Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to stick the landing: kangaroo rats use their tails to reorient during evasive jumps away from predators.

Tails are widespread in the animal world and play important roles in locomotor tasks, such as propulsion, maneuvering, stability, and manipulation of objects. Kangaroo rats, bipedal hopping rodents, use their tail for balancing during hopping, but the role of their tail during the vertical evasive escape jumps they perform when attacked by predators has yet to be determined. Because we observed kangaroo rats swinging their tails around their bodies while airborne following escape jumps, we hypothesized that kangaroo rats use their tails to not only stabilize their bodies while airborne, but also to perform aerial re-orientations. We collected video data from free-ranging desert kangaroo rats (D. deserti) performing escape jumps in response to a simulated predator attack and analyzed the rotation of their bodies and tails in the yaw plane (about the vertical-axis). Kangaroo rat escape responses were highly variable. The magnitude of body re-orientation in yaw was independent of jump height, jump distance, and aerial time. Kangaroo rats exhibited a stepwise re-orientation while airborne, in which slower turning periods corresponded with the tail center of mass being aligned close to the vertical rotation axis of the body. To examine the effect of tail motion on body reorientation during a jump, we compared average rate of change in angular momentum. Rate of change in tail angular momentum was nearly proportional to that of the body, indicating that the tail reorients the body in the yaw plane during aerial escape leaps by kangaroo rats. Although kangaroo rats make dynamic 3D movements during their escape leaps, our data suggests that kangaroo rats use their tails to control orientation in the yaw plane. Additionally, we show that kangaroo rats rarely use their tail length at full potential in yaw, suggesting the importance of tail movement through multiple planes simultaneously.
Quality and safety assessment of sun dried meat product (kundi) from Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract This study was carried out to assess the quality and safety assessment of sun dried meat product (kundi) from markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Sun dried meat (kundi) (50) samples were collected from ten major markets in Ibadan. The samples were analyzed for the proximate composition, rancidity indices and the presence of aflatoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins. The results revealed that the mean moisture, protein, fat, crude fiber, ash and carbohydrate contents (%) of fried fish samples ranged from 10.23 ± 0.11 to 12.63 ± 0.16, 61.98 ± 1.10 to 64.47 ± 1.68, 9.76 ± 0.10 to 12.27 ± 0.17, 0.92 ± 0.04 to 1.37 ± 0.09, 0.98 ± 0.02 to 1.76 ± 0.09 and 10.24 ± 0.12 to 13.94 ± 0.17 respectively. The values of PV (meq peroxide/kg), FFA (%), TBA (mg Mol/kg), TVB-N (mg N/kg) and trimethylamine value (mg N/kg) and were in the range of 17.23 ± 0.20–19.94 ± 0.33, 2.91 ± 0.13–3.90 ± 0.20, 2.07 ± 0.11–2.96 ± 0.19, 15.97 ± 0.21–18.74 ± 0.30 and 1.93 ± 0.10–2.91 ± 0.19. A total of nine fungal strains including: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergilus tamarri, Fusarium compacticum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sacchari, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinin and Penicillium oxalicum were isolated from the samples. All the samples were contaminated with aflatoxin and majority were contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). The total aflatoxin and DON in the samples ranged from 1.39 ± 0.07 to 3.66 ± 0.18 ppb and 0.06 ± 0.02 to 0.39 ± 0.10 ppm. The levels of mycotoxins contamination were within the maximum permissible level of 20 ppb set for aflatoxin by USFDA. The presence of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin levels in the sun-dried meat (kundi) samples is of public health concern and proper attention is needed for the control of quality, adequate preservation and storage of the product before sales and consumption to prevent food poisoning.
Depression and its determinants among adolescents in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia

Objectives To determine the prevalence and socio-demographic and parental-related factors of depression among school adolescents in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey, 546 school adolescents were screened for depression using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) from five randomly selected public and private schools. Oslo social support scale, adverse childhood experience tool, and socio-demographic questionnaire were used to gather data on risk factors. Linear regression analysis was used, and unstandardized beta (β) coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported to declare statistical significance. Results A total of 546 adolescents participated in the study, with a response rate of 97.3%. The mean (±SD) age of participants was 16.8 ± 1.3 years. The majority (81%) of the adolescents were attending day classes at public schools. The prevalence of depression was found to be 28% using the patient health questionnaire. Based on the PHQ-9 depression severity scale, 18.5% and 8.2% of the adolescent had moderate and moderate to severe depression while 1.3% had severe depression. In the final multivariate linear regression analysis, it was found that sex, rural residence, low social support, being in higher grade level, and adverse childhood experience were found to be independently associated with a higher score of depression. Conclusion One in three adolescents was found to have a depressive syndrome. We recommend schools to integrate school mental health service that contains routine screening and intervention services. Moreover, efforts are needed to sensitize and educate the communities on child protection, social support, and safeguarding to effectively tackle the magnitude of adolescent depression.
Effects of 0.5% and 2.0% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in Male CD-1 Mice From a 3-Month Oral Gavage Toxicity Study

