Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shell Quality and Bacterial Infection of Shell Eggs

ABSTRACT SEVERAL investigators have suggested that the pores in egg shells provide a means for entrance of microorganisms into the egg with subsequent spoilage as a result (Bryant and Sharp, 1934; Gillespie and Scott, 1950; Haines and Moran, 1940; Lorenz and Starr, 1952). Walden et al. (1956) attempted to show a relation between infection of shell eggs and porosity, but concluded that porosity of the dry shell was not a reliable index of infectibility. With regard to arrangement of pores, the latter workers observed that the blunt end of the shell generally contained more pores than those found in the sharp end. This condition was not considered as generally prevalent by Almquist and Holst (1931) in a previous study. The porecounting technique employed by Tyler (1955) revealed that pores were arranged in a distribution somewhere between randomness and complete uniformity. The literature concerning microbiological spoilage of shell eggs is voluminous, and .
Assessing the accuracy of two Bayesian forecasting programs in estimating vancomycin drug exposure.

BACKGROUND Current guidelines for intravenous vancomycin identify drug exposure (as indicated by the AUC) as the best pharmacokinetic (PK) indicator of therapeutic outcome. OBJECTIVES To assess the accuracy of two Bayesian forecasting programs in estimating vancomycin AUC0-∞ in adults with limited blood concentration sampling. METHODS The application of seven vancomycin population PK models in two Bayesian forecasting programs was examined in non-obese adults (n = 22) with stable renal function. Patients were intensively sampled following a single (1000 mg or 15 mg/kg) dose. For each patient, AUC was calculated by fitting all vancomycin concentrations to a two-compartment model (defined as AUCTRUE). AUCTRUE was then compared with the Bayesian-estimated AUC0-∞ values using a single vancomycin concentration sampled at various times post-infusion. RESULTS Optimal sampling times varied across different models. AUCTRUE was generally overestimated at earlier sampling times and underestimated at sampling times after 4 h post-infusion. The models by Goti et al. (Ther Drug Monit 2018; 40: 212-21) and Thomson et al. (J Antimicrob Chemother 2009; 63: 1050-7) had precise and unbiased sampling times (defined as mean imprecision <25% and <38 mg·h/L, with 95% CI for mean bias containing zero) between 1.5 and 6 h and between 0.75 and 2 h post-infusion, respectively. Precise but biased sampling times for Thomson et al. were between 4 and 6 h post-infusion. CONCLUSIONS When using a single vancomycin concentration for Bayesian estimation of vancomycin drug exposure (AUC), the predictive performance was generally most accurate with sample collection between 1.5 and 6 h after infusion, though optimal sampling times varied across different population PK models.
Variation of visibility bias during aerial surveys of manatees

The magnitude of bias due to incomplete visibility of animals during aerial surveys has been measured in several ways. Estimates of the percentage of animals counted ranged from 23 to 80% in 17 studies reviewed by Caughley (1974). Visibility is difficult to estimate where actual density is not known, as is the case for many wildlife populations. This problem was surmounted in a census of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by determining the visibility of a known number of individuals located by radiotelemetry within the survey area (Floyd et al. 1979). Ground counts have been compared with aerial counts in attempts to estimate the visibility bias during surveys of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) (Eberhardt et al. 1979) and manatees (Trichechus manatus) (Shane 1981). Accurate ground counts of marine mammals are difficult because of movement of sub-
High Efficacy of Ozonated Oils on the Removal of Biofilms Produced by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Ozone has a high wound healing capacity and antibacterial properties and can be used as a complementary treatment in infections. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is the most common pathogen found in infected diabetic foot ulcers. Most of MRSA are resistant to several classes of antibiotics and, therefore, there is a need for new, effective, and well-tolerated agents. Thus, we aimed evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potentials of ozonated vegetable oils against MRSA strains isolated from diabetic foot ulcers. Six ozonated oils were produced with concentrations of ozone ranging from 0.53 to 17 mg of ozone/g of oil. The peroxide values were determined for each oil. Ozonated oils content on fatty acid was determined by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and the effect of ozonated oils on biofilm formation ability and on established biofilms was investigated. In general, the content in identified unsaturated fatty acid in oils decreased with the increase of ozonation time and, consequently, the peroxide value increased. Most bacterial strains were inhibited by ozonated oil at a concentration of 4.24 mg/g. Ozonated oils had moderate to high ability to remove adhered cells and showed a high capacity to eradicate 24 h old biofilms. Our results show promising use of ozonated oils on the treatment of infections, in particular those caused by multidrug-resistant MRSA strains.
Exercise- and Cold-Induced Human PGC-1α mRNA Isoform Specific Responses

