Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution and numbers of wintering sea ducks in Swedish offshore Waters.

The first survey of seaducks covering the offshore watersof the entire Baltic was undertaken in 1992/1993, when,however, the Swedish waters were covered with relativelyfew ship surveys. The second all Baltic survey 2007–2011included extensive aerial surveys of all Swedish offshorewaters. This paper presents the Swedish data from thesetwo surveys, supplemented with data from several other butpartial surveys back to the early 1970s. The most numerouswintering seaduck in the Swedish waters was the LongtailedDuck Clangula hyemalis with an estimated populationof 1.41 million in 1992/1993, decreasing with 69% to0.44 million in 2007–2009. Hoburg bank south of Gotlandand the two Midsjo banks accounted for the vast majorityof these ducks. In 2009–2011 only small numbers of scotersMelanitta fusca and M. nigra were found in Swedish Balticwaters. The totals for the Eider Somateria molissima andRed-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator were estimated at20 000 and 8000, respectively. Larger numbers of Eiders (50000) and scoters (20 000) were found on the west coast. (Less)
Validation and refinement of the “Airman Comprehensive Assessment”: Evaluating competency proficiencies of enlisted members

ABSTRACT Beyond proficiency on occupationally specific tasks, the U.S. Air Force expects members to develop proficiency on institutionally valued “soft skill” competencies (e.g., Teamwork, Communication, and Initiative) throughout their careers. As such, all E1-E6 members are annually evaluated using Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS) designed to measure such competencies. Despite mandated use, these Airman Comprehensive Assessment (ACA) scales previously have not been empirically evaluated. To address this gap, we surveyed Air Force supervisors, using a criterion-related sampling methodology to validate the behavioral anchors for each scale. Supervisors identified two subordinates of the same rank/career field who they viewed as having (a) high potential for future success in an Air Force career or, alternately, (b) lower potential for future career success and rated each subordinate on the individual behaviors that comprise the 12 scales. ACA items were intermixed with scale items previously identified as distinguishing top performers in civilian organizations. Results demonstrate scale reliability and generally validate the ACA competency scales as stronger differentiators of supervisor-rated career potential than competency scales developed for civilian organizations. We provide recommendations for re-calibration of scale anchors based on the relative percentage of high vs. low potential members that demonstrate each behavior, and suggest changes to improve correspondence between measured competency proficiency and supervisor-rated career potential.
EXERCISE- AND EDUCATION-BASED PREHABILITATION BEFORE TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY: A PILOT STUDY

Objective To determine the feasibility and estimates of effects of a supervised exercise- and education-based prehabilitation programme aiming to improve knee functioning compared with usual care in patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty. Design A randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects Patients receiving primary, unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Methods Patients randomized to the intervention group participated in a personalized 4–8-week prehabilitation programme before surgery. Feasibility of the intervention and self-reported knee functioning, pain, physical performance and hospital stay were assessed at baseline, immediately preoperatively, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Results Twenty patients (mean age 72.7±5.95 years) were enrolled in this study. The personalized prehabilitation programme was found to be feasible and safe, with an exercise adherence of 90%. Significant medium interaction effects between groups and over time favouring prehabilitation were reported for the sport subscale of the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (F(3/54) = 2.895, p = 0.043, η² = 0.139) and Tegner Activity Scale (F(2.2/39.1) = 3.20, p = 0.048, η² = 0.151). Conclusion The absence of adverse events and high adherence to the programme, coupled with beneficial changes shown in the intervention group, support the conduct of a full-scale trial investigating the effectiveness of prehabilitation. LAY ABSTRACT Physical and mental preparation before major surgery, known as prehabilitation, can reduce the risk factors for prolonged recovery time and allow a faster return to daily activities. This pilot study investigated whether a personalized programme based on exercise and education over a period of 4–8 weeks is acceptable and tolerable for patients with severe knee osteoarthritis who are scheduled for total knee replacement surgery. This study also investigated how this additional stage of the patient journey fits into existing clinical routines and how it affects pain and physical activities. The results show that this programme is safe and well accepted by patients, and that it can enable a return to more demanding physical activities after total knee arthroplasty compared with usual care. It is important to inform and educate patients early about the potential benefits of preoperative preparation to ensure high participation rates and sustainable implementation into clinical practice.
Cardiac radiotherapy transiently alters left ventricular electrical properties and induces cardiomyocyte-specific ventricular substrate changes in heart failure

