Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pediatric gastritis and its impact on hematologic parameters

Abstract Non-invasive biomarkers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios, may predict inflammation in various disorders, including gastritis, according to recent data. Nevertheless, various studies reported an association between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and immune thrombocytopenia in both adults and pediatric patients. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of pediatric gastritis, caused or not by H pylori infection on erythrocytes, their parameters, thrombocytes, mean platelet volume, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). We performed a prospective, case–control study on 151 patients aged between 1 and 17 years who presented with chronic dyspeptic symptoms. An upper digestive endoscopy with gastric biopsies and a complete blood count was performed in each case. Control group consisted of 67 patients with normal histological findings, while the two study groups were divided into group 1—H pylori-induced gastritis (31 patients) and group 2—non-H pylori-induced gastritis (53 patients). Children from the rural area were more likely to develop both types of gastritis (P < .01). No significant difference was found between either of the study groups and control group in terms of platelets, mean platelet volume, NLR and PLR (P > .05). However, significantly higher values of lymphocytes were associated with non-H pylori-induced gastritis (P < .01). Comparison of the two study groups did not reflect any significant differences in terms of hematological parameters. When assessing these constants in relation to gastritis severity, severe gastritis led to a compelling decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Htc) levels. The comparison of parameters between severe, moderate, and mild gastritis did not reveal any significant results. Childhood and adolescent gastritis does not produce a significant effect upon platelet counts, their mean volume, PLR or NLR, according to our study. An important increase in lymphocyte count might predict non-H pylori pediatric gastritis. Moreover, severe gastritis might result in an important decrease in Hb and Htc levels.
Association of CSF orexin-A levels and nocturnal sleep stability in patients with hypersomnolence

Objective To evaluate the associations between CSF orexin-A (ORX) levels and markers of nocturnal sleep stability, assessed by polysomnography. Methods Nocturnal polysomnography data and ORX levels of 300 drug-free participants (55% men, 29.9±15.5 years, ORX level 155.1±153.7 pg/mL) with hypersomnolence were collected. Several markers of nocturnal sleep stability were analyzed: sleep and wake bouts and sleep/wake transitions. Groups were categorized according to ORX levels, in 2 categories (deficient ≤110; >110), in tertiles (≤26, 26–254, >254), and compared using logistic regression models. Results were adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. Results We found higher number of wake bouts (43 vs 25, p < 0.0001), sleep bouts (43 vs 25.5, p < 0.0001), and index of sleep bouts/hour of sleep time, but lower index of wake bouts/hour of wake time (41.4 vs 50.6, p < 0.0001), in patients with ORX deficiency. The percentage of wake bouts <30 seconds was lower (51.3% vs 60.8%, p < 0.001) and of wake bouts ≥1 minutes 30 seconds higher (7.7% vs 6.7%, p = 0.02) when ORX deficient. The percentage of sleep bouts ≤14 minutes was higher (2–5 minutes: 23.7% vs 16.1%, p < 0.0001), and of long sleep bouts lower (>32 minutes 30 seconds: 7.3% vs 18.3%, p < 0.0001), when ORX deficient. These findings were confirmed when groups were categorized according to ORX tertiles, with a dose–response effect of ORX levels in post hoc comparisons, and in adjusted models. Interpretation This study shows an association between ORX levels and nocturnal sleep stabilization in patients with hypersomnolence. Sleep and wake bouts are reliable markers of nighttime sleep stability that correlate with CSF ORX levels in a dose-dependent manner.
Burnout Syndrome in Paediatric Oncology Nurses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: To determine levels of burnout among paediatric oncology nurses, and the risk factors that may influence its development. Method: A literature review with meta-analysis was conducted, via a search in the PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, ProQuest (Health and Medical Complete), Scielo and PsycINFO databases, using the search equation: “Nurs* AND burnout AND oncology AND pediatric”. Results: The final sample of selected studies was of eight articles. All were quantitative studies of paediatric oncology nurses, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, written in English or Spanish. No search restrictions were established on the year of publication. The eight studies reported moderate–high levels of burnout in each of its three dimensions. These dimensions were all related to the characteristics of the profession, in terms of complexity, shifts and workload, and to sociodemographic variables such as marital status, work experience, age and gender. The prevalence meta-analytical estimation for a sample of n = 361 nurses were 37% for high emotional exhaustion, 16% for high depersonalisation and 27% for low personal fulfilment. Conclusions: Most paediatric oncology nurses present moderate–high levels of burnout. Therefore, strategies and interventions should be identified and implemented to protect these workers from the syndrome.
Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis

Simple Summary Farm animal welfare is a complex issue linking several academic disciplines, including animal science, veterinary, psychology, sociology, and agricultural economics. Farmers are one of the key contributors for the successful implementation of improved animal welfare standards. This review presents findings from the last 30 years into the factors that influence farmers’ views on farm animal welfare. Using findings from single and multidisciplinary studies, this review highlights the factors that influence the farmers’ views of animal welfare. Overall this literature review aimed to ask two main questions “what do farmers think (farmer’s general view) about farm animal welfare? ” and “what are the factors that influence their thinking? ”. This review demonstrates that a deeper understanding of how farmers view and value animal welfare can lead to more effective development of collaborative knowledge transfer, policies, and management initiatives directed at maintaining healthy animals. This work may serve as a checklist to implement further studies on stakeholder perspectives on animal welfare. It also provides recommendations on technical approaches and strategies to improve best practice on farm animal welfare. Abstract Farm animal welfare (FAW) is a growing societal concern, reflected by over 30 years of research to inform policy and practice. Despite the wealth of evidence to improve FAW, implementation of good practice continues to be an issue. The role of the stakeholder, particularly farmers, is pivotal to FAW improvement. This semi-systematic review synthesizes the evidence published in the last 30 years, worldwide, to address two main questions “what do farmers think (farmer’s general view) about farm animal welfare? ” and “what are the factors that influence their thinking? ”. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influenced the implementation of FAW innovation. The main outcomes extracted from 96 peer-reviewed publications on a range of livestock species identified 11 internal factors including farmer knowledge, empathy, personality, values, and human-animal bond; 15 external factors including economic advantages, communication, time and labor influenced the perception of FAW. Farmers’ knowledge and cost implications of FAW were the most frequently reported factors. The review further highlights the need for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder participation. This study suggests strategies to improve FAW, including tools to support behavioral changes amongst farmers.
The CXCR4-Dependent LASP1-Ago2 Interaction in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Simple Summary CXCR4 is critically involved in triple-negative breast cancer metastasis. LASP1 was previously found to be necessary for CXCR4-dependent tumor cell invasion. Here we aimed to understand how LASP1 can have such a powerful role this process that is critical to metastasis. We found Ago2, a master regulator protein, to associate with LASP1 in response to CXCR4 activity. Furthermore, we found that this association was responsible for affecting the expression of proteins regulated by Ago2. Abstract The CXCR4-LASP1 axis is an emerging target in the field of breast cancer metastasis. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) mediates directed cell migration when activated by its cognate ligand CXCL12. LIM and SH3 Protein 1 (LASP1) is a critical node in the CXCR4 signaling pathway, as its deficiency blocks CXCR4-dependent Matrigel invasion. The mechanism by which LASP1 facilitates this invasive ability of tumor cells when CXCR4 is activated is unknown. Our previous proteomics work had revealed several components of the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery as being potential LASP1 interacting proteins. Here we report that argonaute 2 (Ago2), a protein with central involvement in RNAi, associates with LASP1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. We demonstrate that LASP1 co-immunoprecipitates with Ago2 endogenously in a CXCL12-dependent manner, with further confirmation of this interaction by proximity ligation assay. Furthermore, this association is specific to CXCR4 as it can be abrogated by the CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3465. By GST-pulldown approach, we identify that LASP1 directly binds to Ago2 through its LIM and SH3 domains, and that this binding is dictated by the S146 and Y171 phosphorylation sites of LASP1. Additionally, the phosphorylation status of LASP1 affected tumor suppressor microRNA (miRNA) Let-7a-guided Ago2 activity. Levels of several endogenous targets of Let-7a were found to be altered including C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7), which is another critical chemokine receptor involved in metastasis to lymph nodes. Our results suggest a novel role for the LASP1-Ago2 module in shaping the RNAi landscape, functionally impacting the invasive ability of cancer cells.
The human mitochondrial enzyme BCO2 exhibits catalytic activity toward carotenoids and apocarotenoids