Cold exposure in conjunction with aerobic exercise stimulates gene expression of PGC-1α, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. PGC-1α can be expressed as multiple isoforms due to alternative splicing mechanisms. Among these isoforms is NT-PGC-1α, which produces a truncated form of the PGC-1α protein, as well as isoforms derived from the first exon of the transcript, PGC-1α-a, PGC-1α-b, and PGC-1α-c. Relatively little is known about the individual responses of these isoforms to exercise and environmental temperature. Therefore, we determined the expression of PGC-1α isoforms following an acute bout of cycling in cold (C) and room temperature (RT) conditions. Nine male participants cycled for 1h at 65% Wmax at −2 °C and 20 °C. A muscle biopsy was taken from the vastus lateralis before and 3h post-exercise. RT-qPCR was used to analyze gene expression of PGC-1α isoforms. Gene expression of all PGC-1α isoforms increased due to the exercise intervention (p < 0.05). Exercise and cold exposure induced a greater increase in gene expression for total PGC-1α (p = 0.028) and its truncated isoform, NT-PGC-1α (p = 0.034), but there was no temperature-dependent response in the other PGC-1α isoforms measured. It appears that NT-PGC-1α may have a significant contribution to the reported alterations in the exercise- and temperature-induced PGC-1α response.
Impact of Environmental Pollution on Health—Evidence from Cities in China

ABSTRACT Doubtless, China’s long-term extensive development model has exacerbated environmental pollution, thus posing a great threat to the health of its residents. Against this background, the present paper constructs a comprehensive system for evaluating environmental pollution from the perspective of environmental pollution and natural purification, and then empirically analyzes the impact of environmental pollution on the “near-term health,” “self-rated health”, and “mental health” of Chinese residents via the Hierarchical Linear Model based on the data from China Family Panel Studies in 2016. This paper focuses on the impact of environmental pollution on physical health as well as on mental health. The results are as follows: (1) although environmental pollution in China has no significant negative impact on the “near-term health” of residents, it can reduce the levels of “self-rated health” and “mental health” of residents; (2) environmental pollution causes more health losses to the low-income group and residents in underdeveloped cities in central and western China. It is argued that perfecting public services is an important way to improve residents’ physical and mental health in the process of urbanization in China.
N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) Sensing, Utilization, and Functions in Candida albicans

The sensing and efficient utilization of environmental nutrients are critical for the survival of microorganisms in environments where nutrients are limited, such as within mammalian hosts. Candida albicans is a common member of the human microbiota as well as an opportunistic fungal pathogen. The amide derivative sugar N-acetlyglucosamine (GlcNAc) is an important signaling molecule for C. albicans that could be a major nutrient source for this fungus in host settings. In this article, we review progress made over the past two decades on GlcNAc utilization, sensing, and functions in C. albicans and its related fungal species. GlcNAc sensing and catabolic pathways have been intensively studied in C. albicans. The C. albicans protein Ngt1 represents the first identified GlcNAc-specific transporter in eukaryotic organisms. In C. albicans, GlcNAc not only induces morphological transitions including the yeast to hyphal transition and the white to opaque phenotypic switch, but it also promotes fungal cell death. The Ras-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway plays critical roles in regulating these processes. Given the importance of GlcNAc sensing and utilization in C. albicans, targeting GlcNAc associated pathways and key pathway components could be promising in the development of new antifungal strategies.
Temporal patterns of bat activity in southern Arizona

Knowledge of temporal variation in bat activity within an area is an essential component in designing bat surveys. Yet few studies have thoroughly examined this aspect of bat biology. We measured bat activity at 3 temporal scales in the southern Arizona Sonoran Desert to develop recommendations for designing bat inventory programs and to provide baseline data on activity within this region. We studied bat temporal activity at 17 water sources from May 1995-August 1996 using mistnets and ultrasonic detectors. Indices of bat activity were higher during the reproductive season (May-Aug) than the nonreproductive season (Sep-Apr). Bat activity did not differ between any of the 2-week time periods within the reproductive season. We found that the pattern of bat activity over the course of the night differed by season and year within seasons. Our results indicate that it is important to determine bat activity in an area before designing bat surveys. Activity measured in a portion of the night may not always reflect total activity. We recommend that when possible, activity should be monitored throughout the night.
COVID‐19 NHS infection control strategy: Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum

A recent BMJ Editorial ("Getting it right in the pandemic") has discussed examples of countries that have done better than others in responding to COVID-19 pandemic and, conversely, those policymakers and health systems that got it wrong. (Loder, 2020) There is little doubt that, when facing a pandemic with a high speed of onset and transmission, "nobody should be surprised that errors were made" (Adebowale et al, 2020) and "what it was done some weeks ago is not what we would do today".
Extensive Peritumoral Edema and Brain-to-Tumor Interface MR Imaging Features Enable Prediction of Brain Invasion in Meningioma: Development and Validation.