Abstract Aims Ongoing clinical trials investigate the therapeutic value of stereotactic cardiac radioablation (cRA) in heart failure patients with ventricular tachycardia. Animal data indicate an effect on local cardiac conduction properties. However, the exact mechanism of cRA in patients remains elusive. Aim of the current study was to investigate in vivo and in vitro myocardial properties in heart failure and ventricular tachycardia upon cRA. Methods and results High-density 3D electroanatomic mapping in sinus rhythm was performed in a patient with a left ventricular assist device and repeated ventricular tachycardia episodes upon several catheter-based endocardial radio-frequency ablation attempts. Subsequent to electroanatomic mapping and cRA of the left ventricular septum, two additional high-density electroanatomic maps were obtained at 2- and 4-month post-cRA. Myocardial tissue samples were collected from the left ventricular septum during 4-month post-cRA from the irradiated and borderzone regions. In addition, we performed molecular biology and mitochondrial density measurements of tissue and isolated cardiomyocytes. Local voltage was altered in the irradiated region of the left ventricular septum during follow-up. No change of local voltage was observed in the control (i.e. borderzone) region upon irradiation. Interestingly, local activation time was significantly shortened upon irradiation (2-month post-cRA), a process that was reversible (4-month post-cRA). Molecular biology unveiled an increased expression of voltage-dependent sodium channels in the irradiated region as compared with the borderzone, while Connexin43 and transforming growth factor beta were unchanged (4-month post-cRA). Moreover, mitochondrial density was decreased in the irradiated region as compared with the borderzone. Conclusion Our study supports the notion of transiently altered cardiac conduction potentially related to structural and functional cellular changes as an underlying mechanism of cRA in patients with ventricular tachycardia.
Development and validation of a French version of the morningness-eveningness questionnaire

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to validate a French version (FMEQ) of the morningness–eveningness questionnaire (MEQ). Study 1 consisted of a translation by experts and an evaluation. The FMEQ and MEQ were proposed to 19 bilingual participants (age = 38.7 ± 13.7 years). Strong correlations between MEQ and FMEQ were obtained for most items. Study 2 tested the factorial structure and reliability of the FMEQ on a sample of 187 participants (20.46 ± 1.31 years). The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model had a good fit (χ2/df = 1.8; SRMR = 0.057) and a good reliability (Cronbach’s alphas = 0.8). Concerning the temporal stability (20 participants: 20.48 ± 1.04 years), the Pearson r correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability was 0.87 (p < 0.001). Study 3 examined the predictive validity with 42 participants (19.52 ± 2.08 years). The global score of the FMEQ was significantly correlated with the time of peak temperature, wake-up time and bedtime. We did not observe superiority of a three-factors solution of the FMEQ. From now on, French subjects chronotype could be rigorously scored, and results from MEQ and FMEQ could be compared.
Supplementation of L-glutamine enhanced mucosal immunity and improved hormonal status of combat-sport athletes

ABSTRACT Background Maintaining proper immune function and hormone status is important for athletes to avoid upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and insufficient recovery, which is detrimental to sport performance and health. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether three-week supplementation of L-glutamine could benefit the mucosal immunity and hormonal status of combat-sport athletes as well as their rates of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and subjective feelings of well-being after intensive training. Methods Twenty-one combat-sport athletes from the National Taiwan University of Sport were recruited in this study. After intensive training, two groups of the participants were asked to consume powder form of 0.3 g/kg body weight of L-glutamine (GLU group) or maltodextrin (PLA group) with drinking water in a randomized design at the same time every day during 3 weeks. Saliva samples were collected to measure immunoglobulin A (IgA), nitric oxide (NO), testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) before and after three-week supplementation; moreover, Hooper’s index questionnaires were completed for wellness assessment. The incidence and duration of URTI were recorded by using a health checklist throughout the entire study period. Results Supplementation of L-glutamine significantly enhanced the concentrations of IgA and NO in saliva; additionally, the incidence of URTI was significantly reduced. Regarding hormones, T concentration was significantly decreased in the PLA group, whereas C concentration was significantly increased, resulting in a significant decrease of T/C ratio. In contrast, the GLU group showed a significant increase of T/C ratio, while the mood scores of the Hooper’s index questionnaire were higher in the PLA group. Conclusions Three-week supplementation of L-glutamine after intensive training enhanced the mucosal immunity, improved hormonal status and reduced the rate of URTI of combat-sport athletes while feelings of well-being were also enhanced. Therefore, L-glutamine would be beneficial for the sports performance and recovery of athletes.
Barian phillipsite and strontian chabazite from the Plateau des Coirons, Ardèche, France

La wellsite et la chabazite strontique sont decrites pour la premiere fois en France, dans des vacuoles de roches basaltiques du Plateau des Coirons (Ardeche). Les parametres de maille sont donnes et les analyses a la microsonde electronique conduisent aux formules structurales suivantes : (Ca1.51 Na0.24 K0.95 Ba0.50) AI5.03 Si11.14 O32, pour la wellsite de Rochessauve et (Ca1.16 Na0.18 K0.90 Sr0.77) Al4.58 Si7.68 O24, pour la chabazite strontique. La teneur en strontium dans la chabazite est l'une des plus elevees connues ; elle est liee a des teneurs elevees en aluminium et en potassium. ; L'origine du strontium est locale : cet element est libere lors de l'alteration des plagioclases basaltiques. Celle du baryum est expliquee par le lessivage d'un socle voisin et un transport par les eaux superficielles.
CPSF3 inhibition blocks pancreatic cancer cell proliferation through disruption of core histone mRNA processing