The tolerability of single daily gavage doses of 0.5% or 2.0% (wt/vol) sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in 11- to 12-week-old male CD-1 mice was evaluated in a study of 3 months in duration. Live-phase, gross necropsy, and histopathologic parameters were evaluated. Mortality of 14% occurred in mice administered formulations containing SLS. Clinical observations in mice administered SLS included abnormal respiration (audible, irregular, and/or labored), swollen abdomen, rough haircoat, hunched appearance, and hypoactivity. Necropsy findings in mice administered SLS consisted of enlarged intestines containing abnormal contents with gas. There were no instances of mechanical gavage–related injury. Histologic evaluation of the respiratory tract revealed injury to the nasal passages and nasopharynx, including, but not limited to, inflammation, exudate, apoptosis/necrosis of epithelium, and atrophy of epithelium or olfactory nerves. Collectively, the data indicated that under the experimental conditions of our 3-month study in male CD-1 mice, once-daily gavage administration of vehicle formulations containing SLS at 0.5% or 2.0% resulted in nasal injury and 14% mortality supportive of gastroesophageal reflux. Sponsors utilizing formulations containing SLS in toxicity studies in CD-1 mice should exclude gastroesophageal reflux as a confounding factor in studies with morbidity or mortality associated with respiratory distress or evidence of aerophagia.
The role of microRNAs on doxorubicin drug resistance in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a serious challenge for effective therapy of cancers. Doxorubicin is a drug which is typically used for breast cancer treatment. Several mechanisms are involved in resistance to doxorubicin including overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, altering apoptosis, autophagy and cell cycle arrest. In this review, we focus on the potential effects of microRNAs on doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer. METHODS Literature review focusing on the 'microRNAs and doxorubicin drug resistance in breast cancer' was conducted comprehensively. The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Google and Google Scholar databases and reference lists of relevant articles were also included. KEY FINDINGS MicroRNAs play essential role in resistance of breast cancer to doxorubicin by affecting several key cellular pathways, including overexpression of ABC transporters, altering apoptosis, autophagy and cell signaling pathways, cell cycle arrest, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs). CONCLUSIONS Cancer treatment methods are moving from conventional therapies to targeted therapies such as using microRNAs. MiRNAs can act as regulatory molecules to overcome breast cancer doxorubicin resistance by controlling the expression levels of genes involved in different cellular pathways. Thus, exact elucidation of their role in different cellular processes can help overcome the breast cancer development and drug resistance.
The relationship between sensory reactivity differences and mental health symptoms in preschool‐age autistic children

There is growing evidence for an association between sensory reactivity and mental health in autism. This study set out to explore the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health in preschool‐aged autistic children. In total 54 preschool‐aged children with an Autism Spectrum Condition took part. Sensory and mental health symptoms were obtained from the Sensory Processing Scale Inventory, Sensory Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Differences and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children–3. Correlational analyses showed a relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms in autistic preschool‐aged children. Results also indicate divergence in sensory‐mental health profiles between autistic preschool‐aged children who are verbal and those who use few to no words. For the first time this study has revealed a relationship between sensory hyper‐reactivity, as well as sensory seeking, and mental health symptoms outside of anxiety in autism. Of note, this relationship between sensory hyper‐reactivity and internalizing symptoms appears to be driven by those with few to no words. This has implications for both research and clinical interventions, in particular for our understanding of the factors underlying mental health symptoms in different autistic phenotypes, as well as the possible role of functional communication in mitigating the development of mental health symptoms.
Are there sex differences in physiological parameters and reaction time responses to overload in firefighters?