The enzyme β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) converts carotenoids into more polar metabolites. Studies in mammals, fish, and birds revealed that BCO2 controls carotenoid homeostasis and is involved in the pathway for vitamin A production. However, it is controversial whether BCO2 function is conserved in humans, because of a 4-amino acid long insertion caused by a splice acceptor site polymorphism. We here show that human BCO2 splice variants, BCO2a and BCO2b, are expressed as pre-proteins with mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS). The MTS of BCO2a directed a green fluorescent reporter protein to the mitochondria when expressed in ARPE-19 cells. Removal of the MTS increased solubility of BCO2a when expressed in Escherichia coli and rendered the recombinant protein enzymatically active. The expression of the enzymatically active recombinant human BCO2a was further improved by codon optimization and its fusion with maltose-binding protein. Introduction of the 4-amino acid insertion into mouse Bco2 did not impede the chimeric enzyme's catalytic proficiency. We further showed that the chimeric BCO2 displayed broad substrate specificity and converted carotenoids into two ionones and a central C14-apocarotendial by oxidative cleavage reactions at C9,C10 and C9',C10'. Thus, our study demonstrates that human BCO2 is a catalytically competent enzyme. Consequently, information on BCO2 becomes broadly applicable in human biology with important implications for the physiology of the eyes and other tissues.
Effects of climatic factors on fat and total protein contents in cottonseeds

To screen out the key climatic factors determinating fat and total protein contents in cottonseeds,field experiments were conducted in the Yellow-Huai River Basin(Xuzhou and Anyang)and the lower reaches of Yangtze River Basin(Huaiyin and Nanjing)in 2005.Cotton cultivars of Kemian 1 and NuCOTN 33B were selected.Contents of fat or total protein in cottonseeds differed significantly between samples from different regions,and between flowering dates.The flowering dates,to get the highest cottonseed fat and total protein contents,were later in the Yellow-Huai River Basin than the lower reaches of Yangtze River Basin.Contents of fat and total protein significantly negatively correlated to the mean diurnal temperature difference over boll maturation period(P0.01),and significantly positively correlated to mean daily air temperature(P0.01),mean daily maximum air temperature(P0.05),mean daily minimum air temperature(P0.01)and mean daily ground temperature(P0.01)over boll maturation period.According to the direct path analysis and stepwise regression analysis,the mean daily minimum temperature over boll maturation period was found the fundamental climatic factor.The relationship between the cottonseed fat and total protein contents and the mean daily minimum temperature well agreed with the third-polynomial regression,with determination coefficients between 0.75 and 0.9. Daily minimum temperature of 22-23 ℃ was optimum for the fat and total protein accumulation in cottonseed,and the fat accumulation would be restrained at the daily minimum temperature lower than 15℃.
Proper cytoskeleton α‐tubulin distribution is concomitant to tyrosine phosphorylation during in vitro capacitation and acrosomal reaction in human spermatozoa