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with limited effective treatment options, potentiating the importance of uncovering novel drug targets. Here, we target cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 3 (CPSF3), the 3′ endonuclease that catalyzes mRNA cleavage during polyadenylation and histone mRNA processing. We find that CPSF3 is highly expressed in PDAC and is associated with poor prognosis. CPSF3 knockdown blocks PDAC cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Chemical inhibition of CPSF3 by the small molecule JTE-607 also attenuates PDAC cell proliferation and colony formation, while it has no effect on cell proliferation of nontransformed immortalized control pancreatic cells. Mechanistically, JTE-607 induces transcriptional readthrough in replication-dependent histones, reduces core histone expression, destabilizes chromatin structure, and arrests cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle. Therefore, CPSF3 represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PDAC.
The Factors Predicting Physical Activity Among Vietnamese with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Hanoi, Viet Nam

This cross-sectional analytic study aimed to explore the level of physical activity, and to predict personal characteristics, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and perceived self-efficacy on the physical activity of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The study was based on the Health Belief Model1 and the findings of a literature review. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select one district hospital in an urban area and the other district hospital in a rural area of Hanoi, Viet Nam. The data was collected from 110 participants in an urban area and 136 participants in a rural area using self-report questionnaires. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the mean score of physical activity was 2062.20 MET (Metabolic equivalent)-minutes per week (SD = 1168.45, range 0.00 – 5520.00), and it revealed that 11.4% of participants didn’t have enough physical activity. It also indicated that only four variables (occupation of labor, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived self-efficacy) were significant predictors of physical activity. These variables accounted for about 20% (R2 = .20, p < .05) of the variability in physical activity. Because too few studies of these factors were conducted in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Viet Nam, further research in this field is necessary to determine if the findings of this study are consistent in this population. This study contributes scientific evidence of predictors of physical activity that can provide the basis for generating effective interventions to increase physical activity in Vietnamese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, to control blood glucose, and to enable them to maintain their health.
Laparoscopic Living donor liver transplantation in irresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in primary sclerosing cholangitis associated liver cirrhosis

Abstract Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common primary liver tumor and usually associated with a poor oncological prognosis. The current gold standard is the surgical resection of the tumor with subsequent adjuvant therapy. However, in case of irresectability e.g. in case of liver cirrhosis, a palliative treatment regime is conducted. This report demonstrates the case of an irresectable iCCA in liver cirrhosis due to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) treated by living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) facilitated by minimal invasive donor hepatectomy. No postoperative complications were observed in the donor and the donor was released on the 6 th postoperative day. Further, after a follow-up of 1.5 years, no disease recurrence was detected in the recipient. According to the recent international literature, liver transplantation can be evaluated in case of small solitary iCCA (< 3 cm) in cirrhosis. Less evidence is provided for transplantation in advanced tumors which are surgically not resectable due to advanced liver disease or infiltration of major vessels, however some reports display adequate long-term survival after strict patient selection. The selection criteria comprise the absence of distant metastases and locoregional lymph node metastases as well as partial remission or stable disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Due to no established graft allocation for iCCA in Germany, LDLT is currently the best option to realize transplantation in these patients. Developments in the last decade indicate that LDLT should preferentially be performed in minimal invasive manner (laparoscopic or robotic) as this approach is associated with less overall complications and a shorter hospitalization. The presented case illustrates the possibilities of modern surgery and the introduction of transplant oncology in the modern therapy of patients combining systemic therapy, surgical resection and transplantation to achieve optimal long-term results in patients which were initially indicated for palliative treatment.
Impact of RANK overexpression on mammary stem cell fate, alveolar cell differentiation and tumorigenesis

Este proyecto de tesis se ha centrado en el papel de la via RANK Y RANKL, que ha emergido durante los ultimos anos como una via crucial en el desarrollo de la glandula mamaria y cancer de mama. La delacion genica de RANK o su sobreexposicion en la glandula mamaria dirigida por el promotor viral MMTV inhibe la diferenciacion alveolar durante la gestacion y la fase de lactancia. Se ha demostrado que el RANKL actua como mediador de los efectos proliferativos de la progesterona en la glandula mamaria. Ademas, la inhibicion farmacologica del RANK previene la formacion de tumores de mama de ratones silvestres (wild-type, WT) tratados con un protocolo carcigenico que incluye el mutageno dimeethylbenz antreceno (DMBA), y un analogo de progesterona (Medroxiprogesterona).
A Palaeogene stem crotaphytid (Aciprion formosum) and the phylogenetic affinities of early fossil pleurodontan iguanians