Male and female firefighters work side-by-side in the same in strenuous and risky conditions. Anthropometrics, physiological, and reaction time (mean of reaction time -MRT-, and errors made -E) parameters of 12 Female and 13 Male firefighters were compared. Effect of overload (step test with and without equipment) on the MRT and E were analyzed on 3 trials (T1 = 1-1s, T2 = 0.5-1s, T3 = 0.5–0.5s), compared with a pre-test condition (basal). T-test between males and females was applied to assess differences (p<0.05) in all parameters. ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni on 3 conditions of step test between males and females was applied in reaction time variables. Between MRT and E, in T1, T2 and T3 trials and the 3 test conditions, ANCOVA models with interactions were used. Differences (p<0.05) in anthropometric, physiological and reaction time data emerged across groups, and on the 3rd trials (T3 vs T1 and T2) in reaction time parameters of each group. ANCOVA showed differences (p<0.001) in E among trials. Post hoc showed significant differences in T1vsT3 and T1vsT2. MRT x trial interaction was extremely significant (P<0.001). Implementing fitness and reaction time exercise programs is important to decrease the injury risk and increase work capacity in firefighters with reference to female workers.
Efficacy of Checkpoint Inhibitors in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Objectives Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) for low- and intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have been associated with limited efficacy; recent studies suggest CPIs may represent promising treatment for high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Methods We examined 57 patients with NENs who were treated with CPIs to determine if NETs and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) respond to immunotherapy. Results Patients with poorly differentiated NECs on CPI monotherapy had an objective response rate (ORR) of 0% and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 2.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–4.6). Patients with poorly differentiated NECs on dual CPI therapy had an ORR of 13% and PFS of 3.5 months (95% CI, 1.4–not reached [NR]). Patients with poorly differentiated NECs on CPI and cytotoxic therapy had an ORR of 36% with PFS of 4.2 months (95% CI, 1.6–NR). Well-differentiated grade 1 and 2 NETs on CPI monotherapy had an ORR of 25% with PFS NR. Well-differentiated grade 3 NETs had 0% ORR with a PFS of 2.9 months (95% CI, 1.4–4.2) on CPI monotherapy. Conclusions Checkpoint inhibitor therapy shows limited activity in patients with NENs. Future studies should identify biomarkers that can help identify patients who are likely responders to immunotherapy.
Effect of Lymphatic Filariasis and Hookworm Infection on Pregnancy Course and Outcome in Women Living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract. Little is known about the effect of helminth infections on the natural gynecological and pregnancy course. Our goal was to assess the relationship between Wuchereria bancrofti and hookworm (HW) infections with pregnancy course and outcome in a group of 82 women living in a rural area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Demographics and information on gynecological and obstetrical histories were collected retrospectively with standardized questionnaires. Wuchereria bancrofti and HW infections were diagnosed using a filarial antigen-detection test and the Kato–Katz method, respectively. Analyses consisted of multivariable logistic regressions adjusting for age, number of deliveries, and history of anthelmintic treatment (HAHT). The median age of study participants was 35 (interquartile range [IQR]: 30–44) years, and the median number of deliveries was five (IQR: 3–7). Wuchereria bancrofti and HW infection rates were 44.5% and 43.3%, respectively. Filarial antigenemia and HW infection were not significantly associated with the number of deliveries. The proportions of women with a history of pregnancy resulting in neonatal death, miscarriage, premature birth, and postpartum hemorrhage were 56%, 44%, 23%, and 36%, respectively. History of pregnancy associated with neonatal death was less frequent in women with HAHT, tended to be more frequent in women with filarial antigenemia, and was not associated with HW infection. None of the three other pregnancy events studied (miscarriage, premature birth, and postpartum hemorrhage) were associated with filarial antigenemia or HW infection. The positive association found between HAHT and lower risk of neonatal death warrants investigation in larger groups of women.
Drastic reduction of orthopaedic services at an urban tertiary hospital in South Africa during COVID-19: Lessons for the future response to the pandemic.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the global surgery landscape. OBJECTIVES To analyse and describe the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital, a tertiary academic hospital in South Africa. METHODS The number of orthopaedic surgical cases, emergency theatre patient waiting times, and numbers of outpatient clinic visits, ward admissions, bed occupancies and total inpatient days for January - April 2019 (pre-COVID-19) were compared with the same time frame in 2020 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 timeframe included initiation of a national 'hard lockdown' from 26 March 2020, in preparation for an increasing volume of COVID-19 cases. RESULTS April 2020, the time of the imposed hard lockdown, was the most affected month, although the number of surgical cases had started to decrease slowly during the 3 preceding months. The total number of surgeries, outpatient visits and ward admissions decreased significantly during April 2020 (55.2%, 69.1% and 60.6%, respectively) compared with April 2019 (p<0.05). Trauma cases were reduced by 40% in April 2020. Overall emergency theatre patient waiting time was 30% lower for April 2020 compared with 2019. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 and the associated lockdown has heavily impacted on both orthopaedic inpatient and outpatient services. Lockdown led to a larger reduction in the orthopaedic trauma burden than in international centres, but the overall reduction in surgeries, outpatient visits and hospital admissions was less. This lesser reduction was probably due to local factors, but also to a conscious decision to avoid total collapse of our surgical services.
On the Influence of Message/Audience Specifics and Message Appeal Type on Message Empowerment: The Austrian Case of COVID-19 Health Risk Messages