Spermatozoa motility is a key parameter during the fertilization process. In this context, spermatozoa tyrosine protein phosphorylation and an appropriate cytoskeleton α‐tubulin distribution are some of the most important physiological events involved in motility. However, the relationship between these two biomarkers remains poorly defined. Here, we characterized simultaneously by immunocytochemistry the α‐tubulin (TUBA4A) distribution and the tyrosine phosphorylation at flagellum before capacitation, during different capacitation times (1 and 4 hr), and after acrosome reaction induction in human spermatozoa. We found that the absence of spermatozoa phosphorylation in tyrosine residues positively and significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the terminal piece α‐tubulin flagellar distribution in all physiological conditions. Conversely, we observed a positive significant correlation (p < 0.01) between phosphorylated spermatozoa and continuous α‐tubulin distribution in spermatozoa flagellum, independently of the physiological condition. Similarly, the subpopulation of spermatozoa with tyrosine phosphorylated and continuous α‐tubulin increases with longer capacitation times and after the acrosome reaction induction. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the post‐transcriptional physiological events associated to α‐tubulin and the tyrosine phosphorylation during fertilization, which present potential implications for the improvement of spermatozoa selection methods.
Gender differences in multi-employee gift exchange with self-reported contributions

Gender-wage gaps are an important phenomenon on labor markets. They can possibly be caused by the institutional framework. This question is addressed in this paper. When only joint output can be observed in team production, individuals may submit self-reports of their contribution to a principal. In a multi-employee gift exchange experiment, we study how men and women behave differently with and without such self-reports. We cannot reject that self-reports left the overall efficiency of the gift exchange interaction unchanged, but detect notable gender differences. Women reported similar effort levels as men, but contributed significantly less. The difference in contributions led to a significant gender gap in wages, depending on gender group composition. These effects were only present when participants did not know each other’s gender, however. When instead gender was observable, the behavior of men and women converged. The results suggest that parts of wage gaps may be related to different behavior within incomplete contract and imperfect information environments, depending on details of the informational context.
An Absence of Epstein–Barr Virus Reactivation and Associations with Disease Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis Undergoing Therapeutic Hookworm Vaccination

Background: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is strongly associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Helminth infection can downregulate antiviral immune responses, potentially protecting against MS, but with a theoretical risk for reactivating latent EBV infection. Objective: To investigate parameters of EBV infection and their relationship with disease activity in people with MS (PwMS) therapeutically vaccinated with Necator americanus (hookworm). Methods: Sequential serum samples from 51 PwMS; 26 therapeutically infected (25 larvae) with N. americanus and 25 controls were tested for EBV virus capsid antigen (VCA) IgG and IgM, EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) IgG, and EBV early antigen (EA) IgG. Disease activity was assessed by periodic MRI. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: All PwMS were EBV VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG positive, and 35.2% were EBV EA IgG positive. EBV antibody levels were generally stable, and EBV reactivation in PwMS was not demonstrated by significant increases in IgG titre over 12 months. Disease activity was most frequent in PwMS possessing high levels of EBV VCA IgG (>600 units/mL) or EBNA-1 IgG (>150 units/mL); however, there was no association with hookworm treatment. Interpretation: Therapeutic hookworm vaccination was not associated with EBV reactivation. Multiple sclerosis disease activity was associated with high levels of EBV VCA IgG or EBNA-1 IgG.
Melt Electrowritten In Vitro Radial Device to Study Cell Growth and Migration

The development of in vitro assays for 3D microenvironments is essential for understanding cell migration processes. A 3D‐printed in vitro competitive radial device is developed to identify preferred Matrigel concentration for glioblastoma migration. Melt electrowriting (MEW) is used to fabricate the structural device with defined and intricate radial structures that are filled with Matrigel. Controlling the printing path is necessary to account for the distance lag in the molten jet, the applied electric field, and the continuous direct‐writing nature of MEW. Circular printing below a diameter threshold results in substantial inward tilting of the MEW fiber wall. An eight‐chamber radial device with a diameter of 9.4 mm is printed. Four different concentrations of Matrigel are dispensed into the radial chambers. Glioblastoma cells are seeded into the center and grow into all chambers within 8 days. The cell spreading area demonstrates that 6 and 8 mg mL−1 of Matrigel are preferred over 2 and 4 mg mL−1. Furthermore, topographical cues via the MEW fiber wall are observed to promote migration even further away from the cell seeding depot. Previous studies implement MEW to fabricate cell invasive scaffolds whereas here it is applied to 3D‐print in vitro tools to study cell migration.
Future winters present a complex energetic landscape of decreased costs and reduced risk for a freeze‐tolerant amphibian, the Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