BACKGROUND Brain invasion by meningioma is a stand-alone criterion for tumor atypia in the 2016 World Health Organization classification, but no imaging parameter has yet been shown to be sufficient for predicting it. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an MRI-based radiomics model from the brain-to-tumor interface to predict brain invasion by meningioma. METHODS Preoperative T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging data were obtained from 454 patients (88 patients with brain invasion) between 2015 and 2017. Feature selection was performed from 3236 radiomics features obtained in the 1cm-thickness tumor-to-brain interface region using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Peritumoral edema volume, age, gender, and selected radiomics features were used to construct a random forest classifier-based diagnostic model. The performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curves (AUCs) in an independent cohort of 150 patients (29 patients with brain invasion) between 2018 and 2019. RESULTS Volume of peritumoral edema was an independent predictor of brain invasion (P<.001). The top six interface radiomics features plus the volume of peritumoral edema were selected for model construction. The combined model showed the highest performance for prediction of brain invasion in the training (AUC 0.97,95%CI:0.95-0.98) and validation sets (AUC 0.91,95%CI:0.84-0.98), and improved diagnostic performance over volume of peritumoral edema only (AUC 0.76,95% CI: 0.66-0.86). CONCLUSION An imaging-based model combining interface radiomics and peritumoral edema can help to predict brain invasion by meningioma and improve the diagnostic performance of known clinical and imaging parameters.
Magnitude and associated factors of perceived stress and its consequence among undergraduate students of Salale University, Ethiopia: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Excessive stress may have a negative impact on students’ performance and learning ability. The aim of this study is to assess the magnitude and associated factors of perceived stress and its consequences among undergraduate students at Salale University, Ethiopia. A self-administered cross-sectional study has been conducted among 421 students of Salale University from April 1st to May 30th, 2018. Multiple linear regressions and Spearman’s rank correlation were applied. The overall response rate is 95.49 %. The mean perceived stress score (PSS-14) was 29.97 (standard deviation =7.48). Spearman correlation test has shown that perceived stress is significantly but negatively correlated with grade point average [rs = -0.25 (-0.334 – -0.153)] and year of studies [rs = -0.13 (-0.232 – -0.032)]. Increased perceived stress indices are significantly associated with female gender (P < 0.001), grade point average (P < 0.01), academic stressors (P < 0.01), and psychosocial stressors (P < 0.01). Mean of PSS-14 was high among health science students (31.42 ± 9.37) than agricultural (30.78 ± 7.69) and business students (28.04 ± 5.43), however, there were no statistically significant differences. These findings are sufficient to allow a large-scale study to further help better understanding the stress-vulnerability factors of undergraduate students.
Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis: novel and nonconventional methods

IS The laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis must be accelerated and expanded not only in response to the changes in patient populations, but also in fulfillment of the need for shorter turnaround times and increased accuracy that enables conservation of limited healthcare resources. This review describes novel and nonconventional methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Drawing on traditional knowledge to identify and describe ecosystem services associated with Northern Amazon’s multiple-use plants

ABSTRACT Tropical multiple-use plants provide an array of ecosystem services, including providing food for wildlife, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and commercial logs. As land-use and land-cover change (LUCC) continues in tropical forests, questions on whether the ecosystem services they provide can be sustained become more pressing. As particular species of plants are targeted for provisioning services, such as commercial logging, the implications for other ecosystem services are often unknown. In this paper we drew on the traditional knowledge of the Makushi and Wapishiana Amerindians of Southern Guyana, and multiple-use plants to gauge the ecosystem services that may be compromised as tropical forests undergo change. An inventory of tree and palm species was classified into one or more of four resource-use classes: commercial timber, wildlife food, traditional uses or no known use. Species that intersected more than one resource use were defined as multiple-use species, and occupied four primary classes – wildlife food/commercial timber, commercial timber/traditional uses, wildlife food/traditional uses and wildlife food/commercial timber/traditional uses. Traditional knowledge allowed us to identify plant species and describe how they are used for provisioning, cultural and supporting ecosystem services and shaping our understanding of the multiple dimensions of ecosystem services associated with a single species. EDITED BY John Parrotta
Reproductive consequences of environment-driven variation in Adélie penguin breeding phenology

Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae exhibit phenological variability across their geo- graphic range due to fixed and variable forcing factors acting differentially on populations. Shifts in breeding phenology can be indicative of environmental change when cues for breeding ini - tiation are tightly linked with environmental conditions. Adelie penguins on opposite sides of Antarctica display contrasting trends in clutch initiation dates, with different explanations of underlying causes. To make comparisons possible with a third significant Adelie penguin popula- tion region, we examined temporal trends and driving factors of breeding phenology at Becher- vaise Island in East Antarctica. We have extended existing knowledge by examining how pheno- logical dates are related throughout a breeding season, as well as the reproductive consequences of phenological variation. In contrast to other sites, we saw no evidence at this site of shifts towards early or delayed arrival or clutch initiation. Arrival, clutch initiation dates and the length of the incubation period had different environmental forcing factors, which explained up to 36% of the temporal variability. Penguins had a reduced courtship and egg-lay period when their arrival was delayed, and this led to later clutch initiation, later parent departure for foraging trips and later chick hatch. The phenological variations recorded here were not detrimental to chick-rearing. In particular, a delay in the start of breeding activities did not result in poor reproductive success. This indicates the importance of other factors for chick survival. Inter-annual pheno logical vari- ability at this location is compared with that at other locations to further develop the colony latitude-breeding phenology relationship for Adelie penguins.
Dual Triggered Correspondence Topic (DTCT)model for MeSH annotation

Accurate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)annotation is an important issue for researchers in terms of effective information retrieval and knowledge discovery in the biomedical literature. We have developed a powerful dual triggered correspondence topic (DTCT)model for MeSH annotated articles. In our model, two types of data are assumed to be generated by the same latent topic factors and words in abstracts and titles serve as descriptions of the other type, MeSH terms. Our model allows the generation of MeSHs in abstracts to be triggered either by general document topics or by document-specific “special” word distributions in a probabilistic manner, allowing for a trade-off between the benefits of topic-based abstraction and specific word matching. In order to relax the topic influences of non-topical words or domain-frequent words in text description, we integrated the discriminative feature of Okapi BM25 into word sampling probability. This allows the model to choose keywords, which stand out from others, in order to generate MeSH terms. We further incorporate prior knowledge about relations between word and MeSH in DTCT with phi-coefficient to improve topic coherence. We demonstrated the model's usefulness in automatic MeSH annotation. Our model obtained 0.62 F-score 150,00 MEDLINE test set and showed a strength in recall rate. Specially, it yielded competitive performances in an integrated probabilistic environment without additional post-processing for filtering MeSHs.
Interleukin-26, preferentially produced by TH17 lymphocytes, regulates CNS barrier function

Objective To investigate the involvement of interleukin (IL)-26 in neuroinflammatory processes in multiple sclerosis (MS), in particular in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Methods Expression of IL-26 was measured in serum, CSF, in vitro differentiated T helper (TH) cell subsets, and postmortem brain tissue of patients with MS and controls by ELISA, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Primary human and mouse BBB endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with IL-26 in vitro and assessed for BBB integrity. RNA sequencing was performed on IL-26–treated human BBB ECs. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice were injected IP with IL-26. BBB leakage and immune cell infiltration were assessed in the CNS of these mice using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Results IL-26 expression was induced in TH lymphocytes by TH17-inducing cytokines and was upregulated in the blood and CSF of patients with MS. CD4+IL-26+ T lymphocytes were found in perivascular infiltrates in MS brain lesions, and both receptor chains for IL-26 (IL-10R2 and IL-20R1) were detected on BBB ECs in vitro and in situ. In contrast to IL-17 and IL-22, IL-26 promoted integrity and reduced permeability of BBB ECs in vitro and in vivo. In EAE, IL-26 reduced disease severity and proinflammatory lymphocyte infiltration into the CNS, while increasing infiltration of Tregs. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that although IL-26 is preferentially expressed by TH17 lymphocytes, it promotes BBB integrity in vitro and in vivo and is protective in chronic EAE, highlighting the functional diversity of cytokines produced by TH17 lymphocytes.
Preserved executive functioning and low stress symptoms in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract Pediatric cancer treatment can negatively impact cognitive and psychosocial development, although it has been suggested that these adverse effects may be minimized when children have higher resilience and better executive functioning. We aimed to evaluate the impact of pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment on executive function, resilience and stress in survivors and to investigate correlations between executive functioning and resilience and between executive functioning and stress. The neuropsychological assessment was performed in 32 ALL survivors aged 7–17 years and 28 age-, sex- and socioeconomic status matched controls. Executive functioning was assessed by inhibitory control, mental flexibility and working memory tasks. Children’s self-report scales were used to assess stress symptoms and resilience. Results revealed no executive function impairment nor stress symptom differences between ALL survivors and control group. In the ALL group, executive function and resilience were positively correlated, whereas executive function and stress were negatively correlated. We concluded that ALL treatment was not associated with impairment in executive functioning nor to increased stress symptoms in our sample. ALL survivors with better performance in mental flexibility and inhibition tasks reported fewer stress symptoms and more resilience, indicating a possible relationship between these variables.