ABSTRACT A pandemic is a unique form of health crisis that requires intensive communicative efforts. In order to achieve positive health outcomes, messages need to be carefully designed. In this context, both message specifics and audience specifics receive consideration. This research tries to scrutinize (1) which message appeal (emotional vs. informative) is perceived more favorable by the Austrian public, (2) which message appeal (emotional vs. informative) leads to a higher degree of message empowerment, and (3) the degree to which message empowerment can be enhanced by (a) message specifics and (b) a combination of message and audience specifics. A quantitative survey with 337 Austrians revealed that the emotional appeal message led to a higher degree of message empowerment than the informative appeal message. Moreover, only message specifics were found to enhance message empowerment. Implications for message design are derived, before limitations and directions for future research are addressed.
The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Tympanostomy Tube Placement

Objective To evaluate how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected tympanostomy tube placement and practice patterns. Study Design A retrospective review of billing data. Setting A large-volume practice with both community and tertiary care providers. Methods As part of a quality initiative, billing data were queried to identify children <18 years of age who underwent tympanostomy tube placement between January 2019 and December 2020. Patient age, practice location, and case numbers were gathered. Results The study included data from 2652 patients. Prior to state-mandated clinic and operating room restrictions, there were no significant differences in the number of tympanostomy tubes placed (P = .64), including month-to-month comparisons, the distribution of patients being cared for at community vs tertiary care sites (P = .63), or patient age at the time of surgery (P = .97) between 2019 and 2020. After resumption of outpatient clinical and elective surgical activities, the number of tympanostomy tubes placed decreased significantly between 2019 and 2020 (831 vs 303 cases, P = .003), with a persistent month-to-month difference. In addition, patients undergoing tube placement were older (4.5 vs 3.2 years, P < .001). The distribution of cases performed in the community setting decreased during this time period as well (P < .001). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of pediatric tympanostomy tube placement has significantly decreased. The age of patients undergoing surgery has increased, and more children are being cared for in a tertiary setting. These findings may reflect changes in the prevalence of acute and chronic otitis media as the result of the pandemic.
Microstates in complex and dynamical environments: Unraveling situational awareness in critical helicopter landing maneuvers

Understanding decision‐making in complex and dynamic environments is relevant for designing strategies targeting safety improvements and error rate reductions. However, studies evaluating brain dynamics in realistic situations are scarce in the literature. Given the evidence that specific microstates may be associated with perception and attention, in this work we explored for the first time the application of the microstate model in an ecological, dynamic and complex scenario. More specifically, we evaluated elite helicopter pilots during engine‐failure missions in the vicinity of the so called “dead man's curve,” which establishes the operational limits for a safe landing after the execution of a recovery maneuver (autorotation). Pilots from the Brazilian Air Force flew a AS‐350 helicopter in a certified aerodrome and physiological sensor data were synchronized with the aircraft's flight test instrumentation. We assessed these neural correlates during maneuver execution, by comparing their modulations and source reconstructed activity with baseline epochs before and after flights. We show that the topographies of our microstate templates with 4, 5, and 6 classes resemble the literature, and that a distinct modulation characterizes decision‐making intervals. Moreover, the source reconstruction result points to a differential activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, which is associated to emotional regulation circuits in the brain. Our results suggest that microstates are promising neural correlates to evaluate realistic situations, even in a challenging and intrinsically noisy environment. Furthermore, it strengthens their usage and expands their application for studying cognition under more realistic conditions.
Lipid-modifying effects of lean fish and fish-derived protein consumption in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT Consumption of lean fish and fish-derived proteins were effective for improving lipid profiles in published studies; however, evidence remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of lean fish or fish-derived protein on serum/plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels by conducting a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES Medline (Ovid), Scopus, CINAHL, and Food and Nutritional Sciences databases were searched from the start date of each database to September 2019 to identify RCTs determining the effect of lean fish on lipid profile. STUDY SELECTION INCLUDED RCTs investigated lean fish and fish-derived proteins intake and determined at least 1 major lipid or lipoprotein measurement. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently evaluated 1217 studies against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant studies were assessed for risks of bias, and random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to generate average estimates of effect. RESULTS A total of 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of data from 18 to 21 eligible crossover and parallel-design RCTs with a total of 1392 to 1456 participants found triacylglycerol-lowering effects for lean fish compared with no fish consumption. Lean fish intake showed no significant differences related to total cholesterol or lipoprotein levels. Subanalysis showed that parallel-group RCTs tended to find greater reduction effects on circulating triacylglycerol than did crossover RCTs. CONCLUSION Additional better-designed, longer, and larger RCTs, particularly crossover RCTs, are needed to clarify the impact of lean fish and fish proteins on the serum/plasma lipid profile. Findings from such studies would enable practitioners to provide their patients evidence-based recommendations to meet the American Heart Association guidelines for fish consumption to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.