Winter climate warming is rapidly leading to changes in snow depth and soil temperatures across mid‐ and high‐latitude ecosystems, with important implications for survival and distribution of species that overwinter beneath the snow. Amphibians are a particularly vulnerable group to winter climate change because of the tight coupling between their body temperature and metabolic rate. Here, we used a mechanistic microclimate model coupled to an animal biophysics model to predict the spatially explicit effects of future climate change on the wintering energetics of a freeze‐tolerant amphibian, the Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), across its distributional range in the eastern United States. Our below‐the‐snow microclimate simulations were driven by dynamically downscaled climate projections from a regional climate model coupled to a one‐dimensional model of the Laurentian Great Lakes. We found that warming soil temperatures and decreasing winter length have opposing effects on Wood Frog winter energy requirements, leading to geographically heterogeneous implications for Wood Frogs. While energy expenditures and peak body ice content were predicted to decline in Wood Frogs across most of our study region, we identified an area of heightened energetic risk in the northwestern part of the Great Lakes region where energy requirements were predicted to increase. Because Wood Frogs rely on body stores acquired in fall to fuel winter survival and spring breeding, increased winter energy requirements have the potential to impact local survival and reproduction. Given the geographically variable and intertwined drivers of future under‐snow conditions (e.g., declining snow depths, rising air temperatures, shortening winters), spatially explicit assessments of species energetics and risk will be important to understanding the vulnerability of subnivium‐adapted species.
Increasing Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar in Bulgaria

Simple Summary Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a lesser-known hepatitis virus, but its worldwide spread is undisputed and has increased in recent years. The zoonotic spread of HEV, mainly due to genotype (gt) 3, emerged in developed countries in the past decade. In addition, transmission via contaminated meat from pigs and boars was also established. Detailed analysis of viral dynamics and distribution is needed in order to identify associated risk factors. The aim of the current study is to present new and additional data on the HEV distribution among pigs, and for the first-time, also among the wild boar population in Bulgaria. Abstract (1) Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis, predominantly transmitted by the fecal–oral route. In developed countries, HEV is considered to be an emerging pathogen since the number of autochthonous cases is rising. Hepatitis E is a viral disease with a proven zoonotic potential for some of its genotypes. The main viral reservoirs are domestic pigs and wild boar. Consumption of undercooked meat, as well as occupational exposure, are key factors for the spread of HEV. In order to evaluate the risks of future viral evolution, a detailed examination of the ecology and distribution of the virus is needed. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG Ab in domestic pigs and wild boar in Bulgaria; (2) Methods: In this study, during the period of three years between 2017 and 2019, 433 serum samples from 19 different pig farms and 1 slaughterhouse were collected and analyzed. In addition, 32 samples from wild boar were also collected and analyzed during the 2018–2019 hunting season. All samples were analyzed by commercial indirect ELISA; (3) Results: Overall, HEV seroprevalence was 60% (95% CI 42.7–77.1) in domestic pigs and 12.5% (4/32) in wild boar. The observed seroprevalence of the slaughter-aged pigs was 73.65% (95% Cl 58.7–87.3). Prevalence in domestic pigs was significantly higher in the samples collected during 2019 (98% (95% Cl 96.1–99.9)) compared to those collected during 2017 (45.33% (95% CI 2.7–87.3)) and 2018 (38.46% (95% CI 29.1–49.7.); (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that domesticated pigs and wild boar might be the reason for the increased HEV transmission across Bulgaria. The genotypic characterization of HEV found in pigs, wild boar and humans will give a more accurate view of the zoonotic transmission of this virus.