Pleurodonta is an ancient, diverse clade of iguanian lizard distributed primarily in the Western Hemisphere. Although the clade is a frequent subject of systematic research, phylogenetic resolution among the major pleurodontan clades is elusive. That uncertainty has complicated the interpretations of many fossil pleurodontans. I describe a fossil skull of a pleurodontan lizard from the Palaeogene of Wyoming that was previously allocated to the puzzling taxon Aciprion formosum, and provide an updated morphological matrix for iguanian lizards. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference demonstrate that the fossil skull is the oldest and first definitive stem member of Crotaphytidae (collared and leopard lizards), establishing the presence of that clade in North America during the Palaeogene. I also discuss new or revised hypotheses for the relationships of several early pleurodontans. In particular, I examine potential evidence for crown-Pleurodonta in the Cretaceous of Mongolia (Polrussia), stem Pleurodonta in the Cretaceous of North America (Magnuviator) and a stem anole in the Eocene of North America (Afairiguana). I suggest that the placement of the fossil crotaphytid is stable to the uncertain phylogeny of Pleurodonta, but recognize the dynamic nature of fossil diagnosis and the potential for updated systematic hypotheses for the other fossils analysed here.
Assessment of DNA extraction methods for human gut mycobiome analysis

The gut mycobiome plays an important role in the health and disease of the human gut, but its exact function is still under investigation. While there is a wealth of information available on the bacterial community of the human gut microbiome, research on the fungal community is still relatively limited. In particular, technical methodologies for mycobiome analysis, especially the DNA extraction method for human faecal samples, varied in different studies. In the current study, two commercial kits commonly used in DNA extraction, the QIAamp® Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit and DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit, and one manual method, the International Human Microbiome Standards Protocol Q, were compared. Furthermore, the effectiveness of two different bead-beating machines, the Mini-Beadbeater-16 and FastPrep-24TM 5G, was compared in parallel. A mock fungal community with a known composition of fungal strains was also generated and included to compare different DNA extraction methods. Our results suggested that the method using the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit and Mini-Beadbeater-16 provides the best results to extract DNA from human faecal samples. Based on our data, we propose a standard operating procedure for DNA extraction from human faecal samples for mycobiome analysis.
Functional performance of a bi-layered chitosan-nano-hydroxyapatite osteochondral scaffold: a pre-clinical in vitro tribological study

Osteochondral grafts are used for repair of focal osteochondral lesions. Autologous grafts are the gold standard treatment; however, limited graft availability and donor site morbidity restrict use. Therefore, there is a clinical need for different graft sources/materials which replicate natural cartilage function. Chitosan has been proposed for this application. The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanics and biotribology of a bioresorbable chitosan/chitosan-nano-hydroxyapatite osteochondral construct (OCC), implanted in an in vitro porcine knee experimental simulation model. The OCC implanted in different surgical positions (flush, proud and inverted) was compared to predicate grafts in current clinical use and a positive control consisting of a stainless steel graft implanted proud of the cartilage surface. After 3 h (10 800 cycles) wear simulation under a walking gait, subsidence occurred in all OCC samples irrespective of surgical positioning, but with no apparent loss of material and low meniscus wear. Half the predicate grafts exhibited delamination and scratching of the cartilage surfaces. No graft subsidence occurred in the positive controls but wear and deformation of the meniscus were apparent. Implanting a new chitosan-based OCC either optimally (flush), inverted or proud of the cartilage surface resulted in minimal wear, damage and deformation of the meniscus.
Role of diet in prevention versus treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Diet is a modifiable risk factor for disease course and data over the past decade have emerged to indicate its role in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). However, literature is riddled with misinterpretation of data, often leading to unexpected or conflicting results. The key understanding is that causative factors in disease development do not always proceed to an opportunity to change disease course, once established. Here, we discuss the data on dietary influences in three distinct disease states for CD and UC—predisease, active disease and quiescent disease. We appraise the literature for how our dietary recommendations should be shaped to prevent disease development and if or how that differs for CD and UC induction therapy and maintenance therapy. In UC, principles of healthy eating are likely to play a role in all states of disease. Conversely, data linking dietary factors to CD prevention and treatment are paradoxical with the highest quality evidence for CD treatment being exclusive enteral nutrition, a lactose, gluten and fibre-free diet comprising solely of ultraprocessed food—all dietary factors that are not associated or inversely associated with CD prevention. High-quality evidence from dietary trials is much awaited to expand our understanding and ultimately lead our dietary recommendations for targeted patient populations.