasing entire chromosomes because the majority of the haplotypic allele combinations has been preserved. Therefore, compared with the current diploid-based phasing methods, using haploid genomic data of single gametes may substantially reduce the complexity in inferring the donor’s chromosomal haplotypes. In this study, we developed the first easy-to-use R package, Hapi, for inferring chromosome-length haplotypes of individual diploid genomes with only a few gametes. Hapi outperformed other phasing methods when analyzing both simulated and real single gamete cell sequencing data sets. The results also suggested that chromosome-scale haplotypes may be inferred by using as few as three gametes, which has pushed the boundary to its possible limit. The single gamete cell sequencing technology allied with the cost-effective Hapi method will make large-scale haplotype-based genetic studies feasible and affordable, promoting the use of haplotype data in a wide range of research.
Leveraging Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement via the Electronic Health Record to Connect Patients with Cancer to Smoking Cessation Treatment

Tobacco use negatively impacts cancer treatment outcomes, yet too few providers actively support their patients in quitting. Barriers to consistently addressing tobacco use and referring to treatment include time constraints and lack of knowledge surrounding treatment options. Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) measurement is best practice in cancer care and has potential to help address these barriers to tobacco cessation treatment. This descriptive program evaluation study reports preliminary results following implementation of a novel automated PRO tobacco use screener and referral system via the electronic health record (EHR) patient portal (MyChart) that was developed and implemented as a part of a population-based tobacco treatment program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Between 25 June 2019 and 6 April 2020, 4589 unique patients completed the screener and 164 (3.6%) unique patients screened positive for recent (past month) cigarette smoking. All patients who screened positive were automatically referred to a smoking cessation treatment program integrated within the Lurie Cancer Center, and 71 (49.7%) patients engaged in treatment, as defined by completing at least one behavioral counseling session. Preliminary results indicate that the PRO/MyChart system may improve smoker identification and increase offering of treatment and, despite the “cold call” following a positive screen, may result in a treatment engagement rate that is higher than rates of treatment engagement previously documented in oncology settings. Longer term evaluation with formal statistical testing is needed before drawing conclusions regarding effectiveness, but PRO measurement via the EHR patient portal may serve a potentially important role in a multi-component approach to reaching and engaging cancer patients in comprehensive tobacco cessation treatment.
Adjunctive Daptomycin in the Treatment of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Bloodstream infections (BSI) with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study was to determine the efficacy of synergistic treatment of daptomycin when given with either cefazolin or cloxacillin for the treatment of MSSA BSI. METHODS A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed at two academic hospitals in Montreal, Canada. Patients ≥ 18 years of age with MSSA BSI receiving either cefazolin or cloxacillin monotherapy were considered for inclusion. In addition to the standard of care treatment, participants received a 5-day course of adjunctive daptomycin or placebo. The primary outcome was the duration of MSSA BSI in days. RESULTS Of 318 participants screened, 115 were enrolled and 104 were included in the intention to treat analysis (median age 67 years; 34.5% female). The median duration of bacteremia was 2.04 days among patients who received daptomycin versus 1.65 days in those who received placebo (absolute difference 0.39 days, p=0.40). A modified intention to treat analysis involving participants who remained bacteremic at the time of enrollment found a median duration of bacteremia of 3.06 days among patients who received daptomycin versus 3.0 days in those who received placebo (absolute difference 0.06 days, p=0.77). Ninety-day mortality in the daptomycin arm was 18.9% vs. 17.7% in the placebo arm (p=1.0). CONCLUSION Among patients with MSSA bloodstream infections, the administration of adjunctive daptomycin therapy to standard of care treatment did not shorten the duration of bacteremia and should not be routinely considered.
Renovation of Endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum)-Infected Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) Pastures with Herbicides

Fall, spring, or late-summer applications of glyphosate, paraquat, sethoxydim, and HOE-39866 were investigated in field trials for no-tillage renovation of endophyte fungus-infected tall fescue pastures. Only spring or late-summer applications of glyphosate at 1.68 and 2.52 kg ae ha−1 consistently provided greater than 80% visual tall fescue control. However, none of the herbicide treatments significantly reduced final percent endophyte fungus infection levels after the pasture was reestablished. High final infection levels were due to regrowth from underground rhizomes of old tall fescue sod that survived the herbicide treatments.
Fixation of Acute Chondral Fractures in Adolescent Knees

Objectives Chondral fractures are focal cartilage lesions without osseous attachment, most commonly seen in adolescent knees. They have limited capacity for intrinsic healing and traditional treatment has been removal of loose fragments. However, case reports of successful healing after fixation indicate that repair of the joint surface is possible. We wanted to evaluate the outcome in a cohort of patients who underwent fixation of acute chondral fractures in the knee. Design Patients treated with fixation of a chondral fracture in the knee at our institution were invited to participate in a follow-up study. The mechanism of injury, fragment properties and complications were registered. Patients completed KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and Lysholm questionnaires and performed a validated single leg hop test. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess healing of the defect and the quality of the cartilage. Results Ten patients with a median age at surgery of 15 years (12-17 years) and median follow-up of 5 years (2-9 years) were assessed. The lesions were located on the patella (n = 7), the trochlea (n = 2), and the lateral femoral condyle (n = 1). Median lesion size was 250 mm2 (1.9-6.0 cm2) All patients were treated within 2 months of injury (4-58 days). All patients returned to preinjury level of sports and MRI showed retained fragments that integrated well with surrounding cartilage at follow-up. Mean Lysholm score at follow-up was 90 (73-100). Conclusion Fixation of traumatic chondral-only fragments using bioabsorbable implants may result in successful healing in adolescent patients and should be considered a treatment option in acute injuries.
Growth and grazing of a large heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Noctiluca scintillans, in laboratory cultures

Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and growth/grazing characteristics of the hetero- trophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans were examined in laboratory cultures at 24°C. The C and N contents of N.scintillans per unit cell volume were 2.3 x 10~ 3 pg C unr3 and 4.1 X 10""4 pg N unr3, respectively. These values are almost two orders of magnitude lower than those reported for other protozoans such as ciliates and 'typical' heterotrophic dinoflagellates due to an extensive vacuole in the cell of N.scintillans. Among five autotrophic flagellates used as prey, species with an equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) of >10 um served as good prey for N.scintillans, but species with an ESD of <5 um did not support growth. Growth rates of N.scintillans fed Chattonella antiqua (ESD = 27 um; Raphidophyceae) or Heterosigma akashiwo (ESD = 11 um; Raphidophyceae) increased linearly with prey C concentration (PC), with lower growth thresholds of -100 ug C I"1. Grazing rates of N.scintil- lans fed C.antiqua or H.akashiwo increased linearly with PC without an obvious threshold. Carbon budget calculations for grazing and growth indicated that N.scintillans converts 'excess' C (= total prey C ingested - C necessary for the maintenance of basic metabolic activities) to body C with effi- ciencies of 0.31 and 0.17 for C.antiqua and H.akashiwo, respectively.
HAEMATOLOGICAL PICTURE OF TEDDY GOATS AS AFFECfED BY ATRIPLEX FEEDING

Twenty five Teddy goats were involved to see their haematological picture by five different feeding regimes of Sudex and Atriplcx alone and with their different porportions randomly allocated to them for a period of 90 days. Blood samples were collected after four weeks of the start of the experiment and thereafter four weeks interval respectively. The results showed that mean values for haemoglobin, erythrocyte count and packed . ccll volume (peV) were found non-significant statistically compared to control. ' Similar was the case with differential leucocyte count (DLe), neutrophils, lymphocytcs and rnonocytcs mean values. However the values of eosinophils showed significant differences on Sudex fed alone (ration I) goats than the mean values for the same parameters recorded on the other four feeding regimes (P> 0.05) but non-significant differences between the values on others feeding regimes (11, Ill, IV, and V). The values for basophils were found to be zero in all animals raised on different rations or feeding regimes.
Using Propensity Score Analysis of Survey Data to Estimate Population Average Treatment Effects: A Case Study Comparing Different Methods

Background: Many studies in psychological and educational research aim to estimate population average treatment effects (PATE) using data from large complex survey samples, and many of these studies use propensity score methods. Recent advances have investigated how to incorporate survey weights with propensity score methods. However, to this point, that work had not been well summarized, and it was not clear how much difference the different PATE estimation methods would make empirically. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to systematically summarize the appropriate use of survey weights in propensity score analysis of complex survey data and use a case study to empirically compare the PATE estimates using multiple analysis methods that include ordinary least squares regression, weighted least squares regression, and various propensity score applications. Methods: We first summarize various propensity score methods that handle survey weights. We then demonstrate the performance of various analysis methods using a nationally representative data set, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten to estimate the effects of preschool on children’s academic achievement. The correspondence of the results was evaluated using multiple criteria. Results and Conclusions: It is important for researchers to think carefully about their estimand of interest and use methods appropriate for that estimand. If interest is in drawing inferences to the survey target population, it is important to take the survey weights into account, particularly in the outcome analysis stage for estimating the PATE. The case study shows, however, not much difference among various analysis methods in one applied example.
Isolation and partial characterization of a lectin from seeds of Dioclea violacea

Dioclea violacea Martius, ex Bentham, contain a lectin that could be purified by affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-50 column. The lectin showed carbohydrate specificity for D-mannose (D-glucose)-binding, had requirement divalent metal cations (Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ ) for full activity, contained no covalently bound carbohydrate and had an aminoacid composition characterized by high contents of aspartic acid and serine. Like the other lectins so far isolated from seeds of the sub-tribe Diocleinae, the lectin showed, by PAGE-SDS three protein bands of apparent molecular masses of 11.7, 15.8 and 29.5kDa, respectively. The lectin showed immunological identity and the same N-terminal sequence as other lectins already isolated from the same sub-tribe. The lectin strongly agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes and was relatively resistant to heat treatment, retaining 50 % of its original activity even after 7.5 min at 60 o Co r 5m in at 80 o C, with an activation energy of the process of 25.04 kcal/mol.